There was good news when I arrived at Tulane's practice this morning--they had a center, and it was Sincere Haynesworth.
A day after practicing without the only three centers on the roster while they awaited routine coronavirus test results, the Green Wave had its "Terminator" back, making for a much smoother workout. Other players who returned after getting their results were quarterback Michael Pratt, running back Cameron Carroll, linebacker Kevin Henry and defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson. Some guys were still missing, including Justin Ibieta, Cornelius Dyson, Will Wallace, Kiland Harrison and Caleb Thomas, but the squad was much closer to full strength than Thursday.
When Mykel Jones caught a deep ball in individual drills while in full stride, Will Hall yelled out "Roll Wave," The energy level was high today with the opener against South Alabama eight days away. Keon Howard, Pratt and Josh Holl got reps, with Howard completing a big pass over the middle to Jones against Ajani Kerr in 7-on-7 drills and Pratt throwing a gorgeous deep ball to Cameron Carroll against Ton'Quez Ball. That was one of the few mistakes I've seen Ball make in the preseason, but he made up for it later with spectacular diving interception attempt of a Holl throw in 11-on-11 work. The defensive players on the sideline insisted it was a good grab, but Fritz signaled that he trapped it. Either way, it was a heck of an effort.
The 11-on-11 was a two-minute drill that started with 1:51 left and one timeout, forcing the offense to try to drive 75 yards without getting stopped or time running out. Howard led a touchdown drive, with the big plays a pass to tight end Tyrick James and a fade to Jaetavian Toles in the back of the end zone when he beat Jaylon Monroe. The touchdown came with 34 seconds left, so it was an efficient drive. In between the big completions, Kyle Meyers blanketed Duece Watts on a fade. Games are different than practice, but Meyers provides the stickiest coverage in practice of any Tulane corner since Parry Nickerson.
Pratt got pulled on his drive, although that might have been planned ahead of time. He could not find anyone open on consecutive plays, eventually throwing the ball away on both of them before Hall yelled for Holl to go in. Holl completed a pass to Phat Watts, who has come on in the preseason, before the near interception by Ball. The final play was a high snap from Haynesworth that sailed off off Holl's outstretched hands. That was the first bad snap I've seen from Haynesworth, who played every snap in the 11-on-11 because his two backups remained unavailable.
The first-team offensive line was Joey Claybrook, Corey Dublin, Haynesworth, Josh Remetich and Jaylen Miller. I feel confident in calling that the starting five for the opener, meaning Remetich will be a rarer freshman opening-day starter, joining Dublin from three years ago.
The second-team offensive line was Tim Shafter, Jackson Fort, Haynesworth, Ben Knutson and Trey Tuggle. Stephen Lewerenz, Cameron Jackel, Nik Hogan and Michael Remondet were not out there.
The first-team defensive line was the usual suspects, with the second team Carlos Hatcher. Davon Wright, Eric Hicks and Darius Hodges.
When the running backs do individual drills, Amare Jones and Ygenio Booker spent part of their time practicing with the wide receivers. That slot position Hall created is sort of a hybrid runner/receiver role.
I will post quotes later tonight. I had Fritz to myself on the Zoom call. He did not say anything earth shattering.
A day after practicing without the only three centers on the roster while they awaited routine coronavirus test results, the Green Wave had its "Terminator" back, making for a much smoother workout. Other players who returned after getting their results were quarterback Michael Pratt, running back Cameron Carroll, linebacker Kevin Henry and defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson. Some guys were still missing, including Justin Ibieta, Cornelius Dyson, Will Wallace, Kiland Harrison and Caleb Thomas, but the squad was much closer to full strength than Thursday.
When Mykel Jones caught a deep ball in individual drills while in full stride, Will Hall yelled out "Roll Wave," The energy level was high today with the opener against South Alabama eight days away. Keon Howard, Pratt and Josh Holl got reps, with Howard completing a big pass over the middle to Jones against Ajani Kerr in 7-on-7 drills and Pratt throwing a gorgeous deep ball to Cameron Carroll against Ton'Quez Ball. That was one of the few mistakes I've seen Ball make in the preseason, but he made up for it later with spectacular diving interception attempt of a Holl throw in 11-on-11 work. The defensive players on the sideline insisted it was a good grab, but Fritz signaled that he trapped it. Either way, it was a heck of an effort.
The 11-on-11 was a two-minute drill that started with 1:51 left and one timeout, forcing the offense to try to drive 75 yards without getting stopped or time running out. Howard led a touchdown drive, with the big plays a pass to tight end Tyrick James and a fade to Jaetavian Toles in the back of the end zone when he beat Jaylon Monroe. The touchdown came with 34 seconds left, so it was an efficient drive. In between the big completions, Kyle Meyers blanketed Duece Watts on a fade. Games are different than practice, but Meyers provides the stickiest coverage in practice of any Tulane corner since Parry Nickerson.
Pratt got pulled on his drive, although that might have been planned ahead of time. He could not find anyone open on consecutive plays, eventually throwing the ball away on both of them before Hall yelled for Holl to go in. Holl completed a pass to Phat Watts, who has come on in the preseason, before the near interception by Ball. The final play was a high snap from Haynesworth that sailed off off Holl's outstretched hands. That was the first bad snap I've seen from Haynesworth, who played every snap in the 11-on-11 because his two backups remained unavailable.
The first-team offensive line was Joey Claybrook, Corey Dublin, Haynesworth, Josh Remetich and Jaylen Miller. I feel confident in calling that the starting five for the opener, meaning Remetich will be a rarer freshman opening-day starter, joining Dublin from three years ago.
The second-team offensive line was Tim Shafter, Jackson Fort, Haynesworth, Ben Knutson and Trey Tuggle. Stephen Lewerenz, Cameron Jackel, Nik Hogan and Michael Remondet were not out there.
The first-team defensive line was the usual suspects, with the second team Carlos Hatcher. Davon Wright, Eric Hicks and Darius Hodges.
When the running backs do individual drills, Amare Jones and Ygenio Booker spent part of their time practicing with the wide receivers. That slot position Hall created is sort of a hybrid runner/receiver role.
I will post quotes later tonight. I had Fritz to myself on the Zoom call. He did not say anything earth shattering.