SEVERAL OBSERVATIONS FROM SATURDAY’S PRACTICE . . .

Billy Ball
* A lot won’t be known about how effective quarterback Billy Barefield’s transition from quarterback to running back will be until Tuesday’s first scrimmage of the preseason.
But, at first glance, it’s appears to be a win-win situation for the offense and Barefield.
Those who saw some of the open-field moves of Barefield during his brief play at quarterback last season know how elusive he can be. Running backs coach Tommie Robinson knows what an asset he’ll be and has compared his skills to those of dual-threat Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball.
And Barefield has “great hands” according to Robinson. Barefield has been sure-handed in his brief time at running back.
It’s an interesting move, one that wasn’t entirely expected given the logjam at QB and Barefield’s penchant for being a playmaker.

On second thought
*No, it’s too early for Tommy West to change his mind and bring Barefield back to QB, but coach West wasn’t too pleased with the play of his quarterbacks in Saturday’s shoulder pads/shorts practice.
He was disappointed in their accuracy and called it one of the worst practice performances by a group of quarterbacks during his six seasons as coach.
Nothing to get too worried about, probably. Martin Hankins, the Southeastern Louisiana transfer, and Patrick Byrne, last year’s opening game starter, are solid quarterbacks, who lack Division 1-A playing time.

1. You know you’re a football junkie like me when you’ve got watch some of the NFL exhibitions, when you stay up late to catch the Sports Center highlights, when you get online or read the agate page in the sports section to check out stats.

The best thing I saw in Friday night’s play was the debut of Broncos’ rookie quarterback Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 192 yards, one TD and no interceptions. You always suspected Cutler had the tools to be a solid NFL QB, but you really couldn’t see them at Vanderbilt where he spent most of his career running for his life. It’s amazing what can happen when you get a little blocking.

Also, did you catch former U of M kicker Stephen Gostkowski knocking through a field goal and an extra point for the Patriots against the Falcons on Friday?

Tonight, Memphis’ NFL franchise, former U of M star DeAngelo Williams, makes his pro exhibition debut against Buffalo.
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