Spring practice is officially in the books after the team finished its last session on Tuesday afternoon. No crazy fights like the one Byron talked about on Sunday and it was a pretty sparsely attended practice.
Still, it was a pretty spirited one with the players back in pads after working in shirts and shorts over the weekend. Defensive tackle Tashon Smallwood stayed in a t-shirt and shorts, and didn't participate in any drills before leaving early. Running back Demario Richard wasn't at practice at all.
The numbers of flame helmets was up to 29 on Tuesday, including Stephon McCray, Nick Kelly and Edmond Boateng, despite getting ejected from the team scrimmage on Sunday.
Jalen Harvey joined the group of green-jersey players on Muscle Beach after suffering an ankle injury over the weekend and Kweishi Brown spent a lot of time over there too, although he was in a white jersey. Chans Cox, Armand Perry, Cam Smith, Vi Teofilo, Eriquel Florence, Ezekiel Bishop, Mo Latu, Laiu Moeakiola and Jason Franklin were the others in green.
James Johnson, Lloyd Carrington and Mike Bercovici were again in the PT42 jerseys.
First-team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Kalen Ballage (RB), De'Chavon Hayes (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Dan Vear (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), Billy McGehee (RT)
First-team defense: Edmond Boateng (DE), Demetrius Cherry (NOSE), Ami Latu (Tiger), Ismael Murphy-Richardson (Devil), Antonio Longino (WILL), Christian Sam (SAM), Marcus Ball (SPUR), Lloyd Carrington (CB), Solomon Means (CB), Jordan Simone (S), James Johnson (S)
Second-team offense: Brady White (QB), Jacom Brimhall (RB), Gary Chambers (WR), Ty Whiley (WR), Eric Lauderdale (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Evan Goodman (LT), Jack Powers (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), Quinn Bailey (RT)
Second-team defense: Renell Wren (DE), Connor Humphreys (NOSE), George Lea (Tiger), AJ Latu (Devil), DJ Calhoun (WILL), Salamo Fiso (SAM), Luke Williams (SPUR), Jayme Otomewo (CB), Ronald Lewis (CB), Dasmond Tautalatasi (safety), DeAndre Scott (safety)
It was a really good day for the offense, which seemed to score touchdowns at will against the defense. Were it not for a bunch of sacks racked up near the end of practice, it would've been a complete rout by the offense.
Jacom Brimhall started the day off with a long, 60 or so yard touchdown right up the middle of the defense. Kalen Ballage had two long touchdowns out of the backfield, running the same crossing route across the middle of the field, easily out-running any linebacker that tried to cover him. He also added a rushing touchdown later in the practice.
Both of Ballage's touchdowns were aided by strong blocking downfield by the receivers. Fred Gammage and D.J. Foster won their blocks, but it was Gary Chambers that won in a big way on both touchdowns.
Foster had a long touchdown when he beat Marcus Ball deep early in practice, although it may have been James Johnson's responsibility, and Foster scored again on a comeback route in the corner of the endzone.
Gump Hayes, Eric Lauderdale and Chambers each caught touchdowns in the back of the end zone as well. Chambers earned that touchdown, catching it one play after making the play of the day by hauling in a one-handed diving grab near the sideline that drew an ovation from the small crowd in attendance and the offensive sideline.
The only redeeming thing for the defense on Tuesday was the pass rush which finished the day with nine sacks. After impressing against second-team defensive linemen in the spring game, George Lea kept the strong play going against some of the starters. He beat McCray for a lightning quick sack of Mike Bercovici during 11-on-11 and decisively beat Westerman in one-on-one pass rushing drills.
Ballage spent about a third or fourth of the practice on the defensive side (which makes his offensive production that much more impressive), and looked really good getting after the passer, although he didn't finish with a sack. In one-on-one drills, he embarrassed Billy McGehee with a spin move inside after the right tackle over-committed to the outside to compensate for Ballage's speed.
Ismael Murphy-Richardson (leg), Gary Chambers (hand) and James Johnson (ankle) all suffered minor dings that kept them out for a few reps, but all three returned to action.
With all the pass rushing success, it's not that surprising that the offense managed to draw a few offsides penalties. Demetrius Cherry jumped off twice and James Johnson jumped off on a field goal attempt that afforded Zane Gonzalez with a chance to retry a kick that he missed. He missed the second attempt, but those were the only two missed kicks on the day for Gonzalez, who was wearing a flame helmet.
The team spent a lot of time working on special teams, including pooch punts. Manny Wilkins is still clearly the best punting quarterback and the defense prepped for pooch punts by opposing offenses as well.
As always, any questions are welcome.
Still, it was a pretty spirited one with the players back in pads after working in shirts and shorts over the weekend. Defensive tackle Tashon Smallwood stayed in a t-shirt and shorts, and didn't participate in any drills before leaving early. Running back Demario Richard wasn't at practice at all.
The numbers of flame helmets was up to 29 on Tuesday, including Stephon McCray, Nick Kelly and Edmond Boateng, despite getting ejected from the team scrimmage on Sunday.
Jalen Harvey joined the group of green-jersey players on Muscle Beach after suffering an ankle injury over the weekend and Kweishi Brown spent a lot of time over there too, although he was in a white jersey. Chans Cox, Armand Perry, Cam Smith, Vi Teofilo, Eriquel Florence, Ezekiel Bishop, Mo Latu, Laiu Moeakiola and Jason Franklin were the others in green.
James Johnson, Lloyd Carrington and Mike Bercovici were again in the PT42 jerseys.
First-team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Kalen Ballage (RB), De'Chavon Hayes (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Dan Vear (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), Billy McGehee (RT)
First-team defense: Edmond Boateng (DE), Demetrius Cherry (NOSE), Ami Latu (Tiger), Ismael Murphy-Richardson (Devil), Antonio Longino (WILL), Christian Sam (SAM), Marcus Ball (SPUR), Lloyd Carrington (CB), Solomon Means (CB), Jordan Simone (S), James Johnson (S)
Second-team offense: Brady White (QB), Jacom Brimhall (RB), Gary Chambers (WR), Ty Whiley (WR), Eric Lauderdale (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Evan Goodman (LT), Jack Powers (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), Quinn Bailey (RT)
Second-team defense: Renell Wren (DE), Connor Humphreys (NOSE), George Lea (Tiger), AJ Latu (Devil), DJ Calhoun (WILL), Salamo Fiso (SAM), Luke Williams (SPUR), Jayme Otomewo (CB), Ronald Lewis (CB), Dasmond Tautalatasi (safety), DeAndre Scott (safety)
It was a really good day for the offense, which seemed to score touchdowns at will against the defense. Were it not for a bunch of sacks racked up near the end of practice, it would've been a complete rout by the offense.
Jacom Brimhall started the day off with a long, 60 or so yard touchdown right up the middle of the defense. Kalen Ballage had two long touchdowns out of the backfield, running the same crossing route across the middle of the field, easily out-running any linebacker that tried to cover him. He also added a rushing touchdown later in the practice.
Both of Ballage's touchdowns were aided by strong blocking downfield by the receivers. Fred Gammage and D.J. Foster won their blocks, but it was Gary Chambers that won in a big way on both touchdowns.
Foster had a long touchdown when he beat Marcus Ball deep early in practice, although it may have been James Johnson's responsibility, and Foster scored again on a comeback route in the corner of the endzone.
Gump Hayes, Eric Lauderdale and Chambers each caught touchdowns in the back of the end zone as well. Chambers earned that touchdown, catching it one play after making the play of the day by hauling in a one-handed diving grab near the sideline that drew an ovation from the small crowd in attendance and the offensive sideline.
The only redeeming thing for the defense on Tuesday was the pass rush which finished the day with nine sacks. After impressing against second-team defensive linemen in the spring game, George Lea kept the strong play going against some of the starters. He beat McCray for a lightning quick sack of Mike Bercovici during 11-on-11 and decisively beat Westerman in one-on-one pass rushing drills.
Ballage spent about a third or fourth of the practice on the defensive side (which makes his offensive production that much more impressive), and looked really good getting after the passer, although he didn't finish with a sack. In one-on-one drills, he embarrassed Billy McGehee with a spin move inside after the right tackle over-committed to the outside to compensate for Ballage's speed.
Ismael Murphy-Richardson (leg), Gary Chambers (hand) and James Johnson (ankle) all suffered minor dings that kept them out for a few reps, but all three returned to action.
With all the pass rushing success, it's not that surprising that the offense managed to draw a few offsides penalties. Demetrius Cherry jumped off twice and James Johnson jumped off on a field goal attempt that afforded Zane Gonzalez with a chance to retry a kick that he missed. He missed the second attempt, but those were the only two missed kicks on the day for Gonzalez, who was wearing a flame helmet.
The team spent a lot of time working on special teams, including pooch punts. Manny Wilkins is still clearly the best punting quarterback and the defense prepped for pooch punts by opposing offenses as well.
As always, any questions are welcome.
