Spring Game Observations
- Thread starter burky247
- Start date
PatrickAdamovicz
Well-Known Member
Thanks a bunch Gamefilm. You hit on all the key area's and gave great info on each. I think Keenan makes the leap this year.
I didn't have my eyes on the backs too often, but I did see some decent catches from both White and Johnson out in the flats. Johnson had a few sharp cutback runs I noticed also. He moved laterally pretty well and he has a nice natural low pad level being 5'8 or so. He looks like he'll be able to contribute next fall.
dmShortSaledude
Well-Known Member
If Derby is our #2, then Ruddock better plan on NOT redshirting...
Would like to hear more about the linebackers.
That is a bummer about Mullings. Hopefully he can work on that release. Punting is HUGE in a Ferentz game strategy.
The quality at the DB positions is comforting for sure.
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tm3308
Well-Known Member
Your opinion on Derby is based upon what you saw today? Or just what you saw last year and in his high school career/what you've heard about the aforementioned?
All I have is what I saw before today. I didn't get to see the practice today, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he's really improved that much. Part of me hopes he hasn't, simply because he could end up as a tweener: too good at QB to move to linebacker, but not better than Rudock.
MidnightBlueSix
Well-Known Member
I think yesterday should have put a permanent end to the speculation on Derby changing positions. Not only did he perform better than Wienke in the scrimmage, he also didn't look like a guy who was viable at other positions anymore. He looks leaner than when he arrived, so for him to switch to LB or whatever would require a solid year of putting on bulk before he's physically ready.
Sincerely, though, he looked like a good RS FR QB. Seemed to be hesitant to test the deep ball, but his footwork and mechanics are vastly improved from last year. He made most of the short and intermediate passes and just looked more natural than Wienke in the pocket. Rudock will redshirt and we'll be fine with Derby as the #2.
I'm under the impression that Rudock will be a better QB than Derby. But with the comments about how far Derby has come in one year I am under the belief that we all need to completely understand that Ferentz and staff are some of the best developers of talent in the country (check number of draftees and nflers). So the fact that they have developed Derby into a more polished QB shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us. I will say that QB has been one of the positions where the staff hasn't seemed to have the golden touch but lately I think that has been done better. Stanzi didn't look like a possible draft pick when he first got on campus. Can't wait to see how Rudock competes with these guys.
Thanks for the great posts above. I wasn't able to make it to the game, but did watch the stream on bigten network.
I agree with the posts that Keenan Davis looked very impressive and showed strong hands in catching the ball in traffic and adjusting to the wind. I felt Staggs looked good as well. He is not a burner, but has great hands and uses his frame well to create space. Shumpert and KMM looked to be open, but dropped several balls and didn't catch the ball away from their bodies.
The coaches called some interesting swing passes to the backs and even for CJ Fed. It will be interesting to see if the passing game is more varied this year without as many threats at WR as we've had the past few years. I thought all of the tight ends blocked well and looked good running after the catch.
It was hard for me to assess the linebackers and D-line due to fairly predictable running plays and the coaches setting up certain down and distance situations that made the calls predictable.
I agree with the posts that Keenan Davis looked very impressive and showed strong hands in catching the ball in traffic and adjusting to the wind. I felt Staggs looked good as well. He is not a burner, but has great hands and uses his frame well to create space. Shumpert and KMM looked to be open, but dropped several balls and didn't catch the ball away from their bodies.
The coaches called some interesting swing passes to the backs and even for CJ Fed. It will be interesting to see if the passing game is more varied this year without as many threats at WR as we've had the past few years. I thought all of the tight ends blocked well and looked good running after the catch.
It was hard for me to assess the linebackers and D-line due to fairly predictable running plays and the coaches setting up certain down and distance situations that made the calls predictable.
MidnightBlueSix
Well-Known Member
I'm not so sure we have less weapons at WR than last year. Last year we had McNutt, DJK, and Sandeman with KD as an occasional option. Now we have McNutt, KD, and if yesterday means anything Staggs will take over the Sandeman role. That leaves us just one guy short and I have to believe KMM is good for one catch per game, which is about what we asked of KD last year.
