Fall Practice Thoughts (Through 8/18)

As reported by Jeff Faraudo, the Bears were off yesterday and will also be off Monday before returning to practice on Tuesday. It sounds like it couldn't have come at a better time as some units seem to have the case of the injury bug and will need a few days to get healthy before getting some quality reps in.

A few thoughts as the Bears are just about 12 days away from kickoff. The team will begin gameplanning for Nevada midway through next week.

- Of the freshmen WRs, Tedford's made it clear that Chris Harper and Bryce Treggs will most certainly be in the rotation. I had thought Darius Powe might also be a candidate for playing time this year, but Tedford had made note of his size and that he'd need to lose some weight off his then 217 pound frame to move around better.

Well it looks like Powe has put in the work and it's starting to show. Powe is down to 208, exactly around where Tedford wanted him to be, and Tedford has noticed.

Tedford: "He's really stepping up. It's nice to see him step up. He's doing a good job."

So we'll wait before we jump to any conclusions, but don't be surprised to see Powe join Harper and Treggs in the WR rotation. Most knew that Kenny Lawler had huge potential, but might not be ready to step on the field right away. Cedric Dozier is a bit of a wildcard as someone who could play the slot or perhaps be a factor in end-arounds, but the fact that he hasn't come up too often in reports may simply mean he's continuing to adjust and may benefit from a redshirt year.

- It sounds like Richard Rodgers will return back to practice, at least in terms of contact/scrimmage situations versus simply running in 7-7s or routes. Rodgers injury hasn't been disclosed, and I've been mighty anxious, but the idea of him returning this week is certainly comforting. What has been a bit of a benefit though was the increased reps for JUCO transfer TE Harrison Wilfley and true freshman Maximo Espitia. Both have been praised by Tedford, and it's not out of the question that both might play this year. However, Tedford seems to be banking a lot on TE play this year, and if he's to be believed, a lot of that will hedge on the play of Rodgers.

- Jeff Faraudo confirms Tedford's comments that the dline rotation seems to be set at least two deep plus one for a solid 7.

Eventually, Tedford believes the Bears will be solid at the three D-line spots. “I feel good about our top seven — we’re two-deep plus one,” he said.

The candiates for those spots include Kendrick Payne, Aaron Tipoti, Viliami Moala, Deandre Coleman, Mustafa Jalil, Todd Barr and Gabe King.

If the depth chart holds, it looks like it'd be Tipoti, Payne, and Coleman starting, with Jalil, Moala, and Barr filling out the two deep. Gabe King has moved to nose, but could play both positions. If this group is healthy it'll easily be one of the most talented and deepest defensive line units in conference. Easily.

- All in all, most of my concerns about the dings and injuries so far seem to be cleared up, for now. With Nevada gameplanning starting this week, the focus should be on speed, assignments and execution. We're just over a week out from the season starter (JOY!) and can't afford any big injuries as the team continues to prepare for the season. With no bye week, it'll be a grind.