Texas Vs The Nation Day Three Practice Report
By Sigmund Bloom
Day Three at the Texas Vs. The Nation game was the best practice I’ve watched in the last three weeks (sorry Shrine Game and Senior Bowl). During the Monday and Tuesday practices it seemed like this game was going to be… different. Not like the “exhibitions” in Houston and Mobile the last two weeks. Ramonce Taylor has been the lightning rod for the thing that will make this game different - a crackling, ever-growing ball of emotional energy that both teams are rallying around. All week, Ramonce has been exhorting his teammates. His mood was euphoric from the first drill on Monday.
I had the pleasure of spending time with many of the players here at the Hilton Garden Inn, and I was truly impressed with the human beings I encountered. What was especially telling was how vulnerable and sincere they all seemed. This week represents a major crossroads in all of their lives – lives that have centered around the game of football. They are all summoning up everything in their soul to rise to the next level. It is an intense HUMAN experience to be around these players during what amounts to a glimpse into their future. Some will leave brimming with confidence, and surely on the verge of a fruitful NFL career. Some will leave with the CFL and AFL in their future. Sadly, some will leave with much more uncertain fates. The hugeness of their last college football game and what it represented disarmed these young men and revealed things about them that they may not have known existed. That crackling ball of potential energy was fed by the emotional intensity of the event.
Not that they had time to ponder these things. The packed itinerary of this event was run with urgency and efficiency, a testament to the hard working people behind the scenes led by Ken Hansmire and John Murphy among others (but credit also goes to each and every staffer and volunteer, and the city of El Paso). Between practice, watching film, talking to scouts, visiting community hospitals, and signing autographs, the players had few moments to themselves.
The players were all keenly aware of the importance of their third practice. I picked up on a mix of eagerness to play in the more competitive atmosphere of the scrimmage and confidence in the ability to perform under pressure in guys like Ricky Miller (LB- Arkansas-Monticello) and Justice Hairston (RB- Central Connecticut State) when I talked to them. In some ways, they seemed like they just couldn’t wait to get out there and start REALLY hitting for the first this week. The players milled about the hotel lobby like caged lions.
The anticipation built as they warmed up on the field, clad in the pants of their home team’s uniform for the first time this week. Many current UTEP players showed up to watch their teammates and coaches. One, Ricky Van, talked to me for a while. He’s a defensive lineman eligible to be drafted this year, and said some things that made me think he had a great understanding of football, and of life. He had great things to say about the work ethic and humility of a teammate in the game, DB Bryant Tisdale, and touted Freshman DB Braxton Amy. It wasn’t too long into practice before the teams mixed, with squads opposing in two passing drills going opposite directions from the 50, and a pit in the north end zone. Texas vs. the Nation was on for this first time this week. Later, they finished up an extended 11 on 11 scrimmage that created an audible buzz from both sides – a welcome release of three days of building tension.
A breakdown of player performance:
Josh Swogger (Montana) and Justin Rascati (James Madison) continued to stand out among the QBs. Swogger always seems calm going through progressions, and patient while still playing with a sense of urgency. His arm again showed equal ability to zip in short passes and throw a beautiful arc of a deep ball. Rascati’s cadence was noticeable all week and it drew multiple offsides in the 11 on 11 scrimmage. He also looked great on timing throws. Jeff Smith (Georgetown KY) still looked like a practice squad type QB. He threaded the needle on a ball into double coverage and a small window, but his accuracy seemed erratic. I have to give Dalton Bell (West Texas A&M) props for throwing as hard as any QB I watched this month, but he joins Andy Collins (Occidental) and Sam Hollenbach (Maryland) in the bottom half of the QBs at this game.
The RBs were not highlighted much running the ball. Paul Mosley (Baylor) did deliver some punishing blows and truly used his size as a weapon. Gary Russell seemed have his best day so far, displaying crisp cuts. Marcus Mason (Youngstown St) again displayed the short area quickness that gave him “move of the day” honors on Monday with great breaks running routes in the passing drill. Quentin Smith (Rice) again impressed me with his patience and burst, complimented by a good pad level. Justise Hairston (Central Connecticut State) continued to show some of the best vision of any of the RBs. He also seemed like a real mature, high character guy when I talked to him. Justin Vincent (LSU) did not stand out running the ball, but he looked very natural running a wheel route. No disrespect to the other RBs, but Ramonce Taylor (Texas College) is on another level with the ball in his hands. He has exceptional quickness and moves on the fly and just plays at a different speed, both mentally and physically. He even put his shoulder down and pushed a tackler backwards.
There was not a clear standout of the WR group, but Maurice Price seems like the one of with the best chance of hitting at the next level. He showed the ability to break down DBs and separate deep, and the hands to finish the play. Chandler Williams (Florida International) was probably the second most impressive WR athletically. Two other WRs that seemed like NFL athletes, Junior Taylor (UCLA) and Ryan Moore (Miami) were out with injuries. Taylor went home with a knee injury, but Moore is expected to play Friday. James Finley (Oregon) had the best hands this week, and made a few nice grabs again today. Tyrone Timmons (Mississippi Valley State) really came on today and used his big frame well. Dereck Faulkner (Hampton) also naturally used his big frame to his advantage, but couldn’t separate on a deep route. Jesse Wendt (Wisconsin-Stout) was frustrating, flashing terrific tools, but seeming unnatural when it was time to make a play on the ball. Vincent Marshall showed some grit when he locked up with Larry Anam (CB – Boston College) while run blocking the scrimmage.
Tyler Ecker (Michigan) was the class of the TEs again today. His soft hands and smooth athleticism have been apparent all week. Desmond Allison (South Dakota) continued to look more like a WR, especially on a terrific hands catch in traffic. I didn’t watch the pit as much as I did the last few days, but Louis Leonard (DT -Fresno St), Keenan Carter (DT -Virginia), Scott Stephenson (C-Iowa State) were among the players who made plays that caused great reaction from the players watching and surrounding the pit.. Xsavie Jackson (DE-Missouri) is clearly best pass rusher here and got an easy sack in the scrimmage. Walter Thomas (DT – NW Mississippi CC) also had his daily share of astounding plays, absolutely destroying Jonathan Palmer (OL-Auburn) on one confrontation – Palmer has been one of the most outstanding OL all week.
A few linebackers popped out. Antawn Barnes (Florida International) impressively stuck to Ramonce Taylor in coverage (Taylor still signaled like a ref throwing a flag after the play), and he also hung in to make an ankle tackle on Paul Mosley after bouncing off of him in the initial collision. Jay Staggs (UNLV) made some plays with speed and leaping ability. He seems like a good candidate to shift to safety. Taurean Charles (Bethune-Cookman) seemed to have no problem keeping up with RBs in coverage.
Two Nation corners have really caught my eye – Calvin Bannister (Hampton) and John Bowie (Cincinnati). If there was a good pass breakup today, chances are one of the two of them was in on it. Both seemed to combine top notch recovery speed with good instincts and aggression. Epsilon Williams (Texas State) popped out in a way that he hadn’t until today with great coverage and hitting. Brendan Hill (Virginia Tech) had possibly the interception of the week with a terrific leaping catch of a Dalton Bell fast ball directly over his head.
The scrimmage was probably the most enjoyable part of the entire three weeks I’ve spent watching all-star game practices. There were many outstanding plays, including DB Eric Buchanan jumping a route for an interception taken back the other way for six, LB Marcus Bacon (Missouri) body slamming FB Brian Stokes (Appalachian State), but Ramonce Taylor stole the show with a play that left a lasting image. Taylor initially took a run right, but nothing was there. He effortlessly reversed field and acclerated past the entire Nation defense like they were in slow motion. The Texas team mobbed him in the end zone at the end of the long TD. The lightning rod turned into the lightning bolt at the crescendo of a profound three days of practices in El Paso.
For more information, go to http://texasvsthenation.cstv.com/ . The game will be telecast Friday February 2 on CSTV at 10 pm EST/7 pm PST.
By Sigmund Bloom
Day Three at the Texas Vs. The Nation game was the best practice I’ve watched in the last three weeks (sorry Shrine Game and Senior Bowl). During the Monday and Tuesday practices it seemed like this game was going to be… different. Not like the “exhibitions” in Houston and Mobile the last two weeks. Ramonce Taylor has been the lightning rod for the thing that will make this game different - a crackling, ever-growing ball of emotional energy that both teams are rallying around. All week, Ramonce has been exhorting his teammates. His mood was euphoric from the first drill on Monday.
I had the pleasure of spending time with many of the players here at the Hilton Garden Inn, and I was truly impressed with the human beings I encountered. What was especially telling was how vulnerable and sincere they all seemed. This week represents a major crossroads in all of their lives – lives that have centered around the game of football. They are all summoning up everything in their soul to rise to the next level. It is an intense HUMAN experience to be around these players during what amounts to a glimpse into their future. Some will leave brimming with confidence, and surely on the verge of a fruitful NFL career. Some will leave with the CFL and AFL in their future. Sadly, some will leave with much more uncertain fates. The hugeness of their last college football game and what it represented disarmed these young men and revealed things about them that they may not have known existed. That crackling ball of potential energy was fed by the emotional intensity of the event.
Not that they had time to ponder these things. The packed itinerary of this event was run with urgency and efficiency, a testament to the hard working people behind the scenes led by Ken Hansmire and John Murphy among others (but credit also goes to each and every staffer and volunteer, and the city of El Paso). Between practice, watching film, talking to scouts, visiting community hospitals, and signing autographs, the players had few moments to themselves.
The players were all keenly aware of the importance of their third practice. I picked up on a mix of eagerness to play in the more competitive atmosphere of the scrimmage and confidence in the ability to perform under pressure in guys like Ricky Miller (LB- Arkansas-Monticello) and Justice Hairston (RB- Central Connecticut State) when I talked to them. In some ways, they seemed like they just couldn’t wait to get out there and start REALLY hitting for the first this week. The players milled about the hotel lobby like caged lions.
The anticipation built as they warmed up on the field, clad in the pants of their home team’s uniform for the first time this week. Many current UTEP players showed up to watch their teammates and coaches. One, Ricky Van, talked to me for a while. He’s a defensive lineman eligible to be drafted this year, and said some things that made me think he had a great understanding of football, and of life. He had great things to say about the work ethic and humility of a teammate in the game, DB Bryant Tisdale, and touted Freshman DB Braxton Amy. It wasn’t too long into practice before the teams mixed, with squads opposing in two passing drills going opposite directions from the 50, and a pit in the north end zone. Texas vs. the Nation was on for this first time this week. Later, they finished up an extended 11 on 11 scrimmage that created an audible buzz from both sides – a welcome release of three days of building tension.
A breakdown of player performance:
Josh Swogger (Montana) and Justin Rascati (James Madison) continued to stand out among the QBs. Swogger always seems calm going through progressions, and patient while still playing with a sense of urgency. His arm again showed equal ability to zip in short passes and throw a beautiful arc of a deep ball. Rascati’s cadence was noticeable all week and it drew multiple offsides in the 11 on 11 scrimmage. He also looked great on timing throws. Jeff Smith (Georgetown KY) still looked like a practice squad type QB. He threaded the needle on a ball into double coverage and a small window, but his accuracy seemed erratic. I have to give Dalton Bell (West Texas A&M) props for throwing as hard as any QB I watched this month, but he joins Andy Collins (Occidental) and Sam Hollenbach (Maryland) in the bottom half of the QBs at this game.
The RBs were not highlighted much running the ball. Paul Mosley (Baylor) did deliver some punishing blows and truly used his size as a weapon. Gary Russell seemed have his best day so far, displaying crisp cuts. Marcus Mason (Youngstown St) again displayed the short area quickness that gave him “move of the day” honors on Monday with great breaks running routes in the passing drill. Quentin Smith (Rice) again impressed me with his patience and burst, complimented by a good pad level. Justise Hairston (Central Connecticut State) continued to show some of the best vision of any of the RBs. He also seemed like a real mature, high character guy when I talked to him. Justin Vincent (LSU) did not stand out running the ball, but he looked very natural running a wheel route. No disrespect to the other RBs, but Ramonce Taylor (Texas College) is on another level with the ball in his hands. He has exceptional quickness and moves on the fly and just plays at a different speed, both mentally and physically. He even put his shoulder down and pushed a tackler backwards.
There was not a clear standout of the WR group, but Maurice Price seems like the one of with the best chance of hitting at the next level. He showed the ability to break down DBs and separate deep, and the hands to finish the play. Chandler Williams (Florida International) was probably the second most impressive WR athletically. Two other WRs that seemed like NFL athletes, Junior Taylor (UCLA) and Ryan Moore (Miami) were out with injuries. Taylor went home with a knee injury, but Moore is expected to play Friday. James Finley (Oregon) had the best hands this week, and made a few nice grabs again today. Tyrone Timmons (Mississippi Valley State) really came on today and used his big frame well. Dereck Faulkner (Hampton) also naturally used his big frame to his advantage, but couldn’t separate on a deep route. Jesse Wendt (Wisconsin-Stout) was frustrating, flashing terrific tools, but seeming unnatural when it was time to make a play on the ball. Vincent Marshall showed some grit when he locked up with Larry Anam (CB – Boston College) while run blocking the scrimmage.
Tyler Ecker (Michigan) was the class of the TEs again today. His soft hands and smooth athleticism have been apparent all week. Desmond Allison (South Dakota) continued to look more like a WR, especially on a terrific hands catch in traffic. I didn’t watch the pit as much as I did the last few days, but Louis Leonard (DT -Fresno St), Keenan Carter (DT -Virginia), Scott Stephenson (C-Iowa State) were among the players who made plays that caused great reaction from the players watching and surrounding the pit.. Xsavie Jackson (DE-Missouri) is clearly best pass rusher here and got an easy sack in the scrimmage. Walter Thomas (DT – NW Mississippi CC) also had his daily share of astounding plays, absolutely destroying Jonathan Palmer (OL-Auburn) on one confrontation – Palmer has been one of the most outstanding OL all week.
A few linebackers popped out. Antawn Barnes (Florida International) impressively stuck to Ramonce Taylor in coverage (Taylor still signaled like a ref throwing a flag after the play), and he also hung in to make an ankle tackle on Paul Mosley after bouncing off of him in the initial collision. Jay Staggs (UNLV) made some plays with speed and leaping ability. He seems like a good candidate to shift to safety. Taurean Charles (Bethune-Cookman) seemed to have no problem keeping up with RBs in coverage.
Two Nation corners have really caught my eye – Calvin Bannister (Hampton) and John Bowie (Cincinnati). If there was a good pass breakup today, chances are one of the two of them was in on it. Both seemed to combine top notch recovery speed with good instincts and aggression. Epsilon Williams (Texas State) popped out in a way that he hadn’t until today with great coverage and hitting. Brendan Hill (Virginia Tech) had possibly the interception of the week with a terrific leaping catch of a Dalton Bell fast ball directly over his head.
The scrimmage was probably the most enjoyable part of the entire three weeks I’ve spent watching all-star game practices. There were many outstanding plays, including DB Eric Buchanan jumping a route for an interception taken back the other way for six, LB Marcus Bacon (Missouri) body slamming FB Brian Stokes (Appalachian State), but Ramonce Taylor stole the show with a play that left a lasting image. Taylor initially took a run right, but nothing was there. He effortlessly reversed field and acclerated past the entire Nation defense like they were in slow motion. The Texas team mobbed him in the end zone at the end of the long TD. The lightning rod turned into the lightning bolt at the crescendo of a profound three days of practices in El Paso.
For more information, go to http://texasvsthenation.cstv.com/ . The game will be telecast Friday February 2 on CSTV at 10 pm EST/7 pm PST.
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Excellent job Sigmund 
Man, that dude is just stealing money from his boss.RT is a serious gamebreaker as a wr, slot receiver, rb in limited use. He was even the featured back for Texas in 2005 during a 4 game stint where depth was depleted. He did very well, totalling 58 carries for 341 yards, 8 TDs, and almost 6 ypc. The rest of the time he was used more like Bush was used at USC, and very effectively.
