Quick hitters from Arizona’s third training-camp practice Saturday night:
* Coach Rich Rodriguez said he’d like to see more intensity from the team at the start of practice. He also implored the team – the special-teams units in particular – to work faster during the period that was open to the media. Rodriguez said it usually takes freshmen an entire camp to be accustomed to the pace at which the Wildcats practice.
* Rodriguez continues to get in involved in special-teams drills. The team worked on kickoffs, kickoff returns and field goals during the open period. Kickoff returners included Tyrell Johnson, Shun Brown, Devaughn Cooper, Cam Denson, Samajie Grant, Nate Phillips, Darick Holmes Jr. and J.J. Taylor.
* Guard Christian Boettcher did not practice because of an undisclosed injury, creating more reps for Freddie Tagaloa, who’s competing with Boettcher for the left-guard job. Tagaloa appears to be moving well after missing the end of last season and all of spring because of knee issues. Boettcher wore a yellow jersey and spent the open period walking around the perimeter of the field.
* Rodriguez believes the offensive line can be a strength, but he’s unsure about depth at this point. He’d like to have eight players he can count on, including backups at center, guard and tackle.
* Tight end Matt Morin is among the candidates to serve as Arizona’s holder. Morin, a redshirt junior, played quarterback in high school.
* Tight end Trevor Wood, who missed last season because of a shoulder injury, broke the UA tight end record for bench-press reps before the start of camp. Wood did 24 reps at 225 pounds, tight ends coach Charlie Ragle said. Wood has been practicing after sitting out spring drills.
* The Wildcats practiced in shoulder pads for the first time. They have the day off Sunday before resuming practice Monday. The first full-pads practice is scheduled for Tuesday.
* Post-practice interviews were conducted inside the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility as a thunderstorm storm blew through campus. Rodriguez said the team was able to finish its work before the storm hit.
