Notes and observations from Tuesday's practice:
Energy was good today. There was no drop-off after a nine-day break. Coach Clay Helton reiterated that the first week was focused on installation and these next four are for repetition (and of course teaching). With everyone more familiar with what's going on, it's fair to say the tempo picked up a bit today. Let's get into it ...
1-on-1 (LBs vs RBs):
Max Browne hits Daniel Imatorbhebhe over the middle. Browne moves the offense into the red zone but it stalls there.
Sam Darnold hits Imatorbhebhe downfield.
Darnold takes a sack.
Browne hits Taylor McNamara on a corner post for a TD.
***
Jalen Greene goes over the middle to Ajene Harris. Darreus Rogers dives for a one-handed grab in the end zone. It counted but we were standing right there and the ball clearly hit the floor. Good effort (and acting) from Rogers.
Darnold shows great anticipation while hitting De'Quan Hampton for a first down. Great placement too, between a pair of defenders.
Darnold completes a pass to Whitney. It's worth noting that Darnold hasn't been checking down at all in these periods. He's also yet to throw an interception in spring. (Browne has thrown four.)
11-on-11:
Browne spots JuJu deep and delivers a really nice bomb but JuJu drops it.
Jones catches the ball out of the backfield on consecutive plays. It's been exciting to see him mature.
Tucker dives and nearly picks off Darnold.
Darnold tries for Hampton deep but good defense from Jonathan Lockett prevents that.
Harris surprisingly takes a handoff and picks up a big chunk.
Darnold takes another shot at the end zone but can't connect with Rogers.
Final challenge:
Browne misses JuJu deep and JuJu pulls up lame. He doesn't return but appears fine after practice while walking off the field. Helton says afterward he doesn't anticipate anything being wrong. Marvell Tell was defending JuJu on the play and stayed with him stride for stride. We saw him in man against receivers quite a bit today.
Browne hits Rogers on a quick out for a first down.
Browne completes a pass to Deontay Burnett.
A run by Burnett doesn't move the chains and the score is knotted at 2.
Browne throws a strong 15-yard pass to Harris in the corner of the end zone for a TD. (Harris beat Tell on the play.) The offense wins.
***
This was the best spring practice thus far for both Browne and Darnold, although it's clear Browne has a good sized lead in the competition. He's going first, he's getting more reps, he's leading the entire final-five sequence and he has more command of the offense. It really is his job to lose.
Energy was good today. There was no drop-off after a nine-day break. Coach Clay Helton reiterated that the first week was focused on installation and these next four are for repetition (and of course teaching). With everyone more familiar with what's going on, it's fair to say the tempo picked up a bit today. Let's get into it ...
1-on-1 (LBs vs RBs):
- Olajuwon Tucker initially beat Aca'Cedric Ware, although Ware recovered well to keep Tucker from getting to the QB.
- Justin Davis and Dom Davis both were beaten by walk-ons.
- Ronald Jones II squared up his opponent (didn't catch the number).
Max Browne hits Daniel Imatorbhebhe over the middle. Browne moves the offense into the red zone but it stalls there.
Sam Darnold hits Imatorbhebhe downfield.
Darnold takes a sack.
Browne hits Taylor McNamara on a corner post for a TD.
***
Jalen Greene goes over the middle to Ajene Harris. Darreus Rogers dives for a one-handed grab in the end zone. It counted but we were standing right there and the ball clearly hit the floor. Good effort (and acting) from Rogers.
Darnold shows great anticipation while hitting De'Quan Hampton for a first down. Great placement too, between a pair of defenders.
Darnold completes a pass to Whitney. It's worth noting that Darnold hasn't been checking down at all in these periods. He's also yet to throw an interception in spring. (Browne has thrown four.)
11-on-11:
Browne spots JuJu deep and delivers a really nice bomb but JuJu drops it.
Jones catches the ball out of the backfield on consecutive plays. It's been exciting to see him mature.
Tucker dives and nearly picks off Darnold.
Darnold tries for Hampton deep but good defense from Jonathan Lockett prevents that.
Harris surprisingly takes a handoff and picks up a big chunk.
Darnold takes another shot at the end zone but can't connect with Rogers.
Final challenge:
Browne misses JuJu deep and JuJu pulls up lame. He doesn't return but appears fine after practice while walking off the field. Helton says afterward he doesn't anticipate anything being wrong. Marvell Tell was defending JuJu on the play and stayed with him stride for stride. We saw him in man against receivers quite a bit today.
Browne hits Rogers on a quick out for a first down.
Browne completes a pass to Deontay Burnett.
A run by Burnett doesn't move the chains and the score is knotted at 2.
Browne throws a strong 15-yard pass to Harris in the corner of the end zone for a TD. (Harris beat Tell on the play.) The offense wins.
***
This was the best spring practice thus far for both Browne and Darnold, although it's clear Browne has a good sized lead in the competition. He's going first, he's getting more reps, he's leading the entire final-five sequence and he has more command of the offense. It really is his job to lose.
