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View from the Cheap Seats. . spring game

echeese

Premium Members
Joined
Nov 22, 2013
Messages
2,474
Let me open by saying Spring Games are frequently zero sum games, when the O looks good. . .it means your D looks crappy .. . 
 
We'll start with some positives:
 
Malcom Brown. . . . pick a side is a BEAST. . . MB/DT. . . we're talking high NFL pick though granted our OL is a weak link right now (guess the negatives jumped in early). . .MB/RB. . .can see what the spring practice hype was about.
 
Sticking to offense. . .Jalen Overstreet. . .come on down. . . this is what is referred to as taking advantage of an opportunity. . this guy is scary on the edge and looks to have found a spot. . . 
 
WTF is #44????   I assumed it was Erick Huhn but it's a walkon. . .sign him up. . .he can play. . .liked the way he played centerfield and lit guys up when he had a chance. . .
 
Our DL is going to be REALLY good. . .and since it starts up front. . .they are going to make the rest of the D look good. . .Ced Reed Malcom Brown  Tank Johnson Caleb Bluitt and Shiro Davis are a formidable front. . .we need guys like Ridgeway and Cottrell to work into the mix for depth but really like the starters. . . 
 
About the time I'm wondering where the flack are the TEs (oh crap another season without TEs). . Swaim with a couple of NICE catches. . . 
 
Montrel Meander.  ..come on down. . . loved the way he went up and grabbed that ball at the 2.  . .would have had another sweet catch if he'd have seen a ball that hit him in the facemask. . . 
 
Jaxson Shipley. . .no really. . .. stop me if you've heard this. . .a Shipley is a damn fine WR. . . I only hope we have the QBing to make our WRs shine. . 
 
Again, stop me if you have heard this but some idiot on OB is already bitching about the O. . . did he really think this was going to be some offensive circus?   Newsflash folks . . .this was blander than vanilla. . . 
 
Let me talk about what I liked from the O. . . .RBs  duh. . . bootlegs, play actions and sprint outs for the QB. . .duh. . you don't have strong QB play. . .make the O easy for them.   Screen passes to RBs. . another great way to play to the strength of the O.
 
Swoopes is much like the spring game, zero sum game.. . .he looked AWFUL at times. . .he looked excellent at times .. .. . .so did Vince at this point (not that Swoopes is Vince by any means). . . I did like the way Swoopes settled down as the game went on.    He is very raw. . . . but he has some talent.   The question, can he develop it in time for fall?    Cuz while I love Ash, he's one big hit away from being done.  And I'd REALLY like to see Heard redshirt. . . 
 
50 yard hail mary to Daje (was him being in the game an indicator he's committed?) from an off balance throw. . .now that's a cannon. . .2 overthrown wide open TDs to Shipley. . .now that's a lack of control. . . but you can learn control. . .ask Vince.. . 
 
Saw a defense that tackled better and after the 2nd team recorded a great 1st drive, generally shut down the O the rest of the game.
 
My take:
 
QB  Mixed bag, I really hope we have Ash for 13 games but we can win with Swoopes. . .
 
RB   Feeling MUCH MUCH better after seeing Jalen Overstreet. . .even if Gray misses all of '14, we should be fine  Toss up between RB and WR the biggest strength of the team
 
OL   Weak link. . .Coach Wickline's work is cut out for him. . .
 
WR   Love the talent. . .they will be handicapped by a lack of great QB play
 
TE   Is McFarland gone?   I really thought he'd be a stud. . .Swaim impressed.
 
DL   STUDS!!!!
 
LB   Demarco Cobbs looks like he might show up for his senior year. . .good group
 
DB   We are DBU but face it, we started a Walk on. . . .Vance has some work to do
 
 
Good stuff, Chuck. 7-on-7 is gonna be critical for Swoopes. As he got comfortable/confident, his natural ability took over. The best way for him (IMO) to increase his comfort level before fall practices is in 7-on-7.

 
Good one, echeese. I thought Swoopes got better as  the game went on. He settled down, gained some confidence, and started playing within himself. As you say, 7 on 7 is critical for him. If he continues to show like he did today, we can win with him at QB. Seems to physically have a high upside. If he can get the mental part down, he could be good.

I think the DL is close to two deep. Also saw some good linebacker play, but some where they were a bit out of position. DBs were a mix, but I think will be a strength as we go on.

The OLs on both sides got whipped a lot by our DLs. But I am certainly not going to give up on any of them. They made some good plays.

Biggest question marks remain QB and OL. If Ash can't play out the season, it will cost us.

Overall, I liked the new intensity and aggression. Can hardly wait for the season.

 
Good stuff, Chuck. 7-on-7 is gonna be critical for Swoopes. As he got comfortable/confident, his natural ability took over. The best way for him (IMO) to increase his comfort level before fall practices is in 7-on-7.
Think this is spot on. . . he'll log plenty of reps. . .

BC,

Thanks. . .we need to road trip down your way to say hi. . . 

 
Great stuff.

I was disappointed in the start Swoops had (had to leave midway through the 2nd qtr so I didn't see him improve). It looks like he he as the arm to make the throws but he just has to settle down and not press so much.

I loved what I saw from Overstreet. I agree, I thing he has found a home.

 
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