Reading everyones take on the Gophers upcoming game against Maryland got me reflecting on the offensive side of the ball. To that end:
I too let the air out of my sail when Smith went down. Thinking there went our running attack for the most part. Then again when Annexstad hurt his ankle. Looking back, I am not as worried as I was a few days ago. Here is why:
Williams jumps in and shows a lot. He has good field vision. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is a hard runner who can see, find, and attack the cut back lane. As I watched, the game, the announcers, where singing his praises. However, ever the announcers said that he was young and needed a little more work on certain skills, such as pass blocking. Overall thought they really liked what they saw.
Annexstad actually has surprised me on a couple of things. Has good touch on the ball. Although he over threw a couple of guys down field. One of witch was Bateman. He showed a lot of toughness playing injured. For those of you who where at the game, he even tried grabbing his helmet at one point and tried to get back in the game once they took him out. he also, seems to have a better understanding for the game as a freshman than I gave him credit for.
As for his injury. If it was to a point where the coaches thought it would be a real serious problem. I think they would not have let him go back and continued to play like they did.
I really see a better future ahead for the gophers offense. Once he and Bateman get more accustomed to each other and can start spreading the field more.
Tyler Johnson again showed why he is our number one receiver.
The line did an good job. I'm not the best judge of offensive line play. So Please I would appreciate your feed back on the O'line play.. Again thought. It looked like they did a good job to be.
Now. Do I think we are going to the next best thing since sliced bread. NO
Do I think we are going to be west division champs. All I can say is I hope so. That would be awesome. I do however, think they are in a decent position to contend for the title.
I do think though that some are worrying a little to much at this point, though. Especially with the upcoming game against Maryland. Witch I am ONLY referring to peoples reaction to a hurt QB and inexperienced RB
A Lot of people are doing the What if's.
I am one who is not going to take the oar out of the water just yet. But, to be honest I almost did. Before rewatching the game for a second time.
I have not seen any injury reports yet this week. So, with that in mind. Here is what I think about the upcoming game with Maryland:
This will be good game for the gophers. Especially for the young Freshman upon who we are now depending on more. I look at it this way. Nice tough first big ten opponent for the freshman to get there first taste of big Ten Play. Witch I believe they will do just fine.
Like I said before.
If the injury to Annexstad was serious. They would not have let him continue playing. So I believe he will play. Will He be as mobile as he was. I don't know. But quite honestly. At this point, after what I have seen from him and what we have had in the past. I would take an injured Zak Annestad over anything we have had in the past couple of years. At least he can get the football to the receivers. Also, as stated above. Once him and Bateman start hooking up. Things will really start to open up. Not just for the running game, but even more, for Johnson as well.
Now the only thing I am worried about is. Once they do start hooking up. Do we have a Tight End that will be able to take advantage over the middle of the field.
Williams will be fine. I believe he will get better and better the more he plays. the announcers said he is a decent RB now and will be fine, but wait until next year when he has had a chance to be on the football diet and lifting regiments for a full year.
Thoughts on the rest of the season. I don't want to jinx them so I will let the rest of you debate that. I think they will surprise a lot of people though.
Sorry for rambling. But, tell me. Am I way of base with what I see going forward.
I would like to acknowledge that I originally referred to Ben Leber as being one of the announcers when he was not. The announcers for this game where Stanley Jackson And Jason Horowitz.
I too let the air out of my sail when Smith went down. Thinking there went our running attack for the most part. Then again when Annexstad hurt his ankle. Looking back, I am not as worried as I was a few days ago. Here is why:
Williams jumps in and shows a lot. He has good field vision. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is a hard runner who can see, find, and attack the cut back lane. As I watched, the game, the announcers, where singing his praises. However, ever the announcers said that he was young and needed a little more work on certain skills, such as pass blocking. Overall thought they really liked what they saw.
Annexstad actually has surprised me on a couple of things. Has good touch on the ball. Although he over threw a couple of guys down field. One of witch was Bateman. He showed a lot of toughness playing injured. For those of you who where at the game, he even tried grabbing his helmet at one point and tried to get back in the game once they took him out. he also, seems to have a better understanding for the game as a freshman than I gave him credit for.
As for his injury. If it was to a point where the coaches thought it would be a real serious problem. I think they would not have let him go back and continued to play like they did.
I really see a better future ahead for the gophers offense. Once he and Bateman get more accustomed to each other and can start spreading the field more.
Tyler Johnson again showed why he is our number one receiver.
The line did an good job. I'm not the best judge of offensive line play. So Please I would appreciate your feed back on the O'line play.. Again thought. It looked like they did a good job to be.
Now. Do I think we are going to the next best thing since sliced bread. NO
Do I think we are going to be west division champs. All I can say is I hope so. That would be awesome. I do however, think they are in a decent position to contend for the title.
I do think though that some are worrying a little to much at this point, though. Especially with the upcoming game against Maryland. Witch I am ONLY referring to peoples reaction to a hurt QB and inexperienced RB
A Lot of people are doing the What if's.
I am one who is not going to take the oar out of the water just yet. But, to be honest I almost did. Before rewatching the game for a second time.
I have not seen any injury reports yet this week. So, with that in mind. Here is what I think about the upcoming game with Maryland:
This will be good game for the gophers. Especially for the young Freshman upon who we are now depending on more. I look at it this way. Nice tough first big ten opponent for the freshman to get there first taste of big Ten Play. Witch I believe they will do just fine.
Like I said before.
If the injury to Annexstad was serious. They would not have let him continue playing. So I believe he will play. Will He be as mobile as he was. I don't know. But quite honestly. At this point, after what I have seen from him and what we have had in the past. I would take an injured Zak Annestad over anything we have had in the past couple of years. At least he can get the football to the receivers. Also, as stated above. Once him and Bateman start hooking up. Things will really start to open up. Not just for the running game, but even more, for Johnson as well.
Now the only thing I am worried about is. Once they do start hooking up. Do we have a Tight End that will be able to take advantage over the middle of the field.
Williams will be fine. I believe he will get better and better the more he plays. the announcers said he is a decent RB now and will be fine, but wait until next year when he has had a chance to be on the football diet and lifting regiments for a full year.
Thoughts on the rest of the season. I don't want to jinx them so I will let the rest of you debate that. I think they will surprise a lot of people though.
Sorry for rambling. But, tell me. Am I way of base with what I see going forward.
I would like to acknowledge that I originally referred to Ben Leber as being one of the announcers when he was not. The announcers for this game where Stanley Jackson And Jason Horowitz.
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