Scrimmage observations
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2002 12:46 amFrom my seat in the rain, here's what I saw.
- We all held our collective breath when Kelan Luker went down after getting hit by a pass rusher, the defensive player's chest crashing straight into the top of Luker's head. Bennett has been quoted as saying Luker will be OK, thank goodness, although he was seen after the game wearing a cervical collar. Presumably that was merely a precautionary move.
- Luker, Richard Bartel and Tate Wallis each had several chances running the offense. Luker, statistically, was by far the most effective. Bartel still looks the best — he's extremely tall and showed the arm strength that got him drafted by the Reds. Wallis seemed easily the most comfortable and effective when the play called for the quarterback to run, or if the play broke down and he had to run on his own decision. On runs toward the sideline, Wallis seemed the most adept at spotting a gap in the pursuing defense, and turning the ball upfield for positive yardage. Bartel also showed much better mobility than I expected.
- The offensive line looked good and bad. At offensive tackle, we are set, barring injury. Judson Davis and Sterling Harris -- yes, Sterling Harris -- looked great. Each showed the ability to power into his man on inside running plays and drive the guy back 5, 8, 10 yards. Each also showed the ability on sweeps to turn to the inside and seal off his man to allow the running back to get around him and turn upfield. On running plays, they were overwhelming. And of pass plays, they were strong as well. Sterling still isn't as quick as some of us would like, but considering where he's been the last couple of years quickness-wise, he looked fast - like a Jonathan Ogden, Chris Samuels, Orlando Pace. Not that he's as good as they are. I'm just saying his footwork and fitness level are by far the best they've been since he got to SMU. Judson looked just as comfortable pass-blocking as he did blocking for the run. He is the anchor to the offensive line.
The interior of the offensive line is a concern. Brad Kieschnick looked terrific at left guard. He needs to add another 20 pounds, perhaps, but he looked extremely strong for a player so young (he's going to be a redshirt freshman in the fall) and seemed willing to stand his ground with anyone. Thornton Chandler, at right guard, also looked pretty good (although he did seem to be limping after a few plays - anyone know what's bothering him?) Steve Reindl was somewhat invisible at center. Which is not a good thing. When the defensive line got into the backfield, the pressure often came up the middle of the line, between the center and one of the guards. He has to be able to read the defensive assignments and call out assignments to his linemates accordingly. Not sure if that's where the weak link lies, but that's what it looked like.
Offensive line depth is a concern. On the second team, Townsend Hargis was extremely solid. Tommy Miller, at times, threw his man aside like he wasn't there. But he appeared inconsistent - he'd overpower his man on one play, then disappear for a few plays. That needs to change. Eric Neal looked OK, but still needs to be stronger, as does Scott Dale.
- The running game looked .... tentative. ShanDerrick Charles and Keylon Kincade showed decent bursts of speed, but neither broke away from the defense. Kris Briggs looked good at fullback, taking on all blocks and exploding through a few of them. Diminutive Keith Williams did a workmanlike job in the final minutes, working with a backup offensive line and getting repeatedly pounded by the defense.
- The receivers looked better than average. Chris Cunningham had one slip through his hands at the beginning of the scrimmage (before the rain started) and another at the end. In the meantime, he caught four passes for 113 yards, including one long "out" pattern on which he adjusted to an underthrown ball, came back to make the catch and raced downfield before being caught from behind by Jonas Rutledge. Jay Taylor looked like the receiver we all expected when he signed last year, taking full advantage of his size to fight off smaller DBs and make receptions.
- Defensively, Jonas Rutledge was the star again, picking off a Luker pass and running it back 97 yards. He's not the fastest guy on the team, but just like last year as the team's best kick returner, he showed the inate ability to make the other team miss, eluding seven (by my count) would-be tacklers. Kevin Garrett had one interception, which he shouldn't have tried to run out of the end zone, and had another apparent interception nullified when he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds while making the catch. From the stands, it looked like he had plenty of room to make the catch and get one or both feet down - a lack of concentration on KG's part. As far as the rest of the secondary, Rico Harris and Alvin Nnabuife were stellar in run support; Rico nearly planted Kincade (I think - might have been ShanDerrick) with one hit at the line of scrimmage. Billy Jack Williams, normally a linebacker, played some plays in what looked like the "Rover" position that Nebraska (and Kansas State) use - basically an extra safety crowding the line of scrimmage to add to the run support. He was flying from the opening play to the last, making several solo tackles and assisting on many more.
- The inside linebackers, particularly Vic Viloria and D.D. Johnson (1 fumble recovery), were exceptional. They were able to run free to the ball and make plays all day. The outside linebackers were not bad, but not nearly as impressive as their interior counterparts.
- The defensive line looked good. The three primary defensive tackles -- Lute Croy, Warrie Birdwell and Allan Adami, more than held their own. They repeatedly occupied blockers to allow the linebackers running lanes to make plays, and they also were somewhat effective collapsing the pocket. Adami, in particular, found himself in the offensive backfield on more than one occasion, and also recovered a fumble.
The defendive ends were led by Melvin Williams, who was all over the place. He had a pair of sacks and recovered a fumble, and seemed to have taken up residence in the offensive backfield. He had the three-headed QB of Luker/Bartel/Wallis running for its collective life for much of the scrimmage. A really pleasant surprise on the other end of the line was Clay Glockzin, the College Station native who will be a sophomore in the fall. Once thought to have seen the end of his playing days because of injury, Glockzin was in on numerous tackles, fought off the blocks of much bigger players and held his own against the run and the pass. He might not be big enough to start yet, but he clearly has worked extremely hard to come back from the injuries he's had (was it a shoulder?) and looked really good.
- Special teams: Chris MacMurtray was sensational. 6-for-6 on the afternoon, drilling both field-goal attempts and all four extra points. When's the last time one of our kickers had a line like that?
- We all held our collective breath when Kelan Luker went down after getting hit by a pass rusher, the defensive player's chest crashing straight into the top of Luker's head. Bennett has been quoted as saying Luker will be OK, thank goodness, although he was seen after the game wearing a cervical collar. Presumably that was merely a precautionary move.
- Luker, Richard Bartel and Tate Wallis each had several chances running the offense. Luker, statistically, was by far the most effective. Bartel still looks the best — he's extremely tall and showed the arm strength that got him drafted by the Reds. Wallis seemed easily the most comfortable and effective when the play called for the quarterback to run, or if the play broke down and he had to run on his own decision. On runs toward the sideline, Wallis seemed the most adept at spotting a gap in the pursuing defense, and turning the ball upfield for positive yardage. Bartel also showed much better mobility than I expected.
- The offensive line looked good and bad. At offensive tackle, we are set, barring injury. Judson Davis and Sterling Harris -- yes, Sterling Harris -- looked great. Each showed the ability to power into his man on inside running plays and drive the guy back 5, 8, 10 yards. Each also showed the ability on sweeps to turn to the inside and seal off his man to allow the running back to get around him and turn upfield. On running plays, they were overwhelming. And of pass plays, they were strong as well. Sterling still isn't as quick as some of us would like, but considering where he's been the last couple of years quickness-wise, he looked fast - like a Jonathan Ogden, Chris Samuels, Orlando Pace. Not that he's as good as they are. I'm just saying his footwork and fitness level are by far the best they've been since he got to SMU. Judson looked just as comfortable pass-blocking as he did blocking for the run. He is the anchor to the offensive line.
The interior of the offensive line is a concern. Brad Kieschnick looked terrific at left guard. He needs to add another 20 pounds, perhaps, but he looked extremely strong for a player so young (he's going to be a redshirt freshman in the fall) and seemed willing to stand his ground with anyone. Thornton Chandler, at right guard, also looked pretty good (although he did seem to be limping after a few plays - anyone know what's bothering him?) Steve Reindl was somewhat invisible at center. Which is not a good thing. When the defensive line got into the backfield, the pressure often came up the middle of the line, between the center and one of the guards. He has to be able to read the defensive assignments and call out assignments to his linemates accordingly. Not sure if that's where the weak link lies, but that's what it looked like.
Offensive line depth is a concern. On the second team, Townsend Hargis was extremely solid. Tommy Miller, at times, threw his man aside like he wasn't there. But he appeared inconsistent - he'd overpower his man on one play, then disappear for a few plays. That needs to change. Eric Neal looked OK, but still needs to be stronger, as does Scott Dale.
- The running game looked .... tentative. ShanDerrick Charles and Keylon Kincade showed decent bursts of speed, but neither broke away from the defense. Kris Briggs looked good at fullback, taking on all blocks and exploding through a few of them. Diminutive Keith Williams did a workmanlike job in the final minutes, working with a backup offensive line and getting repeatedly pounded by the defense.
- The receivers looked better than average. Chris Cunningham had one slip through his hands at the beginning of the scrimmage (before the rain started) and another at the end. In the meantime, he caught four passes for 113 yards, including one long "out" pattern on which he adjusted to an underthrown ball, came back to make the catch and raced downfield before being caught from behind by Jonas Rutledge. Jay Taylor looked like the receiver we all expected when he signed last year, taking full advantage of his size to fight off smaller DBs and make receptions.
- Defensively, Jonas Rutledge was the star again, picking off a Luker pass and running it back 97 yards. He's not the fastest guy on the team, but just like last year as the team's best kick returner, he showed the inate ability to make the other team miss, eluding seven (by my count) would-be tacklers. Kevin Garrett had one interception, which he shouldn't have tried to run out of the end zone, and had another apparent interception nullified when he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds while making the catch. From the stands, it looked like he had plenty of room to make the catch and get one or both feet down - a lack of concentration on KG's part. As far as the rest of the secondary, Rico Harris and Alvin Nnabuife were stellar in run support; Rico nearly planted Kincade (I think - might have been ShanDerrick) with one hit at the line of scrimmage. Billy Jack Williams, normally a linebacker, played some plays in what looked like the "Rover" position that Nebraska (and Kansas State) use - basically an extra safety crowding the line of scrimmage to add to the run support. He was flying from the opening play to the last, making several solo tackles and assisting on many more.
- The inside linebackers, particularly Vic Viloria and D.D. Johnson (1 fumble recovery), were exceptional. They were able to run free to the ball and make plays all day. The outside linebackers were not bad, but not nearly as impressive as their interior counterparts.
- The defensive line looked good. The three primary defensive tackles -- Lute Croy, Warrie Birdwell and Allan Adami, more than held their own. They repeatedly occupied blockers to allow the linebackers running lanes to make plays, and they also were somewhat effective collapsing the pocket. Adami, in particular, found himself in the offensive backfield on more than one occasion, and also recovered a fumble.
The defendive ends were led by Melvin Williams, who was all over the place. He had a pair of sacks and recovered a fumble, and seemed to have taken up residence in the offensive backfield. He had the three-headed QB of Luker/Bartel/Wallis running for its collective life for much of the scrimmage. A really pleasant surprise on the other end of the line was Clay Glockzin, the College Station native who will be a sophomore in the fall. Once thought to have seen the end of his playing days because of injury, Glockzin was in on numerous tackles, fought off the blocks of much bigger players and held his own against the run and the pass. He might not be big enough to start yet, but he clearly has worked extremely hard to come back from the injuries he's had (was it a shoulder?) and looked really good.
- Special teams: Chris MacMurtray was sensational. 6-for-6 on the afternoon, drilling both field-goal attempts and all four extra points. When's the last time one of our kickers had a line like that?