Preseason Practice: Notes on Notes

The Million Dollar Man Corey Marshall worked with the first team at defensive end, and Zack McCray, "got a lot of reps at tackle during the team period (offensive vs. defense) next to Kris Harley on the second-team unit." French predicted less snaps for J.R. Collins this season, Marshall working with the ones would seem to corroborate that a bit. Because of how deep and versatile the d-line is, we should probably use the phrase, "on the field first," instead of, "starter." There will be a lot of rotation during games, and a lot of personel groupings tailored to the week's opponent.

Of his freshman receivers, Caleb and Stanford, LT3 said they're, "raw ... but they have a chance to be great." Caleb might be a little behind Stanford at this point.

Freshman wide receiver Joel Caleb is going through what Coleman did last January -- adjusting to the college level. But there's an added twist for Caleb, who played quarterback in the latter part of his high school career at Clover Hill. "I wasn’t really coached up on routes, so I'm out here trying to learn as much as I can from coach [Kevin] Sherman," he said. "I kind of know the position from playing quarterback, but it’s a little different going out there and running routes."

If Sherman can get them both game ready, in a little under a month, he's earned his paycheck for the year.

Carl Jackson moves up to 2nd team corner and Michael Cole to 2nd team free safety.— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) August 9, 2012

Carl is 5-9, 174, he walked on in 2010. I have to wonder if this sticks, or are the coaches are trying to push the other freshman like Riley and Tookes...

Surprise, Tariq Edwards and D.J. Coles were in blue.

Newsome want 8 field-ready offensive linemen for the fall.

"You'd really like to have a pair and a spare," he said, referring to two tackles, two guards, a backup at each and two centers. "We're heading in that direction."

Going forward, "a pair and a spare," is how I'll be ordering all my drinks. Zing. We know the starters, Via and Farris will probably be the six and seventh men respectively. The eighth guy will be one of Mark Shuman, Laurence Gibson, or Nick Acree. Bitter noted Acree, "earned praise from the coaches," Thursday. I hope it's Shuman or Acree simply because we need another tackle more than another guard.