This is it, the last practice of the spring before the Homer Bowl on Saturday. Fittingly enough considering the cold and wild weather of this past month, Notre Dame practiced inside the Loftus Center, minus wide receiver Darrin Bragg, who left the team, and Robert Hughes, the Chicago recruit who made a rare non-appearance.
- Wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello spent a few minutes conversing with linebacker Brendan Beal from Roxbury, N.J. during stretching.
- We're guessing the players recognize the end of spring ball, too, because they seemed peppy today, cracking jokes and making light rumbles throughout the stretching period.
- Keith Penrod was around at practice, as was Deputy Athletic Director Stan Wilcox.
- First-team defense today: Secondary, from left to right: Ambrose Wooden, David Bruton, Tom Zbikowski and Terrail Lambert. Linebackers, from left to right: Scott Smith, Toryan Smith, Maurice Crum Jr. and John Ryan. Defensive line: Trevor Laws, Pat Kuntz and Dwight Stephenson Jr.
- Second-team defense today: Secondary: Raeshon McNeil, Ray Herring, Kyle McCarthy, Darrin Walls. Linebackers: Joe Brockington, Anthony Vernaglia, Morrice Richardson and Steve Quinn. Defensive line: Kallen Wade, Derrell Hand and Justin Brown.
- Third-team secondary: Munir Prince, Leonard Gordon, Leo Ferrine and Sergio Brown. Chris Stewart also worked with the third team.
- Speaking of Sergio Brown, he still has what appears to be a soft cast on his right hand.
- First wide receiver group during drills: David Grimes, George West and Robby Parris.
If you have any questions for Sunday's mailbag or people you want us to take extra looks at during Saturday's spring game, e-mail us at mrothstein@jg.net or drop a comment in the box. Also, we'll try to live blog the spring game as much as possible, so take a peek here Saturday for that.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Do you know what's up with Jashaad Gaines, the other Freshman safety?
Posted by: Moose Krause | April 18, 2007 at 09:28 PM
How is Raeshon McNeil doing? We here in Las Vegas are very proud of him and his sister on the womens Basket Ball Team.
Coul you keep an eye on him and report to us on his playing in the Spring Game Saturday.
Keep up the great work
GO IRISH
Posted by: Terrence Hammes Mowbray | April 19, 2007 at 11:14 PM
How is Raeshon McNeil doing? We here in Las Vegas are very proud of him and his sister on the womens Basket Ball Team.
Coul you keep an eye on him and report to us on his playing in the Spring Game Saturday.
Keep up the great work
GO IRISH
Posted by: Terrence Hammes Mowbray | April 19, 2007 at 11:14 PM