(08-10-2013 11:52 AM)EMUEagle17 Wrote: But from this week all we can really look at is QB's, RB's, and DB's because all the other positions involve tackling. So I would let you know how good the LB's, DT's etc. were if they were allowed to tackle.
They did do a 1 vs. 1 drill in today's practice (OL vs. DL). (#59) Dwayne Brown (Fr.) is a big guy at OL and has a lot of potential. They're trying to get his weight down though. But he was just bulldozing over some Defensive Lineman.
I kind of thought that Brown is a high ceiling, big, big kid who might have weight issues.
(08-10-2013 05:26 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote: What's the word on the DL? Besides LB, that's the other position that needs the most improvement.
Where is EMU79 when we need him for this discussion? Oh, he is...
What I'm thinking is that of all of the positions, DL has been the position where English has suffered the most recruiting disappointments. It is usually a position where he tries and tries and tries and then gets what he can pretty late.
I can't think of a DL recruit who has the recruiting buzz of say a Roback, Lewis, Canty, Q Jones, Spearman, Terrell, Dwayne Brown, etc. etc. (e.g., 3-star recruits).
As such DL is probably the position where the staff has to 'coach up' recruits the most.
(This post was last modified: 08-10-2013 06:46 PM by emu steve.)
(08-10-2013 05:26 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote: What's the word on the DL? Besides LB, that's the other position that needs the most improvement.
Agree. Mulumba was a big loss.
Do we assume that Kashama and Maughmer start at DE and DT and the other two starting positions (plus depth) are wide open?
As NuPudge says the DL needs a lot of players who can play. A rotation of up to 8 DLs is a good thing.
Lot of kids like Pipkins, O'Connor, McFarlane, Steals, Brown, etc. could improve the position.
Hopefully a couple improve dramatically between their frosh and soph seasons.
I'm anxious to hear how the two frosh, Dunlap and Powell, do and if either or both can play as a true frosh. I think Dunlap has MAC size for DT already. As I've posted before, I think Dunlap can stuff the middle from his DT position (based on his h.s. tape - he played at a high level in high school as did Powell and OG, Dwayne Brown).
(This post was last modified: 08-11-2013 10:37 AM by emu steve.)
From what I am reading here the team is looking stronger then we thought. I think some of our concerns last year are being addressed with the DB and DL (by a group of people). The LB'er may be the weak point and I am with EmuSteve on his thoughts of moving Cotton or Houston to the LB group. Maybe with their speed we can cause confusion with their speed.
We may see many freshmen asked to RS this year so they can have a chance to get bigger, stronger, wiser and hunger to get on the field next season. The QB (#2 position) will be a good one. How are we looking at TE and WR?
If we do not get our SP together quickly, it will cause us at least 2 games. Who is the SP coach for us this year?
I am happy to read about the depth that we seem to have and the competition that will be going on. Does anyone recall a resent time when EMU football had the depth at so many positions?
I think English may have loaded up for a breakout year... I am glad to hear about the battle at the RB spot.. If you recall, the running backs that we had 2 years ago are now moved to another position or dropped down on the depth chart.. I think that is a good sign and the making of a good football program.. English is rolling the dice with this group of players to change EMU forever, in a positive way.. Go Eagles/Huron's..
My project and departure has been moved so I may be around a little longer.. God is good !!!!
Dear steve,
Although the article is probably as positive as it could possibly be written, I would have to disagree with his findings as the reason to rank Eastern so low. I've said this on other sites. If, one looks at Central and Western in particular, they have some of the same problems Eastern has going into this season. Offensive lines, defenses, etc., but they also have other concerns. Central, a new quarterback, Western, a new coach and new system, yet these things don't seem a concern to the prognosticators. Personally, I think these predictors only look at where your team finished last year, and that's what they base their decisions on. Yeah they talk a good game about what was spouted in the article, but like I said, our sister schools have the same problems, maybe more and they are ranked ahead of us.
A little note about the comment about Weingard no longer being on the team.
He was taken off the roster in spring.
I assume Borland will be the back up to Kurtz at MLB.
I assume that unless there are injuries, Robinson could be a redshirt candidate and move into the 2-deeps next year after Kurtz has completed his eligibility.
(08-12-2013 10:56 AM)EMUEagle17 Wrote: Morning Practice was inside the bubble today because of rain.
Probably the worst practice the offense has had. And of the best the Defense has had. WR's couldn't catch.... anything to start the practice, QB's were over throwing, OL did good in 1-on-1 drills with the DL but in 11-on-11 couldn't protect the RB's, they averaged like 2 yards a carry. Most impressive was QB Reggie Bell honestly, I knew he could scramble but he is FAST. He made a broken play go for about 20 yards just by his speed and getting away. But he needs to bulk up more and working on throwing, he's got the arm, but not much accuracy.
It reminded me of this play
OL: Looked sweet in the 1 on 1 drills with the DL and LB's. Brown (fr.), Allison and Hansen the three best that I saw.
LB: Looking better then last year especially against the run, they were not giving the RB's any room to run at all.
Some excellent observations.
Maybe Dwayne Brown plays and plays well as a true frosh???
I wonder if Bell will be a utility player on offense. Maybe running some reverses? Tossing short passes? Playing Denard Robinson on the scout team.
(08-12-2013 10:56 AM)EMUEagle17 Wrote: Morning Practice was inside the bubble today because of rain.
Probably the worst practice the offense has had. And of the best the Defense has had. WR's couldn't catch.... anything to start the practice, QB's were over throwing, OL did good in 1-on-1 drills with the DL but in 11-on-11 couldn't protect the RB's, they averaged like 2 yards a carry. Most impressive was QB Reggie Bell honestly, I knew he could scramble but he is FAST. He made a broken play go for about 20 yards just by his speed and getting away. But he needs to bulk up more and working on throwing, he's got the arm, but not much accuracy.
It reminded me of this play
OL: Looked sweet in the 1 on 1 drills with the DL and LB's. Brown (fr.), Allison and Hansen the three best that I saw.
LB: Looking better then last year especially against the run, they were not giving the RB's any room to run at all.
Some excellent observations.
Maybe Dwayne Brown plays and plays well as a true frosh???
I wonder if Bell will be a utility player on offense. Maybe running some reverses? Tossing short passes? Playing Denard Robinson on the scout team.
If we were to play Bell put him as a running QB, or WR. But it will be obvious that we will be running the ball if he's at QB. But they were putting Benz at WR for some plays so anything is possible.
Play idea: Bell at QB, Benz at WR, Bronson Hill next to Bell in shotgun formation. Snap the ball take off running like it's a option play, have Benz run toward the QB, have Bell pitch it to Benz, and have Benz scroll out and throw deep down field for a TD.
But we don't even know if Bell will be RS or not. He's got Roback, Iannoti, and Bossard ahead of him and Bossard can do the same thing (scramble/run) he's just not as fast.
(08-12-2013 10:04 AM)Ken Barna Wrote: Dear steve,
Although the article is probably as positive as it could possibly be written, I would have to disagree with his findings as the reason to rank Eastern so low. I've said this on other sites. If, one looks at Central and Western in particular, they have some of the same problems Eastern has going into this season. Offensive lines, defenses, etc., but they also have other concerns. Central, a new quarterback, Western, a new coach and new system, yet these things don't seem a concern to the prognosticators. Personally, I think these predictors only look at where your team finished last year, and that's what they base their decisions on. Yeah they talk a good game about what was spouted in the article, but like I said, our sister schools have the same problems, maybe more and they are ranked ahead of us.
I don't pay much attention to the forecast finish.
I look at how well the article describes the position by position rundown.
I'm watching my DVR copy (partial) of the EMU / BG game. Trying to figure out the EMU offense (vs. a good BG defense).
I'm wondering if EMU shouldn't do a two back offense with Lewis as the inside running and Hill off tackles. Hill can obviously leak out of the backfield and get into the pass pattern.
It seems we need someone to run up the gut to open the outside for Hill and the passing game for Benz. Hill is a long striding track man. Long striders don't do well up the middle.
How can a team run the draw up the middle with Hill. It just doesn't seem right.
OR I can see Lewis and Jackson in the backfield with Lewis the power runner.
What I'm getting at, is that Hill goes off tackle and Benz throws, but there isn't anything up the middle (without another runner or a Alex Gillett).
P.S. I just saw a nice Benz run. He does run better than some give him credit. BUT they mentioned that his delivery is too long. Something Parrish has been working this spring and fall????
(This post was last modified: 08-13-2013 05:49 PM by emu steve.)
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Unofficial fall FB practice Thread
