2013 Fall Camp

[gah-riz]

JJ is the KPAX athlete of the week:

http://www.kpax.com/videoplayer/?video_id=37772&categories=66,285" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[grizfan95]

Senior Clay Pierson leads the way for a young group of tight ends
Griz wrapping up fall camp practice drills/classes start Aug. 26/season opener just 8 days away

http://www.gogriz.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082313aac.html

Aug 23, 2013

"I am excited about the opportunity and the chance to start," Pierson said prior to Friday's practice. "I feel good and can't wait for the season to start. I am just going to try to help the team and play the best I can and see what happens."

"Clay is a very, very good athlete," Delaney said. "He came here not knowing where we were going to play him, really. He played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, safety, etcetera, playing in a small, eight-man school. He did everything.

That being said, one of the biggest surprises at that position has been the play of freshman Jordan Harper (6-3, 215). Harper was a member of Great Falls's C.M. Russell state championship team as a senior and named that team's MVP. He recently returned from a two-year L.D.S. mission in Los Angeles, and he has emerged as the back-up to Pierson.

"He's tremendously under-sized at this point, because he's a true freshman, but he still has some outstanding qualities that are really going to help us in the passing game particularly," Delaney said. "He's a tough guy. He'll hang in there and block. We have a nice crew at tight end and we'll have three of four of those guys who will play for us."

We noted that running back Travon Van is back practicing, and he was running at full speed this afternoon.

 

[grizfan95]

Griz kicking derby continues

http://missoulian.com/sports/colleg...cle_9c69e5d0-0c52-11e3-ba53-001a4bcf887a.html

By Bill Speltz

“We have to make the decision pretty soon but it’s not made yet,” Delaney said. “One of them should have taken it over but they haven’t and that’s why it’s unsettling, because nobody has stepped up and proved that they’re the guy that can be consistent enough.

“Chris (Lider) should be that guy, but he hasn’t proven yet he’s ready to take it over. It’s still competition for that position.”

Lider’s toughest game was his last. He missed 37- and 23-yard field goals against Montana State, which proved crucial in a game the Cats won, 16-7.

“It gave me that bad taste in my mouth to work harder in the offseason,” he said. “I didn’t want to have a bad game. I look at it as it made me more focused. It made me have a little more of a drive to get better.

“After dealing with a whole season as a starter, I know what I need to do so I can do well that last game and my leg is rested up. It was a great learning experience.”

 

[grizfan95]

Grizzlies' RB position back at full strength
VAN, COUNTS RETURN FROM PRESEASON INJURIES TO GIVE UM BACKFIELD DEPTH

http://missoulian.com/sports/colleg...cle_edd15b62-0ba1-11e3-885b-0019bb2963f4.html

By Bill Speltz

“Tra has been hobbling around here for about a week,” Montana coach Mick Delaney noted after his team worked out inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. “Nothing is real serious at this point, but it was kind of a (medial collateral) sprain, strain-type thing. It looks like he’s back feeling pretty darn good.

“Joey has had a little bit of problems with the Achilles’ tendon, just sore from a lot of work and running. But to see both of them out there today helps everybody.”

Van is the X factor on a list of four contenders that includes Canada, Counts and freshman John Nguyen, brother of ex-Grizzly Peter Nguyen. Van piled up 541 yards on 143 carries for FBS Marshall in 2011 before he was slowed by injuries last season.

Seniors Anthony Goodwin and Sean Murray have emerged as the probable starters at corner while senior Bo Tully and junior Matt Hermanson will hold down the safety positions.

In 7-on-7 Griz action Thursday, Harris picked off a deep pass from Jordan Johnson intended for Sean Haynes ... Cam Warren, who is emerging as a strong possession receiver, had several good-hands catches from Johnson on short routes ... Sophomore wideout Kevin Berland made a nice catch in a crowd ...

 

[grizfan95]

HEALTHY AND HUNGRY
Hermanson, UM secondary seek redemption in 2013

http://missoulian.com/sports/colleg...cle_af67fa38-0a12-11e3-afe4-0019bb2963f4.html

By Bill Speltz

Matt Hermanson has heard it all quite enough.

“We’re sick and tired of everyone saying that we have the best D-line and linebackers,” Montana’s starting free safety said Tuesday after practice at the Riverbowl. “We want them to say we have the best secondary, too.

“We didn’t have a healthy Matt last year and a lot of people I don’t think realized it,” Montana defensive coordinator Ty Gregorak said. “I know some people are starting to hear he had a bad turf toe all year. He had a bulging disc in his neck.

“That takes a toll on a guy. For having a couple ailments he didn’t miss a ton of time. But even when he was in there he wasn’t the super freshman we all thought that first year.”

Hermanson also nursed a sore foot. That problem required surgery in the offseason to repair a broken sesamoid.

 

[grizfan95]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pkg7pbxDbg[/youtube]

 

[grizfan95]

I think that's it for fall camp in 2013. In 36 hours we'll be on our first Monday of game week. Go Griz!

 

[Grizzoola]

I will be honest. I am a little more then worried about the secondary. Practice notes today said Hayes got loose again. The report says Haynes has been having a really nice fall camp. Plus, I heard Henderson had 3 or 4 TDs yesterday!?

Its not like our WRs a slobs either, but all I know is we best get to the QB regularly until they get things fixed in the secondary. Go Griz

Again I think it was in skelly. That drill is meant for the offense. We'll find out for better or worse Aug 31.

What's the difference between a skelly drill & a 7 on 7 drill? Both leave out linemen, so what's the diff.?

 

[snap]

skelly is just short for skeleton (no O or D line). The O has QB, running backs and tight ends. The D has Linebackers and DBs. Skelly and 7 on 7 are the same thing.

 

[Grizzoola]

skelly is just short for skeleton (no O or D line). The O has QB, running backs and tight ends. The D has Linebackers and DBs. Skelly and 7 on 7 are the same thing.

Thanks, snap.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Amazing the effort the Missoulian is putting back into the GRIZ again. Speltz, you da man. Looks like both sides have made up, and the paper is no longer out looking for the negatives. Please keep it that way Missoulian.