It was not a banner day for either Kai Horton or Ty Thompson on Saturday morning in Tulane's first preseason scrimmage. Although Horton was the better of the two, both of them will need to play better and get more help from the receivers and blockers around them for the Green Wave to get where it wants to go--an AAC championship and potential spot in the college football playoff. Thompson's biggest issue has been ball security, and it was a problem again today, which was the separator between the quarterbacks. He'll get another chance on Thursday night, and probably with the starting offensive line intact unlike today, when center Vincent Murphy and left tackle Rashad Green remained out with injuries.
The day started with 10 field goal attempts, and left-footed Jacob Barnes, who has proven numbers over four years at Louisiana Tech, was shaky. With Bryce Busch as his holder He hit a 21-yarder from the middle and a 35-yarder from the left hash before missing wide left from 39 yards on the right hash and wide right from 48 yards. The ball does not come off his foot with much power, so accuracy has to be his calling card. Next up was walk-on freshman Patrick Durkin, who hit a 21-yarder, a 31-yarder and a 48-yarder with ease. He booms the ball but has zero experience in college. Third was walk-on freshman Ethan Head, who hit a 21-yarder and a 31-yarder before sending a 48-yarder wide right. He, too, has a tremendous leg but no experience. The job is Barnes' to lose, which he might do if he kicks like he did this morning, but it might have been just a bad day or issues with the hold as the Wave gets used to a left-footed kicker. Will Karoll held for the right-footed kickers.
They went to punts next, and although Karoll has not proven to be a world-beater, he needs to stay healthy. HIs first punt, from the back of the end zone, went 42 yards to Dontae Fleming, who is the frontrunner to be the primary punt returner. Busch was next and sent a low 35-yarder that would have been trouble in a game. Karoll's next attempt, with the line of scrimmage at the offense's 35,went 40 yards. Busch then sent a low one about 30 yards that landed near the sideline. Karoll's third and final attempt, a pooch effort from the defense's 45, went 29 yards to the 16, where Fleming caught it. Busch's last effort from the same spot was almost perfect and could have been downed at the 1, but the guy trying to down it stepped across the goal line while trying to save it, so it was a touchback.
They had individual drills before the scrimmage began, and Mario Williams was the only wideout to drop a routine pass. He looked like the best player on the team for the first few days of spring drills but was quiet the rest of the way. The party line was they did need to see what he could do, but he has not looked particularly good in the first two weeks of preseason camp, beginning with minor cramping issues. I'm still waiting him for him to be a daily playmaker. Maybe they are holding him back to let others shine, but he did not have a very good year at USC last season, so I'm not totally convinced.
Adin Huntington, Phat Watts, Guiseann Mirtil (who suffered a serious injury at the beginning of spring drills), Blake Gunter and Patrick Jenkins ( cautionary, already proven) sat out along with the two offensive linemen, but Josh Remetich returned and was on the first unit when it took the field. Horton was accompanied by running back Makhi Hughes, wideouts Williams, Yulkeith Brown and Shaun Nicholas (a surprise to me), tight end Alex Bauman, and from left to right on the line, Derrick Graham, Shadre Hurst, Caleb Thomas, Remetich and Darion Reed.
Kam Hamilton replaced Jenkins on the first-team defense, with Eric Hicks at the nose, Terrell Allen at rush end and Gerrod Henderson at end (Angelo Anderson got some reps with that unit, too). The linebackers were Tyler Grubbs and Sam Howard. The nickel was Caleb Ransaw. The corners were Rayshawn Pleasant and Jaheim Johnson (another surprise). The safeties were Jalen Geiger and Bailey Despanie, with Jack Tchienchou getting reps in place of Geiger at times.
Here was the opening series:
1-10-25: Incomplete pass for Nicholas in triple coverage. Williams appeared open in the flat but Horton looked downfield. He said there were two missed assignments on the play afterward.
2-10-25: Hughes +4
3-6-29: Complete to Hughes, who was wide open for 14. yards out of the backfield.
1-10-43: Hughes middle +2
2-8-45: Complete to Nicholas +5
3-3-50: incomplete with heavy pressure off the edge from Anderson messing up the play.
4-3-50: Incomplete pass thrown over the head of Sidney Mbanasor on the sideline. He was well covered.
Thompson and the 2s came against the 2s on defense. The offensive line from left to right was Reese Baker, Elijah Baker Gabe Fortson, Landry Cannon and Dominic Steward. The receivers were Dontae Fleming, Bryce Bohanon and Mbanasor. The tight end was Joshua Goines. The running back was Trey Cornist, but don't read anything into that.
The defense had Matthew Fobbs-White at rush end, Parker Peterson and Adonis Friloux inside and Anderson at end, although it looked like Elijah Champaigne got some time, too. The linebackers were Makai Williams and Dickson Agu, with Chris Rodgers entering as a sub, with Javion White at nickel, Johnathan Edwards and Micah Robinson at cornerback and Kevin Adams and Joshua Moore at safety. That series did not last long, so they did two in a row.
1-10-25: Complete to Fleming +10
1-10-35: Cornist no gain (he looks sluggish for whatever reason)
2-10-35: Incomplete pass that Chris Rodgers dropped.
3-10-35: Incomplete pass with heavy pressure
1-10-25: Jamauri McClure +2
2-8-27: McClure +8 after a problem on the exchange that ended up working out.
1-10-35: Penalty illegal procedure
1-15-30: Incomplete overthrows an open Fleming
2-15-30: Quick flip to a running back for +17. I did not catch the number but it probably was McClure.
1-10-47: Incomplete pass to no one.
2-10-47: Cornist +1
3-9-48: Complete to Fleming +5
4-4-47: Sack minus-3 as the entire pocket collapsed
Thompson then got an opportunity with the 1s vs. the 1s:
1-10-35: Complete to Reggie Brown +33 on Agu.
1-10-32: Arnold Barnes +1
2-9-31: Barnes no gain
3-9-31: Barnes +13 on surprise run play but holding penalty turned it into 7-yard loss
3-16-38: Interception Rayshawn Pleasant on throw down the side to Ybanasor, who was not open and had not even turned around.
Horton went back in with the 2s vs. the 2s
1-10-40: Penalty holding -10
1-20-30: Complete to Bohanon on crossing route +8
2-12-38: Complete to Anthony Miller sideline +3
3-9-41: Incomplete pressure provided by Henderson
Then then went to a red zone portion, with Thompson getting the first turn with 1s v. 1s
1-10-25: Incompletion on trick play (since it was a closed practice, I am not describing it)
2-10-25 Hughes +25 TD run. He trucked a defender about 5 yards past the line of scrimmage and headed for the end zone, shedding arm tackles with ease.
(EXTRA POINT GOOD from Barnes)
Horton went in with the 2s vs. 2s
1-10-25: McClure +1
2-9-24: Miscommunication when McClure runs wrong way before handoff on busted play minus-4
3-13-28: SACK DeShaun Batiste
Thompson again
1-10-15: Barnes +1
2-9-14: Thompson scramble minus-1
3-10-15: Barnes takes pitch for +12, surprising defense
1-G-3 Barnes minus-2 on penetration and pursuit by Grubbs
2-G-5: Barnes +1
3-G-4: PENALTY illegal motion
3-G-9: SACK Anderson (he touched him)
4-6-12: FIELD GOAL 30 yards wide right (I was not expecting the kick and missed the number, but I do not think it was Barnes because of the high trajectory
Horton again with 2s vs. 2s
1-10-15: Cornist +4
2-6-11: Cornist nice cut +5
3-1-6: Horton sneak +2
1-G-4: Cornist stuffed by a posse as line got blown up minus-4
2-G-8: McClure middle +5
3-G-3: McClure +2
4-G-1: Incomplete Barnes drops pass in end zone after running out uncovered.
Next was a segment coming out from the offense's goal line. Horton was first
1-10-2: Barnes +4
2-6-6: Barnes +3
3-3-9: Incomplete overthrows Williams short of first down ons sideline on rushed throw, but PENALTY offsides gives offense first down.
Then it was Thompson's turn:
'
1-10-2: McClure loses fumble at 1 (McClure has looked good in camp, but that's exactly what you cannot do in that drill.
(They took a short break after the fumble before starting a two-minute drill that did not have full tackling (Sumrall calls is a "thud" period), with Thompson up first. The setup was the offense needed a field goal to win.
1-10-35: Sack with strip by Henderson. Thompson recovered it, but Henderson did not go after it and seemed to be getting lectured by a defensive coach about not finishing the play.
2-16-29: Hughes +12
3-4-41: Complete to Williams +11, with nice move to get past Grubbs after the catch.
1-10-48: Complete to Yulkeith Brown +18 inside (offense calls timeout)
1-10-30: Incomplete for Williams in back of end zone. Thompson threw a perfect pass, but Williams dropped it with a defender right next to him
2-10-30: Incomplete throwaway
3-10-30: Run +6 (did not see the number)
4-4-24: FIELD GOAL 41 yards GOOD by Ethan Head
Next was Horton
1-10-35: Complete Bohanon +21 (I really like Bohanon, who gets the most out of his ability
1-10-44: Complete Miller +8
2-2-36: Complete Fleming +36 TD. The defense was playing to stop the offense from getting in field goal range, and Fleming blew by Armani Cargo. The ball was slightly underthrown, but he had enough separation to make it work.
The day started with 10 field goal attempts, and left-footed Jacob Barnes, who has proven numbers over four years at Louisiana Tech, was shaky. With Bryce Busch as his holder He hit a 21-yarder from the middle and a 35-yarder from the left hash before missing wide left from 39 yards on the right hash and wide right from 48 yards. The ball does not come off his foot with much power, so accuracy has to be his calling card. Next up was walk-on freshman Patrick Durkin, who hit a 21-yarder, a 31-yarder and a 48-yarder with ease. He booms the ball but has zero experience in college. Third was walk-on freshman Ethan Head, who hit a 21-yarder and a 31-yarder before sending a 48-yarder wide right. He, too, has a tremendous leg but no experience. The job is Barnes' to lose, which he might do if he kicks like he did this morning, but it might have been just a bad day or issues with the hold as the Wave gets used to a left-footed kicker. Will Karoll held for the right-footed kickers.
They went to punts next, and although Karoll has not proven to be a world-beater, he needs to stay healthy. HIs first punt, from the back of the end zone, went 42 yards to Dontae Fleming, who is the frontrunner to be the primary punt returner. Busch was next and sent a low 35-yarder that would have been trouble in a game. Karoll's next attempt, with the line of scrimmage at the offense's 35,went 40 yards. Busch then sent a low one about 30 yards that landed near the sideline. Karoll's third and final attempt, a pooch effort from the defense's 45, went 29 yards to the 16, where Fleming caught it. Busch's last effort from the same spot was almost perfect and could have been downed at the 1, but the guy trying to down it stepped across the goal line while trying to save it, so it was a touchback.
They had individual drills before the scrimmage began, and Mario Williams was the only wideout to drop a routine pass. He looked like the best player on the team for the first few days of spring drills but was quiet the rest of the way. The party line was they did need to see what he could do, but he has not looked particularly good in the first two weeks of preseason camp, beginning with minor cramping issues. I'm still waiting him for him to be a daily playmaker. Maybe they are holding him back to let others shine, but he did not have a very good year at USC last season, so I'm not totally convinced.
Adin Huntington, Phat Watts, Guiseann Mirtil (who suffered a serious injury at the beginning of spring drills), Blake Gunter and Patrick Jenkins ( cautionary, already proven) sat out along with the two offensive linemen, but Josh Remetich returned and was on the first unit when it took the field. Horton was accompanied by running back Makhi Hughes, wideouts Williams, Yulkeith Brown and Shaun Nicholas (a surprise to me), tight end Alex Bauman, and from left to right on the line, Derrick Graham, Shadre Hurst, Caleb Thomas, Remetich and Darion Reed.
Kam Hamilton replaced Jenkins on the first-team defense, with Eric Hicks at the nose, Terrell Allen at rush end and Gerrod Henderson at end (Angelo Anderson got some reps with that unit, too). The linebackers were Tyler Grubbs and Sam Howard. The nickel was Caleb Ransaw. The corners were Rayshawn Pleasant and Jaheim Johnson (another surprise). The safeties were Jalen Geiger and Bailey Despanie, with Jack Tchienchou getting reps in place of Geiger at times.
Here was the opening series:
1-10-25: Incomplete pass for Nicholas in triple coverage. Williams appeared open in the flat but Horton looked downfield. He said there were two missed assignments on the play afterward.
2-10-25: Hughes +4
3-6-29: Complete to Hughes, who was wide open for 14. yards out of the backfield.
1-10-43: Hughes middle +2
2-8-45: Complete to Nicholas +5
3-3-50: incomplete with heavy pressure off the edge from Anderson messing up the play.
4-3-50: Incomplete pass thrown over the head of Sidney Mbanasor on the sideline. He was well covered.
Thompson and the 2s came against the 2s on defense. The offensive line from left to right was Reese Baker, Elijah Baker Gabe Fortson, Landry Cannon and Dominic Steward. The receivers were Dontae Fleming, Bryce Bohanon and Mbanasor. The tight end was Joshua Goines. The running back was Trey Cornist, but don't read anything into that.
The defense had Matthew Fobbs-White at rush end, Parker Peterson and Adonis Friloux inside and Anderson at end, although it looked like Elijah Champaigne got some time, too. The linebackers were Makai Williams and Dickson Agu, with Chris Rodgers entering as a sub, with Javion White at nickel, Johnathan Edwards and Micah Robinson at cornerback and Kevin Adams and Joshua Moore at safety. That series did not last long, so they did two in a row.
1-10-25: Complete to Fleming +10
1-10-35: Cornist no gain (he looks sluggish for whatever reason)
2-10-35: Incomplete pass that Chris Rodgers dropped.
3-10-35: Incomplete pass with heavy pressure
1-10-25: Jamauri McClure +2
2-8-27: McClure +8 after a problem on the exchange that ended up working out.
1-10-35: Penalty illegal procedure
1-15-30: Incomplete overthrows an open Fleming
2-15-30: Quick flip to a running back for +17. I did not catch the number but it probably was McClure.
1-10-47: Incomplete pass to no one.
2-10-47: Cornist +1
3-9-48: Complete to Fleming +5
4-4-47: Sack minus-3 as the entire pocket collapsed
Thompson then got an opportunity with the 1s vs. the 1s:
1-10-35: Complete to Reggie Brown +33 on Agu.
1-10-32: Arnold Barnes +1
2-9-31: Barnes no gain
3-9-31: Barnes +13 on surprise run play but holding penalty turned it into 7-yard loss
3-16-38: Interception Rayshawn Pleasant on throw down the side to Ybanasor, who was not open and had not even turned around.
Horton went back in with the 2s vs. the 2s
1-10-40: Penalty holding -10
1-20-30: Complete to Bohanon on crossing route +8
2-12-38: Complete to Anthony Miller sideline +3
3-9-41: Incomplete pressure provided by Henderson
Then then went to a red zone portion, with Thompson getting the first turn with 1s v. 1s
1-10-25: Incompletion on trick play (since it was a closed practice, I am not describing it)
2-10-25 Hughes +25 TD run. He trucked a defender about 5 yards past the line of scrimmage and headed for the end zone, shedding arm tackles with ease.
(EXTRA POINT GOOD from Barnes)
Horton went in with the 2s vs. 2s
1-10-25: McClure +1
2-9-24: Miscommunication when McClure runs wrong way before handoff on busted play minus-4
3-13-28: SACK DeShaun Batiste
Thompson again
1-10-15: Barnes +1
2-9-14: Thompson scramble minus-1
3-10-15: Barnes takes pitch for +12, surprising defense
1-G-3 Barnes minus-2 on penetration and pursuit by Grubbs
2-G-5: Barnes +1
3-G-4: PENALTY illegal motion
3-G-9: SACK Anderson (he touched him)
4-6-12: FIELD GOAL 30 yards wide right (I was not expecting the kick and missed the number, but I do not think it was Barnes because of the high trajectory
Horton again with 2s vs. 2s
1-10-15: Cornist +4
2-6-11: Cornist nice cut +5
3-1-6: Horton sneak +2
1-G-4: Cornist stuffed by a posse as line got blown up minus-4
2-G-8: McClure middle +5
3-G-3: McClure +2
4-G-1: Incomplete Barnes drops pass in end zone after running out uncovered.
Next was a segment coming out from the offense's goal line. Horton was first
1-10-2: Barnes +4
2-6-6: Barnes +3
3-3-9: Incomplete overthrows Williams short of first down ons sideline on rushed throw, but PENALTY offsides gives offense first down.
Then it was Thompson's turn:
'
1-10-2: McClure loses fumble at 1 (McClure has looked good in camp, but that's exactly what you cannot do in that drill.
(They took a short break after the fumble before starting a two-minute drill that did not have full tackling (Sumrall calls is a "thud" period), with Thompson up first. The setup was the offense needed a field goal to win.
1-10-35: Sack with strip by Henderson. Thompson recovered it, but Henderson did not go after it and seemed to be getting lectured by a defensive coach about not finishing the play.
2-16-29: Hughes +12
3-4-41: Complete to Williams +11, with nice move to get past Grubbs after the catch.
1-10-48: Complete to Yulkeith Brown +18 inside (offense calls timeout)
1-10-30: Incomplete for Williams in back of end zone. Thompson threw a perfect pass, but Williams dropped it with a defender right next to him
2-10-30: Incomplete throwaway
3-10-30: Run +6 (did not see the number)
4-4-24: FIELD GOAL 41 yards GOOD by Ethan Head
Next was Horton
1-10-35: Complete Bohanon +21 (I really like Bohanon, who gets the most out of his ability
1-10-44: Complete Miller +8
2-2-36: Complete Fleming +36 TD. The defense was playing to stop the offense from getting in field goal range, and Fleming blew by Armani Cargo. The ball was slightly underthrown, but he had enough separation to make it work.
