The offense continued to show consistent strides at Friday's practice. The group had been dominated by the defense's play in the earlier spring practices but showed the firepower this group can flaunt on any given day.
Quarterbacks- Tim Tebow, Cameron Newton, John Brantley
What I liked: Improvement. This group hasn’t had the best spring so far, but they’re getting better. By the time the season begins in the fall, the last group on the field we will be worried about will most likely be the quarterbacks, so it’s obviously nothing to be concerned about. John Brantley threw to receivers today more than any other day I remember. He had a nice connection with Deonte Thompson on the deep route. They connected twice for long receptions over 40 yards. Thompson didn’t have plenty of space, but Brantley showed the touch to fit the ball in perfectly. He also showed a decent knowledge of when to tuck the ball to run and did so a few times to pick up plenty of yards. Tebow was his biggest vocal supporter on these runs and ran over to hug him after the plays ended. This group learns from their mistakes well too. During the two minute drill, Tebow threw a fade to Aaron Hernandez in the back corner of the end zone and under-threw the ball badly. Two plays later on 4th down from the defense’s 30 yard line, Tebow threw a ball with great touch right into Hernandez’s arms.
What I didn’t like: Cameron Newton seemed to force the ball a lot today. He’s been solid knowing when there was nothing to throw to, but today he just tried to force throws instead of running. One of his throws should have been intercepted by Jerimy Finch, who had the ball hit him in the chest and hands, and another throw was overthrown terribly and intercepted by Ahmad Black.
Running backs- Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey, Brandon James, Emmanuel Moody, Mon Williams
What I liked: Coach Meyer talked about the emergence of Emmanuel Moody, and I’m starting to see it as well. He still isn’t getting tons of touches, but the touches he gets are fun to watch. He had become easy for linebackers to tackle in the one-on-one tackling drills earlier in the week, so this week he reverted to just running people over. One of the times he took the ball, ran straight at John Jones, lowered his head and plowed his way to the end of the drill. He and Kestahn Moore are the most consistent blockers, and we all know that is a way to get on the field quickly. I also like how the running backs are becoming involved in the passing game. It’s been noted before, mostly with Chris Rainey, but Brandon James was the running back leading the way with receptions Friday. He ran a few 15 yard out routes today and has surprising ability to go up and get the football. Rainey had another good day. It’s funny to watch linebackers try to tackle him in the one-on-one drills. I can only remember seeing one fumble today, although it came by Rainey in the goal line situation.
What I didn’t like: We all root for Mon Williams, especially after his injury, but he’s getting a lot less snaps right now thanks to the emergence of Rainey and Moody beginning to come on. He’s got the ability and he sure looks the part physically, but I want to see him get consistent touches in practice. If we’re trying to find who can be the horse of this running back group, surely the coaches believe Williams has a chance. We won’t know how good he can be if he doesn’t get consistent touches in practices to try and develop.
Wide Receiver- Louis Murphy, Deonte Thompson, Carl Moore, Justin Williams
Tight End- Cornelius Ingram, Aaron Hernandez, Tate Casey
What I liked: First of all, Paul Wilson is off crutches and walking surprisingly well. The offense showed more of the two tight end set on Friday. Previously we saw it with Hernandez and Ingram both having their hand of the group, but Friday showed a five wide set with the two lined up in the slot position on different sides. Louis Murphy made a great catch during the two minute drill. He ran a slant and Tebow threw the ball a little ahead of him. Murphy dove and seemed to catch the ball when it was two feet behind him, bringing it into his body for the catch. Carl Moore showed some moves in the one-on-one tackling drills. He is strong enough to run right over most of the cornerbacks if he wanted to, but he decided to use some spin moves today to get past them. He’s an extremely versatile wide receiver that is going to be a great weapon in the fall. Moore is also ahead of the game as a blocker, which most of these receivers are right now. Cornelius Ingram isn’t getting a ton of publicity after deciding to come back to school, but he’s having a good spring. The only reason the publicity isn’t there is because he just goes about his business the right way and does his job very well. Hernandez really had a good day, and it’s maybe going a bit under the radar. He had a big catch on 4th down to give the offense a touchdown, and had a few other nice catches throughout the day. I’ve mentioned throughout the spring that he looks thinner and has the body now of a true playmaker. The two tight end set is going to be a fun one to watch SEC defensive coordinator try to defend in the fall. These guys on the same field are the definition of a matchup problem.
What I didn’t like: It’s kind of scary to think what this group of receivers would be like if Moore didn’t come in early. With Percy Harvin and Paul Wilson out, the depth really isn’t there. Of course, it also didn’t help that Riley Cooper was with the baseball team in Knoxville, Tenn.
Offensive line-
OT- Jason Watkins, Marcus Gilbert
OG-Mike Pouncey, James Wilson
C- Maurkice Pouncey, Corey Hobbs
OG- Carl Johnson, Jim Barrie
OT- Phil Trautwein, Carl Johnson
What I liked: The inside portion of the group was impressive today. Nothing against Carl Johnson, but when Jim Tartt gets back in there they will be even better. Johnson was good though. He’s making himself for versatile to get on the field more this year, and you’ve got to respect a guy for doing that. He’s a good size to switch inside or outside, and he will most likely be the first one off the bench at tackle, and not too far down the board at guard. You love having versatility on the offensive line, and Johnson should finally make his mark this season. Jim Barrie looked good again Friday. He went head-to-head with Matt Patchan and threw Patchan out of the way for the running back to get by. The inside of the offensive line, first and second team, dominated the line of scrimmage today and allowed the ball to be rushed by running backs and quarterbacks.
What I didn’t like: Phil Trautwein is one of the guys I’m least worried about when he’s healthy, but he didn’t have a great day in my eyes. Jermaine Cunningham made a few plays with his speed to get outside of him and eventually chase a quarterback outside of the pocket. James Wilson is still being held back a little bit, so he’s one to keep an eye on. He was in for a good portion of today’s practice, but it’s still something to keep an eye on.
Aaron Hernandez. He changes the game with his athletic ability from the tight end position.
