Greg Archuleta came up and asked me, “Really,
practice is
more fun for you then games?” Yes, Archuleta it is! Today like I said
is one of
my all time favorite days as the University
of New Mexico football team padded up and I was anticipating a full day
of Lobo
punch you in the freaking mouth football. I wasn't the only one
expecting that
as the Lobos have had a strong fall camp so far this year.
Obviously I'm not the only one that likes the first day of full contact
as
men's basketball Coach Steve Alford
and newly
hired assistant Wyking Jones along with Paul Krebs an Tim Cass also
made an
appearance to see practice.
With
visions of Alex Kirk and the Big Dance in his head!
Hmmm...
Can any of these guys play center this year?
One of the guys on the sidelines none of us wanted
to see was Sr. Safety Ian Clark with a sling holding his shoulder. Ian was in good spirits and
told us
the good news that they got the shoulder back in place and that he was
scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday. Clark said, "I feel okay, and I will
be
back." Our prayers go out to you Ian, you are a super guy not only on
the
field, but off it as well.
While I wasn't dissapointed, it sure sounds like Coach Locks was. After
practice coach was talking to a few of the television cameras and he
said (I'm
paraphrasing here) that around here the Lobos are known for their
intensity,
but he didn't see it today. Not just ouch, but double ouch!
Mat McBain v. Ben Contreras
First day of pads is supposed to bring more
passion and heat and while there
were times I saw it, I learned once again that I am not a D-I football
coach.
"I don't care if it is because of the heat, first day of pads, or
whatever
else it was," said Locksley. "I want to see more intensity and less
mistakes out there."
Now I told you all that the first day of pads for me is all about
watching the
big guys. I've had my fill of WR's an DB's the past couple of days,
let's take
a look where games are won and loss... Time to take a look in the
trenches.
Reggie Ellis v. Karlin Givens
The infamous "Oklahoma Drill" brought the heat as
two pads are laid
on the ground, a QB hands the ball of to a ball carrier and a blocker
is in
front going one on one with a defender. The defenders job is obviously
to fight
off the blocker and make the stop.
The trio of Erik Cook, Josh Taufele, and Byron Bell went to work and
were
awesome as their ball carriers were able to blow by untouched. As Mike Cannon
and Ivan Hernandez continue to improve the O-line is looking very nice.
Fr.
Center Dillon Farrell continues to receive props from the coaching
staff.
Maurice Mears v. Seth Johannemann
Later it was all about one on one pass rush drills
and Bell was a rock once
again and Josh once again was right there. On defense it was Ahraya
Crespin,
Brett Kennedy, and let me introduce "the round guy" Daniel Mena 6-1
315 out of New Caney TX. Dude has the build of a nose guard no doubt..
Crespin
had defensive playmaker sewn up as the defensive tackle was all over
All-MWC
center Erik Cook! Talk about taking on the mountain! Then it was on to
scrimmage
Daniel Mena
At that point Jake Carr came alive, where he was
getting pushed around a little
during one on ones, Carr picked up a pair of sacks during “go time”
Kasey Carrier also had a sweet run right up the
gut, all it
takes is one swivel of his shoulders, and Carrier was gone.
With Ian Clark out, Bubba Forrest is making the
most of his
time playing with both 1st and 2nd squads. I know
I
talked about Bubba yesterday, but I believe he was pushing Clark for
that spot
regardless of injury.
Coach had James Aho kicking pressure field goals today. It was very
simple,
make the kick and defense had extra work and running. Miss or have it
blocked
and the offense has to do extra work. Aho was nails and the offense was
able to
chill.
Rudy C’s Cherry Silver Report
Nothing like a full
pad scrimage to bring out the Lobo Athletic Department. Everyone was
there
including Lobo Basketball coaches Steve Alford, Wyking Jones,
and Chris
Monette. Also on hand were Paul Krebs, Director of Athletics, Tim Cass
Associate AD, Board of Regents members Jack Fortner, (rumor has it he
is
comtemplating a run for Governor!), Jamie Koch (former president of the
board),
Scott Galetti, Lobo play by play announcer... Did I miss anyone?
Click to listen to Josh Taufalele
They were all
waiting for the first 40 minutes of Black and Decker Drill Central to
expire so
that Oklahoma Drill could begin. This was, obviously, a BIG deal to the
coaches
with Cheston Blackshear telling the troops 'This is it this is what you
have
been waiting for... this is when YOU GO CRAZY!"
For the
uninitiated, Oklahoma Drill pits an offensive player against a
defensive
player, one on one. The defender must defeat the blocker and take down
a
running back. All of this happens in an "alley" marked with pads to
delinate the boundaries that the combatants must remain in. Kinda like
the
"sumo wrestlers" during time outs at The PIT... NOT! It was
FREOCIOUS! If it wasn't a loud collision, then "do overs" were
generously
handed out by the ever watchful coaching staff.
Mat McBain
As everyone had
completed at least one rep, and the drill was winding down, Coach Locks
said
"Five" and five of the best from each side of the ball lined it up to
see who was going to garner "Drill Supremacy" for the day;
Offense or Defense? Byron "Ring His" Bell, the BIG, and I mean BIG
man showed why he is going to make people PAY for leaving him off the
All MWC
preseason team. Not that Byron needed any more motivation. He
throroughly
dominated his man, almost engulfing him in a bear hug that was anything
but
plesant for the defender. Erik Cook showed the leverage and technique
that
defines him as one of the premier offensive linemen in all of college
football.
In fact one person in the know was overheard to say "Erik could start
for
any team, and I mean any team, in the country." Glad Erik is a
Lobo!
Josh Taufalele turned in another dominating performance for the Silver
clad
"team". If I counted right the "D" won 1 of 5.
Ivan Hernandez v. DeAndre Davis
I had to head out to
the real world so I did not get to see the rest of practice but I
saw
enough to say this; UNM will be able to run the football again, no
doubt.
Especially with the play packages that are being installed, this can be
any
offense Coach Locks needs it to be. As long as "The Hitmen" keep on
keeping
on, things will a tad be easier for the skill positions. This is
not to
say that the defense didn't have it's moments with Kendall Briscoe
getting
off the block and stopping the running back cold. Pete Gardner also
showed good
hustle and desire. A big shout out to Johnathan Rainey who also showed
he has a
good motor, as he was doing everything he could to help his team.
Sometimes leadership
is just as important when you aren't in a uniform,...still,...a healthy
Ian
Clark is good for Lobo Football. Bubba Forrest is making the most of
the time
spelling Ian and is really making a name for himself in the defensive
backfield.
Offensive Playmaker
Byron
Bell
Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls… It tolls for thee!
Byron
is just filthy good! How many players did he put on
his back? Ummm… All of them! I love the intensity and today Byron wins
the
“Golden Spatula” award which we will be awarding daily to the offensive
lineman
that we see makes the most blocks and flat out pancakes someone!
Defensive Playmaker
DE Jake Carr
Two
sacks during live scrimmage as well as pressure… Equals
notice from The Red Menace!
Coach Degory talks 1st day of pads
Tomorrow is the first day of two a days and Coach Locks told
his players to get a good night’s sleep because today’s lack of focus
means
they will be using pads in both practices. Sleep well Lobo Pack as
Coach Locks
is going to work you in the morning and even harder at night!