Ryan at the Blade brings the early practice observations

[Flipper]

I'm telling you...Keston Cheatem is going to be the man from this year's class....at least until Nate Brown and Willie Geter gain some seasoning.

It woun't make a bit of difference if our QB's don't come around....if AT doesn't step up and seize this job, I will be concerned come September 01.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 3/70812005

[BGSUFootballFan]

Interesting that we might be looking to throw the ball more this year, even though none of our QB's are emerging as a true starter..

[hammb]

We absolutely must establish the passing game more this season. I love running the ball down people's throats, but if you're going to run a spread offense you have to be distributing the ball downfield to keep defenses honest. When we went against a good team last year they just piled the defenders in close daring us to throw, knowing that we would struggle.

It's on the QBs & WRs to step it up this year and improve that area of our team. Special teams and the passing game were the two areas where we struggled the most last season...improve in those areas and the team should improve mightily.

[BGSUFootballFan]

We absolutely must establish the passing game more this season. I love running the ball down people's throats, but if you're going to run a spread offense you have to be distributing the ball downfield to keep defenses honest. When we went against a good team last year they just piled the defenders in close daring us to throw, knowing that we would struggle.

It's on the QBs & WRs to step it up this year and improve that area of our team. Special teams and the passing game were the two areas where we struggled the most last season...improve in those areas and the team should improve mightily.

Oh, I agree with that. I just hope we don't forget to dance with who brung us... RB's and OL! I think one of the biggest problems with our O last year was the lack of called passing plays that became QB runs & the over-abundance of designed QB runs! Certainly the passing game needs more consistency, but we were blessed with J5 and Omar. I think we can still win games w/o that kind of accuracy & production from the QB position!

[Falconfreak90]

Cheatem sounds like he could be a big time stud. I like what I've heard and read about him. I must say I am concerned that neither QB has really stepped up yet. Anybody that's been to a practice or two...any sign of Glaud getting reps?

Biggest ? marks going into this season were QB, WR and ST's...any news on how the ST's have looked? Anything new that Coach Bird is doing?

Any reports are greatly apprecitated in these parts.

ROLL ALONG YOU BG WARRIORS...

[BGFootball]

Cheatem sounds like he could be a big time stud. I like what I've heard and read about him. I must say I am concerned that neither QB has really stepped up yet. Anybody that's been to a practice or two...any sign of Glaud getting reps?

Biggest ? marks going into this season were QB, WR and ST's...any news on how the ST's have looked? Anything new that Coach Bird is doing?

Any reports are greatly apprecitated in these parts.

ROLL ALONG YOU BG WARRIORS...

Ill answer a few of your questions...

First off, Keston is out with a bad shoulder injury, so that is very unfortunate.

Glaud is splitting reps with AT and the 2s. Tyler is basically taking all of the first team snaps but neither AT or Sheehan has really been amazing. AT has had some good days and some bad, same with Tyler.

As far as the WR position. Corey Partridge continues to amaze me with his hands, he just doesnt drop anything. Parks has also been playin really well from what I have seen.

The special teams has been greatly improved. I think we will see a complete 360 this year with our special teams. Vrvilo has been automatic in practice and he gets the ball up on his field goals, which is somethin they struggled with last year. Sinisa has been knockin down 50+ yarders with ease. I have not payed much attention to the punting game but from what I have heard, Iovinelli is doing a good job.

Something else that may interest you is that Willie Geter has been takin most of the reps with the first team at RB. He is tiny but extremely quick and a great athlete. He is goin to be really good.

Thats about all I can think of at the moment....

[Flipper]

Thanks for the info...how bad is Cheatem's shoulder? SO far as Geter goes... that kid just explodes into another gear.

Not to pick nits...but if the ST do a 360, that will put us right back to where we were before. A circle has 360 degrees...a 180 is perhaps what you meant...

[tiznow]

I am intrigued by Cheatem as well. What is his story? Why is BG his fourth school?

[MACMAN]

I'm telling you...Keston Cheatem is going to be the man from this year's class....at least until Nate Brown and Willie Geter gain some seasoning.

It woun't make a bit of difference if our QB's don't come around....if AT doesn't step up and seize this job, I will be concerned come September 01.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 3/70812005

AT cant come around, its imposible did you watch him at all last season, he is not ever going to be a good qb...this is season is lost esp if try it with him.

[Flipper]

You're such a bigot....AT played very well in some games, decent in others and really poorly in only one or two (CMU and Temple). We probably lose to Buffalo and FIU without him. You're just down on the kid because he's black

[Redwingtom]

I'm telling you...Keston Cheatem is going to be the man from this year's class....at least until Nate Brown and Willie Geter gain some seasoning.

It woun't make a bit of difference if our QB's don't come around....if AT doesn't step up and seize this job, I will be concerned come September 01.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 3/70812005

AT cant come around, its imposible did you watch him at all last season, he is not ever going to be a good qb...this is season is lost esp if try it with him.

And just one more in the long line of unintelligible rants.

[hammb]

I'm telling you...Keston Cheatem is going to be the man from this year's class....at least until Nate Brown and Willie Geter gain some seasoning.

It woun't make a bit of difference if our QB's don't come around....if AT doesn't step up and seize this job, I will be concerned come September 01.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 3/70812005

AT cant come around, its imposible did you watch him at all last season, he is not ever going to be a good qb...this is season is lost esp if try it with him.

This is an absurdly ignorant comment. The number of players (especially QBs) who have gone from looking lost to becoming stars is unfathomable. It happens all the time, and it could potentially happen here...especially when you're talking about a QB like Turner who has all the physical tools and has just not put it together mentally.

I wasn't enthused about his play last year, and quite frankly I'd just as soon look in another direction than try to wait him out any longer. Still, to make a statement like that certainly makes one think Flipper may be on to something.

[eRichFalcon]

I'm telling you...Keston Cheatem is going to be the man from this year's class....at least until Nate Brown and Willie Geter gain some seasoning.

It woun't make a bit of difference if our QB's don't come around....if AT doesn't step up and seize this job, I will be concerned come September 01.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 3/70812005

AT cant come around, its imposible did you watch him at all last season, he is not ever going to be a good qb...this is season is lost esp if try it with him.

This is an absurdly ignorant comment. The number of players (especially QBs) who have gone from looking lost to becoming stars is unfathomable. It happens all the time, and it could potentially happen here...especially when you're talking about a QB like Turner who has all the physical tools and has just not put it together mentally.

I wasn't enthused about his play last year, and quite frankly I'd just as soon look in another direction than try to wait him out any longer. Still, to make a statement like that certainly makes one think Flipper may be on to something.

I can think of someone else who hasn't put it all together mentally.

And if we're going to have ignorant posts with sweeping generalizations and unfounded conclusions, could we at least have some proper mechanics?

AT can't come around, it's impossible. Did you watch him at all last season? He is not ever going to be a good QB...This season is lost, especially if we try it with him as the starter.

At least that doesn't make my head hurt on the spelling and punctuation front.

[Falconfreak90]

I've heard Geter is someone to keep a VERY close eye on!

That sux about Cheatem...any other WR's stepping up? I heard Pronty looked good today.

How about the D? This is gonna be rough being out in Oregon for almost a week and not having much of a chance to keep updated.

Thanks for all the updates!!

LET'S GO FALCONS!!!

[Bleeding Orange]

Does anyone know how that true freshman who made that spectacular touchdown catch in the Spring Game is doing? I can't for the life of me remember the name, but I know Hammb should have some reccolection of it ( ). That kid looked like he was going to be a great one, but I'm wondering if he has done enough to warrant burning a redshirt.

Personally, I think we have enough depth of talent to burn a redshirt on a couple of talented freshmen if the coaches think it will make a positive impact upon this year's team. And, in all honesty, I truly am impressed with the depth that Coach B has recruited at a lot of positions. I could very well be wrong, but from my perspective, he may not be getting as many big time guys as Urbie might have, but across the board I have been impressed with what I have seen.