Some observations from Tuesday's open practice:
As a former – largely ineffective - high school offensive lineman when I can, I try to focus on the guys in the trenches. So here is a short wrap up of practice heavily weighted toward – well - the heavy guys.
Before I get to the big men, with the starting job up in the air quarterback is always going to be a point of interest. Both Connor Rhoda and Demry Croft got a similar number of seven on seven and eleven on eleven reps with Seth Green getting the remaining reps. When watching the quarterbacks, I am not breaking any ground here, but Rhoda was more consistent, and Croft was more explosive. Rhoda hit most of his underneath throws but under threw many of his deep balls. Croft threw a beautiful ball and hit a handful of Big Ten ready deep balls, but also forced a deep throw that was intercepted.
The most impressive skill position play I saw was a diving touchdown catch by Tyler Johnson. He ran a short crossing route that Croft threw a little low and out front of Johnson, but the sophomore laid out and made the touchdown catch.
The thing I noticed during the eleven on eleven sessions was the amount of time true freshman and top Minnesota high school recruit Blaise Andries received. I don't know how much he was considered running with the ones – according to Coach P.J. Fleck a good portion of his reps were, but he lined up a right tackle next to expected starter at guard Vincent Calhoun. I noticed him getting beat cleanly once, but for a true freshman, Andries looked comfortable in most of the live action.
I don't know what exactly they were doing, but just after practice had wrapped up, a few coaches were checking out Garrison Wright's stance. I'm not sure if it was injury related or if they were just correcting a stance issue.
During individual drills, the linemen worked on combination blocks focused on double teams with one of the double team blockers slipping up to the second level. They also worked on reading defensive line stunts and blitzes.
During an early eleven on eleven session, Kyle Sassack sprung a running back on a run with a block from the tackle spot. Later Sassack would rack up a pancake block.
Ben Davis and Bronson Dovich opened a big hole in the middle of the defense.
Jared Weyler, Connor Olson, and Calhoun caved in their side of the defensive line to set up a big run. Later Weyler would again move his man off the line of scrimmage to free up a runner.
Head coach P.J. Fleck singled out Nick Connelly after a series of nice blocks.
Weyler was having a great day. Towards the end of practice, along with Calhoun, they opened up another big hole for the back to run through.
As a former – largely ineffective - high school offensive lineman when I can, I try to focus on the guys in the trenches. So here is a short wrap up of practice heavily weighted toward – well - the heavy guys.
Before I get to the big men, with the starting job up in the air quarterback is always going to be a point of interest. Both Connor Rhoda and Demry Croft got a similar number of seven on seven and eleven on eleven reps with Seth Green getting the remaining reps. When watching the quarterbacks, I am not breaking any ground here, but Rhoda was more consistent, and Croft was more explosive. Rhoda hit most of his underneath throws but under threw many of his deep balls. Croft threw a beautiful ball and hit a handful of Big Ten ready deep balls, but also forced a deep throw that was intercepted.
The most impressive skill position play I saw was a diving touchdown catch by Tyler Johnson. He ran a short crossing route that Croft threw a little low and out front of Johnson, but the sophomore laid out and made the touchdown catch.
The thing I noticed during the eleven on eleven sessions was the amount of time true freshman and top Minnesota high school recruit Blaise Andries received. I don't know how much he was considered running with the ones – according to Coach P.J. Fleck a good portion of his reps were, but he lined up a right tackle next to expected starter at guard Vincent Calhoun. I noticed him getting beat cleanly once, but for a true freshman, Andries looked comfortable in most of the live action.
I don't know what exactly they were doing, but just after practice had wrapped up, a few coaches were checking out Garrison Wright's stance. I'm not sure if it was injury related or if they were just correcting a stance issue.
During individual drills, the linemen worked on combination blocks focused on double teams with one of the double team blockers slipping up to the second level. They also worked on reading defensive line stunts and blitzes.
During an early eleven on eleven session, Kyle Sassack sprung a running back on a run with a block from the tackle spot. Later Sassack would rack up a pancake block.
Ben Davis and Bronson Dovich opened a big hole in the middle of the defense.
Jared Weyler, Connor Olson, and Calhoun caved in their side of the defensive line to set up a big run. Later Weyler would again move his man off the line of scrimmage to free up a runner.
Head coach P.J. Fleck singled out Nick Connelly after a series of nice blocks.
Weyler was having a great day. Towards the end of practice, along with Calhoun, they opened up another big hole for the back to run through.
