Aug. 9, 2015
On campus in Nashville – For the second consecutive day, the Commodores focused on scheme development and team precision during a workout Sunday at the John Rich Practice Facility.
Several hundred Commodore followers came out to watch the team’s last public practice – and the squad’s fourth session of preseason camp.
The intensity is sure to increase Monday when the squad moves into full gear and live drills for the first time.
Besides a concluding special team segments and limited 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 periods, the Commodores methodically worked to expand offensive and defensive playbooks, then evaluated those plays in situational 11-on-11 team drills.
Head Coach Derek Mason said an afternoon focusing on schemes benefited his defensive unit and the offense coordinated by Andy Ludwig.
“Day 4 was another good one. This team continues to do a great job making sure they focus on what we put in front of them,” the head coach said. “We did a lot of situational (team) drills and got a lot of good work done.”
Moving into full pads Monday
While he eagerly anticipate the team’s initial practice in full gear, Mason plans to limit live drills Monday.
“I’m excited for tomorrow because we’ll finally get to test our metal, but I only plan a couple of live periods,” Mason said. “We just have to make sure when we say it’s live, it’s live.”
Highlights from 11-on-11 sessions
On three different occasions, the Commodores pushed through 11-on-11 drills, working on red-zone, no-huddle and long yardage plays. The segment included about 15 plays in scoring territory and nearly the same in 3rd-and-long situations.
Some highlights from the red-zone segments:
– Johnny McCrary threw three short touchdown passes – two targeting running back Ralph Webb, and a third to tight end Nathan Marcus.
– Running back Josh Crawford ran for a fourth score off left tackle from the 4-yard line.
– Linebacker Nigel Bowden made two plays, recovering a fumbled snap and deflecting a McCrary pass in the end zone.
– Linebacker Khari Blasingame and defensive end Caleb Azubike wrecked short-yardage rushes by stopping backs for negative yards.
– Tackle Adam Butler registered a pass deflection, his fourth of the camp.
– Tackle Jay Woods ended the segment positively for the defense, contributing a sack of McCrary.
Some highlights from other 11-on-11 work:
– McCrary opened the initial team segment with a completion deep over the middle to Latevius Rayford.
– Defensive tackle Nifae Lealao got a hand up to deflect a 3rd-and-10 pass attempt.
– Cornerback Torren McGaster closed quickly to defend a pass intended for wideout Ronald Monroe.
– After outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly broke through to swallow up Dallas Rivers for a 2-yard loss, Rivers came right back with an impressive 10-yard rush.