It was a lot of the same today compared with Tuesday for the Gopher Football team and that's definitely a good thing.
Compared with the two past spring football seasons, the team is much farther ahead. To give you a comparison, in the two previous seasons, they were not about to get to team (O vs. D) drills until the third week of practice at the earliest. They started with some team on day 1 of year three.
The guys actually look faster just because they're in year three of the system and actually get to play out there instead of thinking what they're assignments are. It's really nice to see.
The depth chart remained the same, so I tried to focus just on individual performances of each group.
Philip Nelson had a strong day completing good tight spirals and making good decisions for the most part. He did force a few balls on some double moves (such as the interception in the 4th quarter again Texas Tech), those kind of routes, but when he did make those throws, put the ball in the a position where only his receiver could get it. He and Derrick Engel had some real chemistry today. On the other hand, Mitch Leidner didn't have the best of days. He was picked in Skelly by Grayson Levine on a Y seam play, where he forced the issue. He also had some bad misses, but he did make some great throws on some out routes. Streveler definitely got the "yips" out Tuesday and looked much better today. He still has a short compact throwing motion, but he made some very good decisions with the ball today and Coach Z was taking definite notice of that.
Running-back wise, again it's hard to tell with team only in helmets, but I do think Kirkwood looks leaner and has some more quickness. He's lost 5 pounds from last year, but it still just built like a brick wall. He scored on a long run, again there were no pads, but he made one cut and was gone. Rodrick Williams had some loud encouragement from Coach Anderson a few times today when he didn't do a little thing or two, but had a solid day. James Gillum also rotated in with the 1st team guys today. The second team guys were Cobb, Banham and Harper.
TE and H-backs wise, not a whole lot to report. Goodger, Williams and Plsek all rotate in with the first team and the only thing that sticks out to me is how lanky Maxx Williams is. He's put on some good weight during his redshirt year and can move with it too. It'll be fun to continue to watch how he develops. I did watch Duke Anyanwu some today as well and he made some athletic plays out there with the 2nd team, it'll just be about learning how to play as a TE/H-back for Anyanwu.
At WR, Derrick Engel and Jamel Harbison look real good. Engel made a few catches in tight coverage on the sidelines that were very impressive. He also caught a nice seam ball to score over the top of the secondary. Harbison looks like he could be close to 100% out there and I can tell you the quarterbacks notice. He has to be their favorite target as he always finds a way open.
On the offensive line, this group could be the line we've been waiting for as there is competition everywhere. The battles this spring are going to be between Lenk and Ed Olson at LT, Epping and Tommy Olson at LG, Christenson and Bobek at C, Mottla and Hayes and Bjorklund at RG and the only spot I think is locked down in Campion at RT. I think he's looked the best so far, that doesn't mean Pirsig and Lauer could challenge.
On the DL, Hageman has looked impressive. Not only as a player, but a leader. When he's not on the field, he's encouraging his teammates and explaining anything he can to any of the defensive lineman. He's been a force on the field as well. Is this the year Hageman puts it all together? I saw Cockran get around the end a few times as well to get into the backfield. This position is hard to watch as they are on the other side of the field from us.
At LB, Jack Lynn remains the starter at MLB and he's huge. The linebackers again, look like how they should in year 3 of the same system as they're quarterbacking the defense and adjusting the line if they see something. Manuel and Hill are the other two 1st teammers. Damien Wilson remains at 2nd MLB, but it's a lot of teaching from Coach Miller, so that he can pick up the system. One thing I notice from him is he always seems to be on the ball-carrier when the whistle is blown. Rallis is all of 5'11 at 2nd team OLB, he's a tweener between a safety and backer, but he has bulked up considerably.
In the secondary, Derrick Wells is playing extremely well. You'd think he'd be tentative as he's played all corner in these first two practices, but he's been aggressive and making plays. He's jumped the routes a few times on guys like DCT and Fruechte and broken up the play. He'll be fun to watch. Balthazar looks leaner than last year. Eric Murray is scary long. I swear his arms go to his knees and he's so freaking long. The more he learns at the cornerback position, the scarier he'll get. Levine had a nice pick as did Travis on a great leaping ball.
I know I'll get ripped for this, but Moe will agree with me as my witness today. Dan Orseske has to be the best PRACTICE punter I've seen. He booting these balls and hitting the ceiling 30 down field. Too bad that will never translate to a game.
If you got any questions, Moe and I will be happy to answer them.
Compared with the two past spring football seasons, the team is much farther ahead. To give you a comparison, in the two previous seasons, they were not about to get to team (O vs. D) drills until the third week of practice at the earliest. They started with some team on day 1 of year three.
The guys actually look faster just because they're in year three of the system and actually get to play out there instead of thinking what they're assignments are. It's really nice to see.
The depth chart remained the same, so I tried to focus just on individual performances of each group.
Philip Nelson had a strong day completing good tight spirals and making good decisions for the most part. He did force a few balls on some double moves (such as the interception in the 4th quarter again Texas Tech), those kind of routes, but when he did make those throws, put the ball in the a position where only his receiver could get it. He and Derrick Engel had some real chemistry today. On the other hand, Mitch Leidner didn't have the best of days. He was picked in Skelly by Grayson Levine on a Y seam play, where he forced the issue. He also had some bad misses, but he did make some great throws on some out routes. Streveler definitely got the "yips" out Tuesday and looked much better today. He still has a short compact throwing motion, but he made some very good decisions with the ball today and Coach Z was taking definite notice of that.
Running-back wise, again it's hard to tell with team only in helmets, but I do think Kirkwood looks leaner and has some more quickness. He's lost 5 pounds from last year, but it still just built like a brick wall. He scored on a long run, again there were no pads, but he made one cut and was gone. Rodrick Williams had some loud encouragement from Coach Anderson a few times today when he didn't do a little thing or two, but had a solid day. James Gillum also rotated in with the 1st team guys today. The second team guys were Cobb, Banham and Harper.
TE and H-backs wise, not a whole lot to report. Goodger, Williams and Plsek all rotate in with the first team and the only thing that sticks out to me is how lanky Maxx Williams is. He's put on some good weight during his redshirt year and can move with it too. It'll be fun to continue to watch how he develops. I did watch Duke Anyanwu some today as well and he made some athletic plays out there with the 2nd team, it'll just be about learning how to play as a TE/H-back for Anyanwu.
At WR, Derrick Engel and Jamel Harbison look real good. Engel made a few catches in tight coverage on the sidelines that were very impressive. He also caught a nice seam ball to score over the top of the secondary. Harbison looks like he could be close to 100% out there and I can tell you the quarterbacks notice. He has to be their favorite target as he always finds a way open.
On the offensive line, this group could be the line we've been waiting for as there is competition everywhere. The battles this spring are going to be between Lenk and Ed Olson at LT, Epping and Tommy Olson at LG, Christenson and Bobek at C, Mottla and Hayes and Bjorklund at RG and the only spot I think is locked down in Campion at RT. I think he's looked the best so far, that doesn't mean Pirsig and Lauer could challenge.
On the DL, Hageman has looked impressive. Not only as a player, but a leader. When he's not on the field, he's encouraging his teammates and explaining anything he can to any of the defensive lineman. He's been a force on the field as well. Is this the year Hageman puts it all together? I saw Cockran get around the end a few times as well to get into the backfield. This position is hard to watch as they are on the other side of the field from us.
At LB, Jack Lynn remains the starter at MLB and he's huge. The linebackers again, look like how they should in year 3 of the same system as they're quarterbacking the defense and adjusting the line if they see something. Manuel and Hill are the other two 1st teammers. Damien Wilson remains at 2nd MLB, but it's a lot of teaching from Coach Miller, so that he can pick up the system. One thing I notice from him is he always seems to be on the ball-carrier when the whistle is blown. Rallis is all of 5'11 at 2nd team OLB, he's a tweener between a safety and backer, but he has bulked up considerably.
In the secondary, Derrick Wells is playing extremely well. You'd think he'd be tentative as he's played all corner in these first two practices, but he's been aggressive and making plays. He's jumped the routes a few times on guys like DCT and Fruechte and broken up the play. He'll be fun to watch. Balthazar looks leaner than last year. Eric Murray is scary long. I swear his arms go to his knees and he's so freaking long. The more he learns at the cornerback position, the scarier he'll get. Levine had a nice pick as did Travis on a great leaping ball.
I know I'll get ripped for this, but Moe will agree with me as my witness today. Dan Orseske has to be the best PRACTICE punter I've seen. He booting these balls and hitting the ceiling 30 down field. Too bad that will never translate to a game.
If you got any questions, Moe and I will be happy to answer them.
