Frogs perform well in kicking scrimmage
8/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 16, 2005
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU football team held a 45-minute kicking scrimmage inside Amon Carter Stadium this morning."It was the best kicking scrimmage we've had in two years," Frog coach Gary Patterson said. "We've got three or four guys who are pretty special on punt and kickoff returns.
"If we give them an opportunity, they can be pretty exciting. Cory Rodgers has been our guy, but Drew Coleman and Donald Massey are two players who will challenge him. Drew is special. We knew that a year ago, but we didn't put him on returns because of his knee injury. Now that he's fully recovered, he's got that wiggle."
Coleman has battled injuries since arriving at TCU in January 2004 from Trinity Valley Community College. The Henderson, Texas, native started three games at corner last season and is a projected starter this fall.
With the Sept. 3 season opener at No. 5 Oklahoma nearing, Patterson is also aware of defending against the traditionally-strong return game of the Sooners.
"We're playing against a team that's the all-time leader in punt return touchdowns," Patterson said. "No matter who they put back there, they score. We've got to be able to get off blocks and go."
Drawing praise from Patterson was second-team punter Derek Wash, a redshirt sophomore from Arlington.
"I was very happy with Derek," Patterson said. "He gets it off quick."
Wash is battling Brian Cortney for the first-team job. Cortney (San Diego, Calif.) spent the last two years at Mesa (Calif.) Community College after beginning his collegiate career at UNLV.
"I don't like kicking scrimmages because it's high impact and running full speed," Patterson said. "However, we've always felt it was a necessity and you hope you don't get anybody hurt out of it.
"This group went about it today in a very business-like manner. They didn't block below the waist. We got through it and learned some things. We'll watch the film and get better tomorrow."
Redshirt freshman Kasey Davis (Conroe, Texas) has impressed with his ability on kickoffs and could be the starter in that capacity.
The Frogs return to the practice field at 3:45 this afternoon and 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
TCU has advanced to six bowl games in the last seven seasons. The Oklahoma contest will be seen regionally at 11 a.m. Central on ABC-TV. All Frog games are heard on 103.3 ESPN and other TCU/ESPN Sports Network affiliates.
