Arizona wrapped it's open practice a little bit ago and luckily there was some scrimmaging which gave a glimpse of the team. Here are some quick notes to hold you over until I can do a full write up and get some video.
* Anu went down early with a hamstring injury that Rich Rodriguez said he could have played with if it was a game. That meant more first team reps for Brandon Dawkins who has been seeing his reps go up as of late. I thought Dawkins carried himself like a veteran tonight and you can see his confidence growing.
* I didn't think anybody was spectacular on either side of the ball but DeAndre' Miller continued to show that if this defense is going to have a star player he might be the guy. UA can do so many different things with him that he is going to rack up some big stats if he keeps it up.
* It was good to see Khalil Tate get some second team reps tonight and work with some of the starters with the groups mixed up just a bit. He didn't get a ton of chances to throw but he was his usual self on the ground as he had some big would-be touchdown runs where he escaped pressure to break away. He also won the quarterback toss competition with a 72-yard throw.
* Cody Ippolito had some restrictions but there is not really too much noticeable lingering effects from the injury right now. He moved well tonight and will be a big part of what the team does on defense at the middle linebacker spot. Jamardre Cobb was his replacement at mike with the first team when they went live.
* Arizona is still testing some things out but it was Dane Cruikshank and DaVonte' Neal at cornerback with the first unit while Jarvis McCall was at spur and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles back at free. Paul Magloire remains at linebacker.
* If there was one receiver who impressed most tonight it was Tony Ellison who was the first-team receiver on the outside opposite Trey Griffey.
* It was our first real chance to watch the kickers tonight as well. Josh Pollack was special and Rodriguez said it was his best practice all spring. He was nails with his kicks and he's the leader right now for thy kicking job. Ollie Graybar was good too however and Rodriguez said he has been pushing Pollack.
* Anu went down early with a hamstring injury that Rich Rodriguez said he could have played with if it was a game. That meant more first team reps for Brandon Dawkins who has been seeing his reps go up as of late. I thought Dawkins carried himself like a veteran tonight and you can see his confidence growing.
* I didn't think anybody was spectacular on either side of the ball but DeAndre' Miller continued to show that if this defense is going to have a star player he might be the guy. UA can do so many different things with him that he is going to rack up some big stats if he keeps it up.
* It was good to see Khalil Tate get some second team reps tonight and work with some of the starters with the groups mixed up just a bit. He didn't get a ton of chances to throw but he was his usual self on the ground as he had some big would-be touchdown runs where he escaped pressure to break away. He also won the quarterback toss competition with a 72-yard throw.
* Cody Ippolito had some restrictions but there is not really too much noticeable lingering effects from the injury right now. He moved well tonight and will be a big part of what the team does on defense at the middle linebacker spot. Jamardre Cobb was his replacement at mike with the first team when they went live.
* Arizona is still testing some things out but it was Dane Cruikshank and DaVonte' Neal at cornerback with the first unit while Jarvis McCall was at spur and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles back at free. Paul Magloire remains at linebacker.
* If there was one receiver who impressed most tonight it was Tony Ellison who was the first-team receiver on the outside opposite Trey Griffey.
* It was our first real chance to watch the kickers tonight as well. Josh Pollack was special and Rodriguez said it was his best practice all spring. He was nails with his kicks and he's the leader right now for thy kicking job. Ollie Graybar was good too however and Rodriguez said he has been pushing Pollack.
