If there was one theme to Coach Wannstedt’s remarks after practice today, it is that he wants the players to be in pads and hitting. From his first to last remark that kept coming through — it was very subtle, though.

I’d rather watch paint dry then practice without pads on to be very honest with you. I coached defensive line for about 10 years and it’s blocking and tackling. And when we don’t have pads on, particularly with those linemen, it’s very difficult because all your screaming is “back off, slow down, back off, slow down.” That’s so contrary to what were trying to get done out here. So you try to spend more time with assignments and that’s what we did today. We have one more day of no pads.

I hate having to try and read between the lines and look for the nuance.

He finally got to see Charles Sallet and Tim Murphy practice — they were both down with injuries in the spring. He seemed impressed with Murphy. Really, of all the upperclassmen in the backfield, Murphy’s running style should be the most appealing to Wannstedt. Power and strength. A straight ahead runner, with good speed. It is more a matter of Murphy staying healthy.