Practice Impressions, 9/5/07

Rain, can you please show up already? It was unbearably hot at Notre Dame again today, so much so that Charlie Weis was wearing a short sleeve windbreaker along with shorts. And someone needs to eliminate mosquitoes, too, as most of our arms are bitten up.
And oh yeah, an interesting move in the report today. Read on:

• We glanced over at the quarterbacks and guess who wasn't there -- Demetrius Jones. Nope, he instead worked with the running backs through the gauntlet. He ran hard through the gauntlet and after the drill, offensive coordinator said "3, you're outta here," and he shuffled slowly back to the quarterbacks. Could it be due to fumbles that he was over there? Or is a position switch on the horizon for the former starting quarterback. While he ran through the gauntlet, Haywood told him to stay tight and tuck the ball. Also, his right arm has a large swath of dark gray tape on it.
• Meanwhile, Jimmy Clausen warmed up with Evan Sharpley.
• Brian Polian has another new hat -- this time a fishing one. I wonder if he has a gigantic rack in his office of each hat.
• Offensive line coach John Latina explained to sophomore Eric Olsen how to pop up and block while the team was stretching.
• Defensive backs work on Cover 2 groupings. Darrin Walls goes first among the cornerbacks, followed by Ambrose Wooden. But considering they were working in groups of three with one corner and two safeties, I wouldn't look at this as a depth chart switch. Bill Lewis, though, told Walls to "jam the receiver."
• During the drill, William David Williams, who was just awarded a scholarship, had a nice cutback on a pitch run.
• Athletic director Kevin White and fan Keith Penrod were in attendance.

Don't forget about our predictions contest. E-mail your guesses for Penn State-Notre Dame to mrothstein@jg.net. Also, don't forget to send questions about anything -- mosquito bite ointment suggestions welcome, too -- to mrothstein@jg.net for our weekly mailbag.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Comments

[bob drake]

Michael,

Is there more of an emphasis on the OL during practice this week?

[jim harrigan RB/CA]

Has anyone even brought up the very real problem - once again - of the lack of ND team speed? CW alluded to the lack of "game speed" and what he intends to do about it...like you could flick a switch and correct the problem. Penn State may - and all Big 10 teams - be on a par with ND re: team speed...but SC isn't...nor have been any bowl teams for the last 9-years!