Webb: Football Junkie's Spring Practice Breakdown

[CAARHawk]

Perhaps the biggest "disappointment" of the spring is that a hunk of our "depth" on the DL has been battling injuries. Namely, Bigach, Hopkins, and Gaglione haven't dressed for practice in a good long while. The missed time at camp definitely isn't going to help their cause ... or ours either, for that matter.

Homer, barring injury, how many of these three do you predict will end up being key contributors for the Hawks, considering the other guys we have on roster?

 

[JonDMiller]

Agree, this was too much of a fluff piece. Bring my expectations down.

Email me and I can get you a refund

I loved it.

 

[tm3308]

Perhaps the biggest "disappointment" of the spring is that a hunk of our "depth" on the DL has been battling injuries. Namely, Bigach, Hopkins, and Gaglione haven't dressed for practice in a good long while. The missed time at camp definitely isn't going to help their cause ... or ours either, for that matter.

Homer, barring injury, how many of these three do you predict will end up being key contributors for the Hawks, considering the other guys we have on roster?

Very few of them, if they played at all. But all it's going to take is an injury or two (I know you said "barring injury", but that's always a distinct possibility), and they would be needed. We need them to play some anyway, because in 2011, they WILL be key contributors.

 

[Husky28]

Thanks for the review of the spring "practice"! Very well written and a nice change of pace.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Perhaps the biggest "disappointment" of the spring is that a hunk of our "depth" on the DL has been battling injuries. Namely, Bigach, Hopkins, and Gaglione haven't dressed for practice in a good long while. The missed time at camp definitely isn't going to help their cause ... or ours either, for that matter.

Homer, barring injury, how many of these three do you predict will end up being key contributors for the Hawks, considering the other guys we have on roster?

CAARHawk -

I've been having an intriguing online discussion about a related matter with Marc Morehouse on his great blog.

He had stated that he believes that DT recruiting ought to be a priority of the 2011 recruiting class. I agree with him that it would be nice to have an "insurance policy" at DT ... however, I'm not certain that I'd go so far as to say that it is necessarily a priority.

As for the impact of particular guys ... I haven't heard too much legit buzz surrounding Gaglione ... so I'm not going to get him hopes up about him. If he develops into a solid player for us ... then it will simply be a bonus. I don't know what to expect about Hopkins ... however, from what I've read about him, it seems like he has a really nice motor. Furthermore, since Hopkins played the MIKE LB spot in high school ... he's already kind of used to working in traffic ... my guess is that he needs to work more on the faster speed of play at DT (and of D1 ball) and the physical challenges of scrapping on the interior DL. As for Bigach ... I've heard the most positive stuff come out about him.

Thus, I anticipate that Bigach would be the most likely to be a good contributer as a back-up in 2010. And, as another poster highlighted ... the reason why that is so important is because then he could be a top viable candidate for a starting gig in 2011.

 

[Bucketochicken]

Homer, I think Gaglione has been injured. Thus the lack of buzz. I might be thinking of someone else though.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Homer, I think Gaglione has been injured. Thus the lack of buzz. I might be thinking of someone else though.

Bucket -

Yes, he's been injured for roughly a year ... but through his TR FR season (when he redshirted), I've heard from folks out of Ohio that while his physical development has been impressive, he was having some difficulty transitioning to DL play. He had played LB in high school and the transition to the DL has probably been more difficult than many had anticipated.

However, that said, that doesn't mean that he won't persevere and end up developing into a fine D-lineman for us. It just means that he's not one of the young guys who is out of the gate really fast. That's fine ... Iowa is a developmental program anyhow.

 

[SLarew]

The fact Gaglione, Hopkins and Bigach havent been practicing is not a big concern, barring injuries, for this Fall. The concern is the lack of reps and development will be a factor in 2011 when they are needed. The development process is progressive over a long time and you dont get better if you are not practicing.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

The fact Gaglione, Hopkins and Bigach havent been practicing is not a big concern, barring injuries, for this Fall. The concern is the lack of reps and development will be a factor in 2011 when they are needed. The development process is progressive over a long time and you dont get better if you are not practicing.

LOL! I already broke down our depth issues for the DL in 2010 over a year ago! Of course I'm already worrying about depth in 2011!!

Seriously though, thanks for clarifying that to others. My post concerning Gaglione, Hopkins, and Bigach was expressly directed in terms of my worries about our depth in 2011 ... just as you picked up upon.

 

[trj]

I'm very happy to see that Lowe is lying down and just giving away his position on the depth chart to Bernstine. Lowe owns 2 more career starts under his belt than Bernstine has ... and that likely has fed his confidence.

I definitely hope for the best for Bernstine ... however, I'm not going to cry if having a VERY high level of competition is what ends up costing him playing time ... then so be it if it makes the Hawks a better squad.

I agree with what you are saying........but Bernstine sure looks the part, the prototype. 6'2 195 lbs, fluid, long strides. Built like Cromartie of the Jets. If he is the 4th best CB, then he is the 4th best CB and will be regulated to nickel coverage and special teams.