Sideline Lackeys Pod: Training camp part 1

[rob.peterson]

Hello egriz nation! Ben and I are back for season two of the sideline lackeys podcast, here to take a look at training camp. Much like the Griz we shake off the rust and dive into week 1 of practice

Griz training camp: Week 1

Podcast Episode · Sideline Lackeys · August 14, 2025 · 32m

podcasts.apple.com

Griz training camp: Week 1 - Sideline Lackeys

Hey Lackey Nation! Ben and I are back for season 2 of the Sideline Lackeys pod. We shake off the rust in this episode, much like the Griz football team through the first few practices. We take a look at the team and what we like going forward

www.buzzsprout.com

 

[nicktaber58]

Hello egriz nation! Ben and I are back for season two of the sideline lackeys podcast, here to take a look at training camp. Much like the Griz we shake off the rust and dive into week 1 of practice

Griz training camp: Week 1

Podcast Episode · Sideline Lackeys · August 14, 2025 · 32m

podcasts.apple.com

Griz training camp: Week 1 - Sideline Lackeys

Hey Lackey Nation! Ben and I are back for season 2 of the Sideline Lackeys pod. We shake off the rust in this episode, much like the Griz football team through the first few practices. We take a look at the team and what we like going forward

www.buzzsprout.com

I could only listen as far the qb discussion. You mention we're the only team out msu, ndsu and sdsu that return a starting qb "if you can call it that". What else would you call it? KAY, to me, very obviously, won the starting job last year. He couldn't sustain it because he couldn't stay healthy. If you read the gogriz.com qb write up today, Pease eludes to it.

Today was my first practice that I've attended. To me, KAY is the leader and it doesn't appear close. Hes bulked up considerably from the eye test, hes poised, and made some great looking throws today. Jensen and flowers are definitely serviceable. To me, in comparison to last season, Jensen looks quite a lot better than fife at the same juncture, but KAY looks much more the part. My money is on KAY currently, with Jensen and flowers pushing ( and looking solid).

Other observations:

-Fonoti is a beast. Runs so hard, so strong, made some guys miss today, weve got a great one in him.

-its been well documented, but this defense looks to have a totally different composition about them compared to last season. The PSU kid has a MOTOR, as does almost every LB I watched.

-Im ready to claim our d line will be JUST FINE. Peck Is a beast with a motor, Detrick is the same way, Jake Mason is freak size / athleticism wise. Keim will be a problem, and some others. Im confident in this group.

- Morrison looked good on kicks. Every kick i saw was explosive off the foot, made everyone i saw. May not have seen all of his admittedly, but i didnt see amy of the issues he was reportedlyhaving with the grass. Looked great.

-WRs had an up n down day w some drops, but they look great. Brooks Davis may not start opening night, but my pick to perhaps even lead the squad by the end of the season. Explosive, aggressive route runner, and a motor.

-Lawler stood out to me at corner. Looks so much more natural at that position compared to the limited action he saw last season. Also looks stronger and more explosive.

One thing that also stood out to me is leadership and personalities. Defensively, there are some dawgs. Peck and Detrick are vocal leaders who seem to have the respect of the unit. Several of the LBs are the same. PSU kid and geno are all world leaders. Winner mentality. Offensively, Brown is taking that role, Brooks Davis has a lot of that, and I love Drew deck. Championship attitude. We missed that so much last year, it was palpable at practice.

Some kinks to work out and position groups and some new guys still trying to find their footing, but I was impressed with this teams attitude and spirit, especially considering all the new faces and bodies.

GO GRIZ

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

I could only listen as far the qb discussion. You mention we're the only team out msu, ndsu and sdsu that return a starting qb "if you can call it that". What else would you call it? KAY, to me, very obviously, won the starting job last year. He couldn't sustain it because he couldn't stay healthy. If you read the gogriz.com qb write up today, Pease eludes to it.

Today was my first practice that I've attended. To me, KAY is the leader and it doesn't appear close. Hes bulked up considerably from the eye test, hes poised, and made some great looking throws today. Jensen and flowers are definitely serviceable. To me, in comparison to last season, Jensen looks quite a lot better than fife at the same juncture, but KAY looks much more the part. My money is on KAY currently, with Jensen and flowers pushing ( and looking solid).

Other observations:

-Fonoti is a beast. Runs so hard, so strong, made some guys miss today, weve got a great one in him.

-its been well documented, but this defense looks to have a totally different composition about them compared to last season. The PSU kid has a MOTOR, as does almost every LB I watched.

-Im ready to claim our d line will be JUST FINE. Peck Is a beast with a motor, Detrick is the same way, Jake Mason is freak size / athleticism wise. Keim will be a problem, and some others. Im confident in this group.

- Morrison looked good on kicks. Every kick i saw was explosive off the foot, made everyone i saw. May not have seen all of his admittedly, but i didnt see amy of the issues he was reportedlyhaving with the grass. Looked great.

-WRs had an up n down day w some drops, but they look great. Brooks Davis may not start opening night, but my pick to perhaps even lead the squad by the end of the season. Explosive, aggressive route runner, and a motor.

-Lawler stood out to me at corner. Looks so much more natural at that position compared to the limited action he saw last season. Also looks stronger and more explosive.

One thing that also stood out to me is leadership and personalities. Defensively, there are some dawgs. Peck and Detrick are vocal leaders who seem to have the respect of the unit. Several of the LBs are the same. PSU kid and geno are all world leaders. Winner mentality. Offensively, Brown is taking that role, Brooks Davis has a lot of that, and I love Drew deck. Championship attitude. We missed that so much last year, it was palpable at practice.

Some kinks to work out and position groups and some new guys still trying to find their footing, but I was impressed with this teams attitude and spirit, especially considering all the new faces and bodies.

GO GRIZ

.I'm trying to figure out how two people can have such diametrically opposed opinions about how one player is progressing. Very interesting

 

[rob.peterson]

I could only listen as far the qb discussion. You mention we're the only team out msu, ndsu and sdsu that return a starting qb "if you can call it that". What else would you call it? KAY, to me, very obviously, won the starting job last year. He couldn't sustain it because he couldn't stay healthy. If you read the gogriz.com qb write up today, Pease eludes to it.

Today was my first practice that I've attended. To me, KAY is the leader and it doesn't appear close. Hes bulked up considerably from the eye test, hes poised, and made some great looking throws today. Jensen and flowers are definitely serviceable. To me, in comparison to last season, Jensen looks quite a lot better than fife at the same juncture, but KAY looks much more the part. My money is on KAY currently, with Jensen and flowers pushing ( and looking solid).

Other observations:

-Fonoti is a beast. Runs so hard, so strong, made some guys miss today, weve got a great one in him.

-its been well documented, but this defense looks to have a totally different composition about them compared to last season. The PSU kid has a MOTOR, as does almost every LB I watched.

-Im ready to claim our d line will be JUST FINE. Peck Is a beast with a motor, Detrick is the same way, Jake Mason is freak size / athleticism wise. Keim will be a problem, and some others. Im confident in this group.

- Morrison looked good on kicks. Every kick i saw was explosive off the foot, made everyone i saw. May not have seen all of his admittedly, but i didnt see amy of the issues he was reportedlyhaving with the grass. Looked great.

-WRs had an up n down day w some drops, but they look great. Brooks Davis may not start opening night, but my pick to perhaps even lead the squad by the end of the season. Explosive, aggressive route runner, and a motor.

-Lawler stood out to me at corner. Looks so much more natural at that position compared to the limited action he saw last season. Also looks stronger and more explosive.

One thing that also stood out to me is leadership and personalities. Defensively, there are some dawgs. Peck and Detrick are vocal leaders who seem to have the respect of the unit. Several of the LBs are the same. PSU kid and geno are all world leaders. Winner mentality. Offensively, Brown is taking that role, Brooks Davis has a lot of that, and I love Drew deck. Championship attitude. We missed that so much last year, it was palpable at practice.

Some kinks to work out and position groups and some new guys still trying to find their footing, but I was impressed with this teams attitude and spirit, especially considering all the new faces and

.I'm trying to figure out how two people can have such diametrically opposed opinions about how one player is progressing. Very interesting

I’m trying to figure out what practice he was watching

 

[horribilisfan8184]

I’m trying to figure out what practice he was watching

I would think one's watching a practice with new people in almost all skill positions where some people are learning and other still knocking the rust off, and others are watching known returners and comparing their early performances to prior mid season form. Same practice, just different POV.

 

[Da Boyz Mom]

I would think one's watching a practice with new people in almost all skill positions where some people are learning and other still knocking the rust off, and others are watching known returners and comparing their early performances to prior mid season form. Same practice, just different POV.

I absolutely agree. One's point of view is always predicated on what they personally have witnessed. They could be at the same practice and watching different things. My comment was solely about the lackeys and Nick's comments on KAY. According to the "lackeys", he hasn't progressed much and is still just as much a mess as before and he needs to step up into the role and become a leader. Nick's perception is that is already happening on the field and KAY Is making good progress towards being the leader that he needs to be on the offense. I'm just stymied because they seem to have directly opposite opinions.

 

[oldngrizzly]

I’m trying to figure out what practice he was watching

What practice were you watching ? Your take on Jensen or AH YAT is no where accurate . Interesting you had no take on Flowers. Were you watching closely ?

 

[rob.peterson]

What practice were you watching ? Your take on Jensen or AH YAT is no where accurate . Interesting you had no take on Flowers. Were you watching closely ?

Come say hi to me at practice and we can chat about it

 

[horribilisfan8184]

I absolutely agree. One's point of view is always predicated on what they personally have witnessed. They could be at the same practice and watching different things. My comment was solely about the lackeys and Nick's comments on KAY. According to the "lackeys", he hasn't progressed much and is still just as much a mess as before and he needs to step up into the role and become a leader. Nick's perception is that is already happening on the field and KAY Is making good progress towards being the leader that he needs to be on the offense. I'm just stymied because they seem to have directly opposite opinions.

I agree. One person sees indecision on the QB, hesitating and making late throws, and another notes that the primary receivers are not running the correct routes.

 

[rob.peterson]

I absolutely agree. One's point of view is always predicated on what they personally have witnessed. They could be at the same practice and watching different things. My comment was solely about the lackeys and Nick's comments on KAY. According to the "lackeys", he hasn't progressed much and is still just as much a mess as before and he needs to step up into the role and become a leader. Nick's perception is that is already happening on the field and KAY Is making good progress towards being the leader that he needs to be on the offense. I'm just stymied because they seem to have directly opposite opinions.

I admit, I tend to be a little more critical than most, especially when it comes to the quarterback position. Just listen to Pease talk to each QB. Also, I only judge the quarterbacks during team and skelly periods, not when they are in individual drills. May account for a difference in opinion

 

[alabamagrizzly]

Isn't that what egriz is specifically for? Chatting? Or are we "chatting" with fists?

 

[uofmman1122]

I don't think there's anything too egregious having listened to the whole thing, although I do get the sense that you guys are purposefully trying to position yourselves as the "opposition podcast" over the last year or so.

Nothing wrong with that at all, but just an observation! (It's certainly been good for engagement lol) Always happy for more Griz content to chew through!

 

[BelierPeaux]

Agree with uofmman. Great that you are differentiating yourselves from other pods but my honest critique is you sound and do best when you aren't portraying bitterness, a la the circle-jerk comment. Otherwise, good listen!

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

I don't think there's anything too egregious having listened to the whole thing, although I do get the sense that you guys are purposefully trying to position yourselves as the "opposition podcast" over the last year or so.

Nothing wrong with that at all, but just an observation! (It's certainly been good for engagement lol) Always happy for more Griz content to chew through!

We need to make an afternoon to stop in at the T&C. Never a boring day of Griz talk with Rob.

 

[oldngrizzly]

I read what Pease said. Maybe that's the problem with our quarterback position. We may have the wrong coach. What I saw was a hot practice and it seemed disorganized at times. Taking in consideration it was just the start of camp I still think you could get an initial read on players that stood out. Trying to do to much to fast rather than taking time to work thru things was a concern for me.

 

[uofmman1122]

We need to make an afternoon to stop in at the T&C. Never a boring day of Griz talk with Rob.

I have been in there a lot lately!

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

I have been in there a lot lately!

Oddly, same this summer. A group of my buddies have started stopping in for a beer after work most days, so I pop in and join them two or three days a week before I get home. I'd bet you money we have sat a few feet from each other.

After this upcoming Tuesday I'll be back to swinging in.

 

[rob.peterson]

Agree with uofmman. Great that you are differentiating yourselves from other pods but my honest critique is you sound and do best when you aren't portraying bitterness, a la the circle-jerk comment. Otherwise, good listen!

I hear that for sure. Not my intent to be bitter but I will always be honest and straightforward. And I stand by what I said on the pod

 

[billingsgriz]

I hear that for sure. Not my intent to be bitter but I will always be honest and straightforward. And I stand by what I said on the pod

I thoroughly enjoyed your pod, Rob--loved your and Ben's analysis. !!!

I think one of the problems with Keali'i thus far is we all want him to be his dad Brian, and he isn't, at least not yet. Maybe and hopefully, this is his breakout year !

Being in Billings and not being able to eyeball any of the practices myself, I am looking forward to listening to your upcoming pods !!!

Thanks again and Go GRIZ !!!

 

[horribilisfan8184]

I thoroughly enjoyed your pod, Rob--loved your and Ben's analysis. !!!

I think one of the problems with Keali'i thus far is we all want him to be his dad Brian, and he isn't, at least not yet. Maybe and hopefully, this is his breakout year !

Being in Billings and not being able to eyeball any of the practices myself, I am looking forward to listening to your upcoming pods !!!

Thanks again and Go GRIZ !!!

Brian stood behind exceptional offensive lines giving time to throw on a daily basis. He had the benefit of watching one of the greatest to play at the FCS level, and talking football with him on a daily basis. he had continuity of receivers. This O line group and receiver group may get there but it sounds like the D has the upper hand early. Improved protection seems to lead to better QB play.