Observations from the scrimmage

[JasonB]

Some 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.

[davidpaul123]

Thanks from those of us that couldn't be there.

[westexSMU]

How about the QBs and WRs ?

[westexSMU]

Congrats Al ! Now go show off your abilities and SPEED.

[JasonB]

How about the QBs and WRs ?

A little hard to judge. So many injuries in the WR core that there were a lot of players out there that won't see time in the fall. But I will make a couple of points:

- There were 5 QBs out there that could actually throw the ball decently. Haven't seen that in a while.
- I bet you Kaiser gets a medical for last year and redshirts this year. Conner will be number 3.
- I kept waiting for Thompson to make a play... and it never came. Running routes on a short field didn't show Al's speed, but he was always able to make a play. I think it is really important for this team to have Wilkerson come back and play opposite Holman. Granted, the coaching staff must not be scared, otherwise they wouldn't have moved Haynes inside. But I just didn't see much.

[RE Tycoon]

How about the QBs and WRs ?

- I kept waiting for Thompson to make a play... and it never came. Running routes on a short field didn't show Al's speed, but he was always able to make a play. I think it is really important for this team to have Wilkerson come back and play opposite Holman. Granted, the coaching staff must not be scared, otherwise they wouldn't have moved Haynes inside. But I just didn't see much.

Jeremy Johnson looked legit and with the same body type and number as Sanders, gave me flashbacks when he would make a catch. He looks taller than Sanders, so that's good. JJ made some good to great catches and he looks so much more comfortable and natural this year. Last Summer I remember him looking hesitant and unsure of himself, that is no longer the case.

I did see ES at the practice in a walking boot.

[westexSMU]

A pay site says a DT Gareth Riley-Ayers had "overpowered OL Ashton Duhe and had a Knockdown." This kid shows some talent in his You Tube 2009 High School video, but was only 5'11" then. I assume that this guy is a walk on ?

[Stallion]

NCAA rules won't allow Kaiser to take a medical redshirt and then take a redshirt this year. The way it works is that you have to take a redshirt and then in the semester before what would be your 5th or perhaps 6th year(if he had taken redshirt year) Kaiser could petition the NCAA for a extra medical redshirt year of eligibility.

[ponyscott]

A pay site says a DT Gareth Riley-Ayers had "overpowered OL Ashton Duhe and had a Knockdown." This kid shows some talent in his You Tube 2009 High School video, but was only 5'11" then. I assume that this guy is a walk on ?

Ayers was all over the place yesterday and was feisty with several altercations with OL. He is listed at 5'11 and 250...no way he is only 250...he is big and strong....

[mavsrage311]

NCAA rules won't allow Kaiser to take a medical redshirt and then take a redshirt this year. The way it works is that you have to take a redshirt and then in the semester before what would be your 5th or perhaps 6th year(if he had taken redshirt year) Kaiser could petition the NCAA for a extra medical redshirt year of eligibility.

Correct Stallion, you beat me to it

[MiracleOnMockingbird]

Jeremy Johnson looked legit and with the same body type and number as Sanders, gave me flashbacks when he would make a catch. He looks taller than Sanders, so that's good. JJ made some good to great catches and he looks so much more comfortable and natural this year. Last Summer I remember him looking hesitant and unsure of himself, that is no longer the case.

Jeremy Johnson looked like the best athlete on the field. I predict the coaches find a way to get him into the starting lineup.

[RGV Pony]

So the starting OL...Beachum, LeRiebus, Tennison, Turner and Brooks?

[smudubs]

[quote="JasonB"]
- 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. {quote]

Jones is a good kid and I wish him well. He is in one of my wife's classes and I have had an opportunity to speak with him a couple of times. He seems to get it and is extremely excited about cracking the starting lineup. FWIW, he is equally excited about hearing that his name has been mentioned on PF.

[JasonB]

A pay site says a DT Gareth Riley-Ayers had "overpowered OL Ashton Duhe and had a Knockdown." This kid shows some talent in his You Tube 2009 High School video, but was only 5'11" then. I assume that this guy is a walk on ?

Ayers was all over the place yesterday and was feisty with several altercations with OL. He is listed at 5'11 and 250...no way he is only 250...he is big and strong....

I agree, he looks much bigger than that. I liked his play yesterday as well.

[JasonB]

So the starting OL...Beachum, LeRiebus, Tennison, Turner and Brooks?

Tennison and McJunkin still seem to be fighting it out for the starting center spot. No bad snaps yesterday.

Collins played at RT, but I think JT is hurt? Collins looked good, though.