Siborg wrote:Also saw a #88 at DE. Perhaps Folkertsma switched from TE. I saw #6 and #11 as well and also do not know who they are.
Good catch. Folkertsma would add some depth at a position of need.
Also haven't seen it discussed anywhere, but, Ballew is moving to linebacker. The linebacking corp this year - Ballew, Sanford, and Banks rotating at outside backers? Valdez, Locke, and maybe Finkler battling for the middle.
Ballew moving to linebacker also opens up a safety spot. Gourdine or Turner? Would assume Hardy is the other.
The emphasis seems to be towards getting as much speed on the field as possible. That's generally a good thing but you just hope it can hold up against the power running teams. Ward's defense shut down Melvin Gordon which should give us some confidence. Getting Colvin back healthy should really help the D-line.
From the interviews, the consensus seems to be that the scheme is a 180 degree departure from last year. I've always hated looking at scrimmage results because success on one side of the ball means breakdowns on another, but it sounds like the first tier group has had their way with the offense up to this point. Their development will come when the QB position is solidified.
mscarn wrote: but it sounds like the first tier group has had their way with the offense up to this point. Their development will come when the QB position is solidified.
The same story was coming out of camp all August so I'm not buying it this time. I think their success is greatly related to seeing the same 10 plays over and over again and having a good idea of what the offense will do in each situation. That's entirely a guess but I don't believe that I'm far off.
mscarn wrote: but it sounds like the first tier group has had their way with the offense up to this point. Their development will come when the QB position is solidified.
The same story was coming out of camp all August so I'm not buying it this time. I think their success is greatly related to seeing the same 10 plays over and over again and having a good idea of what the offense will do in each situation. That's entirely a guess but I don't believe that I'm far off.
I think you're right. On the bright side, when/if we see those 10 plays during an actual game we should be the most prepared team in the country.
vwfalcon wrote:Judging from his Instagram post, it appears Bryan Thomas has been granted a 6th year of eligibility.
That would be HUGE! Dude played like a beast at times down the stretch. I'm pretty sure I remember him breaking his leg in the Wyoming game at home in 2011. Getting him back would be a tremendous boast to the DL!
Falconfreak90 wrote:Awesome that Thomas is getting another year!!!
Great news! This is exactly why Matt Johnson could/should also apply for a medical red-shirt. Thomas RS'ed as a true frosh in 2010 and then was injured in game 3 of his RS-Frosh year. Johnson RS'ed as a true frosh in 2011 and was injured in game 1 of his RS- Jr year. There's no guarantee he'll get one but he has a case to apply for one.
Thomas is back, Malik Brown looked really good in the Saturday scrimmage (according the S-T) and Baird is a solid DE. The DE spot looks better than it did a month ago...what looked to be a weakness could be a strength.
Coach Babers seems a bit different this year. In his interviews he seems more relaxed and conversational. Last year it seemed like he was always hyping the offense and playing a character. It's like he's more of a person than a persona this year.
Re QB..based in the scrimmage, Johnson had more reps and success than Nicholas who had more reps and success than Knapke. Callaway has been playing baseball. I'll be stunned if Johnsin isn't named the starter by this time next week.
It's not the fall that hurts...it's when you hit the ground.
Flipper wrote:Thomas is back, Malik Brown looked really good in the Saturday scrimmage (according the S-T) and Baird is a solid DE. The DE spot looks better than it did a month ago...what looked to be a weakness could be a strength.
Coach Babers seems a bit different this year. In his interviews he seems more relaxed and conversational. Last year it seemed like he was always hyping the offense and playing a character. It's like he's more of a person than a persona this year.
Re QB..based in the scrimmage, Johnson had more reps and success than Nicholas who had more reps and success than Knapke. Callaway has been playing baseball. I'll be stunned if Johnsin isn't named the starter by this time next week.
I imagine Babers felt a lot of pressure coming in last year, inheriting a championship team and having to live up to expectations. Now that it's his second year, he can probably relax knowing that the players know what he brings to the table, and the media/fans have a grasp of the style of football he plays.
I talked to him at the outdoor hockey game in January and he had a really good attitude and seemed excited to be able to chat up the fans, I didn't get that feeling last year.
Does anyone know why almost all of the spring practices have been INDOORS? it seems to me that sine almost all regular season games are played in the "weather", you might want to practice in the weather, at least periodically. If they think this is bad, just wait til a Tuesday night in late November.
factman wrote:Does anyone know why almost all of the spring practices have been INDOORS? it seems to me that sine almost all regular season games are played in the "weather", you might want to practice in the weather, at least periodically. If they think this is bad, just wait til a Tuesday night in late November.
Who cares? I'd rather them get their work in, in the spring, uninterrupted. They aren't installing gameplans and preparing for a opponent, they are trying to decide who is going to start and play.
Maybe they're just prepping for the MAC title game...
