The TCU football team had its first scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning. The practice was open to the media for the final 20 minutes, and head coach Gary Patterson spoke at the conclusion of the scrimmage.
Patterson said he could only evaluate his team after he watched the tape of the scrimmage in its entirety.
“I’ll know better when I watch the tape,” Patterson said. “Call me tonight at 10. Offense started better earlier. Defense played better late.”
Patterson said he spent most of his time watching the defense, but he said his skill position players needed to step up.
“I told the young guys. We are unbelievable in 7-on-7,” Patterson said. “When we strap up and get in team periods, the only guy that shows is [Josh] Boyce and LaDarius [Brown]. All the rest of the guys disappeared.”
Brown, a redshirt freshman, made the catch of the day on a fly route over the middle of the field. Quarterback Casey Pachall hit Brown in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.
The scrimmage did not include much of TCU’s 2012 recruiting class. Only four of TCU’s signees enrolled early.
Quarterback Tyler Matthews enrolled early, and Patterson said he would continue to learn the offense while working with the backup offensive players.
Kolby Listenbee, recruited as an athlete, worked with the second team as a wide receiver.
Running back B.J. Catalon also practiced with the second team.
Not practicing were offensive linemen James Dunbar, Bobby Thompson, Carter Wall and linebacker Kenny Cain.
“We moved to three practices a week so we can do a lot of teaching and be very physical when we step [on the field],” Patterson said.
Graves key at linebacker
Sophomore Antonio Graves has changed positions this spring. After the unforeseen departures of upperclassmen linebackers Tanner Brock and Greg Burks, TCU was thin at the position.
“Antonio is another guy that, for us to be what we want to be next year, he has to keep coming on,” Patterson said. “Very good in coverage. Very good blitzer. Has to learn how to play in the box as a linebacker.”
Linebackers Danny Heiss and Joel Hasley have also impressed Patterson.
“The two guys I’m really happy with right now are Danny Heiss and Joel Hasley,” Patterson said. “Both of them stepped in at linebacker, and Danny Heiss has been the surprise of spring so far.”
Chris Hackett lays hit of the day
Safety Chris Hackett provided the hit of the day on senior running back Aundre Dean. On a run over the middle, Hackett came up from his safety position to lay a hit on Dean.
Sophomore Sam Carter was listed as a starting strong safety on the spring depth chart.
Patterson said Carter had improved from where he was less than a year ago when he started TCU’s home opener against Baylor.
“He just needs to make plays. He is lightyears ahead of where he was when we started the season last year. That is the only difference between him being a good player and a great player,” Patterson said.
Patterson said TCU would scrimmage again next Saturday.
