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LINKS FROM DAY THREE (MONDAY):
— Arizona notebook: Silent treatment on QBs (Steve Rivera, FoxSportsArizona.com)
— Arizona Wildcats notebook: Freshman receiver makes early impression (Anthony Gimino, TucsonCitizen.com)
— Back from ACL tear, Arizona’s Jacob Arzouman eager to work at center (Gimino, TucsonCitizen.com)
— Arizona Wildcats football: A video tour of Lowell-Stevens Football Facility (Gimino, TucsonCitizen.com)
— Arizona football: Time to get defensive (Daniel Berk, Arizona Daily Star)
— Arizona Wildcats football: News and notes from day three of fall camp (Berk, Arizona Daily Star)
— Cats practice at the stadium (Brad Allis, WildcatSportsReport.com)NATIONAL LINKS:
— BleacherReport.com ranks Arizona Stadium No. 81 nationally, the worst in the Pac-12 (they must not have seen the new Lowell-Stevens Facility)QUOTE TO NOTE:
““They’re (quarterbacks) all getting reps right now. We will take another week and a half and then we’ll start pairing down. You can’t give six or seven quarterbacks reps for three weeks. We’ll pair it down by the end of next week.” — UA coach Rich Rodriguez, who will likely give three quarterbacks most of the reps after next week.CONCERN: Arizona’s untested field goal kickers and punters, with John Bonano and Kyle Dugandzic exhausting their eligibility, is a serious concern. As has been noted in this space, history indicates the fate of the Arizona football program depends on the kicking game. Jake Smith, a junior transfer from Syracuse and Youngstown State, is the potential placekicker to replace Bonano but he might also handle the punting duties Dugandzic handled last year. Smith has practiced both to this point, although all placekickers have been limited in their reps to this point, according to Rodriguez. “One thing we missed today (because of rainfall) is, I wanted to take the kickers out there and kick some field goals to get a little bit of a judgment on them,” Rodriguez said after Monday’s practice. “We have the two walk-ons, Jack Flatau and Bret Miller, who give us a chance. Jake Smith has punted as well and has showed us something things. Drew Riggleman is there (at punter) and he’s pretty solid. Jake Smith and Casey Skowron have kicked pretty well. We haven’t kicked anything but extra points. Tomorrow we will start kicking field goals and moving around a little bit.”
LOOKING GOOD: Rodriguez told reporters Monday that freshman slot receiver will most likely not redshirt because of what he’s shown to this point. Phillips (5-7, 171) made 76 receptions for 1,223 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Chandler Basha High School last season, when he also earned All-Arizona honors from the Arizona Republic as a kick returner. Phillips will get immediate opportunities because of the lack of depth at the receiver position with Austin Hill (torn ACL), Tyler Slavin (dismissed from team) and David Richards (foot surgery) out of the lineup. “He has a lot of speed,” safety Tra’Mayne Bondurant told Gimino of Phillips. “Nice shifty moves. His speed, his quickness and moves will definitely help him play.”
INJURIES:
— Sophomore defensive lineman Dan Pettinato (knee) will be out for a “few weeks”, according to Rodriguez.
— Junior quarterback Jesse Scroggins (concussion) finally practiced Monday night.
— Defensive lineman Tevin Hood (knee tendinitis) was limited in practice Monday.
— Defensive tackle Justin Washington was also limited because he is “hobbled a bit”, according to Berk’s report.ANALYSIS: Three days in the books and three days without quotes from All-American running back Ka’Deem Carey and any of the quarterbacks (Anu Solomon, Jesse Scroggins or B.J. Denker). That’s the beauty of college football. These guys are amateurs, not professional quite yet, so the coach has control over their interaction with the media. As a member of the media, of course sound bytes from Carey and the quarterbacks would be very much welcomed. Their insight is a missing element to the coverage of UA’s camp to this point. However, if I was a coach, Rodriguez’s control over the situation would be understandable. Carey is still on tenuous ground after his off-the-field problems during the off-season (no official word yet about whether he will be suspended for any games). Also, Rodriguez wants the quarterbacks to concentrate on matters on the field, not about being noticed off of it because they are involved in a competition. Carey’s #TeamKaDeem Heisman push Arizona wanted to make after last season is non-existent. Rodriguez’s belief is that Carey must be responsible for his actions going forward. That apparently means for Carey to become as visible and accessible to the media like last season, he must first prove his valuable again on the field. He must essentially begin anew. — Javier Morales, WILDABOUTAZCATS.net
Arizona’s seven quarterbacks (with No. 7 B.J. Denker and No. 1 Jesse Scroggins in the forefront) go through drills Monday (Arizona Athletics You Tube still)
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes blogs for Lindy’s College Sports, TucsonCitizen.com and Sports Illustrated-sponsored site ZonaZealots.com.
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