The 65 degree day and sunny skies, along with Lil’ Wayne to the Red Hot Chili Peppers blasting through the loud speakers, created an entertaining environment that ended up being a swift final practice prior to tomorrow’s Spring Game. Today’s practice was a little more casual than others, with the guys in shorts and helmets but sans pads and abiding by two-hand shove tackle rules….although there were some spirited tackles when a guy refused to stop moving his legs.
“These guys are fun to be around–I like the energy”, coach Nick Holt said after practice, specifically singling out Daniel Teo Nesheim and Darrion Jones as having great Spring Camps on his defense.
The practice was a little different compared to other practices, with the offense and defenses put into specific game scenarios. “Today we needed to see checks & formations, see how the guys reacted to different situations” coach Holt said when asked what the goal of the day was. Coach Holt also noted that over the last week the team has improved on trying to strip the ball, an activity he said has been emphasized throughout the Spring.
On the offense some of the same guys that have been repeatedly making good showings at practice were again making big plays….. Jordan Polk had a couple of nice plays, as did Locker and Willie Griffin. Anthony Boyles got in on the action too, converting a jump ball in the endzone to a 40+ yard touchdown from Ronnie Fouch.
On hand were some former Huskies, and near the end of practice some of the cheerleaders and band members cheered on the team. At the end of practice, the team gathered at the West Endzone and sang along to “Bow down to Washington”.
Other practice notes:
- Team worked on kick off and punt coverage, with a few nice returns by Cody Bruns and Curtis Shaw. Devin Aguilar was also returning some kicks
- Habben, Tolar, Schaefer, Kelemete and Ossai worked as a unit on the O-Line, with Armelin, Ikehara, Rosborough, Shugert and Nick Scott working as the other unit.
- Izbicki, Homer, Griffin, Kearse, Aguilar, Chris Polk and Middleton were playing along with Locker at QB
- Alternating in for the other group along with Fouch were teammates Bruns, B Johnson, Chidiac, Leonard, Freeman, Curtis Shaw and Boyles at the ‘skill’ positions
- On defense, Johri Fogerson, Nate Williams, Justin Glenn and Nate Richardson were running as a secondary unit, with Victor Aiyewa also alternating in
- Alvin Logan looked fairly comfortable in his new spot in the secondary
- Luther Leonard stayed after practice for a bit catching balls from the ball machine
Injury Report:
Chris Polk limped a little after commencing a play, but looked like he was okay. Everette Thompson was observing from the sidelines with his left leg wrapped and crutches holding up his large frame. Nick scott came up lame after a play but also appeared to be fine.
Odds and Ends:
I love coach Holt…..and the highwater shorts. Would make Urkle proud…although I wasn’t about to make that comment in front of him that is for sure.
Looks to have an NFL Linebacker stature: Donald Butler & Kurt Magnum.
Scott Woodward stood around and mingled about on the sidelines. Nice to see him there.
A handful of highschool players were on hand on the sidelines.
Pick-A-Seat signs for the preview tomorrow were already pasted on the seats. Looked like some fairly good seats are still available.