• Unlike the other practices, this one wasn't crowded w/ fans, and more plays were run on the south portion of the field, making the experience more "fan friendly" then the others.

• The defense does look faster, but part of this IMO is due to their familiarity w/ our offense, players, etc.  I will be curious how they do against the new opponents.  I really like the extra safety on the field.  Bills, J'ray, Rich can all bring it, and it's possible that their quickness and smarts will make up for any weakness/inexperience at cornerback.

• I would also like to see Anae run plays leveraging the height of Hoffman, Matthews, Thompson, Chambers, Pitta, & George w/ a true 5 WR spread.  I'm not convinced Matthews has the frame to add weight, so I'm inclined NOT to redshirt him, and get him in the game.  Some have said to use him for the highball, but I think he will be smooth anywhere on the field.  Matthews has excellent footwork for a big man, and soft hands. 

• Hoffman has power, and I think many fans will be surprised by how much stronger Chambers is.  He has awesome hands...he had a one hander that just stuck to his glove, and he pulled one off of his shoe laces w/o falling over.  Chambers missed an assignment, and Hall let him know, but all and all, I thought Chambers was the best receiver yesterday (even though he did seem bored at times).  Yes, Jacobson is fast, smooth as silk, but I really like what Chambers, Hoffman, and Matthews were showing, and in an ideal world, I'd have Mckay as a slot WR, if we weren't playing the two TE split. 

• The QB's were (including Hall) underthrowing the receivers more than I would like to see.  This was a concern, as I saw many opportunities for a fast TCU/OU DB to pick one off.

• Thompson didn't play as well yesterday, but his right hammy was clearly bugging him, and he was having it stretch a lot on the sidelines.

• Due to the light crowds, you could very easily hear Anae call the plays above us, and you knew what was coming.  That was fun.  "Ok, guys....should we strike them here?"  This would be followed by a nice long pass to Hafoka, or Jacobson. 

• The defense owned the first scrimmage, and Hall & co. owned the second. 

• Payne looked 100% better on his FG, and Riley is starting to kick better too.  You already know about his punting - Even his bad punts are "ok".

• Everything else was pretty much what we've already seen & heard...Jacobson, very fast/smooth, gets open when he wants to.  JJ Di Luigi - very quick, starting to cut north w/ power, and he looks more comfortable, and he looks hungry for action.  Hall looks good.  Gaskins looks like a worth #2, and in my mind Riley Nielson just needs to work the post mission rust off.  Nielson reminds me of Feterik.  He doesn't have a strong arm, and uses more of his body in the release then he should, but you can tell he's a playmaker, and you can see that.  I thought he showed a lot of moxy playing us a couple years ago, and hopefully that will return.  I think it will.

• The OL is struggling a bit.  They are keeping the DL back, but the LB are getting in on the blitz.  Hopefully Tonga will help offset this, and protect Hall's backside.  I think Braden Brown could help as well.  By the way, Braden's huge.

• I walked away from the practice with one main impression...Anae/Doman need to find a way to work in our young tall wide receivers.  I think there may be too much talent to Redshirt.

Rambling on....go Cougars!