Camp Report

[catsfan20012002]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/15237686.htm

RISING

Safety Marcus Watts. Finally off the physically-unable-to- perform list, Watts’ comeback story can continue now that he has passed the precamp conditioning test. It’s been a long road back for Watts, a junior, who was carted off the field after a serious hip injury in the 2005 season finale against Missouri.

FALLING

It’s not stretching it to say sophomore Jordan Bedore is falling behind in the pursuit to be the Wildcats’ starting center. As of Wednesday morning, Bedore still had not passed the precamp conditioning test, so he can’t practice. In the meantime, he probably has dropped to third team behind juniors John Hafferty or Jacob Voegeli.

POSITION SPOTLIGHT

The running back situation could become very interesting. Just like there were whispers last year that Parrish Fisher might emerge as the next talent at that spot, it’s happening in the same context with true freshman Leon Patton. Coach Ron Prince said before camp started that the coaches are excited about Patton. What intrigues the staff is he caught 20 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns as a high school senior. The running backs definitely will be expected to take on more opportunities through the air in the new offense, and Patton already has shown, albeit on a different level, he can do it.

SLEEPER

Junior defensive end Rob Jackson just might be what K-State needs to bolster an area in which the Wildcats struggled last year. The former Fort Scott, Kan., Community College standout has been noticed for his ability. Jackson is 6 feet 3, 265 pounds and can move. In the defensive scheme, speed is essential, and it appears Jackson is fitting in nicely.

LOOKING AHEAD

Will it become apparent this weekend who will be K-State’s starting quarterback? Is it Dylan Meier or Josh Freeman? The Wildcats will hold an open practice at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and the QB battle will be closely scrutinized after the recent departures of Allen Webb and Allan Evridge. … When K-State begins the Prince era Sept. 2, it will come against one of the top-rated teams in Division I-AA. Illinois State is ranked No. 9 in The Sports Network top 25 that was released Monday. The Redbirds went 7-4 last season and return 16 starters. What would it mean for Illinois State to come to Manhattan, Kan., and pull off the upset? “If by some fate we have a chance to win, or do win, it would be a great story for a couple of days,” Redbirds coach Denver Johnson said.

[MrWhite]

WHAT ABOUT THE SCOUT TEAM QB?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?


                                                                               

[catsfan20012002]

Good article in the Mercury tonight about our WR depth. Coach Washington says that we're gonna need 5-7 WR's to make this system work. He mentioned: Toney Coleman, Val Taylor, Daniel Gonzalez and Cedrick Washington as candidates for some of those spots. You can also expect the TE's and RB's to catch alot of balls (that'll be a refreshing change). Maybe they'll add into the 5-7.

[Poopley]

Who in the holy hell is Cedrick Washington?

[catsfan20012002]

Not sure how good of a source I've got on this but I've heard that we're trying Watts out at QB.

[catsfan20012002]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/15261695.htm

Four players were held out of practice for medical reasons. They were linebacker Reggie Walker, running back Leon Patton, defensive end Moses Manu and defensive back Ray Cheatham.

“That was the trainer’s decision. I wouldn’t read too much into that,” Prince said.

Safety Marcus Watts, coming back from a serious hip injury, hasn’t been unleashed on the field. That’s by design.

“I’m really cautious with him,” Prince said. “My emphasis is that he’s ready for the first game.”

[purplecobra]

"Not sure how good of a source I've got on this but I've heard that we're trying Watts out at QB. "

good to see we are robbing peter to pay paul. nothing like coaching smart

[PoetWarrior]

Not sure how good of a source I've got on this but I've heard that we're trying Watts out at QB.

Uh...no.

[catsfan20012002]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/15274731.htm

RISING

Redshirt freshman WR Antonio Brown made several impressive catches during one of the indoor workouts. On Saturday, Brown continued to make a case for himself. He flashed signs again that he could make a serious bid to get in on the action when it counts come September.

FALLING

As team captain, senior offensive tackle Greg Wafford should be leading by example. But if he is not on the field, is that possible? Wafford is one of two players (defensive tackle Alphonso Moran being the other) still on the physically unable-to-perform list because of a failure to pass the precamp conditioning test. Coach Ron Prince said he didn’t want anybody practicing who was not prepared for strenuous activity. On the other hand, if players entered the precamp test in good condition, passing the test shouldn’t have been too difficult. “It’s a challenging one, but I don’t think it’s anything unreasonable for a football player who’s in shape and mentally tough,” Prince said.

POSITION SPOTLIGHT

Justin McKinney is receiving ample repetitions as a kickoff returner. He will challenge Yamon Figurs and Jermaine Moreira for duty at that spot.

SLEEPER

FS Andrew Erker is getting a good look. Erker, a sophomore walk-on, caught the staff’s eye during spring drills. Expect him to make contributions on special teams, too.

[catsfan20012002]

http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=559519

Saturday’s workout was very heavy on special teams as K-State went through numerous drills working on kickoff and punt returns, onside kicks, field goals and extra points. The Cats also drilled 11-on-11 and ended practice with an energized one-on-one passing drill that pitted receivers against cornerbacks, running backs against safeties, tight ends against linebackers and even linemen against linemen.

Head Coach Ron Prince and his staff have been pleased with what they believed was a pivotal week of practice.

Both senior Dylan Meier and freshman Josh Freeman continue to battle for the starting quarterback spot and each has impressed Prince so far in camp.

The Wildcats held their final two-a-day practices Friday and then wrapped up fall training camp Saturday afternoon. Classes at Kansas State begin Monday and the Cats will then get into their daily routine of one practice in the afternoon.

The Wildcats open the 2006 season September 2 at home against Illinois State. Kickoff is set for 6:10 p.m. at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

[IceHawkE]

Did they remember to put the punter in?

[catsfan20012002]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/15321948.htm

RISING

Devin Anderson gained attention in spring drills for his toughness and tackling. So it should come as no surprise that Anderson, a junior cornerback, was the first player coach Ron Prince was praising Saturday. It looks as if when Anderson isn’t on the field at CB, he’ll make it into the game in the nickel package.

FALLING

Defensive end Eric Childs. But that might have more to do with how far Rob Jackson has come. It looks as if Jackson has supplanted Childs as a No. 1 opposite Ian Campbell. No matter who plays at end, K-State can only hope it’s a spot that produces more often than it did in 2005.

POSITION SPOTLIGHT

What else: quarterback. This is a crucial week for Dylan Meier and Josh Freeman because it’s the last week of practice until game week. Meier is taking the majority of snaps with the No. 1 unit, but Prince said Saturday that he remains undecided on who will start Sept. 2 against Illinois State. Freeman’s take? “Honestly, I have no clue where I stand.”

SLEEPER

When defensive tackle Alphonso Moran missed practices because he was failing the precamp conditioning test, it gave sophomore Vlad Faustin a chance to showcase his skills, and he was getting some repetitions with the No. 1 unit Saturday. Faustin was a top-50 prospect in football-rich Dade County of Miami coming out of high school.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saturday was the final opportunity for fans and reporters to see the Wildcats until the opener. Under former coach Bill Snyder, a Fan Appreciation Day took place, usually this week, but that is not on the schedule in 2006.

[Fausto]

"Under former coach Bill Snyder, a Fan Appreciation Day took place, usually this week, but that is not on the schedule in 2006. "

Just one more example how Ron Prince is anti-fan. 

[Saulbadguy]

Fan Appreciation day was kind of lame IMO.  Plus, the autograph session was already held during the spring game. Couple that with the fact that weekend practices are open..well, what is the point of FAD?

[WilliamTheWildcat]

Did they remember to put the punter in?

Ugh.