August 5th Practice Report: Returning Offenisve Player Impressions

Tight End should be a position of strength this season. Andy Boyd, Jared Cook, Robert Pavlovic, and David Laggis all looked to be in great shape, and able to contribute in their own way.

*Boyd is an all-around player and perhaps the top run blocker on the team.

*Pavlovic is perhaps the most improved tight end on the team. He is much more at ease in the offense and has caught the ball much better both in spring and last night.

*Cook will be a major match-up problem and could be used in a number of different ways in Spurrier's offense.

*Laggis may be the most surprising athlete of the group. He is in great shape and was one of the players leading the pack in the sprints that ended practice.

Offensive linemen Jamon Meredith, Gurminder Thind, Thomas Coleman, and Chris White were all impressive last night.

*Meredith and Thind are imposing physically, and are more athletic than their predecessors Goddard and Levey. They have a chance to be 3 year starters on the offensive line.

*White is the leader on the OL and appears to be in the best shape of his career.

*Coleman looks like an SEC guard. He is one of the strongest players on the team and poised for a strong senior season. He doesn't look or play like a walk-on.

*James Thompson was the most disappointing of the expected starters on the OL. He has the tools to be an all-SEC guard, but lacks the desire and work ethic. I am begininng to think he will never realize his potential. He is his own worst enemy.

The Wide Receiver corps will be much deeper and stronger with the return of Syvelle Newton, and maturity of Kenny McKinley.

*Sidney Rice is still Sidney Rice. The All-American showed no signs of the proverbial "Sophomore Slump." He made several great catches and was virtually unstopable in drills.

*Kenny McKinley is still a little too light for my liking, but the wiry sophomore is tough to cover and is poised for a big sophomore campaign. He dropped a couple of wet balls last night, but he will be fine.

*Mike West also had a couple of drops, but is ripped physically and runs good routes. He will have a role in this offense.

*Freddy Brown is a big, physical player that could be a factor in the red zone as he excels in going and getting the jump balls. Brown showed good hands last night.

*OJ Murdock had a disappointing night. He was man-handled in press coverage by Captain Munnerlyn. Hopefully last night will serve as a wake-up call for the former Rivals.com top 100 receiver.

All of the Quarterbacks had a good first practice. It appears that coach Spurrier will not be handcuffed like he was last season with no one to turn to if Mitchell struggles.

*Blake Mitchell is bigger physically, and threw the ball well. His comfort level is much better in season two under Spurrier.

*Tommy Beecher may have had the best day of the reserve QB's. The Concord, NC native has a good grasp of the offense, and throws the fade particularly well.

*Cade Thompson made some good throws, but still needs to get bigger physically.

With Running Back Mike Davis out of practice with a foot infection, Cory Boyd and Bobby wallace received all the reps. Lanard Stafford got all the reps when a fullback was used in 7 on 7 and 11 on 11.

*Boyd looks much faster and quicker than he did when he last played in 2004. He was used in the one back, the I-fromation, and went into motion out of the backfield. He will be a versatile player in this year's offense.

*Wallace is a good change of pace back that could be used both at tailbakc and in the slot. he also lined up in the backfied and went into motion, causing the defense to adjust on the run.

*Stafford appears to be ahead of freshman Clark Gaston and should be the starter this season.

*Taylor Rank will most likely be a special teams performer this season and see spot duty as in the backfield.