The team practiced for the last time today before dispersing for spring break. Dabo Swinney and Brent Venables spent some time with the media folks. A few of the more interesting developments:
-- Not a good day for the secondary today. Sounds like the receivers pretty much had their way with them. Venables seemed frustrated afterward and said no one has really elevated at the corner spot opposite Mackensie Alexander. He said there's Cordrea Tankersley and Ryan Carter and that's about it. Clearly he wants to see more from that spot. Swinney said the defensive backs were "a little lethargic" today. Swinney did said he likes what he's seen of Carter. He also mentioned that freshman corner Kaleb Chalmers has stood out some so far.
-- Swinney gave more insight on Jay Guillermo's situation. Said Guillermo is not enrolled in school. He hopes he's back for the first session of summer school, but mostly he just wants him to get better.
-- Joe Gore and Mitch Hyatt have been limited lately with minor injuries. This attrition at tackle has been a positive for Maverick Morris, who has worked inside and outside.
-- Shoring up the return game is a big emphasis this offseason. Swinney mentioned T.J. Green, Artavis Scott, Ray-Ray McCloud, Wayne Gallman and C.J. Fuller as guys who will be in the mix on kickoff return in 2015.
-- Isaiah Battle has been solid this spring, Swinney said.
-- We asked Swinney about Dane Rogers' position. Swinney said he's been inside but can also move to the edge. He compared him to Rennie Moore.
-- Swinney said Justin Falcinelli has looked good at center, with the exception of some snap issues that are understandable given he's doing it for the first time. Also seeing some action at center: Tyrone Crowder.
-- One of the big storylines of spring is Nick Schuessler, who has established himself as the clear No. 1 over freshmen Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel. Swinney said he's "blossoming," making "big-time throws" and showing urgency and confidence that he hadn't yet shown. "This was one of those practices I wish everybody got to see," Swinney said, referring to Schuessler.
-- Speaking of center snaps, they're getting a lot of attention this spring. Swinney said they have a "snap cam" to get a better read on what's going right and what's going wrong.
"As we know, it all starts with the snap. And a game can change with a simple fundamental." He didn't specifically mention the snap debacle last year at Florida State. He didn't have to.
-- Swinney loves the fact that there's enough talent to push the starter-level players if they're not performing.
"If somebody's not bringing the urgency in practice, he gets exposed very quickly," he said. "There's nowhere to hide."
He said one of the early characteristics that's becoming apparent with this group is it's "fun to practice with every day."
-- I asked Venables if Albert Huggins is locked in at end. "He's an end right now," was his reply.
-- Venables said Scott Pagano has been a physical presence and has prepared well.
-- Swinney said he urged his guys to study their football stuff during the lengthy break so they don't have to start over when they return. "We've got a lot of work to do when we get back over the next three weeks."
Stay tuned for more football coverage later on today, and through the rest of the week. Hope everyone is doing well!
-- Not a good day for the secondary today. Sounds like the receivers pretty much had their way with them. Venables seemed frustrated afterward and said no one has really elevated at the corner spot opposite Mackensie Alexander. He said there's Cordrea Tankersley and Ryan Carter and that's about it. Clearly he wants to see more from that spot. Swinney said the defensive backs were "a little lethargic" today. Swinney did said he likes what he's seen of Carter. He also mentioned that freshman corner Kaleb Chalmers has stood out some so far.
-- Swinney gave more insight on Jay Guillermo's situation. Said Guillermo is not enrolled in school. He hopes he's back for the first session of summer school, but mostly he just wants him to get better.
-- Joe Gore and Mitch Hyatt have been limited lately with minor injuries. This attrition at tackle has been a positive for Maverick Morris, who has worked inside and outside.
-- Shoring up the return game is a big emphasis this offseason. Swinney mentioned T.J. Green, Artavis Scott, Ray-Ray McCloud, Wayne Gallman and C.J. Fuller as guys who will be in the mix on kickoff return in 2015.
-- Isaiah Battle has been solid this spring, Swinney said.
-- We asked Swinney about Dane Rogers' position. Swinney said he's been inside but can also move to the edge. He compared him to Rennie Moore.
-- Swinney said Justin Falcinelli has looked good at center, with the exception of some snap issues that are understandable given he's doing it for the first time. Also seeing some action at center: Tyrone Crowder.
-- One of the big storylines of spring is Nick Schuessler, who has established himself as the clear No. 1 over freshmen Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel. Swinney said he's "blossoming," making "big-time throws" and showing urgency and confidence that he hadn't yet shown. "This was one of those practices I wish everybody got to see," Swinney said, referring to Schuessler.
-- Speaking of center snaps, they're getting a lot of attention this spring. Swinney said they have a "snap cam" to get a better read on what's going right and what's going wrong.
"As we know, it all starts with the snap. And a game can change with a simple fundamental." He didn't specifically mention the snap debacle last year at Florida State. He didn't have to.
-- Swinney loves the fact that there's enough talent to push the starter-level players if they're not performing.
"If somebody's not bringing the urgency in practice, he gets exposed very quickly," he said. "There's nowhere to hide."
He said one of the early characteristics that's becoming apparent with this group is it's "fun to practice with every day."
-- I asked Venables if Albert Huggins is locked in at end. "He's an end right now," was his reply.
-- Venables said Scott Pagano has been a physical presence and has prepared well.
-- Swinney said he urged his guys to study their football stuff during the lengthy break so they don't have to start over when they return. "We've got a lot of work to do when we get back over the next three weeks."
Stay tuned for more football coverage later on today, and through the rest of the week. Hope everyone is doing well!
