Seagull's Practice Report Is Ready! 8/9/10

[seagull]

Fall Camp. It's a day football fans around the nation look forward to for months on end. For the San Diego State Aztecs who lost their final games of last season, fall camp couldn't come soon enough. Despite fall camp being closed for the Aztecs, Seagull was able to take a gander at the workout. As if you haven't waited long enough, Seagull is at work and can't file a report at this time. So, you are going to have to wait a few hours longer for your Aztec fix. (It's ready now. Look below.)

Okay, here's one tidbit you already knew: Ryan Lindley gets to throw to a bigger and stronger Vincent Brown, a sure-handed DeMarco Sampson, and a big and tough tight end in Alston Umuolo. Here's something you were wondering about: Ronnie Hillman could be the difference-maker. Hillman is quick. Really quick. He waits for an opening, then he vanishes--whoosh! He also has good moves.

Don't miss Derek Togerson's report on KNSD 7/39 at 11pm. The guy knows his sports. His questions were intelligent and articulate and shows he's a student of the Aztecs.

Read below for the report.

[Aztec For Life]

Can't wait to hear more!

[gettough]

I can't waaaaaiiiiiiiiit! Well, I guess I have to. And I'll watch Togerson because you said to.

[mc]

More...more...more

GO AZTECS!

[aztecfanatic]

Lol! Gully 'ole boy, you've become quite the tease. It's working! I can hardly wait!

[cacique]

Is Deonte Williams the J C running back out there?He shows up on the media guide,but not on the roster

[Old School]

I look forward to Seagull's Droppings almost as much as I do about Payday!



Oldie Out

[AztecTom]

Thanks Seagull!

[Old School]

Ronnie Hillman refresher.

Oldie Out

[seagull]

Okay, here it is! Thanks for waiting.

I'm confused because Ezell Ruffin was out there, but there was no one sporting #82. I know he was out there because after practice Coach Hoke said he likes what Ruffin can do out of the backfield.

The roster they handed out was from page 10 of the media guide and it was entitled, "2010 Season Preview." Ruffin is listed as #82. Deonte Williams was listed as #34, and there was a fine running back wearing #34 who got a lot of reps and looked good. #34 also caught some passes in drills. There is no one listed as #41 on offense, but there was a wide receiver wearing #41 who got plenty of reps. Maybe Ruffin cut his number in half so he could wear a running back number. I'm sure some sleuth will figure this out.

Please consider the context of my post. These were drills with helmets and pretty red and black Nike shoes. All the linemen also wore those clanky knee braces. There were no other pads. Ergo no tackling.

Ryan Lindley is loving life. He's back on the field for an official Aztecs practice barking out signals to the Aztecs offense for the first time since early spring. The NCAA gave one of his favorite targets, DeMarco Sampson, a well-deserved extra year of eligibility for having missed two seasons with injuries. Lindley looks to his other flank and sees that Vincent Brown has returned from injury for his senior season. Brown looks more buff than last season. He is still fleet of foot as evidenced in his performance in drills today. Lindley looks to the tight end position and sees an amazing specimen in Alston Umuolo. Running like a gazelle after the catch, Umuolo looks like he could play wideout, but at 6' 4" 255 he is better suited inside.

Lindley has a new running back who has the potential to make opposing defenses give serious attention to the run. Ronnie Hillman adds a new dimension that was mostly missing last season. He has a quick burst which seemed to fool some Aztec defenders. When he had no hole, Hillman patiently bided his time awaiting a small crease, then he went from zero to flash in a millisecond. Hillman took one carry to the outside, turned the corner and was gone to the endzone virtually untouched.

Lindley told me after practice that he is pleased with the improvement in the offensive line. Of course, what else would he say? Actually, he said the entire offense is way ahead of where they were last year at this time as Brady Hoke and his staff were installing a new offense.

Brandon Sullivan has moved from tailback to fullback in Al Borges' offensive scheme. Brice Heers also got reps there.

Other running backs who looked good included Davon Brown, Walter Kazee, and #34 who was probably Deonte Williams. Coach Hoke also commended Dwayne Garrett at running back along with Ezell Ruffin. Those two are the newcomers at skill positions that have me the most intrigued from having watched their high school game tapes.

Backups at wide receiver look like starters in any other year. Nico Sandifer and Osmond Nicholas look like standouts. The two finest catches I saw today were by Nicholas and Dylan Denso. Do you remember the buzz on Aztectalk about Denso and several fine grabs he made in the spring game? He made a stellar catch today. Doug Deakin looked good too.

While the offense looks capable of putting more points on the board this season, they may get a little boost from special teams when they fail to move the ball. Punter Brian Stahovich was booming punts today. He was fielding snaps from his own 40 yard line and releasing his bombs from just outside his 30. Many sailed to the goal line for 60-yard punts. His hang time was great, too. His proud Dad was there, stopwatch in hand. He announced one of Brian's hangtimes as 5.15 seconds. His Dad says Brian gained 25 pounds of muscle since the final game of 2009 thanks to the tutelage of Coach Wellman. Stahovich has been working out during the entire offseason with a punting coach who lives nearby. This coach has been working with many NFL punters.

I didn't pay too much attention to the defense, but I will say they were flying to the ball. While not allowed to tackle, they spent their energy getting to the right position and trying to wrestle the ball free. Andrew Preston seems to be getting more comfortable in the Aztec position. He intercepted a tipped pass today. After practice, he was the defender of choice for media interviews. When the questions stopped, I commented to Preston, "Let the comparisons to Brian Urlacher begin!"

Remember practices are closed to the public. However, if you call the football office and prove you are a backer of the team, they may let you in for a glimpse. Today the newcomers had a very brief practice around 2pm followed by the full team at 3:30pm.

My next report won't be for seven days after next Monday's practice. Someone has to support Las Vegas tourism!

[Doug Drake]

Thanks for the update Seagull. Hillman sounds good and he must be if they have moved him into the #1 spot. The question is whether the line will be able to open up holes for him.

[Old School]

Thanks Seagull!

Oldie Out

[mightymightyaztecs]

Thanks for the report. Watched both channel 7 & 10 for some brief glimpses of the team at work. Can't wait till September.

[seagull]

goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081010aaa.html

Follow this link to the official athletic site. Written transcripts of the media interviews are provided. Links near the top show video interviews with the coach and selected players thanks to the aztecchannel.

[steveaztec]

Seagull.....Thank you and excellent.

[wolfstartec]

Thanks for the 1st report. Cannot wait for the next one!!

[goaztecs]

Thanks for the report. The offense sounds loaded. Could somebody please break down the RB's and explain who is from where, year etc. It seems like we have a load of backs.

[Deleted]

Been waiting a long time to see Hillman in an Aztec uni. Really excited for him. Any word on Sandifer? He could have a big year as well. Thanks for the report.

[aztecjake]

Thanks for the briefing and we'll miss you for a week. Have fun in Vegas.

Can someone remind me what is happening with Muema? RS?

[The Great Aztec Joe]

When we get full contact we will know the Line Status. I remember the recruiting lists and I know we have a lot of bodies who were all Three Star in high school.

I always remind everybody of the obvious, "IT IS ALL WON OR LOST IN THE LINE PLAY."

Our weakness in 2004 and 2005 was due to mistakes and weakness in our offensive linemen. They were damn good kids, but they were Freshmen and Sophomores, and we needed Juniors and Seniors with years of experience. The more you play at this level, the more valuable your instinct in line play kicks in.

Our weakness since 2006 to last year has been in youth, horrible coaching, especially in defense and lack of depth to fill in for injuries.
Ya gotta have a two deep.

For this season we have a two deep in skill position players on offense, and we have a good assortment of skill position players on defense. I don't think we have a full second string. We can make a team out of all that skill with good coaching, and I believe we have that. In fact, compared to Long and Crew, I KNOW we have it.

The big question mark is line play. We will find out in the coming weeks.

You can have all the skill position players in the world, but if your O-line sucks, you will lose most of your games.