tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post3633717914050096701..comments2024-03-27T14:21:36.537-04:00Comments on Touch the Banner: Five Questions for the Spring GameUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-29188559568115964052011-04-17T23:20:42.526-04:002011-04-17T23:20:42.526-04:00@ Anonymous 5:57 p.m.
I don't know that Cox h...@ Anonymous 5:57 p.m.<br /><br />I don't know that Cox has proven me right, but...well...he certainly didn't prove me wrong. He looked pretty good on Saturday.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-23371753089546617072011-04-17T23:19:41.669-04:002011-04-17T23:19:41.669-04:00@ KB 11:42 a.m.
I'm completely open to Kovacs...@ KB 11:42 a.m.<br /><br />I'm completely open to Kovacs being surpassed by Marvin Robinson or Josh Furman if they're good enough. Kovacs' lack of speed is going to be trouble, in my opinion.<br /><br />But if Carvin Johnson is one of your best 11 guys, he shouldn't be backing up both the FS and SS. I would rather have a solid corner (Woolfolk) and a solid safety (Johnson) than a solid safety (Woolfolk) and a bad corner with a good guy sitting on the bench. Safeties can play an entire game or virtually an entire game, so keeping Johnson as a backup wastes him for the vast majority of the game.<br /><br />I think Furman should be a WILL, but I think Robinson is a strong safety.<br /><br />Van Bergen COULD move inside, but I doubt that will be necessary. I think Campbell or Washington will be able to play well enough at 3-tech to prevent any rejiggering on the DL.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-62854634637522526752011-04-16T17:57:25.702-04:002011-04-16T17:57:25.702-04:00Thunder, looks like Cox validated your support of ...Thunder, looks like Cox validated your support of him during the spring game today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-35674840338631515812011-04-14T11:42:30.086-04:002011-04-14T11:42:30.086-04:00Shouldn't Woolfolk be at FS leaving Carvin to ...Shouldn't Woolfolk be at FS leaving Carvin to back up the SS and FS spots? We have 2 competent Big 10 corners but not a competent FS so I'd rather spread the wealth then have a talented DB on the bench and a huge hole at FS (especially considering Kovacs lack of speed!).<br /><br />I thought someone like Furman or Robinson would have won the WILL spot by now. They are both over 210 and fast right? I know both were seen as Safety/Linebacker tweeners but wouldn't they be ideal as a WILL?<br /><br />If Campbell does fail at DT would RVB move inside?KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00140063912226053155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-24201921485384486372011-04-13T16:50:49.689-04:002011-04-13T16:50:49.689-04:00@ Anonymous 4:24 p.m.
Now that Vinopal is gone, I...@ Anonymous 4:24 p.m.<br /><br />Now that Vinopal is gone, I do certainly think chances have increased that Woolfolk will be our free safety in September. We'll see how Carvin looks on Saturday. If he looks decent, maybe we can keep Woolfolk on the corner.<br /><br />One thing to keep in mind is that we'll almost definitely see more man coverage in 2011 than we did the past couple years, so we can't afford to have crappy corners this year. Bad cornerback play can be mitigated by a Cover 3 defense, but not in Man Free coverages.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-21821899491758483302011-04-13T16:24:13.745-04:002011-04-13T16:24:13.745-04:00I still think that when all is said and done, Wool...I still think that when all is said and done, Woolfolk ends up at safety. We have tons of corner depth (albeit guys who aren't very good) and some decent recruits coming in who can probably do more as true fresman CBs than a slow position switcher can do at free safety.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-76544786074013413292011-04-13T14:58:47.846-04:002011-04-13T14:58:47.846-04:00@ Lankownia 2:50 p.m.
I'm talking about comfo...@ Lankownia 2:50 p.m.<br /><br />I'm talking about comfort/poise in the pocket. Denard constantly pats the ball and gets happy feet. That's not something I see much from Devin.<br /><br />I don't think Shaw is going to break a ton of tackles, but he can break some. The thing is, if he's fast enough to hit the hole and gain 5 yards before somebody hits him, then he doesn't have to break tackles all the time. There have been a few runs (against EMU, OSU, and ND, to name a few) that have shown me he has the ability to be a downhill runner.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-27450967864785735572011-04-13T14:50:47.303-04:002011-04-13T14:50:47.303-04:00@Thunder
Well, its a matter of opinion who looks ...@Thunder<br /><br />Well, its a matter of opinion who looks more comfortable I suppose. I just don't see how you can make conclusions about poise from a guy who has hardly played. Denard has superior arm-strength and a significant advantage in experience against Big10 defenses. Theres something to be said for having already learned some major lessons over his last two seasons. I think that has more value than a subjective take on Spring Games.<br /><br />Regarding Shaw - yeah, he's fast but he goes down easy, which doesn't say downhill runner to me. Just my opinion, but if you want a downhill I-form guy he has to be able to run through some tacklers. Have to admit I haven't watched the spring carries very closely, but I'd be pleasantly surprised to see POWER from him. He's still young though..wait no he's a senior. If he's the featured back again I'm going to join up with the others who are crossing their fingers in hopes that Rawls and/or Hayes can be the position's savior.<br /><br />-LankowniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-86802576718999585072011-04-13T14:33:48.550-04:002011-04-13T14:33:48.550-04:00@ Lankownia 12:01 p.m.
I'm not sure why that ...@ Lankownia 12:01 p.m.<br /><br />I'm not sure why that matters. Denard took snaps exclusively from under center when he was in high school, and he's not that great of a passer from under center or from the shotgun. Gardner looks like a better, more comfortable passer, period.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-70041103641877842552011-04-13T14:15:06.361-04:002011-04-13T14:15:06.361-04:00@ Anonymous 10:25 a.m.
I think Shaw is a better f...@ Anonymous 10:25 a.m.<br /><br />I think Shaw is a better fit in an I-formation type of offense than in the spread. He's not really the type of back who can plant a foot in the ground, turn 90 degrees, and go. He's a sprinter. Put him in the I-formation or as a single back and let him get downhill. I have seen some additional power from him this spring, but I also saw it a little bit last year, too. There were times he ran recklessly like Brandon Minor used to do, although he didn't do that with any consistency.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-54242506610304466802011-04-13T12:01:30.805-04:002011-04-13T12:01:30.805-04:00@MetsMaize - you know Gardner played out of the sh...@MetsMaize - you know Gardner played out of the shotgun in high school and has less experience in anything resembling a pro-style than Denard right?<br /><br />I know he's tall and can 'see over the pocket', but people are jumping the gun on proclaiming him to be a 'natural' for this offense. To me, he looks almost exactly like Vince Young, who was anything but.<br /><br />-LankowniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-26985155347923540822011-04-13T11:45:46.477-04:002011-04-13T11:45:46.477-04:00Despite reports of our DL not getting much pressur...Despite reports of our DL not getting much pressure in the spring, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Keep in mind that our OL, even the backups, are an exceptional and experienced units and the QBs aren't exactly easy targets. <br /><br />Campbell is the only question-mark on that line and I'll echo Thunder's cautious optimism of talent + this staff = production. We might have the conference's best DL unit.<br /><br />I also agree with the concern about the WILL but I think SOMEONE from that large group will step up. It may take a few games but seriously, between Fitzgerald, Jones, Bell, Evans, Herron, and the incoming Freshman there has to be one serviceable LB in the group.<br /><br />As for the secondary - I think we'll be OK. Woolfolk and Avery should be at least average B10 CBs. Thats an enormous upgrade right there. Kovacs and Johnson at Safety should be adequate as well. I also like the positive reports of Thomas Gordon as a nickleback. It won't be a standout unit but when your baseline is the '10 secondary its going to look glowing.<br /><br />-LankowniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-7936121873428307212011-04-13T11:35:25.797-04:002011-04-13T11:35:25.797-04:00I think Question #5 is underrated, so I'm glad...I think Question #5 is underrated, so I'm glad you asked it. Borges has said Denard is our starter (as he should be) but I really wouldn't be THAT surprised if Gardner is under center by the end of the year. There's an appropriate amount of talk on how much Denard will translate but not enough on how Gardner, still raw, will naturally fit this offense.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10805809831114657791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-5681269351009634242011-04-13T11:22:43.831-04:002011-04-13T11:22:43.831-04:00Shaw showed some power occasionally last year. He...Shaw showed some power occasionally last year. He broke a few tackles and he usually falls forward. Against UConn, he had a nice TD run where he was hit at the 2 yard line and still spun his way into the end zone. His problem seems to be his instincts. I like him but his mediocre stats compiled over three years against good competition don't lie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-77876886864451250202011-04-13T10:25:13.234-04:002011-04-13T10:25:13.234-04:00In a few carries last season, and in a couple clip...In a few carries last season, and in a couple clips I've seen of Shaw from spring practice, he looks to have added some power into his running. Maybe it's just against weak competition, but he looks a bit thicker and seems to run in a more run through the defender manner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-7074621879420930922011-04-13T10:23:33.783-04:002011-04-13T10:23:33.783-04:00Minor (no name-play intended) quibble on Shaw: In ...Minor (no name-play intended) quibble on Shaw: In addition to his speed, I think he's a better-than-average open-field runner (in terms of escapability/moves/whatever).<br /><br />Still, calling him Carlos Brown II makes lots of sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-983383049609578662011-04-13T09:53:03.887-04:002011-04-13T09:53:03.887-04:00I have pretty much written off Toussaint in my hea...I have pretty much written off Toussaint in my head. Some guys are just cursed. Injury-prone players, unfortunately, stay injury-prone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-63080821445227174632011-04-13T09:46:06.218-04:002011-04-13T09:46:06.218-04:00@ Anonymous 9:09 a.m.
Toussaint is an option at r...@ Anonymous 9:09 a.m.<br /><br />Toussaint is an option at running back, but frankly, I haven't heard much talk about him running with the #1 offense.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-33105471941940088322011-04-13T09:27:45.984-04:002011-04-13T09:27:45.984-04:00@ Anonymous 8:36 a.m.
I'm not too worried abo...@ Anonymous 8:36 a.m.<br /><br />I'm not too worried about the SAM and MIKE (likely Cam Gordon and Kenny Demens). The WILL is the big question mark for me.<br /><br />Defensive backs...yeah, that might be a problem. Hopefully Woolfolk can return to form.Thunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09708792562446136381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-80432481614826652622011-04-13T09:09:40.545-04:002011-04-13T09:09:40.545-04:00No mention of Fitz Toussaint as an option at RB? O...No mention of Fitz Toussaint as an option at RB? Oversight or...something else?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440694009017367434.post-71192969864974837392011-04-13T08:36:13.206-04:002011-04-13T08:36:13.206-04:00The LBs and DBs still sound pretty bleak. And wit...The LBs and DBs still sound pretty bleak. And with the offense getting a makeover, this could be another really miserable year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com