Who stood out: Wide receivers Mike Moffett and Anthony Hemphill. Moffett made several nice catches, including one in traffic over the middle. Hemphill raced to track down a deep pass from Shea Smith early in practice.
Lasting image: Dropped passes. While Moffett and Hemphill made some good grabs, there were far too many balls bouncing off the hands and (even worse) shoulder pads of Falcon players.
Coach’s quote: “It got broken up a little bit there, and it didn’t bother us. To me, those are some signs of maturity when everything’s not exactly the way it’s listed on the schedule. That tells you a little bit. Just where guys can adapt and guys are a little bit flexible, and just intensity-wise the focus was really good.” – Troy Calhoun on the two times the lights went out during Tuesday’s practice.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
Practice Wrap - 8/6
BY JAKE SCHALLER, THE GAZETTE
Practice Wrap - 8/6
Reason No. 48 why I love football: Linemen.Standing in the hallway outside Air Force’s locker room this afternoon, a lineman walked by wearing a black shirt that read, on the front, “Air Force Offensive Line 2006.” On the back? “There may be no ‘I’ in ‘team,’ but there are three in ‘Chili Cheese Fries.’Senior center Blaine Guenther said the offensive line’s previous t-shirt was better. That one read, “The fat gives the meat its flavor.”Gotta love offensive linemen.
Some quick thoughts from today’s session:
Who stood out: QB Shaun Carney. Coach Troy Calhoun said he thought Carney was rusty after not participating fully in the Falcons’ first four practices. But the veteran signal-caller still looked good. Carney had zip on his passes and he threw some impressive balls – particularly a corner route to wide receiver Mark Root and a fastball through traffic to tight end Travis Dekker in the end zone.Calhoun noticed an additional effect of Carney’s presence throughout a practice.“Our whole practice was better because you’ve got a guy out there that’s taking charge of the offense,” he said.
Lasting image: Running backs coach/running game coordinator Jemal Singleton walking off the field after practice looking disgusted. His tailbacks, save for Kip McCarthy, did not look good on the first day of full contact.
Coach’s Quote: “We’ve got to learn to play in pads. I think sometimes you get out here and you play touch football with no pads on and sometimes you think it’s always creampuff, and it’s not. Last time I checked, you’re always going to be wearing pads, especially on Saturdays.” – Troy Calhoun on the first day of practice in full pads.
Practice Wrap - 8/6
Reason No. 48 why I love football: Linemen.Standing in the hallway outside Air Force’s locker room this afternoon, a lineman walked by wearing a black shirt that read, on the front, “Air Force Offensive Line 2006.” On the back? “There may be no ‘I’ in ‘team,’ but there are three in ‘Chili Cheese Fries.’Senior center Blaine Guenther said the offensive line’s previous t-shirt was better. That one read, “The fat gives the meat its flavor.”Gotta love offensive linemen.
Some quick thoughts from today’s session:
Who stood out: QB Shaun Carney. Coach Troy Calhoun said he thought Carney was rusty after not participating fully in the Falcons’ first four practices. But the veteran signal-caller still looked good. Carney had zip on his passes and he threw some impressive balls – particularly a corner route to wide receiver Mark Root and a fastball through traffic to tight end Travis Dekker in the end zone.Calhoun noticed an additional effect of Carney’s presence throughout a practice.“Our whole practice was better because you’ve got a guy out there that’s taking charge of the offense,” he said.
Lasting image: Running backs coach/running game coordinator Jemal Singleton walking off the field after practice looking disgusted. His tailbacks, save for Kip McCarthy, did not look good on the first day of full contact.
Coach’s Quote: “We’ve got to learn to play in pads. I think sometimes you get out here and you play touch football with no pads on and sometimes you think it’s always creampuff, and it’s not. Last time I checked, you’re always going to be wearing pads, especially on Saturdays.” – Troy Calhoun on the first day of practice in full pads.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Practice Wrap - 8/4
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun spent most of Saturday’s practice up in a filming tower, Dan Devine-style.
But Calhoun said he’d only do that “once in a while. It just makes it where you can see a whole field. Especially on days where you’ve just got so much going on on different fields, it just makes it so much easier to observe.”
Onto some thoughts:
Who stood out: Freshman cornerback Reggie Rembert. I wrote about this in a notebook that will appear in Sunday’s Gazette, but it bears repeating here. This kid was impressive. He’s fast, he’s quick and he has the instincts to help him stay all over receivers. He has the skills to play the press coverage Air Force wants to employ, and don’t be surprised if he sees a lot of playing time in the secondary this year.
Calhoun also noted that Rembert might return some kicks. Now you’re talking. If Rembert can catch punts consistently, he could be a great weapon this year for the Falcons.
Lasting image: Sophomore strong safety Chris Thomas smashing into tight end Travis Dekker and putting Dekker on the ground. Not that notable except for the fact that the Falcons still aren’t in full pads. Thomas just can’t wait to hit. I get the feeling if the equipment staff forgot to bring his helmet and shoulder pads to the stadium for a game, Thomas would play without them.
Coach’s quote: “The thing with football that’s a constant is you’re always evaluating. It’s every single day. You better do something as a player or as a coach to make yourself a little bit better. And if what you did yesterday starts to look too good to you, that means you haven’t done anything today. That’s football.” – Troy Calhoun, in talking about players who are sitting out practice who shouldn’t be.
But Calhoun said he’d only do that “once in a while. It just makes it where you can see a whole field. Especially on days where you’ve just got so much going on on different fields, it just makes it so much easier to observe.”
Onto some thoughts:
Who stood out: Freshman cornerback Reggie Rembert. I wrote about this in a notebook that will appear in Sunday’s Gazette, but it bears repeating here. This kid was impressive. He’s fast, he’s quick and he has the instincts to help him stay all over receivers. He has the skills to play the press coverage Air Force wants to employ, and don’t be surprised if he sees a lot of playing time in the secondary this year.
Calhoun also noted that Rembert might return some kicks. Now you’re talking. If Rembert can catch punts consistently, he could be a great weapon this year for the Falcons.
Lasting image: Sophomore strong safety Chris Thomas smashing into tight end Travis Dekker and putting Dekker on the ground. Not that notable except for the fact that the Falcons still aren’t in full pads. Thomas just can’t wait to hit. I get the feeling if the equipment staff forgot to bring his helmet and shoulder pads to the stadium for a game, Thomas would play without them.
Coach’s quote: “The thing with football that’s a constant is you’re always evaluating. It’s every single day. You better do something as a player or as a coach to make yourself a little bit better. And if what you did yesterday starts to look too good to you, that means you haven’t done anything today. That’s football.” – Troy Calhoun, in talking about players who are sitting out practice who shouldn’t be.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Practice Wrap - 8/3
Just some quick thoughts today.
Who stood out: Cornerbacks. Starters Carson Bird and Garrett Rybak both made some nice plays while going for the ball. Bird stripped a receiver after a catch and then fell on the ball before it squirted out of bounds.
The Air Force defense is making a big change this season in asking the cornerbacks to play a lot of aggressive, man coverage. But Bird and Rybak welcome the change and say they’re looking forward to it.
Lasting image: Junior kicker Ryan Harrison stretching during practice. I don’t think I’m a good enough writer to accurately describe the way Harrison contorted his body, but here goes: During one stretch, he was sitting on the ground with his left leg out in front of him. With both hands, he then pulled his right foot toward his head – and then behind his head! Later, he started a stretch lying flat on his back, feet pointed north. He lifted his legs in the air and then back behind his head until they touched the ground. So he was rolled onto his shoulders and head with his feet on either side of his head – and toes pointing north.
Does that make any sense at all? Probably not. Air Force head equipment manager Dan Siermine described it a lot better – “He’s like Gumby,” Siermine said.
Coach’s quote: “They probably didn’t like them very well, but in the long haul it’s going to help us.” – Troy Calhoun on his team doing its conditioning work – Friday it was running gassers – before the start of practice instead of at the end.
Who stood out: Cornerbacks. Starters Carson Bird and Garrett Rybak both made some nice plays while going for the ball. Bird stripped a receiver after a catch and then fell on the ball before it squirted out of bounds.
The Air Force defense is making a big change this season in asking the cornerbacks to play a lot of aggressive, man coverage. But Bird and Rybak welcome the change and say they’re looking forward to it.
Lasting image: Junior kicker Ryan Harrison stretching during practice. I don’t think I’m a good enough writer to accurately describe the way Harrison contorted his body, but here goes: During one stretch, he was sitting on the ground with his left leg out in front of him. With both hands, he then pulled his right foot toward his head – and then behind his head! Later, he started a stretch lying flat on his back, feet pointed north. He lifted his legs in the air and then back behind his head until they touched the ground. So he was rolled onto his shoulders and head with his feet on either side of his head – and toes pointing north.
Does that make any sense at all? Probably not. Air Force head equipment manager Dan Siermine described it a lot better – “He’s like Gumby,” Siermine said.
Coach’s quote: “They probably didn’t like them very well, but in the long haul it’s going to help us.” – Troy Calhoun on his team doing its conditioning work – Friday it was running gassers – before the start of practice instead of at the end.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Practice Wrap - 8/2
If you’ve been out to one of Air Force’s first two preseason practices, you may have seen offensive backs working with what look like blue footballs.
No, the Falcons aren’t going to be using colored, ABA-style balls this season. The blue is a slippery nylon sleeve that slides over the ball. Air Force is using the sleeves in drills that deal with option pitches.
The sleeve “is not tacky, and (the ball) can slide through your hands,” said Jemal Singleton, the Falcons’ running backs coach and running game coordinator. “So you’ve really got to focus on where you’re carrying it, ball placement and all that good stuff – it just reinforces all those ideas. Then, when you get a regular ball, it feels like it’s got glue on it.”
Look for the Falcons to practice with it some more. Coach Troy Calhoun was not pleased with the amount of fumbles in Thursday’s practice. Other observations from Day 2:
Who stood out: Running back Chad Hall. Count me among those who were skeptical when Calhoun switched Hall, last season’s leading rusher, from tailback to “Z” wide receiver. But Hall seems happy with the switch, and, at least in the first two practices, the move seems to be accomplishing what coaches had hoped it would: It’s getting the ball to Hall where he has room to use his speed and moves, and it’s forcing defenses to cover him with linebackers and safeties – players Hall should be able to beat.
“It’s fun,” Hall said. “I get manned up on some safeties, get a little mis-match and … usually when I get (the ball) there’s one man around me, whether I’m running it or catching it. It’s just one man to beat, and I’ve got some space, finally.”
Thursday Hall made several nice catches, including a leaping grab on the sideline.
Sophomore safety Chris Thomas also had a good practice Thursday, several times ripping the ball loose from offensive players. Thomas appears to be one of those players who just always seems to be around the ball.
Lasting image: Senior cornerback Garrett Rybak picking off a pass in the flat during 11-on-11 drills and taking it to the end zone. It was one of several big plays made by the defense Thursday.
Coach’s quote: “I think the guys look good. (But) for me, it means nothing. Everybody looks good in jerseys. When we get out here in full pads and we’re hitting and I’m seeing guys finishing runs and those type of things, that’s when they start putting in my mind that they came to play.” – Running backs coach and running game coordinator Jemal Singleton, on his tailbacks.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Practice Wrap - 8/1
Here are some thoughts about Air Force’s first practice Wednesday. I hope to do this each day, if possible.
As senior linebacker Drew Fowler pointed out in the story that will appear in Thursday's Gazette, the pace of practice was brisk. Players moved quickly between drills, and there wasn't a moment wasted. New coach Troy Calhoun made sure drills ran smoothly, at one point yelling at players to sprint out of the way after they had gone through a drill.
Calhoun spent time all over the field on Wednesday, but he mostly was with the offense. He let his assistants handle most of the drills, but he jumped in with comments, critiques and praise often.
Who stood out: (Note: I mostly watched the offense on Wednesday) Josh Cousins. The sophomore played quarterback on JV last year, but this year he is taking reps at both QB and wide receiver (which is why he’s wearing No. 87). Wednesday, with Shaun Carney sitting out most of practice with a strained hamstring, Cousins spent some time at quarterback during 11-on-11 drills. He showed off a strong and accurate arm.
Anthony Hemphill – a 6-foot-2 receiver – also showed a flash of his potential, hauling in a long reception in 11-on-11 drills.
Lasting image: Carney and several other players held out of practice due to injuries alternating between push-ups and sit-ups … for about a half an hour.
Coach’s quote: “I don’t get enamored with the style of our shoe laces or gold chains. To me, style is how hard you play and how well you execute and just how much unity you have.” – Troy Calhoun on the coaches’ all-black game-day apparel that they modeled during media day.
Fashion statements
A quick note from Air Force football media day.
Players showed off their new uniforms this morning, and everyone I talked to lauded the new apparel.
The players wore their home blue jerseys (which have silver numbers outlined in white and lightning bolts on the shoulders) and silver pants (the Falcons wore white pants in recent years). While players liked the style, they were more impressed with the substance of the uniforms – tighter-fitting jerseys and less-restrictive pants.
“It’s all about feel,” senior quarterback Shaun Carney said. “The look is cool for the fans, but all we care about is feel, and jerseys being tighter helps people not being able to grab them and the pants make us feel looser and faster.”
Not to be outdone, Air Force coaches broke out the outfits they will wear on the sidelines this season – and Johnny Cash would be proud. Black, short-sleeved mock turtleneck with a blue lightning bolt in the middle of the chest, black pants, black belt with an “AF” logo and black Nike golf shoes.
“Looking sharp,” senior center Blaine Guenther said. “Look like Mafia henchmen walking around.”
Added Carney: “I guess if they’re trying to look slimmer, then they got it.”
Players showed off their new uniforms this morning, and everyone I talked to lauded the new apparel.
The players wore their home blue jerseys (which have silver numbers outlined in white and lightning bolts on the shoulders) and silver pants (the Falcons wore white pants in recent years). While players liked the style, they were more impressed with the substance of the uniforms – tighter-fitting jerseys and less-restrictive pants.
“It’s all about feel,” senior quarterback Shaun Carney said. “The look is cool for the fans, but all we care about is feel, and jerseys being tighter helps people not being able to grab them and the pants make us feel looser and faster.”
Not to be outdone, Air Force coaches broke out the outfits they will wear on the sidelines this season – and Johnny Cash would be proud. Black, short-sleeved mock turtleneck with a blue lightning bolt in the middle of the chest, black pants, black belt with an “AF” logo and black Nike golf shoes.
“Looking sharp,” senior center Blaine Guenther said. “Look like Mafia henchmen walking around.”
Added Carney: “I guess if they’re trying to look slimmer, then they got it.”
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