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Showing posts with label Braylon Broughton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Braylon Broughton. Show all posts

Thursday, August 5, 2010


The TCU Horned Frogs get their defense of the Mountain West Conference title started this afternoon with their first practice of the fall. The Frogs return 16 starters from last year’s squad who made a march to the Fiesta Bowl, so hopes are high for another run to the BCS this season. Here are a few items to watch for during fall practice.

The Backups
TCU still doesn’t have a clear cut backup for Andy Dalton. Casey Pachall and Yogi Gallegos have been battling to be that guy, but Coach Patterson has yet to announce who it will be. I’m hoping Pachall wins the position, but whoever is better should get the spot.
On the other side of the ball is the second string corners. Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest will be replaced by Jason Teague and Greg McCoy, but who will be waiting if something happens to one of those guys? Will any of the young guys be able to step up?
Braylon Broughton
The absence of Jerry Hughes leaves a big hole on the defensive line. Can Broughton be the guy to fill those shoes? Braylon was the first teamer during spring practice, but received a lot of competition for the spot. I myself and other Frog fans are extremely high on the potential that Broughton has shown, and Coach Patterson has said some great things about him also."The guy, within the next two years, is ready to have a breakout season. As far as a physical specimen, there's not one that looks any better than he does anywhere in the country."
Jimmy Young in the slot
The Frogs moved Senior WR Jimmy Young from outside to the slot in the spring. I really didn’t hear much about it or how Jimmy adjusted, but I don’t expect any problems. I just want to see how he is used, and if he can be the big possession type receiver Dalton can count on in the clutch.
Deep Snapper
When I talked to Voice of the Frogs Brian Estridge back in March during spring practice, one thing he was watching for was who emerged as the new deep snapper. Clint Gresham was great at that position, but now he has to be replaced. I honestly don’t know who is in the running for this, or if they got it sorted out in the spring, but it is something I will be checking for.
Retooling of the Defense
Gary Patterson has raised the TCU defense to a level where they no longer rebuild, they just retool. There are definitely some big holes to be filled though. TCU lost defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington to the NFL Draft and cornerbacks Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders to graduation. How will the new guys fill those voids? Will this defense be as ferocious as it was last season?
Yes, there are some question marks coming into the 2010 season, but I am not overly concerned. Coach Patterson has a month to get his team ready to go, and I know he will do just that. It won’t be easy going undefeated in back-to-back seasons, but the Horned Frogs are sitting in a good spot to do it.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

TCU held their annual purple vs. white spring game this afternoon at Amon G. Carter stadium. I noticed some positives and negatives from the practice, but overall I would say the defending Mountain West Conference Champions are looking pretty good. If this team continues to improve over the summer and in fall practice, The Frogs will be very dangerous once again in 2010. Let’s break it down…



Andy Dalton is coming off a rough outing in the Fiesta Bowl, but there doesn’t appear to be any kind of hangover as he looked great today. The potential Heisman Trophy Finalist was sharp on both his passing and running and looked like he hasn’t missed a beat. TCU will benefit tremendously this season from his veteran leadership.



Braylon Broughton who the Frogs are hoping can replace Jerry Hughes at the left defensive end made a few big plays. Broughton was able to get penetration and had his way with the offensive tackle across from him on a number of different occasions.



TCU is coming into the season having to replace both cornerbacks as Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest both graduated. I was pleased with what I saw from Jason Teague and Greg McCoy. They might have some growing pains early in the season, but there shouldn’t be much of a drop off in quality of play. Especially in a Gary Patterson defense.



Not everything was positive though…

Kicker Ross Evans missed two field goals that I remember. One was into the wind, but both were very makeable field goals in my opinion. I’m not panicking, but you never like seeing your kicker miss field goals.



Running back Dwight Smith (who a lot of Frog fans are high on) looked good up until he got injured. I am not sure if it was his ankle or knee, but Smith went down a little more than midway through the scrimmage and never returned. He remained in pads and stayed on the sideline, but his game action was done for the day after that. I have not heard any updates.



As a whole, I was pleased from what I saw. There was a good turnout from the fans, I picked up a couple good items from the spring sale, and the team looked good. Now if we can just get fall to hurry up and get here, everything will be right in the world.

TCU held their annual purple vs. white spring game this afternoon at Amon G. Carter stadium. I noticed some positives and negatives from the practice, but overall I would say the defending Mountain West Conference Champions are looking pretty good. If this team continues to improve over the summer and in fall practice, The Frogs will be very dangerous once again in 2010. Let’s break it down…



Andy Dalton is coming off a rough outing in the Fiesta Bowl, but there doesn’t appear to be any kind of hangover as he looked great today. The potential Heisman Trophy Finalist was sharp on both his passing and running and looked like he hasn’t missed a beat. TCU will benefit tremendously this season from his veteran leadership.



Braylon Broughton who the Frogs are hoping can replace Jerry Hughes at the left defensive end made a few big plays. Broughton was able to get penetration and had his way with the offensive tackle across from him on a number of different occasions.



TCU is coming into the season having to replace both cornerbacks as Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest both graduated. I was pleased with what I saw from Jason Teague and Greg McCoy. They might have some growing pains early in the season, but there shouldn’t be much of a drop off in quality of play. Especially in a Gary Patterson defense.



Not everything was positive though…

Kicker Ross Evans missed two field goals that I remember. One was into the wind, but both were very makeable field goals in my opinion. I’m not panicking, but you never like seeing your kicker miss field goals.



Running back Dwight Smith (who a lot of Frog fans are high on) looked good up until he got injured. I am not sure if it was his ankle or knee, but Smith went down a little more than midway through the scrimmage and never returned. He remained in pads and stayed on the sideline, but his game action was done for the day after that. I have not heard any updates.



As a whole, I was pleased from what I saw. There was a good turnout from the fans, I picked up a couple good items from the spring sale, and the team looked good. Now if we can just get fall to hurry up and get here, everything will be right in the world.

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