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From our SMDR sports reporter (Tyler Mayforth)

Notes to go with Video:
http://smdrcatscradle.blogspot.com/

Saturday, February 27, 2010
College Football: Observations from Friday's practice

-It was the first day of full pads during spring practice. Texas State wanted to go in full pads Thursday, but lost a day due to inclement weather and were forced to shuffle plans.
-If there are any questions about the strength of Bobcats defensive back Drenard Williams' shoulder, he's slowly laying them to rest. Williams had two vicious hits Friday afternoon — the first on Darius Bolden and the second on Cody Matthews.
-Speaking of Matthews, I'd look for him to be a red-zone target for the Bobcats. He's bulked up and can definitely go up and get the ball.
-Redshirt freshman Roger Martinez, of Kyle, doesn't look like the same guy. Martinez put on about 20 pounds of muscle and is tossing around offensive lineman like rag dolls (see the video).
-Both Eric Soza and Tim Hawkins are getting reps with the first team.
Soza is still throwing the best ball and has an unreal spiral, but Hawkins has straightened out his passes.
-Hawkins had trouble with a few quarterback-center exchanges (also known as snaps) but as practice wore on, got better. He also needs to quit his happy feet in the pocket. There are times on both the 1st-and-10 and 3rd-and-long drills where coaches had to tell him to settle down and read the field before taking off running.
-Quarterbacks aren't wearing the green, no-hit jerseys any longer. They're fair game like the rest of the team.
Want to know why? Check out my interview with new co-offensive coordinator Slade Nagle when I post it either tonight or tomorrow.Posted by Tyler Mayforth at 10:00 AM 0 comments

You're not going to keep doing this every day are you? Not that many people care. Doesn't Tx St have their own fan website?

Gee, don't recall asking or needing your opinion or permission

The thread is for everyone. Bet not many would care about notes from UNC but you're welcome to post them. However, If you have nothing to add stay away from it.

The entire point of the website is to increase exposure of teams we don't normally get to see. I may not be interested in some of it, but I appreciate people posting these notes to read, if I so choose.

grizband wrote:The entire point of the website is to increase exposure of teams we don't normally get to see. I may not be interested in some of it, but I appreciate people posting these notes to read, if I so choose.

Thank you grizband. The same is true for me. It's a way of learning more about the "other"
teams and conferences and getting to know the players.

Keep on posting what you want Cat Mom! Slade is from Lake Charles and played at Clemson and McNeese so that will be interesting to us to watch.

BigSkyBears wrote:You're not going to keep doing this every day are you? Not that many people care. Doesn't Tx St have their own fan website?

I hope you do not come here every day and complain. If you are not interested stay away. I for one am interested in what is happening this spring at Texas State and other FCS teams. Keep the post coming CatMom.

BigSkyBears wrote:You're not going to keep doing this every day are you? Not that many people care. Doesn't Tx St have their own fan website?

Still acting like the fool and expecting others to put up with it are we?

Thanks guys. I do hope others will post some spring drills notes. I didn't make this tread to be a TXST diatribe.
That said - here's some side notes to Mr. Mayforth's observations

-If there are any questions about the strength of Bobcats defensive back Drenard Williams' shoulder, he's slowly laying them to rest. Williams had two vicious hits Friday afternoon — the first on Darius Bolden and the second on Cody Matthews.

Williams had a Medical redshirt last season. He transferred from Iowa to TXST for the 2008 season. Top notch CB but his shoulder kept coming out of its socket. It got worse in the off-season and he had surgery before the 2009 campaign. Glad to have him back.

-Redshirt freshman Roger Martinez, of Kyle, doesn't look like the same guy. Martinez put on about 20 pounds of muscle and is tossing around offensive lineman like rag dolls (see the video).

We have to replace graduating Garrett Hood at NG. His backup from 2009 may very well lose his job to this kid if he improves.

-Hawkins had trouble with a few quarterback-center exchanges (also known as snaps) but as practice wore on, got better. He also needs to quit his happy feet in the pocket. There are times on both the 1st-and-10 and 3rd-and-long drills where coaches had to tell him to settle down and read the field before taking off running.

The battle for starting QB could be very interesting. I think it's funny they are trying to settle down his "happy feet" The kid (Hawkins) can take off, kinda like Barrick Nealy. Hope he can mature into a similar QB.

You keep on doing what you do CatMom. Personally, I like browsing the forum threads to get a variety of news about different teams and conferences. Thanks!

First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

Under Ellerson Cal Poly always started spring ball in February. Walsh will start spring ball March 31rst.

Ursus A. Horribilis wrote:

BigSkyBears wrote:You're not going to keep doing this every day are you? Not that many people care. Doesn't Tx St have their own fan website?

Still acting like the fool and expecting others to put up with it are we?

I'd even go as far as to say his pants are on the ground.

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

I know in Southern's case, practice started early this year because the new staff wanted to get right to work. They've been practicing for about a week now. Usually practice starts at the end of march/early april.

tampajag wrote:

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

I know in Southern's case, practice started early this year because the new staff wanted to get right to work. They've been practicing for about a week now. Usually practice starts at the end of march/early april.

Any updates tampajag?

Keep on keepin' on CatMom!!!

SloStang wrote:

tampajag wrote: I know in Southern's case, practice started early this year because the new staff wanted to get right to work. They've been practicing for about a week now. Usually practice starts at the end of march/early april.

Any updates tampajag?

I don't have any articles to post but I've heard that practices have a new pace and intensity that has been lacking. And there's battles for almost every position. I doubt anything will be solidified when spring practice is over. My main concern is at the QB position. There's only one player with any experience.

Thanks Cat Mom. We haven't gotten around to Spring Ball just yet so I have nothing to add EXCEPT...

BSB- What Cat momma did is what the point of this place is for... Unless you want to spend all of your waking hours touring every team's/conference message board, how else are you going to learn who/what to look out for? If you don't want to read it; don't click on it.

I'm with the vast majority here...one reason for this board is to share info (and opinions) so keep on posting...

Having said that, UMass just had the annual Football banquet Friday remembering last season...

Our spring ball won't start until mid-April, with a spring game sometime in early May...

BigSkyBears wrote:You're not going to keep doing this every day are you? Not that many people care. Doesn't Tx St have their own fan website?

I think it's high time you found a cliff to jump off.

Col Hogan wrote:I'm with the vast majority here...one reason for this board is to share info (and opinions) so keep on posting...

Having said that, UMass just had the annual Football banquet Friday remembering last season...

Our spring ball won't start until mid-April, with a spring game sometime in early May...

Heck Col,

It may take that long for UMass to get the snow off the football field....

tampajag wrote:

SloStang wrote: Any updates tampajag?

I don't have any articles to post but I've heard that practices have a new pace and intensity that has been lacking. And there's battles for almost every position. I doubt anything will be solidified when spring practice is over. My main concern is at the QB position. There's only one player with any experience.

Sounds like it is going to be an intense spring at Southern. What your take on the new coaching staff?

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

Not positive but I am sure it has to do with the way the semesters run here. They get out of school in May. Spring break is in early March so I assume they attempt to get it over to coincide with that. The early high temps around here may also be a factor, as these are all afternoon drills. However, I really don't know.

BTW - we never have to take March Madness into consideration. We don't really have a basketball program. We have a bunch of guys that travel around in TXST uniforms and run up and down the court with the ball but I wouldn't call them a team.

CatMom wrote:

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

Not positive but I am sure it has to do with the way the semesters run here. They get out of school in May. Spring break is in early March so I assume they attempt to get it over to coincide with that. The early high temps around here may also be a factor, as these are all afternoon drills. However, I really don't know.

BTW - we never have to take March Madness into consideration. We don't really have a basketball program. We have a bunch of guys that travel around in TXST uniforms and run up and down the court with the ball but I wouldn't call them a team.

At least Jeff Foster did you proud in the NBA for ten years.

WyomingGrizFan wrote:First off, it's interesting that an FCS team is starting spring football practise this early. Generally, I wouldn't normally consider this the time of year for that, at least, on a national level. I'm under the impression that once March Madness takes place then everybody gravitates to either baseball, track & Field, or, 'spring' football practise. I lived in Oklahoma for a year and spring is a different time of year around that area compared to some places I've lived. I was wondering, does Texas State and other schools have it this way because of the tornado season that normally seems to take place around March/April? To avoid possible confrontation there? Like those first few games of the season are scheduled at night to avoid the excessive heat from the tail-end of the summer as well?

Can't speak for Texas State, but I know a lot of coaches prefer to start spring practice early, because it's closer in time from the final game of the fall, and retention tends to be better...additionally, finishing spring practice early allows strength coaches more time in the weight room to build muscle mass and reduce body fat prior to the summer break.