The Kyyote's Howl

     As football’s Spring Drills come to an end with the playing of the Orange and Blue Spring Game, many UTEP Miners fans begin their annual summer hibernation.  But, America’s favorite sport knows that there are fans that have no desire to sleep through the summer, that want more football, and the sport is trying to satisfy their cravings.  That gives players a chance to continue playing the sport they love, and to keep their dream of playing in the NFL alive.
     In 2009 the Arena Football League2 had a number of ex-Miners donning the helmets and pads.  Ken Singleton WR/DB was with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados.  Humberto Padilla OL/DL was on the Stockton Lightning’s roster.  Tim McCullouch WR/DB was suiting up for the Boise Burn, and WR/DB Bryant Tisdale was playing for the Florida Firecats.  Miners DB Josh Ferguson made a big splash playing in Peoria for the Pirates.  After his first week of play, he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week, and it wasn’t the last time he earned that recognition.  The Criminal Justice major seemed to know quite a lot about theft, as he made a habit of stealing passes intended for opposing team’s receivers.  His ability to run with the ball after his interceptions soon had him returning kicks, too. 
     But, as so many football leagues before it, the AFL2 and the AFL chose not to schedule a 2010 season.  After reorganization, a new league, the Arena Football 1 emerged.  Josh is now with the Chicago Rush, where after 4 games he leads the league in defensive statistics.  He has 30 solo tackles, and seven assists.  He has 2 interceptions, and has run those back for 32 yards, and has 6 passes broken up.  He isn’t the only ex-Miner playing in the league.  Chris Francies is playing for the Utah Blaze.   The wide receiver is near the top of the league in receiving.  After just three games, he has caught 20 passes for 232 yards, an 11.6 yards average, and 3 touchdowns.
     Another league, the United Football League is preparing for its second season.  Last year, ex-Miner Robby Felix, playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives, earned himself a UFL Championship ring.  This year, ex-Miner Joe West comes back for his second season with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL.  In his first season with the Sacramento team, he had 16 catches for 193 yards.
     Meanwhile, four players from last year’s Miners team will be trying to make teams in the NFL.  Damon Cromartie-Smith will be trying to earn a spot with the Steelers.  Jeff Moturi, and Mike Aguayo will be in Green Bay trying to make the Packers team.  In Chicago, Cornelius Brown will take his shot with Da Bears.  I was just informed that Robby Felix has been invited to try out with the NY Giants.
     So, for some Miners football players, the dream lives on, and for Miners fans there is plenty of football to see you through the summer.  Here are some links to help you feed your habit, and keep up with some Miners as they keep doing what they love to do.

The Arena Football League site, which includes a link to watch the games on your computer, is already into their season;
http://www.arenafootball.com/

The UFL;
http://www.ufl-football.com/

The Bears;
http://www.chicagobears.com/index.html

The Packers;
http://www.packers.com/

The Steelers;
http://www.steelers.com/

To keep up with Thomas Howard and Johnnie  Lee Higgins, here is the Raiders’ link;
http://www.raiders.com/index2.html

Giants;

http://www.giants.com/index.html

     Last night’s Orange and Blue Spring Game was fun for the fans, and the players and coaches.  But, don’t make more of it than you should.  Football games very often are decided on a few individual match ups, and a handful of plays.  Last night the Blue team came out on top.  That was a win for the Blue team half of the Miners.  Keep that in mind.  That was the outcome of this exhibition of football.  Don’t confuse it with the reality of the UTEP Miners football team.
     Now, let’s see if we can take some things from this game.  Start with the huge facts that Trevor Vittatoe, and Donald Buckram didn’t play.  Ask yourself, if they had played might the game been very different?  Bet the ranch on that.  Put the two offensive teams back together, and include Vittattoe and Buckram.  What you get is the great offense from last year.  Even with the losses of some players, this offense, I believe will be as potent as last year’s, if not more so, and just seems to add depth with each passing year.  But, the real question is, and has been for the past few years, can the defense show improvement.  Last night’s game may have given us a hint.  Even when the offense was divided in two, the depth gave the two team’s offenses the advantage.  Both teams were able to move the ball.  The defense is a little younger, and with that, is a little thinner.  Then, it was divided in half.  Even with that though, you could see that the defense on both teams made running the ball consistently, pretty tough.  More importantly, especially in pass-happy C-USA, you could see the quarterbacks being pressured.  Perhaps the one area that showed some vulnerability was the defensive back field.  But, again, keep in mind that the Miners’ DB’s had been cut in two.
     So when you watch the Spring Game, look very carefully at individual matchups and you may see starters working against second or third team players.  One or two of those kinds of match ups can make all the difference in how the game goes.  Or, just watch the game and enjoy the chance to watch some football in April.  But, don’t take too much from it.  This game was just for fun.

photo courtesy of Ron Rhodes

Watch the game;

1st Quarter http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/1qtrspgm10.wmv

2nd Quarter  http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/2qtrsg10.wmv

3rd Quarter  http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/3qtrsg10.wmv

4th Quarter  http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/4qtrsg10.wmv

UTEP Miners ex-Head Coach Charlie Bailey used to coach defense at Rice University in the 1970′s.  During that time, he had a very talented defensive back named Nate Poss.  In 1993, Charlie Bailey became UTEP’s Head Football coach.  In 1997, Coach Bailey hired Nate Poss to be his director of football operations, a position Coach Bailey created, and has grown to become the assistant athletic director for football operations.  Coach Bailey is retired now, and lives not far outside of Orlando, Florida.  Thursday, at football practice, preparing for the annual Orange and Blue Spring Game, Nate Poss introduced me to Charlie Bailey’s grandson, Tyler Bailey, and he visited a little with me.  Here’s what he had to say;

     The annual Orange and Blue Spring Game will be played this Saturday, at 6 pm.  The game is free, and starts early so that families can come out, watch the game, and then visit with players and coaches after the game.  Plus, bring your gear, as they will be signing autographs.  Come see why the players and coaches believe this should be a great season of football.
      The coaches divided up the seniors for the two teams, and then the seniors “drafted” players for their teams.  This is a return to a format that was used a couple of years back, and the players love it.  Before today’s practice, you could tell that the players and coaches were excited about the game and this format.  It isn’t often that bragging rights are on the line within the team.
     The weather turned really nasty not long after practice began.  It got cold rainy, and very blustery.  Passing was almost impossible.  Once the ball was in the air, it was hard to predict where it would go.  It was a short, but spirited practice.
     If you are able, come out to the Sun Bowl this Saturday evening.  You can see for yourself how the players look, talk to them, and ask them all of those questions you always wished that I would ask.

     You really should watch this Coach Price Interview.  It is special;

http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/cmp22apr10.wmv

 Some practice video;

http://www.kyyotesden.com/DenGallery/albums/apr10/prac22apr10.wmv

     Coach Mike Price loves good quarterbacks, and finds great talented ones.  Then he puts them into an offense that makes the most of their abilities.  It is one of the reasons he is able to land these talented passers.  He also loves putting huge, tall, linemen in front of them to keep them protected from those crazy, fire breathing, defensive linemen.  That kind of offensive lineman, is a real jewel, but just like jewels, they are hard to find.  But, Mike Price is a Miner afterall, and prospector.  He has gathered up quite a collection of the treasured big men while he has been here.  Last year’s offensive line allowed Donald Buckram to rush for 137.8 yards per game, making him the 4th ranked ground gainer in the country.  Trevor Vittatoe had to love them, too.  They were the wall that protected him, and allowed him to rack up 257.7 yards per game through the air, ranking him 10th in the land.
     Gone from last year’s offensive line are starting left tackle Mike Aguayo, and starting left guard Cameron Raschke.  Some other players who graduated and were a big part of the O-line corps, are center Daniel Garcia, and Right guard Colby Meek.  Brit Mitchell, a 6′ 7″ transfer from OU suffered a career ending injury, and 6′ 8″ Deryck Beverage is no longer with the team.  But don’t let that mislead you.  The offensive line being readied for this season’s campaign looks to be just as solid, or maybe even better.  There are players who saw plenty of game time action last year, who are ready to take their place as starters, and others ready to jump right in if and when they are called upon to get in the game.
     Spring Ball is a time for getting players healed, getting a look at some of the new faces, and trying new things.  It is a time for getting players back into shape, and team building.  It isn’t really a time where positions are cemented into place.  That comes in August.  Having said that, here is a look at who we have, and what is happening at the offensive line positions this spring.  I will start at the position Coach Mike Price says is probably the most important position in his offense.  The center has the responsibility of calling the blocking assignments for the offense.  In most offenses that is the quarterback’s job.  At that position, last year Tanner Cullumber and freshman Eloy Atkinson both saw plenty of game time.  Tanner was the experienced junior, and Eloy was the freshman who just couldn’t be denied.  Both did a great job.  This spring, Cullumber has gotten some work at the left guard spot.  Part of this is to add depth at the spot with the graduation of Raschke, and part of that is due to the cast that he has on his hand.  This has the additional positive of giving some other players a bit of practice at the center position.  Jerel Watkins, and Nathan McCage are getting some valuable experience there.
      At the right tackle spot, the 2009 depth chart showed Will Osolinsky or Alex Solot.  Osolinsky had seen playing time the year before, but he broke his leg after starting the first 4 games of the season.  Solot came in and showed that he was ready to take over.  He probably cemented his spot there, and Osolinsky had started 4 games at right tackle and 4 games at left tackle as a sophomore, so he and Solot may share time at right tackle, or Will may see more time at the left tackle position.  Having a lineman who started at both spots as a sophomore returning to the lineup is, and deciding where to best utilize him is a wonderful problem to have.
     At the right guard position is Rod Hundley, a senior with three years of experience.  At this position, the only question is who is next on the depth chart.  McCage was third behind Hundley and Colby Meek, last year.  Paul Santillan has gotten some practice at this spot, this spring.   James Nelson, a 6′ 7″ 320 pound sophomore transfer from Ventura Junior College is getting praise already from Coach Price for his work, and he is seeing time at this spot.
     At left tackle, Anthony McNac, a senior with two years of experience under his belt is probably the front runner, but Cullumber is a potential option, too.  Santillan saw time in games as a freshman, and was listed at this spot behind Raschke and McNac last year.
     The left tackle spot is probably Lance Evboumwan’s.  The senior transferred from Bakersfield College, last year, and saw action in six games.  He will be pushed by 6′ 6″ 265 pound sophomore Brander Craighead, who saw action in four games last year as a freshman.
     Rounding out the offensive line corps is red shirt freshman Wayne Frazier, and coming is as recruits will be Kyle Brown 6′ 2′ 265 pounds, Devin Dashnaw 6′ 6″ 340 pounds, Nick Martin 6′ 5″ 300 pounds, and Blake Snider 6′ 6″ 290 pounds.
     Coach Price continues to field big, powerful, offensive lines, and blending experienced upperclassmen with younger players also with game experience.  This blend makes the transition from one season to the next almost seamless.

 I received some additional information, and some corrections to my earlier post.
     First, I need to correct some information on Will Osolinsky.  Will broke his leg during 2009 Spring Ball.  But it  was shoulder surgery that caused him to miss most of the season.  It looks like he and Evboumwan will be vying for the starting  left tackle spot. At right tackle, Alex Solot has cemented that position, and James Nelson is getting the work as his back up.  I’m told that Wayne Frazier has a shot at backing up Rod Hundley at right guard.  At left guard, Anthony McNac is still coming back from a bad ankle, and that is another reason for Tanner Cullumber getting work at that position.  I apologize for my mistakes, and hope that this clears up some of what I posted earlier.

     Practice today was lively, energetic, and the players are really starting to come together as a team, again.  They are working hard, pushing each other hard, and having fun doing it.
     Julio Lopez continues to show his lack of fear and toughness in going over the middle to catch passes, and take big hits, only to pop back up and jog back to the huddle for the next play.
     The defense is getting better, and really starting to show an ability to pressure the quarterbacks.  Bernard Obi’s strength and quickness are proving to be hard to cope with.
     Travaun Nixon, junior transfer defensive back, picked off Carson Meger, and Antwon Blake grabbed one of Tim Curry’s passes.
     Maybe the best play of the practice was when Julio Lopez and two defensive backs all met at the same spot, and at the same time, resulting in a thunderous crash, an instant after Lopez had pulled in a pass on the left side of the field.  The ball squirted straight up into the air, Lopez landed on his back, and grabbed the ball as it fell to his chest.  Completed pass.
     Josh Scott made a big stop of Joe Banyard. 
     Pierce Hunter, who has been temporarily moved to the tight end position, is making catches and getting some nice yardage after the catch.
     Blake Dubose is a 5′ 7″, 190 pound running back who hits tacklers at least as hard as they hit him.  This makes for some impressive collisions.  Hunter Nix pulled in a tipped pass for an interception.
     Finally Salvador Guerrero, one of my ex-students has been made the Sports Editor for the Prospector, UTEP’s newspaper.  Sal is a fine young man, a hard worker, who knows his stuff, and will do a great job.  Congratulations Sal!

“It’s exciting!”  “I love it!”  “We get to run free!”  Those are the kinds of comments you get from the linebackers talking about the 4-3 defense Coach Patterson has brought in. 
    Robert Rodriguez, who has worked with the linebackers for the past couple of years and was elevated to the position of Linebackers Coach this year, explained why his linebackers are so enthusiastic about this defense.  “It’s not just a traditional four man front.  It looks traditional, but it plays a little more than traditional because of the technique that they’re playing up front.  It makes for a better situation for our linebackers.  They don’t get touched as much, so they get to run fast to the ball, be athletes, and make plays on the football.  It’s exciting.”
     He is also confident that he has the players he needs to get the job done.  He has an excellent blend of experienced leaders and youth.  When I asked him about his linebacking corps he said they have a, “Lot of speed and athleticism, a lot of ability.”
     On the left side, the old man of the group is senior Anthony Morrow, who brings 3 seasons of experience to the position.  He is supported by junior Greg Holleman, who has 2 seasons of play behind him.  In the middle are two more interchangeable parts in Jamie Irving and Jeremy Springer, both juniors, each of them with 2 seasons of play under their belts.  On the right side are two more juniors, each of them with 2 years experience .  Royzell Smith and Isaiah Carter bring depth and experience to the position.  Those six players have a combined 13 years of experience, and only one of the six is a senior.
     It is easy to see why Coach Rodriguez smiles a lot when he talks about his players.  He also has a great group of younger players who are pushing the “old timers” hard and showing that the linebacking corps has a very bright future.  James Davidson, Aubrey Alexis, Daniel Muro, Cooper Brock, Hunter Nix, and Josh Scott are all getting their chances to show what they can do, and are making plays during practices that show that they are coming along nicely, and perhaps ahead of schedule.  The only thing they need is time, and they are making the most of their time on the field, right now.  One more note on our linebackers.  It just so happens that UTEP has the 13th ranked inside linebacker in the country coming in.  DeAndre Little, who I got to meet the other day, has a special look that goes right along with that ranking.  He is 6′ 1″, 231 pounds, and has that rock solid look.  He may have just graduated from high school, he may be young, but he is a man.
     I have to say that I agree with the players.  It’s exciting, and I love it!

It is getting warm in El Paso.  The Miners football practices are heating up, too.  Coaches and players are taking things up a notch.  They have less patience for mistakes.  If you are a player, relax a little, and you can expect someone, be it a coach or another player, to take a bite of your butt.  Leaders are being challenged to lead, and are stepping up.  For those who have wondered in the past if players work on tackling and wrapping up, let me assure you that the pads are popping.
     Tanner Cullumber has a cast on his hand, and that probably explains the large number of snaps that FR Jerel Watkins was getting at the center position.
     We have a very special punter/kicker coming to UTEP at the end of the semester, but in the meantime, Mike Scott, and Kevin Lopez continue to show that the cupboard isn’t bare if we need a field goal.  Those two are having quite a duel,  that is picking up where it left off at the end of last season.  Barrett eventually got the job, but these two were battling all season long for the backup spot.  They regularly take turns kicking 35+ yarders in practice, with plenty of leg to spare.
     Kyle Wright, our backup quarterback to Jordan Palmer and Trevor Vittatoe for the past few years, was at practice today, and received a warm welcome from players and coaches.  Kyle was a very savvy, and solid quarterback, but had the bad timing to be here at the same time as two of the best quarterbacks in Miners history.
     A player, a very large player, who shall remain nameless, was making some very loud gastric complaints during warmups, and it caused quite a stir in his area.  He explained that he felt better about it than the others did.
     Alberto Navarro, a RS FR from Immanuel Christian in El Paso reached behind him to make a very nice one handed catch even though he was well covered.  FR Rion Smalls, from United in Laredo, went way up to battle his defensive back, and make an excellent catch.  He too, was well covered but made a heck of a play.  But, the defense had their moments.  DB Gabriel Garza, a FR from Chapin, and SO WR Julio Lopez, a Montwood kid from a couple of years back, both went up for a pass, both laid claim to it, and hit the ground rolling.  It was Garza who came up with it.  Jeken Frye put one heck of a juke move on a DB to get separation and as he so often does he hauled in the pass, and was off to the races.  There were many other catches made, and passes broken up, but those stood out.
      Also, Defensive Lineman Jamie Fehoko pulled down a pass at the line and his interception was boisterously celebrated by the defense, and even the offense had to join in.  One for the big guy in the middle.  Not long after that, Adam Ayala, another defensive lineman dropped into coverage, stepped in front of the receiver at the sideline and picked off the pass.  The defense was pretty fired up at this point.  A little later, DB Antoine Blake, not wanting to let the linemen get all the glory, grabbed an interception, too.  The defense looks to be improving as the days and weeks go by.

     Jonny Moore was at practice, and seemed to be in pretty good spirits in spite of the cast elevating his left arm to level with his chest.  He can give a girl a one armed hug.  Maybe that is why he seemed to be in such good spirits.  His dislocated shoulder will keep him out for the rest of spring ball.  We were supposed to be loaded at Tight End, but at this point we are down to one.  Elijah Goldtrap is our tight end.  Coach Price said that 6′ 5″ 235 pound Pierce Hunter will see some time at that position to help run the offense in practice.  He made it clear that Hunter would not be a blocking tight end.
     Let’s move on to some good news.  Trevor Vittatoe was throwing passes again, yesterday.  Well, they were left handed ones, but he was throwing.  He was out there working on his footwork, though, and it was just good to see him back out on the field practicing, limited though it may have been.  Also back on the field in action was Donald Buckram, who was held out of last Saturday’s scrimmage to allow some bumps and bruises to heal.  DBuck was back to doing what he does that makes him one of, if not the, top running backs in the country.  Jason Williams is very solid.  He doesn’t have blazing speed, but his powerful legs give him a low center of gravity and allow him to power through heavy traffic, and make some holes of his own.  Those legs are also hard to get arms around .  All of that make him a load to bring to a halt.  The back that has really burst onto the scene though, is Joe Banyard.  He has a blend of power and speed, and knows when to use both of them.  He doesn’t dance.  He doesn’t make fancy juke moves.  He runs north and south.  He makes people miss by blowing past them, or through them.  For the old guys out there, Buckram is our Porsche 911, Williams is our ’64 Chevy Impala SS with a 409 in it, and Banyard is our ’63 Corvette with the 365 horse 327 in it.  Also back on the field was big, powerful, Leiylon Myers.  He is our Dodge Ram 4×4, built for carrying the heavy load through rough terrain.  He finished off the practice by dragging the pile six yards into the end zone.  There are some other backs that are showing that we have talent at that position for years to come.  Domingo Torres, Cameron Choice, and Blake Dubose, are all showing that they are very talented, too.
     Yesterday, I tried to concentrate on defense.  As I have said before, it is hard to take too much from these early practices.  Very often it is the Ones versus the Twos or Threes, players, often starters, are rehabbing, new players are getting looked at, and coaches are looking at, and for, different things than would be happening during an actual game.  But sometimes there are some things that can be detected.  So far, I would say that where our 3-3-5 seemed to attempt to slow down an opponent’s offense, and limit the big plays, and didn’t do very well at either, our defense out there this spring seems to have an entirely different attitude.  It doesn’t seem to accept that the offense is going to move the ball, so try to slow it down.  It seems more of a mind set to not allow the offense anything.  Sure, the offense is going to make plays, but every down is a chance for the defense to shut the offense down completely.  The defense is looking to impose their will on the offense.  Players are allowed to attack aggressively, but within a well defined, structured, assigned role and responsibility, that is designed to eliminate offensive openings in an integrated, structured design.  I wish I had the capacity to say this more clearly.  Players don’t freelance.  They don’t attack wildly.  This isn’t guerrilla warfare.  This is a coordinated assault, from different directions, with different weapons, but all working as a single unit.
     It all begins with the defensive line.The anchor, and leader is Robert Soleyjacks.  The 6’2″ 260 pound Senior has three years of solid experience under his belt.  Bernard Obi, a Junior with 2 years experience has already shown that he is ready to become a star on the defensive side of the ball using his quickness and strength.  Sophomore Greg Watkins will see significant playing time this season.  A couple of big men you will get to know in the middle are 6’1″, 275 pound Isaac Tauaefa who saw action as a Freshman, and Junior, Jamie Fehoko 6’2″ 290 pounds, who came to UTEP from the College of San Mateo after his freshman year.  There are a number of other defensive lineman who have transferred in.  Yahchaaroah Stuart is a 6’3″ 270 pound Junior transfer from Taylor University, Chris Whately, a 6′ 2″ 225 pound El Pasoan, is a Sophomore transfer from Grambling State, and Justin Cordova, a 6’2″ 265 pound Sophomore from SE Oklahoma State.  Also, there are some others that are really starting to make their presence felt.  Redshirt Freshman, Germard Reed, 6’1″ 270 pounds, is showing his quickness for such a big man.  Ruben Munoz, another local kid, 6′ 265 pound Sophomore saw action as a Freshman.  There is another very big man, Quentin Jones, who has not been in pads, but has been running laps around the practice field.  He is a Freshman, and I must admit that I have a hard time describing him.  He is only 6′ tall, so you can’t really say he is huge.  He weighs 315 pounds, but he isn’t some short, fat, guy.  He is big around, though.  But, it isn’t fat.  He’s wide.  And he’s thick..  I’ll just have to get some video for you to see what I mean.  There is another young guy that is a rising star.  He is RS FR, Adam Ayala.  He is 6’5″ and weighs 260 pounds.  He is built like an Outside Linebacker, only supersized.  You are really going to enjoy watching this kid in the years to come.  I will predict that he is going to be special.
     The next time, we will look at linebackers.  There is a lot to say about that group.  The defense is going to be great to watch this season, because of the change back to a more traditional 4-3, and there are going to be a lot of players who will be new to UTEP fans, but very talented players who will quickly become fan favorites.