Nothing much new in terms of drills, but the team did go no huddle at the end of practice, but we'll get to that.
Notable depth chart changes.
Eric Murray was at 1st team DB over ShabazzDamarius Travis started over ThompsonAnd the most surprising one, Nick Rallis worked with the ones over James Manuel.I had to double take when I saw Rallis out there with the first team, but I had the chance to watch him more closely this afternoon. He's got to be all of 6 feet maybe and nothing more, but about 225-230. I did see him shoot the gap nicely on a few plays to get in the back field, but again, he's so small height wise. He moves with aggression and doesn't make too many false steps in trying to decide what the play is, it'll be interesting to watch how Rallis continues to progress this spring.
Our field goal unit was another adventure today as Hawthorne's first attempt of the day was blocked by one of the defensive lineman with a huge paw. They then gave walk-on kicker Kyle Fodness a try and he was well short and right from 40 yards. Kill gave him an ear full after that one. Hawthorne redeemed himself by kicking the next one good that would have been good from 60, so ends another day in the life of Minnesota field goal kicking.
Guys that stood out to me today were Damien Wilson, KJ Maye and Rodrick Williams.
Damien's technique and knowledge of Claeys' system isn't great yet, but he's getting there and all that is teachable. The things I'm seeing such as instincts as to where the ball carrier is going, is not. He's ALWAYS around the ball and seems to be making a lot of "tackles". He's also doing something that was once foreign to Gopher linebackers, which is shedding a block. I'd guess Wilson surpasses Lynn by the end of spring practice.
KJ Maye's transition to full time slot receiver is going well to say the least. He's catching everything near him and he's getting open, which when I say that may seem simple, but as you all know for our wide receivers sometimes, it can be an issue. He's showing good burst off the line and good quickness to make the first guess miss after he catches and is moving up field. He's not dancing side to side, but one quick shimmy and he's going north and south. I think and and Jamel will see tons of time at slot this year.
Rodrick isn't sitting well with the coaches right now as he has a certain color shirt on, but man, when he gets through the hole, no one wants get in his way. The kid runs with a head of steam and I saw him just plow through numerous guys today. If he can keep everything together mentally, man this kid is going to make some highlight truck stick plays.
Other notes
Josh Campion has been the most consistent offensive lineman so far, but saying that, Cockran burned him off the edge to sack Nelson during the no huddle portion at the end of practice.
It was only ten plays or so at the end of practice, but Nelson used his tight ends of Plsek, Goodger and Williams plenty. Expect that to be a main facet of Nelson's game this year.
Notable depth chart changes.
Eric Murray was at 1st team DB over ShabazzDamarius Travis started over ThompsonAnd the most surprising one, Nick Rallis worked with the ones over James Manuel.I had to double take when I saw Rallis out there with the first team, but I had the chance to watch him more closely this afternoon. He's got to be all of 6 feet maybe and nothing more, but about 225-230. I did see him shoot the gap nicely on a few plays to get in the back field, but again, he's so small height wise. He moves with aggression and doesn't make too many false steps in trying to decide what the play is, it'll be interesting to watch how Rallis continues to progress this spring.
Our field goal unit was another adventure today as Hawthorne's first attempt of the day was blocked by one of the defensive lineman with a huge paw. They then gave walk-on kicker Kyle Fodness a try and he was well short and right from 40 yards. Kill gave him an ear full after that one. Hawthorne redeemed himself by kicking the next one good that would have been good from 60, so ends another day in the life of Minnesota field goal kicking.
Guys that stood out to me today were Damien Wilson, KJ Maye and Rodrick Williams.
Damien's technique and knowledge of Claeys' system isn't great yet, but he's getting there and all that is teachable. The things I'm seeing such as instincts as to where the ball carrier is going, is not. He's ALWAYS around the ball and seems to be making a lot of "tackles". He's also doing something that was once foreign to Gopher linebackers, which is shedding a block. I'd guess Wilson surpasses Lynn by the end of spring practice.
KJ Maye's transition to full time slot receiver is going well to say the least. He's catching everything near him and he's getting open, which when I say that may seem simple, but as you all know for our wide receivers sometimes, it can be an issue. He's showing good burst off the line and good quickness to make the first guess miss after he catches and is moving up field. He's not dancing side to side, but one quick shimmy and he's going north and south. I think and and Jamel will see tons of time at slot this year.
Rodrick isn't sitting well with the coaches right now as he has a certain color shirt on, but man, when he gets through the hole, no one wants get in his way. The kid runs with a head of steam and I saw him just plow through numerous guys today. If he can keep everything together mentally, man this kid is going to make some highlight truck stick plays.
Other notes
Josh Campion has been the most consistent offensive lineman so far, but saying that, Cockran burned him off the edge to sack Nelson during the no huddle portion at the end of practice.
It was only ten plays or so at the end of practice, but Nelson used his tight ends of Plsek, Goodger and Williams plenty. Expect that to be a main facet of Nelson's game this year.
