Few thoughts from practice tonight 3/21

[Mike]

This was an intense practice and most of it due to new OL/ST coach Dennis McKnight. You could hear the mans voice from anywhere in the stadium. There was a large focus on special teams drills and I fully expect the team to be dramatically improved in that area next season.

 

Coach Woodard was very relaxed and in a great mood during the practice. I feel he's very comfortable with his new staff and lets them all coach. He spent his time mingling around all the areas helping and encouraging, even throwing passes during wide receiver drills with Coach Barbay.

 

The worst kept secret was revealed tonight as Coach Whitten was not at practice. Coach Kueck was working the QB's and calling offensive plays during the drills. Coach Richard was also not in attendance tonight.

 

Jacody Coleman is officially done as a football player at Lamar. When asked about Coleman Coach Woodard told us point blank he wouldnt be playing.

 

No surprise but no Anthony Oden at practice

 

The QB's that worked out were Ryan Mossakowski, Caleb Berry, Jeremy Johnson and Harrison Tatum. No Doug Prewitt seen on the field. All the QB's looked sharp and I thought JJ really threw the ball well tonight. Mossakowski has a long delivery but has some zip on his passes.

 

DePauldrick Garrett participated fully and was not limited at all.

 

Adren Dorsey didnt practice and when I asked his status Coach said he pulled his hamstring during warmups so they sat him out and will sit for the next week or so. They dont want a minor problem to turn into a bigger one.

 

The team was not in pads, only helmets and I think Coach said they'd be in pads for Saturdays practice.

 

Coach Woodard told us that he was happy with the enthusiasm of the team but they still had a lot to work on. He was very happy to get things started and looks forward to all the improvements.

 

One more note....Lamars pro day will be Wednesday March 28th at the stadium. Coach didnt know if juniors would run at the pro day.

 

 

***Remember, you can follow us on twitter at

for updates during the practices I'm able to attend.***

[Guest McneeseKilla]

I know its early but do you give any of the qbs an edge? Where was prewitt?

[TBonesLU]

Mike,

 

Try to find out what the status is on Cameron Washington, please, sir.

[Guest boomer]

How did the secondary look? I also second where was Prewitt.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

I remember several of the Juco guys had injuries and were secondary players. Any of those guys look limited?

[Guest ahuff]

i dont think that prewitt can play anymore from too many concussions

[Mike]

I know its early but do you give any of the qbs an edge? Where was prewitt?

 

You're right, it's way too early but I was told that all the QB's are starting with a clean slate and will be evaluated individually based on performance. Personally I thought they all looked good in practice.

 

Jeremy Johnson had the most zip on his passes and he has a very quick release. He threw a couple deep balls into coverage during the simulation portion of practice but that all has to do with decision making.

 

Mossakowski has a slightly longer and slower release but was putting some zip on the ball with what looked like little effort. I don't think the shoulder is an issue anymore.

 

Caleb Berry had a good first practice and didnt miss many throws. His mechanics looked solid and I think he'll be given an honest look at the position if he keeps performing. The question for all the QB's will be what happens when the pads get put on.

 

Harrison Tatum didn't look to have the same arm strength as the others but he was making the same throws. I saw Kueck get on to Tatum a couple times after making a questionable decision and a bad throw that almost got his WR's head taken off.

 

 

After practice Coach told us the coach speak that whoever performs will emerge as the starter and they have a lot of evaluating to do. IMO no matter the starter they'll utilize JJ for his legs in certain packages whether he is the starter or not. He's too much a weapon not too.

 

 

Word on Doug Prewitt is he's done playing. He'll remain on the team and on scholarship as a student assistant or similar type role but will no longer be playing. I think it was his decision based on the head shots and concussions that went down last year. I know he'll be a positive influence on the QB's and the team based on the positive vibe he gave off last season.

[Mike]

Mike,

 

Try to find out what the status is on Cameron Washington, please, sir.

 

 

I'll work on that today.

[Mike]

How did the secondary look? I also second where was Prewitt.

 

 

Good in 7 on 7 portion of practice, they held their own vs the LU WR's and practiced hard the entire practice but the test will come when the pads go on. Coach Woodard mentioned how happy he was "seeing Braden Thomas out there," and that was the only player he mentioned by name.

 

Read my above post on Doug Prewitt.

[Mike]

I remember several of the Juco guys had injuries and were secondary players. Any of those guys look limited?

 

 

The only player I saw in a jersey that wasnt practicing fully was Adren Dorsey and that was due to a pulled hammy in warmups. Every other player that was out there was not limited.

[Mike]

i dont think that prewitt can play anymore from too many concussions

 

 

true, check out my post above. I was told it was his decision based on the concussions but will remain on scholorship and have a role on the football team this year...just not as a player. He's the type guy that seems like he'd be an excellent football coach one day....JMO.

[Guest McneeseKilla]

Well damn that sucks that we don't have prewitt anymore he was playing at the highest level imo last year. I was lookin forwrd to seeing him try and win the job this year. Do you have any comments on the wide outs?

[cardinal]

Major bummer about Prewitt. I was hoping he'd finally get the mid this year. I guess there was one too many QB sweeps called by our awesome Ex offensive coordinator.

[cardinal]

Where is that little left handed qb out of Louisiana?

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Where is that little left handed qb out of Louisiana?

 

He's still in High School.

 

I think he will red-shirt since we have so many other QB's.

[Mike]

Well damn that sucks that we don't have prewitt anymore he was playing at the highest level imo last year. I was lookin forwrd to seeing him try and win the job this year. Do you have any comments on the wide outs?

 

Sorry MK I cant comment much on the WR's. I did watch them catch passes during the drills and they did a good job from what I saw. They had a couple good catches during the simulation as well but I spent a lot of time observing the QB's last night.

[Mike]

Where is that little left handed qb out of Louisiana?

 

He's still in High School.

 

I think he will red-shirt since we have so many other QB's.

 

 

True. he and the rest of the new recruiting class wont arrive until the fall.

[Guest McneeseKilla]

Mike did you talk to any other coaches besides woodard?

[Guest bigred360]

Mike thanks for sharing your thoughts regardins the Lamar spring practice session you attended. I plan to make the one Saturday.

[allsports34]

The coverage and hype at this school is off the hook. I can tell you Matt Bergeron is about to turn inside out not being there. However he is working out and throwing with the XCEL training academy which trains many D1 athletes. He will show up with the rest of the group somewhere in June. He will definetly show up in the best shape of his life. Some one asked him if he can;t wait to be a Cardinal and his answer was I already am!!!

[Guest CardAmbassador]

The coverage and hype at this school is off the hook. I can tell you Matt Bergeron is about to turn inside out not being there. However he is working out and throwing with the XCEL training academy which trains many D1 athletes. He will show up with the rest of the group somewhere in June. He will definetly show up in the best shape of his life. Some one asked him if he can;t wait to be a Cardinal and his answer was I already am!!!

 

Lamar usually has some of the best attendance in the SLC so we have probably some of the better coverage of our sports for a school our size.

 

Very glad to hear that Matt is ready to get started, enthusiasm like that breeds enthusiasm and work ethic in other players too.