Wanted to share my overall thoughts on the spring game.
- Really liked the entire event. From the setting to the weather to the alumni to the fans.... it was all great. Really enjoyed seeing the staff try to win over the big time guys like Fitz , AD and Shady. Chaney was making it a point to talk to all the guys. Loved Narduzzi carrying around Shady's kid.
- The offense is going to be really multiple. They ran pretty much everything in terms of [overall] formations. Shotgun, pistol, I-form, single back. Used them all in different situations.
- Liked the plays they used. Havent seen screens in years and they worked really well. Ran them for all of the different RBs [well, maybe not Ollison]. On one of the final drives, they came out in shotgun with trips to the left and I believe Holtz and Orndoff were split out wide. Holtz played really well but didnt see much out of Orndoff.
- I guess Parrish is full time TE/H-Back now. He was on the field as a TE in I-formation with Alston as the FB. That was surprising. Maybe the coaches just dont like him there and dont think he can provide what they need.
- The best player on the defense will either be Jarrett or Maddox. Jarrett seemed to play really really well. Blew up a number of plays in the back field and really made an impact. Not sure if he has got down to his target weight yet but he didnt look overly out of shape... just looked like a big dude. Maddox is going to be very very good. I'll admit... I'm slightly surprised. With his size, he doesnt seem to be tailor made for this defense but he is making plays. He had a lot of good plays out there. I know we've seen him in run support last year but he came up and got Conner down. They were even using him on blitzes.
- Defense played well which is encouraging. The DL played alright... wasnt getting man handled. As mentioned above, Jarrett is playing great. Render had a few good plays. The DEs did a decent job, cant remember any splash plays from them. This staff will bring blitzes from all over the place. Maddox blitzed a few times. They brought two line backers on blitzes but they werent straight ahead. They were looping blitzes [stunts i guess but not sure that is the correct term for LBs]. I'm cautiously optimistic.
- I think Challingsworth, Ford, Zeise and Holtz will all provide good options in the passing game. Jester Weah..... still waiting. He just doesnt have the hands. Now he seems to actually get in position on deep balls [unlike before] but had a few painful unforced drops. And he almost clobbered Shady's son coming out of the huddle.
- Looking forward to the reactions from the recruits. Hope it had a favorable impression on all the Bishop McD kids... we could use White and Long. Especially with Shady there. I know we didnt get a commitment but Butler announced that he is going to shut it down.... we can count that one, right?
- Really liked the entire event. From the setting to the weather to the alumni to the fans.... it was all great. Really enjoyed seeing the staff try to win over the big time guys like Fitz , AD and Shady. Chaney was making it a point to talk to all the guys. Loved Narduzzi carrying around Shady's kid.
- The offense is going to be really multiple. They ran pretty much everything in terms of [overall] formations. Shotgun, pistol, I-form, single back. Used them all in different situations.
- Liked the plays they used. Havent seen screens in years and they worked really well. Ran them for all of the different RBs [well, maybe not Ollison]. On one of the final drives, they came out in shotgun with trips to the left and I believe Holtz and Orndoff were split out wide. Holtz played really well but didnt see much out of Orndoff.
- I guess Parrish is full time TE/H-Back now. He was on the field as a TE in I-formation with Alston as the FB. That was surprising. Maybe the coaches just dont like him there and dont think he can provide what they need.
- The best player on the defense will either be Jarrett or Maddox. Jarrett seemed to play really really well. Blew up a number of plays in the back field and really made an impact. Not sure if he has got down to his target weight yet but he didnt look overly out of shape... just looked like a big dude. Maddox is going to be very very good. I'll admit... I'm slightly surprised. With his size, he doesnt seem to be tailor made for this defense but he is making plays. He had a lot of good plays out there. I know we've seen him in run support last year but he came up and got Conner down. They were even using him on blitzes.
- Defense played well which is encouraging. The DL played alright... wasnt getting man handled. As mentioned above, Jarrett is playing great. Render had a few good plays. The DEs did a decent job, cant remember any splash plays from them. This staff will bring blitzes from all over the place. Maddox blitzed a few times. They brought two line backers on blitzes but they werent straight ahead. They were looping blitzes [stunts i guess but not sure that is the correct term for LBs]. I'm cautiously optimistic.
- I think Challingsworth, Ford, Zeise and Holtz will all provide good options in the passing game. Jester Weah..... still waiting. He just doesnt have the hands. Now he seems to actually get in position on deep balls [unlike before] but had a few painful unforced drops. And he almost clobbered Shady's son coming out of the huddle.
- Looking forward to the reactions from the recruits. Hope it had a favorable impression on all the Bishop McD kids... we could use White and Long. Especially with Shady there. I know we didnt get a commitment but Butler announced that he is going to shut it down.... we can count that one, right?
