Posted By: Ma'ake
Date: Saturday, 13 April 2002, at 2:19 p.m.
There were approximately 200-250 spectators there today. Chris Hill needs to put FB practice field parking expansion on his list of projects. :-) I was a little bit late today, and I paid the price. There was basically no open spots in the middle of the fence on the little hill east of the field, and in some places people were standing two deep. Needless to say, all the good places to lean on the fence were long gone....
I thought the D looked very solid, with no dramatic drop in performance whether it was the 1st unit, 2nd unit or 3rd unit (or quite frequently a mixture, ie 1st group DBs with 2nd unit DL & LBs)
Running up the middle is simply not easy on this defense. The coverage was good, overall, IMO, with one noticable blown coverage by Steve Smith FS #28. He had a talk with Bill Busch about that play...
There is a nice battle going on between Ray Holdcraft #8 LB and Zach Tune #13 LB for the MLB position. Either one will be a solid player on the field.
The really cool thing about moving Arnold Parker to CB is that it only serves to motivate the other CBs. It's not like there is a depth problem there, just a question of how to keep the very best talent on the field, regardless of the role they play. Bo Nagahi & D'Shaun Crockett are both easily capable of being "every down" CBs, along with Cody Weight #3, who had a nice pick while covering Devin Houston on a long sideline route. Antonio Young #2 will get some PT, and when Shayne Scruggs & Shaun Harper show up, we'll just have more depth.
Parker & Antwoine Sanders will both be playing on Sundays, IMO, with the only question being after this season or the next.
Sione Pouha was wearing #40 today, having worn #60 last year, and #95 earlier this spring. He says it is because the #95 jersey ripped, and he'll be wearing #90 in the fall. Similarly, Lewis Powell DT is now wearing #27, where he wore #67 last year. There's something about a DT wearing #27 that just doesn't quite seem kosher.
Morgan Scalley #25 RB is looking more & more comfortable with his position change. He's got a nice burst, ala Peroulis, and has a nice cut back move, and has no problem taking some punishment. Peroulis #2 RB only played a few plays, after having been dinged on Thursday. The fact that he even suited up shows that kid is a warrior. Marty looked pretty quick & evasive on his couple of reps, and Edwin Benton #34 looked good, too.
Steven Savoy #15 WR is getting better & better, from practice to practice, today snagging a couple of middle route passes & showing good instints in getting maximum yardage before an inevitable tackle.
The QBs all looked pretty good - I would grade them as a group with a "B." No one made any horrendous mistakes, some passes were missed (as one might expect when you mix in game-like pressure), but some plays were made. Breska looked good, Rice looked solid (except for a nice play by Cody Weight for an Int) and Elliott is looking better, seems to be making better plays under pressure. When Brett throws the ball downfield, it looks like he's throwing a dart, with good accuracy.
Overall, I'm liking the progression of the QBs, especially when you consider they're going against a pretty respectable defense. All three seem to be beyond the "thinking" stage, and seemed to have internalized the offense to the point where they're making plays based on instinct. I expect the QBs to continue improving, with accuracy under pressure being a primary area of continued improvement.
I'm retiring my cheap Oregon "O" T-shirt as a wardrobe item to wear to practice. I like the Ducks, and I especially like where they've taken their program in the last 8 years. I think Utah has similar potential to rise above where they've been historically to get to the next level.
Bill Hall first noticed the shirt and said "how come you're wearing *that* shirt"? Coming from Bill Hall, fashion genius, that was a cold shot.
Then D'Shaun Crockett started laughing at me when he was walking off the field, saying "someone's wearing the wrong shirt". I've never talked to D'Shaun. Not a good way to kick off a conversation. (I didn't even try to...)
The final blow was Chris Kemoeatu #68 LG, who told me, bluntly, "you're wearing the wrong shirt". Uhhh.... yes, sir.
No offense to Bill & D'Shaun, but Chris is a very large man, who gets into skirmishes in practice with regularity. In my opinion he's pretty persuasive.
In each case I tried to explain that Oregon's program is on a level where I think Utah could be headed, but I received zero support for my rationalization. After some thought, I think that's good. This team has a pride, has a quiet confidence & identity that is very solid. There is no esteem issues whatsoever with this group (either lack of, or excessive amounts of) but instead a good natured, positive, cohesive approach to getting better.
My observations......
Posted By: Jimmy
Chitwood (aka UBlender)
Date: Saturday, 13 April 2002, at 3:12 p.m.
In Response To: FOOTBALL: Scrimmage Saturday... (Ma'ake)
The Ute faithful in attendance were encouraging (and encouraged). There seemed to be about as many today as there were at last year's final spring scrimmage or, as ColoUte noted, the South Florida game. There were enough of us leaning on that fence that I thought it was going to give out and send us all tumbling. Anyway, it was a perfect day to do one of my favorite things.
: D - not missing a beat
This is true. These guys are just sick with how active and athletic they are. I don't know how many times Scalley or Benton appeared to have a corner or a crease and it closed just like that. They all run to the ball well to finish off the play. It's hard to comment on individual performances as almost nobody in the front seven was wearing the right number. But Savage was hitting hard, Tune and Holdcraft were both all over the place and the entire d-line refused to be pushed off the ball.
It was a little bit easier to observe the secondary. Sanders was himself, flying all over the place. Crockett (who IMO was the weakest--errr, least strong link in last year's defense) looked much better. Parker didn't have the chance to make plays at his corner because the QB didn't even look to throw his way. If he stays at corner he will eliminate his half of the field, he's a star wherever he plays. And Revill is an absolute stud. The guy just sells out on every play, he loves to hit. As for the second unit, Nagahi and Weight looked good, Steve Smith is struggling a bit, though. Weight actually had two picks, the other one being a hitch he jumped when Breska telegraphed the throw.
This defense looked great and let's not forget that they're missing their two best players as well as some hyped newcomers.
Offense--
Breska seemed to get the most reps for some reason. Based on what I saw today I can't blame Mac for putting Rice ahead of Breska. Ryan looked great on a couple of passes, but his arm may be a little too strong as he wings that ball all over the field. He had some ugly problems with his accuracy today as he was throwing behind receivers, over receivers, etc. He also had some pretty iffy reads and boy, is he slow. But, at the same time, he had some very pretty plays, he's just a model of inconsistency. Elliott and Rice got about equal reps....
At running back, Marty didn't play a whole lot, probably because he's a proven commodity, though the first play was a pass to him out of the backfield where he made a diving catch out of bounds. It was incomplete and there was a penalty but he showed incredible athleticism to break free from Jeremy Lyman's hold and make the play. Peroulis was also pretty limited today. Scalley looks solid and adds a dimension with his quickness back there. The only issue for him is whether or not his chronic migraines will stand the pounding that a running back takes. Benton also looks good and Sirstins looks decent. Warfield should redshirt barring injury, IMO.
At receiver, Savoy looked very good today. Paris Jackson is looking big and tough and Houston had some impressive routes, but neither got too many reps. Quincy Watkins is really fast as well but his hands may keep him as nothing more than a punt-block specialist. Arceneaux also had the dropsies today as he dropped a nice ball from Rice on a deep post that would have been six. Nobody else really stood out.
My biggest concern on offense would be the o-line because they didn't really blow people off the ball in the run game like they did last year, but let's not forget that they're going up against a great defense, so it's hard to really gauge. Size is not an issue as the first five are all every bit as massive as last year. The second unit wasn't too inspiring but they'll get some added depth in the fall.
The two kids that kicked field goals looked decent, they wouldn't be a real drop off from Kaneshiro, but Ford Hall isn't here yet....
It was fun. All of the locals on this board need to get out and enjoy these practices.
Go Utes!!!!!!!!!!
FOOTBALL: My take on practice....
Posted By: S.
Gil
Date: Saturday, 13 April 2002, at 8:32 p.m.
This is the first time I've had a chance to visit practice. I came away pleasently suprised by what I saw (with a few exceptions).
For starters I think that we need to slow the talk of "Warfield redshirting", "Parker at CB", and "Scalley at RB".
Spring is for experimenting!!! Let me remind you of failed spring experiments of J. Kaufusi playing Stud LB, Ma'ake playing DE, etc last year. In my opinion it would be a grave mistake to put Parker at CB and I don't think we'll see it unless were in the Nickel Defense. Scruggs, Weight and others will push Arnold back to where he belongs. Scalley looks very good to me a RB (similar in style to Mahe at BYU). Of course ours is a completly different style Offense then BYU, hence I doubt we'll see Scalley at RB (3rd down situations maybe). Can Scalley pick up a blitz? Hasn't shown it yet. With Johnsen, Purulos, and Warfield there is no room in the inn for Scalley. Lets agree to at least see Warfield before we redshirt him.
After watching the qb's play today, I (a supporter of the incumbant) am beginning to stray. Elliott was very solid or was it that Rice and Breska justed sucked? I'd love to see someone take this thing and run with it.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong...
FOOTBALL: I don't have a lot to add but here are a few of my scrimmage observations......
Posted By: ColoUte
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 9:36 a.m.
First of all, I want to thank Dr. Hill, Coach Mac, etc. for opening up practices this spring. I think this is a key marketing effort in terms of allowing the fans to get a stronger connection to the team. It's the formation of a personal connection with the team, players, etc. which will form a much more loyal following. I think it's what is needed to make Ute football more of a priority in the minds of the fans. Hopefully, if this connection is strong enough, people will stop choosing a deer hunt over a Ute game or will stop whining about having a weak home schedule because they're not coming to watch the opposition.
OK, off my soap-box. I must say, however, that opening spring practice up to the public could be counter-productive. Let's just say, for an example, that Brett Elliot continues his stellar scrimmage play, and sporadic practice play. If Rice remains the starter, Mac will have lost the faith of the fans in attendance - which, for the most part, are his biggest fans. It'll then only take one loss where Rice has a bad - or even mediocre - game, and Mac will have lost a good chuck of his most loyal fan base.
Of course, judging by some of the posts of people who haven't been attending practice and who haven't seen the QB competition day in and day out, the scenario I played out above would have happened anyway.
Actually, I was disappointed in the way Elliot was utilized on Saturday. Rice came in for two series, and went three and out, and threw a pick that was returned for a TD. Then, Breska came in and went three and out twice. Then Rice came back in and went 3 and out. In the first 5 series, no one picked up a first down (not counting penalties). Then, Elliot comes in, and picks up a first down on a nice slant to Savoy. Ver Steeg immediately replaces him with Breska - who promptly goes 3 and out.
Later in the red-zone drills, Rice was doing nothing. Breska had a nice little TD to JD Jorgensen. Rice went 3 and out again, and Elliot came in. Elliot picks up a first down, and Ver Steeg puts Rice back in. Rice goes 3 and out and the FG unit was brought in. In fairness to Rice, on the next series, he had a TD on a nice catch and run by Rob Gueck.
The other thing I liked about Elliot was his scrambling ability. As Chitwood pointed out to me, "How many times last year when the pocket collapsed did Rice pick up positive yardage? Elliot's done it 3 times." Now, the pocket didn't really collapse that much last year, so it's not like Rice had a ton of opportunities, but there's something to be said for that.
Basically, from what I saw, Elliot moved the team MUCH better than either of the others, his passes were more crisp, and he made plays. While I loved the post to Latendresse, his best pass was the dump off to Benton when he read the blitz and was under a ton of pressure.
Otherwise, I love our Defense. Enough Said.
I love Scalley at RB. He just looks happier there. It's more of a natural position for him. I agree with S. Gil that he's more of a 3rd down back, and he still really struggles in picking up a blitz, but he adds a dimention that we haven't had for a while.
Marty Johnson didn't get many reps, but looked good when he was in. He has a good combination of speed and power. He moved the pile on one run early on, and looked really good blowing by Lyman out of the backfield.
The D forced 3 turnovers - 2 int's and a fumble by Peroulis.
Gotta Run.
GO UTES
Theory on Elliot usage...
Posted By: Ma'ake
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 12:03 p.m.
In Response To: FOOTBALL: I don't have a lot to add but here are a few of my scrimmage observations...... (ColoUte)
...the substitution patterns you mentioned are pretty rough, and certainly do not lead to any sort of rhythm being developed by a particular QB. Still, Saturday's results might indicate the following:
Elliot comes in & shows what he's capable of, then is quickly yanked, to see what the others do, with an offense that has garnered some flow & confidence on the previous play. Sort of a cruel, disjointed trouble-shooting exercise. Ver Steeg is a sadist...
I don't expect to see any change in the "official message" on the QBs this spring, but it is clear that Elliot is aquitting himself nicely, overall, this spring.
Some comments
Posted By: UTEopia
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 10:08 a.m.
In Response To: FOOTBALL: I don't have a lot to add but here are a few of my scrimmage observations...... (ColoUte)
The real fans are at the games whether the Utes are 8-2 or 4-7. It has been that way since the days of Tom Lovat.
The funniest play of the scrimmage was the TD thrown by Rice to Robby Gueck. Gueck ran a slant and the ball hit him in the stomach before he looked for it. He was surprised and made a nice run after the catch.
Statistics are misleading. Alot of people have made a lot about the QB statistics in the scrimmage. I thought one of the best balls thrown Saturday was a long pass by Breska to Travis Latendrase. It was incomplete, not because it was thrown poorly, but because Travis misjudged the ball. It shows as and incomplete on Breska's stats, but was a well thrown ball that should have been caught.
Re: FOOTBALL: I don't have a lot to add but here are a few of my scrimmage observations......
Posted By: Utebiquitous
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 12:04 p.m.
In Response To: FOOTBALL: I don't have a lot to add but here are a few of my scrimmage observations...... (ColoUte)
I thought Elliott's best pass was the touchdown to Paris Jackson - a beautiful fade thrown to the corner of the endzone. This was a pattern Utah was horrible at last season because the quarterback couldn't throw it. With Jackson's height (and soon Lynzell Jackson's) this should be a staple near the goal line.
The entire sequence was terrific. Elliott led them to a touchdown in 4 plays - a running play, the dump-off pass you described to Benton, a long post to LaTendresse and then on first and goal, the fade.
I'm surprised at the number of people trying to excuse what I thought were poor performances by Rice and Breska. Yes, both had passes that should have been caught (1 each by my count) but both threw some horrible passes. Rice threw two that were awful. He floated a ball a good five feet above a wide open receiver. Later, during the red zone practice, #6 (I didn't have a roster) released behind the linebackers at the five yard line. What was a sure touchdown came up nothing when Rice threw the ball several yards behind the player.
I hope Mac doesn't make the mistake BYU mad a few years ago in not playing "a gamer." Brandon was overlooked for the players that got more practice reps and traditional skills. During the same time, Doman was outplaying them in scrimmages and yet didn't get a shot until they both went down with injuries.
One other note. I ran into Morgan Scalley Saturday evening. I asked him why runningback. He said that he'd been bugging McBride to try him there since the end of last season. So far, all parties like what they see. I didn't get the impression that Morgan sees himself as just a third down back. He did agree that catching balls out of the backfield will be important. By the way, while he's small (probably 5'7" or 8"), he's a thick kid. I think he can handle the contact.
He was a very good runningback in high school. Highland had him going out for
passes a lot as well. I just didn't think he could take the pounding at Division
I. After meeting him, I think his body can withstand the beating.
'biq
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