Arizona was back to work Monday afternoon/evening for its second spring practice and for Rich Rodriguez the second went much like the first. He will truly get to evaluate how things are going once the pads go on later this week, but for now he likes what he has seen.
* Michael Eletise is still injured and didn't practice today while there are others who are banged up still as well including a couple new injuries today. The offensive line continues to get hit as now the second unit left guard Harper Sherman injured a foot or ankle and will likely miss some time. When it comes to Eletise, Rodriguez said he expects him back later this week and the expectation is when he's back that he will be able to start working toward earning a spot again.
* Sounds like it wasn't a good day for the quarterbacks and as I said in the War Room that it was hit and miss on Saturday. There were times when Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate were throwing it well, but other times where both were off. Rodriguez said he wants to see the quarterbacks improve in that area and the team needs them to improve in that area to be able to open up the playbook.
* It was our first chance to talk to defensive players and coaches this spring and the player who everyone noticed moved positions was the talk of the first defensive day. Gavin Robertson moved positions after he grew a little more and put on a little more weight. After talking with Scott Boone today that was one of the first moves made happen after arriving. The new UA linebackers coach likes his size and it sounds Robertson is already one of his favorites. Based on how Boone was talking this isn't a move to just see if it works the staff fully plans on using him and featuring him in the defense at will linebacker this season.
* After talking with Marcel Yates it was hard for him to hide that he's happier being back with the secondary. He said he's excited to get back to the position and he likes that there are some returners there.
* The limiting of Nick Wilson and JJ Taylor has already begun. Rodriguez said neither did much after the first few periods today and that a lot of the spring workload will be on Nathan Tilford. That's actually good news for all involved it seems, but the limiting of those backs has started now.
* Michael Eletise is still injured and didn't practice today while there are others who are banged up still as well including a couple new injuries today. The offensive line continues to get hit as now the second unit left guard Harper Sherman injured a foot or ankle and will likely miss some time. When it comes to Eletise, Rodriguez said he expects him back later this week and the expectation is when he's back that he will be able to start working toward earning a spot again.
* Sounds like it wasn't a good day for the quarterbacks and as I said in the War Room that it was hit and miss on Saturday. There were times when Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate were throwing it well, but other times where both were off. Rodriguez said he wants to see the quarterbacks improve in that area and the team needs them to improve in that area to be able to open up the playbook.
* It was our first chance to talk to defensive players and coaches this spring and the player who everyone noticed moved positions was the talk of the first defensive day. Gavin Robertson moved positions after he grew a little more and put on a little more weight. After talking with Scott Boone today that was one of the first moves made happen after arriving. The new UA linebackers coach likes his size and it sounds Robertson is already one of his favorites. Based on how Boone was talking this isn't a move to just see if it works the staff fully plans on using him and featuring him in the defense at will linebacker this season.
* After talking with Marcel Yates it was hard for him to hide that he's happier being back with the secondary. He said he's excited to get back to the position and he likes that there are some returners there.
* The limiting of Nick Wilson and JJ Taylor has already begun. Rodriguez said neither did much after the first few periods today and that a lot of the spring workload will be on Nathan Tilford. That's actually good news for all involved it seems, but the limiting of those backs has started now.
