It still seems unlikely that Jesse Burkett will play in the opener, but he was dressed for practice Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately I didn't spot that in time to ask Alijah Holder is also unlikely for the opener.
I noticed that Dalyn Wade-Perry did not practice today but he was not in a walking boot.
David Shaw
What has Paulson Adebo's progress been during camp?
"I think he picked up where he left off in the spring. I thought he had a very good spring and a better training camp. He has made us stronger there, especially not knowing where a couple guys are healthwise. He has given us depth so that if Alameen Murphy does go to nickel he can be the corner. And with Alijah's health, now we have three guys who can start at corner. Paulson has been so good we believe we have multiple starting corners."
He was a successful receiver in high school as well. What made cornerback his position in college?
"He came to camp and played both positions. He played receiver and did well. He played corner and was exceptional. Duane loves his length, his physical nature and competitiveness. And he has the ball skills of a receiver. He has been able to, to the chagrin, take a couple back in training camp."
Anybody expected back today or expected back this week?
"Early next week we'll know about Donald Stewart, Malik Antoine, Bo Peek. We'll know for sure about Alijah. Ryan Johnson is another one, Dalyn Wade-Perry -- there are a good group of guys who might be ready to go and we'll know for sure after a lot of treatment this weekend."
Lance Anderson
How does Sean Barton look toward the end of a full training camp?
"He looks healthy, looks like he's playing fast, playing well. We feel like he's in a good spot. We're starting to see glimpses of the old Sean Barton, which is pretty encouraging. It makes us pretty excited. We feel like things look good there."
How has Andrew Pryts developed this camp?
"He has made a ton of progress. He has done a really solid job for us. I think it started in the spring when he got a lot of reps when some of those guys were out. He got better and better. That's carried into camp. He is really starting to feel comfortable in that position. I think he is going to be a good player there. With the experience of Sean, Bobby (Okereke), Mustafa (Branch), I'm not sure how much he'll play looking at it right now."
What does he bring to linebacker?
"He brings the same stuff we saw on his high school film -- really physical guy, tough guy. I think now just having him in the box, close to the action, that really allows him to play ... he's a physical who likes contact. He brings the athletic ability and the ability to run he had at DB. I think that combination of athleticism and physicality ... he'll be a playmaker for us."
Duane Akina said the reps have mattered for Frank Buncom, Ben Edwards and Malik Antoine. Can you elaborate on how they're playing without thinking now?
"You can see that they're so much more comfortable with their role, with the defense and a good understanding of where they need to fit. Good with disguise and understanding where they need to get to do their job."
Where is Frank right now with his progress?
"He is really healthy and playing at a high level. Frank is a really smart football player. He's a really smart kid and is going to be a doctor someday. But he has great football IQ as well. He really understands the game. Now with the experience he has he is able to use that to his advantage."
Dalyn Wade-Perry has been in and out lately so there seems to be a solid first three up there. Is that about right?
"That's definitely right. I feel really good about that first group of Jovan Swann, Mike Williams and Dylan Jackson. All those guys are better football players than they were last year. Coach (Diron) Reynolds mentioned to me the other day that they were watching part of last year's San Diego State game and all three of them couldn't believe how they played last year. They feel they're so much better now than what they put on film last year. I think that is the case. We're very optimistic that Dalyn will be able to contribute next week. I think he's in a good spot. I'm really pleased with where Thomas Booker is as a freshman. Ryan Johnson is getting healthy now, is getting some reps and getting back in the mix. Especially as we get to the end of camp I'm feeling better about our depth."
There are a lot of names at outside linebacker. How is that competition shaking out?
"Especially with the top four guys right now it has been a really good competition through camp -- Joey Alfieri, Casey Toohill, Gabe Reid, Jordan Fox. Each day they do some good things. There are things they need to improve on and get more consistent with, but it has been good competition. All four of those guys will definitely have an opportunity to play. We'll see how the next few days shake out with who will start."
I noticed that Dalyn Wade-Perry did not practice today but he was not in a walking boot.
David Shaw
What has Paulson Adebo's progress been during camp?
"I think he picked up where he left off in the spring. I thought he had a very good spring and a better training camp. He has made us stronger there, especially not knowing where a couple guys are healthwise. He has given us depth so that if Alameen Murphy does go to nickel he can be the corner. And with Alijah's health, now we have three guys who can start at corner. Paulson has been so good we believe we have multiple starting corners."
He was a successful receiver in high school as well. What made cornerback his position in college?
"He came to camp and played both positions. He played receiver and did well. He played corner and was exceptional. Duane loves his length, his physical nature and competitiveness. And he has the ball skills of a receiver. He has been able to, to the chagrin, take a couple back in training camp."
Anybody expected back today or expected back this week?
"Early next week we'll know about Donald Stewart, Malik Antoine, Bo Peek. We'll know for sure about Alijah. Ryan Johnson is another one, Dalyn Wade-Perry -- there are a good group of guys who might be ready to go and we'll know for sure after a lot of treatment this weekend."
Lance Anderson
How does Sean Barton look toward the end of a full training camp?
"He looks healthy, looks like he's playing fast, playing well. We feel like he's in a good spot. We're starting to see glimpses of the old Sean Barton, which is pretty encouraging. It makes us pretty excited. We feel like things look good there."
How has Andrew Pryts developed this camp?
"He has made a ton of progress. He has done a really solid job for us. I think it started in the spring when he got a lot of reps when some of those guys were out. He got better and better. That's carried into camp. He is really starting to feel comfortable in that position. I think he is going to be a good player there. With the experience of Sean, Bobby (Okereke), Mustafa (Branch), I'm not sure how much he'll play looking at it right now."
What does he bring to linebacker?
"He brings the same stuff we saw on his high school film -- really physical guy, tough guy. I think now just having him in the box, close to the action, that really allows him to play ... he's a physical who likes contact. He brings the athletic ability and the ability to run he had at DB. I think that combination of athleticism and physicality ... he'll be a playmaker for us."
Duane Akina said the reps have mattered for Frank Buncom, Ben Edwards and Malik Antoine. Can you elaborate on how they're playing without thinking now?
"You can see that they're so much more comfortable with their role, with the defense and a good understanding of where they need to fit. Good with disguise and understanding where they need to get to do their job."
Where is Frank right now with his progress?
"He is really healthy and playing at a high level. Frank is a really smart football player. He's a really smart kid and is going to be a doctor someday. But he has great football IQ as well. He really understands the game. Now with the experience he has he is able to use that to his advantage."
Dalyn Wade-Perry has been in and out lately so there seems to be a solid first three up there. Is that about right?
"That's definitely right. I feel really good about that first group of Jovan Swann, Mike Williams and Dylan Jackson. All those guys are better football players than they were last year. Coach (Diron) Reynolds mentioned to me the other day that they were watching part of last year's San Diego State game and all three of them couldn't believe how they played last year. They feel they're so much better now than what they put on film last year. I think that is the case. We're very optimistic that Dalyn will be able to contribute next week. I think he's in a good spot. I'm really pleased with where Thomas Booker is as a freshman. Ryan Johnson is getting healthy now, is getting some reps and getting back in the mix. Especially as we get to the end of camp I'm feeling better about our depth."
There are a lot of names at outside linebacker. How is that competition shaking out?
"Especially with the top four guys right now it has been a really good competition through camp -- Joey Alfieri, Casey Toohill, Gabe Reid, Jordan Fox. Each day they do some good things. There are things they need to improve on and get more consistent with, but it has been good competition. All four of those guys will definitely have an opportunity to play. We'll see how the next few days shake out with who will start."
