Wednesday Texas practice:
QB
12, Taylor Potts, Texas Tech
It was a cold day on Wednesday and the wind was still blowing in San Antonio, but Potts wasn’t bothered by the conditions. Early in practice he was holding onto the ball a little too long, but later he established a rhythm and was the best QB on the field all day. He was able to throw with good touch on a deep crossing route, and hit his receiver in stride over the linebackers outstretched hand but in front of the safety. Potts also did a good job of side stepping the rush to find extra time to throw. I know Texas Tech QBs haven’t exactly set the NFL on fire, but Potts could be different from Kliff Kingsbury, B.J. Symons, or Graham Harrell.
7, Joshua Portis, California PA (formerly Florida, formerly Maryland)
Portis looks like a bigger project than some originally thought. He was late on his out routes today which caused his receivers to drop many passes. I don’t know if the weather or wind was bothering him, but it was not a command performance. He doesn’t do a good job of looking off defenders and the cornerbacks were following his eyes to the ball where they could break up or intercept the pass.
15, Ryan Colburn, Fresno State
Colburn had a better day today, but that’s just because Tuesday’s practice was so abysmal. His throws seemed more deliberate as he didn’t want to make more mistakes. However, he did have one pass on an out route that sailed high on him and ended up being about 10 yards out of bounds. Colburn was slow to go through his reads, trying not to make a mistake, and thus didn’t make many plays. He did suffer from ‘Jake Locker Syndrome’ in practice as he looked much better throwing on the run than he did throwing from the pocket.
RB
23, Jay Finley, Baylor
Finley looked better as a receiver out of the backfield today. He was able to scoop in a low pass (the high wind changed the trajectory) and turned up field after the catch. Finley still looked a little hyper to me after the catch and didn’t know exactly what kind of move to put on a linebacker in front of him.
34, Chad Spann, Northern Illinois
I like the way Spann was able to pick and slide his way through holes today. He just runs low and is not afraid to take on contact. He’s better when running in a straight line than he is trying to juke anyone, but he could be a nice fit in a one cut system where his patience and balance will be rewarded. He’s laterally agile, but loses too much speed after one move. If a coach teaches him to take one step and charge forward he could be capable at the next level.
9, Mario Fannin, Auburn
Fanin only made it into my notebook once today. The note says – too slow/hesitant behind the line of scrimmage. That pretty much sums up the main problem with his game. Fannin needs to trust what he sees and react faster. I’ve always said RBs are like computers, they need to have fast processors. Right now Fannin looks like an Apple II out there.
33, Robert Hughes, Notre Dame
He can be a straight line tank and bull over defenders, but don’t ask him (force him) to change direction.
44, Bubba Bartlett, Carroll College (MT)
Two days of practice and no notes on this guy....
WR
4, Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State
Lockette showed good sideline awareness in practice and the body control to keep him momentum in bounds after a quick out. He bobbled a comeback pass, but still held on to the ball. He loves running after the catch so much that concentration seems to be a small issue for him. Lockette is like a race horse waiting for the gate to open. He’s looking in passes but will sometimes turn prematurely before the pass is secured. Lockette did not sell his button hooks well and found those routes to be contested when he ran them. He made a big play in the wind near the sideline late in practice. With a DB all over him he scooped in a low pass, cradling both hands under the football. It looked like there was no way he would make that catch, but he gathered it in while going to the ground with a guy draped all over him.
6, Stephen Burton, West Texas A&M
It was an up and down day for Burton today. He showed the ability to use his frame to box out defenders, but was regularly slipping out of routes. The field was not in perfect condition because of the weather but his footing was an issue more than it was for the other receivers.
89, Denarius Moore, Tennessee
Another strong practice from Moore today. His routes are so sharp he was making defensive backs slip when he made his break. Wide open or contested his displays good concentration and strong hands. Moore is great running the square in and is not afraid to run over the middle of the field. He did not gather in a high pass that hit him in the hands, and also was rocked on a hook route by a DB where the ball popped free (more about that play in a little bit!)
17, Marcus Harris, Murray State
Not many notes on Harris today, but one constant from Wednesday was the way that he consistently looked passes into his hands.
88, Chris Matthews, Kentucky
Matthews impressed me yesterday, but had a rougher outing today in the weather. Several passes bounced off his hands and it seemed like the cold really bothered him. He showed better effort running a button hook, but it’s far from smooth. One play he failed to completely square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage on a hook route and that lack of effort led to an interception as the North Dakota State DB Josh Gatlin was able to easiliy come over the top for the pick. Matthews still looks good on slant, go, or drag routes. He just seems uncomfortable playing with his back to the defense.
24, Kris Adams, UTEP
Adams made a nice fingertip catch in the end zone to score in practice today. He basically caught the back half of the football which displayed good hand strength. He runs a nice out route and can gain separation.
80, Jeremy Ross, California
Ross is becoming a favorite of the scouts in attendance at these practices. He gives full effort on every play and runs hard no matter what the play. He has a good burst off the line of scrimmage and protects the ball when running after the catch. He is a feisty receiver who is not afraid to mix it up with DBs post play. I like his aggression and ‘my ball’ mentality. He made the play of the day when QB Josh Portis zipped a high pass to WR Chris Matthews which bounced off his hands as a DB crushed him. Ross caught the ball as it came down and quickly burst up the sideline for a touchdown. Fantastic concentration on that play to gather it in then outrun the defense. This guy can help a team as a receiver and a return man, and is certainly a name to remember.
TE
83, Cameron Graham, Louisville
Graham had a case of the bobbles today. He lets the ball get to his chest and that leads to unsure catches (or drops) when a pass comes his way.
81, Robert Housler, Florida Atlantic
84, Stephen Skelton, Fordham
Skelton is very athletic and can get up the seam in a hurry. Still a little raw when running routes, but there’s enough there for him to make a team or a practice squad at the next level.
