Observations from the scrimmage
Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:57 pmSome of my thoughts:
- On the 45 yard attempts, trajectory over the line was too low from Loftus. He had good distance, but the kicks are too low.
- Jones is the starter at OLB. For now. I was impressed with Brown's physical play and leadership in warmups, but he was a little lost in coverage and didn't have the instincts. It will be interesting to see if Brown can get it to click scheme wise, because I think that is what keeps him out of the starting lineup.
- Pope looked very good at running back. It will be interesting to see what happens there. Linebackers don't return kickoffs, and Fields will have that role in the fall. At the same time, the two deep at linebacker looks great in the middle - Rogers and Reed followed by Bordano and Joyner. Athletes as a whole are great at linebacker; two years ago, the offense ate them up in 7 v 7 because they couldn't handle any receivers, this year it is much, much more difficult. I think it makes more sence for Pope to play LB in the middle and Fields to go to RB. But at the same time, I think we are more solid at middle linebacker than OLB.
- Whomever goes back to offense is going to give Line a run for his money. They have explosiveness that Line can't provide. It is going to be interesting to see if the coaches allow the conference leading rusher to get pushed.
- Corner - Crawford looks really good. I think Parks looks better than Acker, but Acker is on Robinson's side. I thought Robinson looked good there, definitely an upgrade from Parker, but not as good as Moore (who is). Acker though I think struggles to turn his hips on change of direction and gets crossed up. Good athlete, but had some chances to make plays and is just a step slow. We are better four deep than we have been in a while, and Gray isn't bad at number 5. With the corners coming in at the fall, we are going to be in great shape here for a while.
- Biggest impression of the day. LeRibeus is going to be all conference at Guard. Kelly Turner looks like a beast as well, and I like Collins mobility at RT. But LeRebeus looks awesome. They consistently pulled him to the tackle position to take on a speed rush, and he not only got there in time but dominated. For someone who was so woefully out of shape before, it is amazing the agility he has gotten back in a short period of time. They even had him pull from the LG position and block the speed rush outside the RT!!! That was amazing to watch. Granted, our DL is all hurt and stuff, but he absolutely dominated anyone he touched. His athleticism at that guard spot combined with his strength, you heard it here first - homeboy is going to get himself drafted.
- On the 45 yard attempts, trajectory over the line was too low from Loftus. He had good distance, but the kicks are too low.
- Jones is the starter at OLB. For now. I was impressed with Brown's physical play and leadership in warmups, but he was a little lost in coverage and didn't have the instincts. It will be interesting to see if Brown can get it to click scheme wise, because I think that is what keeps him out of the starting lineup.
- Pope looked very good at running back. It will be interesting to see what happens there. Linebackers don't return kickoffs, and Fields will have that role in the fall. At the same time, the two deep at linebacker looks great in the middle - Rogers and Reed followed by Bordano and Joyner. Athletes as a whole are great at linebacker; two years ago, the offense ate them up in 7 v 7 because they couldn't handle any receivers, this year it is much, much more difficult. I think it makes more sence for Pope to play LB in the middle and Fields to go to RB. But at the same time, I think we are more solid at middle linebacker than OLB.
- Whomever goes back to offense is going to give Line a run for his money. They have explosiveness that Line can't provide. It is going to be interesting to see if the coaches allow the conference leading rusher to get pushed.
- Corner - Crawford looks really good. I think Parks looks better than Acker, but Acker is on Robinson's side. I thought Robinson looked good there, definitely an upgrade from Parker, but not as good as Moore (who is). Acker though I think struggles to turn his hips on change of direction and gets crossed up. Good athlete, but had some chances to make plays and is just a step slow. We are better four deep than we have been in a while, and Gray isn't bad at number 5. With the corners coming in at the fall, we are going to be in great shape here for a while.
- Biggest impression of the day. LeRibeus is going to be all conference at Guard. Kelly Turner looks like a beast as well, and I like Collins mobility at RT. But LeRebeus looks awesome. They consistently pulled him to the tackle position to take on a speed rush, and he not only got there in time but dominated. For someone who was so woefully out of shape before, it is amazing the agility he has gotten back in a short period of time. They even had him pull from the LG position and block the speed rush outside the RT!!! That was amazing to watch. Granted, our DL is all hurt and stuff, but he absolutely dominated anyone he touched. His athleticism at that guard spot combined with his strength, you heard it here first - homeboy is going to get himself drafted.