Scrimmage notes from today

It's sad that DJ Smith is one of our top 5 DB's. With that being said, we definitely need someone to step up. I had high hopes for Nixon and Chalmers to contribute early, but it doesn't appear that will happen.

I just remember that TD against Mississippi State last year where he just let that WR abuse him and snag the ball away. That and the fact that he could have destroyed Mike Williams but pulled up. Glad Dante Sawyer got all over him for that.

I tend to give players the benefit of the doubt as they are developing and progressing throughout their career. I try not to hold "grudges" against players for a few lapses on the field, if there's no reason to believe that they won't grow out of it and become better. As long as the player doesn't do anything to harm the University or the FB program, and gives his best effort.

DJ Smith only had one career start and 33 total tackles through his sophomore season, and progressed to starting 10 gms and leading the defense with 80 tackles. To me, that is not "sad", but outstanding, and while he may have done poorly at times last season in his first real opportunity to be a leader, overall he's still one of our top returning players on D, and has great potential to improve even more this season as a senior. We're going to need him too.

So I support him and hope he does improve, instead of calling him or anything about him "sad". To me, doing that is truly what is "sad".....

I have to agree. Plus with a defensive minded coach like Boom, I trust his decision.

The play I was referring to was from the 5 yard line where he actually was in pretty good coverage. He just let the guy dominate him and snatch an INT away for a TD. I hope he proves me wrong and has a huge year.

DJ has to step up and be a leader this season. The reason why we have been lacking on that side of the ball the past few seasons is not having that upper class an step up for us. DJ Swearinger, A. Allen, and Darian Stewart come to mind in years past.