08.13.2007
The UA football team is already 39 percent done with fall practices, and yet there is still a long way to go.
Arizona still needs to shore up its offensive line, pick a place-kicker and return man, and settle on a wide receiver rotation before it opens the season Sept. 1 at BYU.
But those seem to be minor issues. Through the first 11 practices of fall camp, the Wildcats have shored up some positions and added much-needed depth at others. On the field, they have put together what coach Mike Stoops said were some of the best practices of his tenure.
In short, Arizona has answered some questions. Here's what we know:
Arizona will still be a defensive team. The Wildcats' defense returns 10 starters from a unit that ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in total defense and third in scoring defense in 2006. UA defenders have looked just as solid in camp, registering a handful of interceptions and at least a few hard hits per practice.
"We've been together longer," linebacker Spencer Larsen said. "Right now, it's just a matter of getting our reps in and hitting some people."
The Wildcats will be deeper at the receiver spots. More than one coach has said they've been impressed with the UA receivers' hands through the first week-plus of camp.
Senior Anthony Johnson and junior Mike Thomas have cemented themselves as the starting "X" receiver and small tight end. But it's the stable of young receivers that could give the Wildcats an extra boost.
"The young guys worked hard in 7-on-7s and have a better sense of what we're trying to accomplish on each play," wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt said.
Redshirt freshmen Terrell Reese and Delashaun Dean are running cleaner routes, and defensive back-turned-receiver Mike Turner has impressed coaches with his grasp of the offense. A midweek injury to sophomore Terrell Turner has temporarily slowed another strong performance.
Freshman Rob Gronkowski is for real. The 6-foot-6-inch, 270-pound tight end was running with the first team by the end of his second day of practice and has been getting plenty of reps since. Gronkowski has the size to steamroll defensive backs and quickness to get around linebackers.
Gronkowski caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in Saturday's scrimmage at Arizona Stadium.
Stoops said the role of the tight end ? whether it's Gronkowski, Brandyn McCall, Travis Bell or A.J. Simmons ? will change in the new Air Zona offense.
"We've got a bunch of tight ends who can play," Stoops said.
Arizona has found its starting tailback. Hint: He was a walk-on last year.
Senior Chris Jennings, a backup for most of the 2006 season, has been the talk of camp. The junior college transfer ? and former walk-on ? has lost 10 pounds and picked up extra quickness thanks to off-season speed drills with the UA training staff. Barring something unforeseen, Jennings will start ? with Xavier Smith backing him up ? when the Wildcats open their season at BYU.
"Chris Jennings is better now because 'X' has put some pressure on him," running backs coach Michael Smith said. "Chris knows that if he slips up, the job is 'X's.' "
The kicking battle will come down to the wire.
Junior Jason Bondzio and freshman Alex Zendejas have been getting the same amount of reps in practice. Bondzio is more consistent, while Zendejas seems to have more upside and a stronger leg. Look for UA coaches to name Nick Folk's successor in about a week.
"One day, one guy's a little better, and then the next day, it's the other guy," special teams coach Joe Robinson said. "Right now, we're going to keep looking at both of them."
The UA football team is already 39 percent done with fall practices, and yet there is still a long way to go.
Arizona still needs to shore up its offensive line, pick a place-kicker and return man, and settle on a wide receiver rotation before it opens the season Sept. 1 at BYU.
But those seem to be minor issues. Through the first 11 practices of fall camp, the Wildcats have shored up some positions and added much-needed depth at others. On the field, they have put together what coach Mike Stoops said were some of the best practices of his tenure.
In short, Arizona has answered some questions. Here's what we know:
Arizona will still be a defensive team. The Wildcats' defense returns 10 starters from a unit that ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in total defense and third in scoring defense in 2006. UA defenders have looked just as solid in camp, registering a handful of interceptions and at least a few hard hits per practice.
"We've been together longer," linebacker Spencer Larsen said. "Right now, it's just a matter of getting our reps in and hitting some people."
The Wildcats will be deeper at the receiver spots. More than one coach has said they've been impressed with the UA receivers' hands through the first week-plus of camp.
Senior Anthony Johnson and junior Mike Thomas have cemented themselves as the starting "X" receiver and small tight end. But it's the stable of young receivers that could give the Wildcats an extra boost.
"The young guys worked hard in 7-on-7s and have a better sense of what we're trying to accomplish on each play," wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt said.
Redshirt freshmen Terrell Reese and Delashaun Dean are running cleaner routes, and defensive back-turned-receiver Mike Turner has impressed coaches with his grasp of the offense. A midweek injury to sophomore Terrell Turner has temporarily slowed another strong performance.
Freshman Rob Gronkowski is for real. The 6-foot-6-inch, 270-pound tight end was running with the first team by the end of his second day of practice and has been getting plenty of reps since. Gronkowski has the size to steamroll defensive backs and quickness to get around linebackers.
Gronkowski caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in Saturday's scrimmage at Arizona Stadium.
Stoops said the role of the tight end ? whether it's Gronkowski, Brandyn McCall, Travis Bell or A.J. Simmons ? will change in the new Air Zona offense.
"We've got a bunch of tight ends who can play," Stoops said.
Arizona has found its starting tailback. Hint: He was a walk-on last year.
Senior Chris Jennings, a backup for most of the 2006 season, has been the talk of camp. The junior college transfer ? and former walk-on ? has lost 10 pounds and picked up extra quickness thanks to off-season speed drills with the UA training staff. Barring something unforeseen, Jennings will start ? with Xavier Smith backing him up ? when the Wildcats open their season at BYU.
"Chris Jennings is better now because 'X' has put some pressure on him," running backs coach Michael Smith said. "Chris knows that if he slips up, the job is 'X's.' "
The kicking battle will come down to the wire.
Junior Jason Bondzio and freshman Alex Zendejas have been getting the same amount of reps in practice. Bondzio is more consistent, while Zendejas seems to have more upside and a stronger leg. Look for UA coaches to name Nick Folk's successor in about a week.
"One day, one guy's a little better, and then the next day, it's the other guy," special teams coach Joe Robinson said. "Right now, we're going to keep looking at both of them."
