Anybody out there?

by BPH, San Diego, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 15:00 (6249 days ago)

Two days without a new post has got to be a record.

Early impressions of the spring game? Blue and Gold is reporting that the offense posted more than 250 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry, with Allen, Hughes and Gray all going over 73. I know there's a double-edged sword with every spring game stat, but given our concerns about the OL and the youth at DL, the rushing output was very nice to see (though probably should have been expected).

Other good things based on what I've read:
- Montana might have put an end to the Goodman-at-QB experiment.
- Walker hit a 48-yard FG.
- Blanton had an INT return for a TD and also shadowed Floyd on a deep pass.
- Richardson had a few QB hurries (nice to have a reliable third DE)
- Johnson and both Williamses each had a sack.
- No serious injuries.

I have a whole shitload of thoughts

by Jay, San Diego, Monday, April 20, 2009, 15:49 (6247 days ago) @ BPH

Finding time to post them is the challenge.

Finds the time. Your legions of fans await them.

by JRT, Island of Misfit Toys, Friday, April 24, 2009, 11:07 (6243 days ago) @ Jay

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My impressions.`

by JRT, Island of Misfit Toys, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:22 (6248 days ago) @ BPH

1. We look the part. Just about every position features guys who can pass the eyeball test. Specifically, I was pleased with the size of our defensive tackles (Ian Williams, Hafis Williams, Brandon Newman all look around 300 pounds. Tyler Stockton, from a distance, looks to be physically in the same class.)

2. Our secondary looks very solid. Our starters (and Walls) look like NFL players to me.

3. Sam Young's first move still tends to be trying to absorb his man, even on run plays. He didn't push around Ryan/Richardson the way I had hoped.

4. Olson looks like our best run blocker to me.

5. One big personnel hole is a fullback or blocking tight end. Ragone and Fauria looked solid, but they appear to be the same type of player as Rudolph-tall, lanky, fast, mostly valuable in the passing game. None of them look to be the type to serve as a third tackle. My impression is that we won't be using Paskorz much this fall.

6. With the blue and gold colored glasses on, it's possible to imagine us having a very good defense this year. I'm pretty confident our secondary will be good. At linebacker, I have a lot of confidence in B. Smith and Fleming, and one more solid linebacker would make a solid corps. Defensive line is a question mark, but a healthy Johnson and productive Ian Williams could lead the way. There are enough additional intriguing possibilities to think about being a very good defense. Having said that, an injury to B. Smith, Johnson or I. Williams could be disasterous.

7. My initial impression out of Saturday was disappointment with Clausen's performance. In the Weis offense, the quarterback's ability to run the offense, especially making quick reads, is of paramount importance. Think Brady Quinn-a QB able to shoulder the great majority of the offensive load, even under an intense pass rush. My impression of the game was that Clausen's strenghths align more with Matt Leinart or Chris Simms (excellent college quarterbacks, by the way): tremendous passer when he has time in the pocket and can become confortable (Hawaii game).

I thought one of the most encouraging signs yesterday

by Bingo @, Fort Wayne, IN, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:52 (6248 days ago) @ JRT

was how well T. Smith played the pass. He was able to keep with the Tight End pretty well down the field.

one thought

by MHB (Rakes of Mallow), Chicago, IL, United States, Earth-199999, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 11:54 (6248 days ago) @ BPH

Only got to see the 15 minute recap on UND, but there was a lot of plays ran out of the "Half" formation (3/1/1/0).

Anyone who went to the game: How did the variety of formations look?

I've been able to look at the first 25 plays or so

by Spesh ⌂ @, Los Angeles, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 12:08 (6248 days ago) @ MHB (Rakes of Mallow)

So far...

8 - Half
11 - Detroit
1 - New York
3 - Regular
6 - not on video

Didn't make it to the game, but one thought...

by domer.mq ⌂ @, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 17:33 (6249 days ago) @ BPH

Reading that Blanton got a TD off an INT was probably the least surprising thing I've read all week. We did a round table with UHFootball before the bowl game last year, and one of the questions was about who to really keep an eye on. I answered that Blanton could jump a pass at any moment and take it in for a TD. There are some kids who want to be great. There are others who want to lead their peers. And then their are others who already think they're great, already think they're leaders, and will be damned if they let any opportunity to show the world pass them by. I think Blanton's one of those kids. If he were a basketball player, he'd demand a chance to take the last shot. If he were a golfer, he'd hope for it all to come down to the last putt. 2 years from now, if he's still around, he might well be a captain and an AA, even if he does manage to rub some folk the wrong way.

--
Sometimes I rhyme slow sometimes I rhyme quick.

I love that attitude in a CB.

by ReginaldVelJohnson @, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:13 (6248 days ago) @ domer.mq

Considering what they are asked to do, you almost have to have that kind of swagger if you want to be a upper echelon CB. You're often put on an island against some of the other teams best athletes, and you are at a decided disadvantage when it comes to the rules of the matchup. And if you get beat, you need to forget about the last play and do it all over again.

Slaughter was jawing as well...

by PaulM, Chicago, IL, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:56 (6248 days ago) @ ReginaldVelJohnson

He got after Hughes at the end of a play; he wasn't about to back down despite nearly getting trucked by a big dude.

I like the attitude of this secondary right now. They're a force to be feared and are willing to let the other team know. I feel like they're going to make some novice QBs pay this year. As long as we can shut down the run at least a little we'll have a good D.

Blanton, wow.

by Bingo @, Fort Wayne, IN, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 09:48 (6248 days ago) @ domer.mq

Blanton really impressed me. Going into this year I figured Walls would jump back ahead of him as the other starting corner. That's not going to happen. He is a shut down corner. He didn't give Floyd or Tate and inch. It was really impressive. I'm not going to say he could be special because I think he already is. When you think about how good our recievers are and he essencially took away half of the field. I can't say enough positive things about him.

Our secondary is going to be solid if not spectacular. I think this could be the best secondary in the country.

Thing is, Walls is a shutdown corner, too

by BPH, San Diego, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:45 (6248 days ago) @ Bingo

At least he was in 2007. Which is too bad for McNeil, because he's going to go from our best CB last season to a guy coming off the bench (though I think he'll still play a lot).

Our secondary is clearly elite (best in the country might be pushing it considering what USC and Florida have coming back). The beauty of it is that the strength in the back can mask a lot of our vulnerability up front because Tenuta can get creative with run blitzes and extra guys in the box without worrying too much about getting burned.

The only thing about benching McNeil is that he's our best

by Bingo @, Fort Wayne, IN, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:49 (6248 days ago) @ BPH
edited by Jay, Monday, April 20, 2009, 15:37

corner in run support. He also is a very good corner. It's amazing to think he may actually have to sit.

Blanton isn't bad in run support either

by PaulM, Chicago, IL, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:58 (6248 days ago) @ Bingo

Walls needs to work on some of his angles; he got beat in the scrimmage because he came to far inside and Allen turned it into a footrace.

The play I remember that demonstrates Blanton's tackling ability is the play against Purdue where he beat a block and blew up a TE screen all on his own. He had a fantastic came against the Boilermakers.

He's like Shane Walton with more athletic ability

by BPH, San Diego, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 18:39 (6248 days ago) @ domer.mq

Considering that Walton was a first-team All-American as a senior, I think it's pretty certain that Blanton is headed for greatness.

which would make him Bobby Taylor

by JD in Portland @, Portland OR, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:21 (6248 days ago) @ BPH

Apparently Bobby Taylor was a jerk but he was a clearly superior talent. You could tell the moment the ball was hiked he was the elite athlete on the field.
We haven't had a guy like that in a long time.
Blanton showed flashes of it last year. If he really did step it up to that level this year, it would make a big difference. If on 3rd and 8, you know which side of field USC is going to throw to (to avoid Blanton), the field gets much smaller and the job on D much easier.

Toryan Smith played pretty well.

by PaulM, Chicago, IL, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 15:45 (6249 days ago) @ BPH

Especially on one play where he drove his blocker into the backfield to disrupt a running play. It was a good game for him, and alleviated some fears for me as to whether or not he can hold down the middle.

How'd he look?

by domer.mq ⌂ @, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 17:36 (6249 days ago) @ PaulM

And no, I don't want photo comparisons. I don't expect him to look like Michael Stratham, but does he look fit? Because there could be a lot of long, grinding series against ND's defense this year. Does he look like he could stay on the field?

--
Sometimes I rhyme slow sometimes I rhyme quick.

still digesting...

by Spesh ⌂ @, Los Angeles, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 15:35 (6249 days ago) @ BPH

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