Spring Game Thoughts

[OKCIrish99 3]

Thought Book looked good- flat out. Yes, it was against the 2nd team but still the skills are there. Excellent footwork, quick release, nice velocity, pretty darn accurate too. Wimbush looked decent. He'll need to get better about not holding onto the ball too long and accuracy. Saw too many high passes. He's gonna be the man this fall- no doubt.

 

Other thoughts:

 

1) An actual pass rush, especially up the middle. Couldn't ascertain if this was due to the defensive scheme/talent or the ineffectiveness of the oline. Either way, Wimbush had pressure on him a lot today.

 

2) Running backs and receivers are going to be a strength. Adams and Williams should be great. Particularly impressed by Williams. Classic running back build. Really hope Long commits to the run this year.

 

3) New kicker. Kind of a surprise but he looked sharp. What's up with Yoon?

 

4) Defense overall should be better. Coleman seems to have found a home at safety and we need Crawford to stay healthy.

 

5) Team looked noticeably bigger. Those before/after pics of Coney, Stepherson, Morgan, McKinely were crazy. Coney looked like a monster. Hope it translates to the field.

 

This team will go as far as Wimbush and the defense will take them. Wimbush needs to put the work in this summer. ND, seemingly, has a good backup, at a minimum, with Book. Kid looked sharp.

[TexasDomer 1,486]

I'm a little concerned about those before and after pics of the players. Adding that much muscle that fast? I hope it was clean growth. It looked a bit suspicious to me, so I hope I'm wrong.

[ELDER06 248]

Late night, totally slept through the game. Is there a replay anywhere?

[OddThomas 0]

We have many tall receivers and Ian Book is a good quarterback. Great running back stable. I know thank you captain obvious

[Irish_Convert 1]

I don't think Wimbush is a lock to be the starter because Book looked more poised in the pocket, IMO.

 

Both lines looked pretty good but it's hard to gauge from the spring game when contact and play calling are both limited.

 

I don't think there are any worries when it comes to LBs. The secondary? Meh.

[OKCIrish99 3]

I don't think Wimbush is a lock to be the starter because Book looked more poised in the pocket, IMO.

 

Both lines looked pretty good but it's hard to gauge from the spring game when contact and play calling are both limited.

 

I don't think there are any worries when it comes to LBs. The secondary? Meh.

Really? He's just been in the system longer and was a lot higher rated coming out of hs (meaningless now). If he holds onto to ball as long as he did today this fall, it won't be good. Book just looked more confident and fluid overall. It is certainly something to be monitor in fall camp, but you could be on to something.

[ndomer4 532]

I'm a little concerned about those before and after pics of the players. Adding that much muscle that fast? I hope it was clean growth. It looked a bit suspicious to me, so I hope I'm wrong.

 

Guys were using sauce before Balis came as well, this just shows how much better the program is. College players will always juice that is a fact.

 

I just hope guys like Coney can still run with that mass, how did he look?

[ELDER06 248]

I don't think Wimbush is a lock to be the starter because Book looked more poised in the pocket, IMO.

 

 

Didn't Nate Montanna have an unreal Spring Game? Wimbush is the GUY, there's no questions.

[OKCIrish99 3]

Any questions about Elko and Bailis effect check this out:

 

Sophomore Daelin Hayes was one of the stars on defense shining as a run stuffer and pass rusher, posting a game-high seven tackles with four coming for loss and three sacks.

 

Elliott had seven tackles to match Hayes and Jay Hayes had two sacks. In all new defensive coordinator Mike Elko's defense had 18 tackles for loss and 11 touch sacks as quarterbacks were non-contact.

 

Both Hayes boys combined for 5 sacks today. :-P:-P:-P

[ELDER06 248]

Any questions about Elko and Bailis effect check this out:

 

Sophomore Daelin Hayes was one of the stars on defense shining as a run stuffer and pass rusher, posting a game-high seven tackles with four coming for loss and three sacks.

 

Elliott had seven tackles to match Hayes and Jay Hayes had two sacks. In all new defensive coordinator Mike Elko's defense had 18 tackles for loss and 11 touch sacks as quarterbacks were non-contact.

 

Both Hayes boys combined for 5 sacks today. :-P:-P:-P

 

See, the skeptic in me worries if it's ND's OL that helped them out. That's always the downside of these Spring Games, when one unit looks good, you immediately wonder if it's bc the unit they're going against is weak.

[OKCIrish99 3]

Didn't Nate Montanna have an unreal Spring Game? Wimbush is the GUY, there's no questions.

It was decent, not as impressive as Book today. Montana doesn't have Book's natural skills. The confidence Book showed today for a red shirt frosh was great. Even though pick he almost threw was more on Weishar not being able to pull it in.

[OKCIrish99 3]

See, the skeptic in me worries if it's ND's OL that helped them out. That's always the downside of these Spring Games, when one unit looks good, you immediately wonder if it's bc the unit they're going against is weak.

I agree BUT no way our oline is that bad. If both Hayes boys and J Okwara deliver consistent pressure, this defense will be dramatically improved in 2017.

[ndomer4 532]

Only saw the highlights but man did Book look nice out there. I am not sure Wimbush has the smarts right now, doesn't seem to process things very quick and come off reads very well

 

What Wimbush does have is a rocket arm and a great athlete. Since we have a solid backup I say we let Wimbush loose and let him run the rock kinda like Urban does with JT.

[The eND 0]

It is a fun thing for the fans. Was a nice day and looks like lots of people were able to enjoy some fun football and check out some new aspects of the awesome new stadium.

 

The on-field action provides almost zero indication of what the team will or won't do this season. But it did create an issue for fans to want to dump Wimbush as soon as he screws up in favor for Book.

[coltssb 1,125]

I would say pump the breaks on Book. He did look awesome but when he got flushed he looked like he would struggle to throw anything down field. His size his his liability. But he seemed to know the playbook better and know how to stay on schedule.

 

Did like the fact that the defense knew at least where to be in such a short amount of time. Also, they looked better at tackling and creating turnovers. Something Elko is known for. Just having BVG will have this defense miles better.

 

I say that....but we still look pretty weak overall. I'm watching this game thinking..if we play Bama or Clemson of last year, it's a 40 point affair. Nothing looked dominant. Nothing to lay our hat on. Where will be our calling card. I wish we figure that out before our first game.

[tneun89 1,118]

In his post game presser, BK said there was "no question" who the starter is and that is Wimbush. He also kept referring to Book as the number 2.

 

Wimbush is, I believe, the highest rated QB commit under BK. He's been in the system for three years (yes, new play caller, but still BK's system). He has a huge arm and insane athleticism. He is going to break off some huge runs this season. His accuracy was a little off, but he will be fine. He's got some great receivers and tight ends to work with.

 

I am happy Ian Book played well. It makes me feel better knowing that he could take over for Wimbush if he goes down for a half or a game. But let's pump the breaks on the QB competition based on one practice. Wimbush is the guy. Period.

[Baldy 1,723]

In his post game presser, BK said there was "no question" who the starter is and that is Wimbush. He also kept referring to Book as the number 2.

 

Wimbush is, I believe, the highest rated QB commit under BK. He's been in the system for three years (yes, new play caller, but still BK's system). He has a huge arm and insane athleticism. He is going to break off some huge runs this season. His accuracy was a little off, but he will be fine. He's got some great receivers and tight ends to work with.

 

I am happy Ian Book played well. It makes me feel better knowing that he could take over for Wimbush if he goes down for a half or a game. But let's pump the breaks on the QB competition based on one practice. Wimbush is the guy. Period.

 

This is exactly how I felt. Besides, wasn't Wimbush playing against most of the starters on defense? On a side note, Daelin Hayes looked good!

Edited April 23, 2017 by Baldy

[LasVegasIrish 0]

I don't think Wimbush is a lock to be the starter because Book looked more poised in the pocket, IMO.

 

Both lines looked pretty good but it's hard to gauge from the spring game when contact and play calling are both limited.

 

I don't think there are any worries when it comes to LBs. The secondary? Meh.

 

Kelly said there is no QB battle. He said Wimbush is the starter 100% and he's earned it.

[OKCIrish99 3]

Kelly said there is no QB battle. He said Wimbush is the starter 100% and he's earned it.

He also named Dayne Crist the starter prior to the 2011 opener v. USF, and we all know how that turned out. Not comparing Wimbush to Crist, but it's presumed he'd made a verbal commitment to Wimbush as to avoid the last thing he needs, a summer qb controversy. He could be thinking different things though. Don't think Book should be in the mix to start, but fans shouldn't dismiss how good he looked either. Wimbush held onto the ball too long at times, was high on several passes, and made poor choices occasionally. Just hope he's ready to drive the car that he's just been given.