Spring Practice Starts Monday

[Charlie NT 73]

Spring practice starts next Monday, finally some football for us

Football Junkies.

The 2009 team will have multiple players at key positions in the mix

this spring, which will create some very interesting battles.

First note, that C/OG Kelvin Drake, OG/OT Tyler Bailey, OT Matt

Tomlinson, RB Lance Dunbar, and RB Micah Mosley, all are healthy

now, and will participate in spring ball.

Trench warfare- very interesting situations here.

NG/DT: Jessie DeSoto, Draylen Ross, Troy Franklin, Tevinn Cantly, and

Joe Hawthorne. I think DeSoto will be the # 1 DT, and Ross the #1 NG.

DeSoto was drawing double teams LY, and Ross, can be a dominate NG.

At the Signing day press conference, Coach Dodge said the defense will

start with Ross. New DT Coach Mike Nelson said NT has several good DT's

that opponents will find very tough to handle. The JUCO DT's will go through

summer workouts, but, the JUCO's must push someone out to start in the fall.

DT/NG depth looks real good. Adding 3 JUCO's during 2 a days, will build quite

a DT/NG/DE rotation!

DE: Eddrick Gilmore, is now 6-6,270, will be one of the DE's. Charlie Brown moves

back to DE, Sam Owusu-Hemeng, Marquise Sykes, and Jonathan Stewart will played

many snaps at DE LY. JUCO John Weber can't practice until 2 adays. I know there

is a question that lingers on one player, but if he comes through, he could be a

NFL prospect. Will R/F DT Joe Hawthorne work at DE? The DE group looks good.

Now, the OT position.

Matt Tomlinson, 6-5, 300+ returns to the field, finally. New JUCO OT

Jeremey Bean, 6-5, 300+ is in school now. Current OT starters- Victor Gill was a

TE, converted to OT, very strong but a little light for a OT. Will Gill bulk up for 2009?

Esteban Santiago is a very good OG, then moved to OT. Both Gill and Santiago

played OT for the first time LY. Matt Menard plays both OG/OT. With the OG, and

center positions solid, will Coleman Freeley move over to OT or has Freeley

taken a starting OG position? Jacob "Big Jake" Kaiser was a R/S, Arron Fortenberry

and Dan Holt are freshmen, and Nate Jenkins-well you know his story.

The "Ace in the Hole" card is true fresh John Noble, 6-6, 300+. Noble is a very

good OT, and a possible R/S candidate. Only thing here is Noble is a very good player!

Size, speed, moves very well for a big man. Noble could see playing time.

The OT position will have more players with experience, speed, and size, that Coach

Leftwich is very happy to have.

Everything begins in the "trenches", so let the trench warfare begin! Yes!!

Edited February 24, 2009 by charlie nt73

[Censored by Laurie]

Who is this NFL prospect playing on the D-Line?

[KRAM1]

Now, this IS good news. With spring paractice here, the season cannot be that far away.

Charlie nt73...nice post. Come on spring ball!

GO MEAN GREEN!

[OldTimer]

Spring practice starts next Monday, finally some football for us

Football Junkies.

The 2009 team will have multiple players at key positions in the mix

this spring, which will create some very interesting battles.

First note, that C/OG Kelvin Drake, OG/OT Tyler Bailey, OT Matt

Tomlinson, RB Lance Dunbar, and RB Micah Mosley, all are healthy

now, and will participate in spring ball.

Trench warfare- very interesting situations here.

NG/DT: Jessie DeSoto, Draylen Ross, Troy Franklin, Tevinn Cantly, and

Joe Hawthorne. I think DeSoto will be the # 1 DT, and Ross the #1 NG.

DeSoto was drawing double teams LY, and Ross, can be a dominate NG.

At the Signing day press conference, Coach Dodge said the defense will

start with Ross. New DT Coach Mike Nelson said NT has several good DT's

that opponents will find very tough to handle. The JUCO DT's will go through

summer workouts, but, the JUCO's must push someone out to start in the fall.

DT/NG depth looks real good. Adding 3 JUCO's during 2 a days, will build quite

a DT/NG/DE rotation!

DE: Eddrick Gilmore, is now 6-6,270, will be one of the DE's. Charlie Brown moves

back to DE, Sam Owusu-Hemeng, Marquise Sykes, and Jonathan Stewart will played

many snaps at DE LY. JUCO John Weber can't practice until 2 adays. I know there

is a question that lingers on one player, but if he comes through, he could be a

NFL prospect. Will R/F DT Joe Hawthorne work at DE? The DE group looks good.

Now, the OT position.

Matt Tomlinson, 6-5, 300+ returns to the field, finally. New JUCO OT

Jeremey Bean, 6-5, 300+ is in school now. Current OT starters- Victor Gill was a

TE, converted to OT, very strong but a little light for a OT. Will Gill bulk up for 2009?

Esteban Santiago is a very good OG, then moved to OT. Both Gill and Santiago

played OT for the first time LY. Matt Menard plays both OG/OT. With the OG, and

center positions solid, will Coleman Freeley move over to OT or has Freeley

taken a starting OG position? Jacob "Big Jake" Kaiser was a R/S, Arron Fortenberry

and Dan Holt are freshmen, and Nate Jenkins-well you know his story.

The "Ace in the Hole" card is true fresh John Noble, 6-6, 300+. Noble is a very

good OT, and a possible R/S candidate. Only thing here is Noble is a very good player!

Size, speed, moves very well for a big man. Noble could see playing time.

The OT position will have more players with experience, speed, and size, that Coach

Leftwich is very happy to have.

Everything begins in the "trenches", so let the trench warfare begin! Yes!!

It looks and sounds like our OL and DL, DE situation will be greatly improved over last year. I believe Riley could be great...but am concerned about a back up QB at this time. I think the RS WR and the JC WR transfers ....along with the OL improvements will restore our offense next year and the DL, DE and new coach,......plus a year of the new strength coach will combine for major improvements to our defense...and lead to a very good turn-a-around next year.

We have the RB's, some complete passes and improved OL play should spark our running game on offense.

[Green59]

Spring practice starts next Monday, finally some football for us

Football Junkies.

The 2009 team will have multiple players at key positions in the mix

this spring, which will create some very interesting battles.

First note, that C/OG Kelvin Drake, OG/OT Tyler Bailey, OT Matt

Tomlinson, RB Lance Dunbar, and RB Micah Mosley, all are healthy

now, and will participate in spring ball.

Trench warfare- very interesting situations here.

NG/DT: Jessie DeSoto, Draylen Ross, Troy Franklin, Tevinn Cantly, and

Joe Hawthorne. I think DeSoto will be the # 1 DT, and Ross the #1 NG.

DeSoto was drawing double teams LY, and Ross, can be a dominate NG.

At the Signing day press conference, Coach Dodge said the defense will

start with Ross. New DT Coach Mike Nelson said NT has several good DT's

that opponents will find very tough to handle. The JUCO DT's will go through

summer workouts, but, the JUCO's must push someone out to start in the fall.

DT/NG depth looks real good. Adding 3 JUCO's during 2 a days, will build quite

a DT/NG/DE rotation!

DE: Eddrick Gilmore, is now 6-6,270, will be one of the DE's. Charlie Brown moves

back to DE, Sam Owusu-Hemeng, Marquise Sykes, and Jonathan Stewart will played

many snaps at DE LY. JUCO John Weber can't practice until 2 adays. I know there

is a question that lingers on one player, but if he comes through, he could be a

NFL prospect. Will R/F DT Joe Hawthorne work at DE? The DE group looks good.

Now, the OT position.

Matt Tomlinson, 6-5, 300+ returns to the field, finally. New JUCO OT

Jeremey Bean, 6-5, 300+ is in school now. Current OT starters- Victor Gill was a

TE, converted to OT, very strong but a little light for a OT. Will Gill bulk up for 2009?

Esteban Santiago is a very good OG, then moved to OT. Both Gill and Santiago

played OT for the first time LY. Matt Menard plays both OG/OT. With the OG, and

center positions solid, will Coleman Freeley move over to OT or has Freeley

taken a starting OG position? Jacob "Big Jake" Kaiser was a R/S, Arron Fortenberry

and Dan Holt are freshmen, and Nate Jenkins-well you know his story.

The "Ace in the Hole" card is true fresh John Noble, 6-6, 300+. Noble is a very

good OT, and a possible R/S candidate. Only thing here is Noble is a very good player!

Size, speed, moves very well for a big man. Noble could see playing time.

The OT position will have more players with experience, speed, and size, that Coach

Leftwich is very happy to have.

Everything begins in the "trenches", so let the trench warfare begin! Yes!!

When I moved to Texas twenty some years ago, I found out there are two sports...Football and Spring Football! I am glad that Spring Football is upon us. Thanks for the posting!

[UNTLifer]

Spring practice starts next Monday, finally some football for us

Football Junkies.

The 2009 team will have multiple players at key positions in the mix

this spring, which will create some very interesting battles.

First note, that C/OG Kelvin Drake, OG/OT Tyler Bailey, OT Matt

Tomlinson, RB Lance Dunbar, and RB Micah Mosley, all are healthy

now, and will participate in spring ball.

Trench warfare- very interesting situations here.

NG/DT: Jessie DeSoto, Draylen Ross, Troy Franklin, Tevinn Cantly, and

Joe Hawthorne. I think DeSoto will be the # 1 DT, and Ross the #1 NG.

DeSoto was drawing double teams LY, and Ross, can be a dominate NG.

At the Signing day press conference, Coach Dodge said the defense will

start with Ross. New DT Coach Mike Nelson said NT has several good DT's

that opponents will find very tough to handle. The JUCO DT's will go through

summer workouts, but, the JUCO's must push someone out to start in the fall.

DT/NG depth looks real good. Adding 3 JUCO's during 2 a days, will build quite

a DT/NG/DE rotation!

DE: Eddrick Gilmore, is now 6-6,270, will be one of the DE's. Charlie Brown moves

back to DE, Sam Owusu-Hemeng, Marquise Sykes, and Jonathan Stewart will played

many snaps at DE LY. JUCO John Weber can't practice until 2 adays. I know there

is a question that lingers on one player, but if he comes through, he could be a

NFL prospect. Will R/F DT Joe Hawthorne work at DE? The DE group looks good.

Now, the OT position.

Matt Tomlinson, 6-5, 300+ returns to the field, finally. New JUCO OT

Jeremey Bean, 6-5, 300+ is in school now. Current OT starters- Victor Gill was a

TE, converted to OT, very strong but a little light for a OT. Will Gill bulk up for 2009?

Esteban Santiago is a very good OG, then moved to OT. Both Gill and Santiago

played OT for the first time LY. Matt Menard plays both OG/OT. With the OG, and

center positions solid, will Coleman Freeley move over to OT or has Freeley

taken a starting OG position? Jacob "Big Jake" Kaiser was a R/S, Arron Fortenberry

and Dan Holt are freshmen, and Nate Jenkins-well you know his story.

The "Ace in the Hole" card is true fresh John Noble, 6-6, 300+. Noble is a very

good OT, and a possible R/S candidate. Only thing here is Noble is a very good player!

Size, speed, moves very well for a big man. Noble could see playing time.

The OT position will have more players with experience, speed, and size, that Coach

Leftwich is very happy to have.

Everything begins in the "trenches", so let the trench warfare begin! Yes!!

What about DE Russo and OL Hollivay?

[Charlie NT 73]

Dang, I failed to mention DE Kyle Russo! My apologies.

LY Russo was 6-3, 240+ range, and played very well.

With a year of conditioning with Coach Ausmus, Russo

will just get bigger and stronger.

I do expect Russo will play in the DE rotation, and battle

for a starting position. I would think Russo has a leading

edge for the DE spot during spring ball, since he did play

alot last year. JUCO transfer DE John Weber cannot practice

until 2 a days this summer, so I see another major battle

developing at DE.

Gabe Hollivay is a OG, so I did not mention him. I was talking

about the OT position. Gabe was a suprise as well as Coleman

Freely. Both are powerful OG's. I hear Gabe has shed alot of

fat, down to 330. The coaches were hoping not to play Freely

in 2008, and use 2008 as a R/S year. The coaches knew he could

step right into the rotation, but due to injuries, Freely got a early

chance at OG. Freely has the OG position locked up, and moving

Freely out will be very difficult. I think Drake will move to OG,

Johnson and Leppo will be the centers, and Troy Kokjohn, the

deep snapper. No more Eddrick Gilmore handling deep snaps,

Gilmore is a DE not a deep snapper! Kokjohn does not get alot

of attention. This kid is a player, and takes his role seriously.

The center, DS, and OG positions look very solid and strong.

Now, add in 2 big, strong, experienced OT's to this OL.

300lb players from tackle to tackle. Now that is beef!

I sure hope I am not drinking too much green kool aid, but,

the OL just seems to be getting bigger and stronger.

No wonder Coach Leftwich has a big smile on his face when

talking about his OL players.

Here is another prediction. I would not be suprised to see WR

Sam Roberson working at TE during the spring.

[UNTLifer]

Kokjohn does not get alot

of attention.

I like that out of a deep snapper and agree that he is a very good OL in addition to being a deep snapper.

[Charlie NT 73]

I made a error on my postings. I misspelled Coleman Feeley's last name.

My apologies to Coleman.

The OG position. Last year, center Kelvin Drake suffered his ankle injury, and

Tyler Bailey broke his leg. Both were out. J.J Johnson took over the center

position, and Coleman Feeley took over the R-OG position. Both Johnson and

Feeley played very well. Gabe Hollivay, started at L-OG, and just contolled

the interior line. I was very impressed with all 3 players, and looking forward to

see how they perform in spring ball. I think all 3 will be the starters for 2009.

Now, Kelvin Drake was a all SBC center, and is returning from his ankle injurty.

Tyler Bailey, is a very good OG, who had become the L-OG starter until his injury.

Will Drake stay at Center or move to OG, or play both positions as a rotation

player? Can he push Johnson out as the starting center? Nick Leppo is in this fight too.

Tyler Bailey is a very good OG, so can he push Hollivay out at L-OG or Feeley

out at R-OG? Drake and Bailey will provide a very interesting situation for the staff.

Remember also, Santiago was the starting R-OG, but was moved to R-OT. Does

Santiago stay at R-OT? JUCO transfer Jeremy Bean play's R-OT. Another battle

to watch, Santiago vs Bean.

Regardless of how these battles end, the OL wins. There will be a solid 1st team,

and a sound rotation of players, both at OG and center, that can step in when

needed. Can this group of offensive linemen become a very good OL?

Yes, I do believe they will become a very good OL!

[Will to Win]

Spring Practice Starts Monday

what time and where?