So Where Do We Stand?

[IdaGriz01]

Well, I’ve gone over the various threads about the Spring game, needs from the Portal, specific players, etc. etc. (Too long a drive to see the game or attend any practices.) With few exceptions, I picked up some odd vibes.

I know it’s early, but let’s try to assess where we stand right now. In sum, I really don’t sense much enthusiasm. From most of the comments, everything is, say, “serviceable.” The Griz apparently have three good QB candidates, but no one stands out. Same for running back and wide receivers: pretty good candidates in each case, but no one in particular stands out. It seems the O-line is okay, but only the returning Center is called out in particular. Same with the D-line and LB … okay (again), but no one to point out as a leader, or anchor.

Can’t tell about the overall secondary either. Again, no one stands out as a potential “lock-down” corner or big-time hitter at Strong Safety.

And, oddly enough for a Griz team, I saw almost nothing about Special Teams.

Hence this poll. Do the Griz have a lot of really good material that just needs to learn to gel as a team, with time for the true leaders to identify themselves? How about “pretty good” players, needing only a few tweaks from the Portal to be great as a team. Or: Solid group, no stars … will win many games with their depth and lack of competition in the Big Sky. Or something else.

(You can change your vote if you learn something that changes your mind.)

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

Not a real pole, no bobcats suck option. /sarcasm

 

[IdaGriz01]

Not a real pole, no bobcats suck option. /sarcasm

You're right. My bad.

Of course, I would have needed to allow two votes since all good eGrizzers would have picked that .

 

[SoldierGriz]

I voted pretty good - need some help.

Ceiling is playoff Semis...floor is home playoff game win and done.

Need a single, healthy QB - stubbornly splitting reps past first couple of games will be a negative in my view.

Must have portal help OL and especially DL.

Zero worried about RBs, special teams...and unlike some others, I am not really worried about the secondary.

Hopeful existing transfer additions gel quickly.

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

I voted "too early to tell" - just because....it is a long time between now and the first game of the season.

 

[Jordan_20]

I think that we can add some depth to both the OL and DL. I think a clear QB1 is needed, but that can be done without the portal. Just need someone to step up. LB is only a concern if Otlewski is not good to go by Fall. Then I would recommend snagging an upperclassmen from the portal. I am confident we will see a few incoming freshman split reps. Especially that 330 pound Hawaiian freshman OL

 

[EverettGriz]

Needs the following choices:

--bobcats suck
-- hotel in Nashville booked.

(Which are my two choices)

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

Close enough so my wife doesn't chew me out for making a mess.

 

[Pick0621]

I voted good but needs some help.

I agree with many other posters on here that the QB position is definitely still up in the air. There’s no question Ah Yat has tons of potential but it does suck that he missed crucial spring practice reps due to another injury. I think the success of this position will determine how far this team can go next season.

Despite having another new offensive line coach I do feel confident in our o-line though I’m always down to adding more o-line and d-line. Obviously Cade and Botner coming back help this group out a lot. I talked to a parent of one of our offensive lineman the other day and they were very impressed with Coach Norcross.

I tend to have maroon colored glasses on most of the time but I am really excited about our WRs. Mistakes will happen of course given how young and inexperienced they are but there’s a lot of talent there to be excited about.

The rb room is stacked once again, no concerns there.

The d-line has the potential to improve a ton from last season. I’m excited to finally see Ramos get a larger role as well as see Wilson get some action. Tucker is another guy to keep an eye on and then of course we have Peevy and Peck coming in.

The lb room is in a similar situation as the WR room, a lot of young promising but so far largely unproven talent. And with Caleb getting hurt they might be even more inexperienced now. But I am excited to watch Stevenson, oven, and optiz and I think Tolbert is going to do well. If Leonard can stay healthy I think he will be a vocal leader on this iteration of the defense.

The back end of the defense definitely has some question marks. I thought all things considered Loud did as about as good of a job as you could ask for given the circumstances last season and he’s only going to get better from there. Harper is going to be a beast. Ford and Lawler have potential but they definitely need to be more consistent. I think Wolfe and Wilkeson are going to be impactful early on.

As for special teams, we have a great long snapper back for his senior year and Morrison was solid last year and has looked great this spring.

Lots to be excited about but I know I’m biased and am not the most knowledgeable lol just a griz fan that wants September to hurry up and get here

 

[UncleRico]

I voted pretty good - need some help.

Ceiling is playoff Semis...floor is home playoff game win and done.

Need a single, healthy QB - stubbornly splitting reps past first couple of games will be a negative in my view.

Must have portal help OL and especially DL.

Zero worried about RBs, special teams...and unlike some others, I am not really worried about the secondary.

Hopeful existing transfer additions gel quickly.

I liked what I saw from Jensen Friday night. Not sure how folks are criticizing him from that brief time. He made zero bad throws or decisions. I would say also that it isn't enough to say he will be great.

 

[Griz til I die]

For the most part I feel pretty good. Unlike last year, I feel that the staff did very well in the portal this year. I like these guys way better than I liked last years guys. The news of Klimczak returning is huge and I now feel the pretty good about the OL. That was the one missing piece there and now we’re good.

The only spot that gives me any kind of concern is QB. I want Ah Yat to get there but I’m just not sure he will. I’d strongly advise the staff to go find one more guy. Just in case.

Other then that, I feel good to great about every other position on the field!

 

[Znelson15]

I liked what I saw from Jensen Friday night. Not sure how folks are criticizing him from that brief time. He made zero bad throws or decisions. I would say also that it isn't enough to say he will be great.

Agreed on the judgement, I think a lot of fans have qb ptsd right now, me included

I like what Jensen provided for sure but I don't see the it factor. On occasion I saw the it factor with ah yat and always with McDowell.

Yes it was just a spring game for Jensen but mobility and athletic ability seems to be the recipe to make it work.

Maybe jensen develops the it factor but ah yat seems to be hurt all the time now and I am nervous about Jensen playing in an actual game with real pressure (cheers to maybe him proving me wrong though)

 

[Znelson15]

I liked what I saw from Jensen Friday night. Not sure how folks are criticizing him from that brief time. He made zero bad throws or decisions. I would say also that it isn't enough to say he will be great.

Agreed on the judgement, I think a lot of fans have qb ptsd right now, me included

I like what Jensen provided for sure but I don't see the it factor. On occasion I saw the it factor with ah yat and always with McDowell.

Yes it was just a spring game for Jensen but mobility and athletic ability seems to be the recipe to make it work.

Maybe jensen develops the it factor but ah yat seems to be hurt all the time now and I am nervous about Jensen playing in an actual game with real pressure (cheers to maybe him proving me wrong though)

 

[oldngrizzly]

I liked what I saw from Jensen Friday night. Not sure how folks are criticizing him from that brief time. He made zero bad throws or decisions. I would say also that it isn't enough to say he will be great.

But ,But ,he has never played a D1 game. How could he possibly be any good ?

 

[Wolf777]

I like a lot of the players we have. Though unproven there is talent on defense. The offense is loaded and somebody needs to step up and take the job under center. We have a few difference makers coming in after spring semester including a real stud on D if he can stay healthy. There’s some holes, but if this team can’t get through this schedule better than last year, there’s bigger problems moving forward. A very weak non conference and 8 home games better end up with at least 10 wins.

Can the staff get out of its own way and adapt like they did in 2023? I feel we hit every right button in 2023 after NAU and last year we didn’t hit many. Never really looked like a team. They stated they need to simplify and I’m ready for the jimmys and joes to matter more than scheming every damn thing up for something that may not happen. This staff far too often outthinks and outsmarts themselves.

If this team is going to get to where they want to get to, Bobby needs to loosen the reigns and let this offense feast. The defense is inexperienced at best and needs to be allowed to be put in a better position than last years defense this year. Wortham is a difference maker and we have receivers that can go out and get a ball so let them loose and showcase the speed.

 

[kemajic]

Same for running back and wide receivers: pretty good candidates in each case, but no one in particular stands out.

So Eli Gillman doesn't stand out? I don't know any Griz fans that feel that way. Makes your source of information suspect.

 

[IdaGriz01]

So Eli Gillman doesn't stand out? I don't know any Griz fans that feel that way. Makes your source of information suspect.

My source(s) of information are suspect, I suppose ... because, as I said, they're simply what I read here on the many eGriz threads about the team and players. Perhaps everyone figured Gillman was a given standout, so they didn't really show any enthusiasm along those lines. It is what it is.

 

[UncleRico]

Agreed on the judgement, I think a lot of fans have qb ptsd right now, me included

I like what Jensen provided for sure but I don't see the it factor. On occasion I saw the it factor with ah yat and always with McDowell.

Yes it was just a spring game for Jensen but mobility and athletic ability seems to be the recipe to make it work.

Maybe jensen develops the it factor but ah yat seems to be hurt all the time now and I am nervous about Jensen playing in an actual game with real pressure (cheers to maybe him proving me wrong though)

I don’t know how to define the “it” factor but I didn’t see it with McDowell until Davis game. Because they opened up offense a bit in that game. I saw flashes with Ah Yat. Especially 1st half of UND game but then play calling was super conservative in 2nd half. I think what I saw with Jensen was a mature guy that is just learning the scheme. But he can zip the ball. But you don’t know until they do it. Just like every position. He’s been practicing against NFL prospects for 3 years everyday. That’s why in part I think he could be really solid.

 

[UncleRico]

So Eli Gillman doesn't stand out? I don't know any Griz fans that feel that way. Makes your source of information suspect.

Rocker is another one. He looked great.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Well, now we're cookin'. Great to see.

My wife had an interesting observation. She wondered if the relative lack of enthusiasm for specific players was "fear of the Portal." Tout someone too much, and they might get poached through the Portal. Sadly, not an unwarranted thought these days.