MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama completed its fourth, fifth and sixth practices of preseason camp over the weekend and Monday, moving into full pads and its first two-a-day session, before head coach Joey Jones, his coordinators and selected players meet with reporters Tuesday at the team’s annual media day at the Football Field House.
The South Alabama preseason camp schedule has included daily offensive and defensive player-of-the-day selections by coordinators Robert Matthews and Travis Pearson as the Jaguars prepare for the 2014 Sun Belt Conference season.
Practice Four: Intensity in Shells
The Jaguars practiced in shells Saturday, Aug. 9. Jones said the team worked hard with good intensity, acknowledging that a couple of fights broke out, which he said reflected the team’s intensity but was not desirable in other ways. Overall, he called it a good practice.
Jones said the defense played aggressively and worked on finishing plays by creating turnovers. The defensive staff has stressed that two or three takeaways a game go a long way toward winning.
The offense also worked on tempo through three 15-minute team periods: 24 snaps focused on second-and-long, 32 snaps emphasizing tempo while moving the ball, and 26 plays working on first, second and third downs.
Players of the Day
Offensive lineman Melvin Meggs was the offensive player of the day. Matthews said Meggs, who missed last season with a knee injury, progressed during the spring and has continued to improve in camp.
“I’m really happy to see the way he’s moving around, his physicality and the way he has fallen right back into it,” Matthews said.
E.J. May earned defensive honors for his work in one-on-one, 7-on-7 and team drills.
“He’s getting better every day, he’s got a chance to be a really good player for us,” Pearson said. “Today he did exactly what he was supposed to do and he was where he needed to be.”
Highlights
- In 7-on-7 drills, Steven Fuller stripped the ball from a receiver and Montell Garner caught it in midair.
- May intercepted a pass over his shoulder at the goal line to prevent a touchdown.
- Garner stopped Jake Howton for no gain after a catch on third-and-5.
- Matt Floyd completed a 50-yard pass to Tony Ray Parnell in the final team drill and added a 20-yard completion to DeMarrion Buford-Hughes.
- Running back Xavier Johnson broke through the line near midfield with one defender to beat before the play was whistled dead.
Practice Five: First Day in Full Pads
South Alabama put on full pads for the first time Sunday, Aug. 10, in an afternoon practice. Jones said the defense responded after the offense ran the ball well against it the day before.
Jones said he likes the team’s chemistry, saying the players care about each other and know how to practice. He said the team played with good tempo and was physical without going too far, and he emphasized fundamentals over the next two weeks.
“If we don’t block or tackle then it isn’t going to matter,” Jones said. “You have to keep pressing to be great fundamentally.”
Jones said the pass rush, which struggled early last season, is performing well, with several players getting off blocks on blitzes for what would have been sacks. He said the secondary is breaking on the ball well and allowed fewer long passes than in earlier practices. The area he wants to see improve is players trusting the coaches’ calls and playing fundamentally sound football.
Players of the Day
Running back Jay Jones, the Jaguars’ leading rusher last season, was the offensive player of the day. Matthews praised his leadership in how he practices and carries himself. Jay Jones broke several runs, particularly on third down, including a 50-yard touchdown during the team period.
Terrell Brigham was the defensive player of the day, with Pearson citing his consistency from last season through spring and into camp.
“He’s consistent with his communication; his play is always consistently good,” Pearson said. “He lines everyone up and makes all the calls. That guy is invaluable to me.”
Highlights
- Xavier Johnson scored on a 34-yard run in the final team period while the offense worked on third-down conversions.
- Margo Reed intercepted a pass inside the 5-yard line in 7-on-7 drills.
- Hunter Vaughn threw a touchdown pass to Cameron Broadnax during red zone work.
Practice Six: First Two-a-Day
Monday, Aug. 11, brought the first two-a-day of camp, with the afternoon session devoted to special teams. Jones called the morning session a good practice but said the team must cut down on offsides penalties and was concerned by a couple of fumbles in the backfield.
Looking back at the first six practices, Jones said his players have been attentive, are listening to the coaches and continue to improve.
Players of the Day
T.J. Glover, who has played both receiver and running back, was the offensive player of the day.
“He had some big plays today, making really nice cutbacks for big gains; it was good to see him get loose with his speed,” Matthews said.
Theo Rich was the defensive player of the day.
“The kid is in shape, he has come in this year with a different attitude to be a player,” Pearson said. “You’re talking about a 260-pound guy that can drop underneath and get his hands on balls. He’s been consistent throughout preseason camp, I’m thoroughly impressed with that kid.”
Highlights
- Vaughn found Nathan Sassaman open in the left flat, and Sassaman turned it into a 45-yard gain down the sideline.
- Senior tight end Ryan Onkka caught three passes.
- Jay Jones twice broke runs of 20 or more yards up the middle in the second of three team sessions.
Media Day
Joey Jones, Matthews, Pearson and selected student-athletes are scheduled to take part in South Alabama’s annual preseason media day Tuesday at the Football Field House.
