Tuesday August 16, 2005 Practice Report: Offense
Most of today was instructional. The coaches are playing alot of different players in their
scrimmaging so they can take close looks at several players who have an opportunity to step up. It is quite obvious that this team has tremendous opportunities for someone to step up on the DL, OL, and perhaps RB. While it was obvious there is loads of talent, we have a bunch of guys who haven't gotten game reps. The coaches are really focusing on finding the guys who have passion and a dogged determination to step up. Rock had a motivational speech after practice to the players basically spelling out what he is after, what is needed, and if you don't have that type of passion, etc., then you are on the wrong football team and wrong conference. Hell the speech even fired me up. At any rate, here is my report.
Freshmen: This group on a whole were exhausted. You got this feeling watching the running at the end of practice. The transition from high school tenacity to the NU level is a transition that the freshmen are learning at Kenosha. These guys have put in a lot of hard work though and look up to the challenge. Still there were two from this group who "stood out" in their conditioning, Wooten and Smith who both finished first in their running exercises. When Wooten won, players from other groups were chanting "Woo Woo".
QB:
Bazmanien:
The Bazmanien is the best QB in the big10. Even though I felt that the Bazmanien was one of the most improved players last year, I got to say he is again this year. I couldn't believe it...his throws and how big he is.
Although most of you knew he was playing with shoulder pain last year, there doesn't appear to be any shoulder problem now. For the first time ever, I saw him throwing strong passes downfield in the different drills. He looks like John Elway out there and seems to go about 220lbs. Wow is all I can say between the difference when he was a 185lb freshman and today. He didn't run much today so I haven't a clue as to his running capabilities this year. My gut feeling is that he will be a better runner though.
CJ: Solid number 2. Speaking of most improved....CJ is it. A solid number 2 and FWIW, WAY ahead of the incoming 3 QB's at this point.
Kafka, Petermen, Brewer: All look talented in their own way but need work. I'm really looking through a dark glass here because I just haven't seen the certain strengths of each of these QB's. It seems like neither of the 3 is of the same style. IMO, I now say all 3 of these guys are redshirted. Especially since we are loaded at WR, DB, LB. I mean, it seems our talent levels at WR and DB would prohibit them from getting playing time this year.
RB:
Roberson: Just flat out solid and quick. It is very apparent that Roberson has worked his ass off. There is no question who our number 1 TB is up to this point.
Sutton: Short dude but his legs look like tree trunks. Wow! He just seems to get behind his blockers at the LOS and slips, bounces, etc. Very barry sanderslike and fun to watch play. After watching practice I gotta say it is very clear to me that he plays this year. Might not start but no doubt about it....he won't redshirt.
Conteh: After watching today's practice I realize Conteh plays this year also. Good runner but he also gives us something Sutton nor Roberson gives us....a blocker. Not busting on Roberson or Sutton but after watching the protection drills it became apparent that only Conteh could really slow down or stop an opposing backer. Both Roberson and Sutton need more work on blocking. Thos backers were on that QB dummy quick. I will be very concerned if Roberson or Sutton didn't go on a pass route and instead would have to block. In short they both got to get better here. At any rate, IMO, no way Conteh shirts.
TE/FB.
I am unclear as to the role of the TE/FB this year but FWIW.
Cobb: Had an outstanding practice. OK, I thought he couldn't catch too good, he proved me wrong today. Caught 2 nice grabs, one for a TD in traffic.
Mansfield: There is no doubt that Manny is our purest TE on the team, however, in this system I don't know where that leaves him. He had a nice grab today and I think he sees action at TE this year but how much?
Malleo/Abernathy: Two solid dudes who both will play this year. I am not sure how many times we see a fullback on the field but it remains to be seen if we cultivate this positioin and the TE position into something more. It did appear that we either had a TE or FB in on most plays today.
OL:
First team today was Crum, Thiry, Tripodi, Rucks, Strief.
Center position: Coaches were really hard on the centers today. They need someone to step up bad here. We have good talent, now someone needs to step up. Crum appeared to be limping. Keenan twisted his ankle. More on this in the injury report. Strief isn't getting much work since he is an eschalon above the DL he is working against.
Overall, this group may be the hardest working unit as evident today. That will mean good things.
WR: Solid group. Two things to expect. Lane will play. He needs to put on some weight but he will play as he runs pretty decent routes and appears to be one of our fastest. And the other thing was a walkon named Mitchell got some game. He won't play this year but he looks pretty good. Thompson is there this year folks. Where is Ferguson? I think he is no longer on the team as I didn't see him at all.