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Spring Practice Update From UM
- Thread starter firmgriz
- Start date
stubbins
Well-known member
Those bashing Pflu were idiots. The smart ones saw what he was putting in place and the potential. Now the smart ones see The slow erosion of Griz football. Thank God for the talent on this team, or 99% of he delaney supporters would melt.mikegriz said:
In the interest of fairness, the staff had a very good recruiting year on paper. Now, if the talent and some of the staff can hold it together until this the old man retires.
Grizzlies1982
Well-known member
jcu27 said:
Though "Lord Pflu" does have an awful lot of love for compiling the 2nd worst coaching record in the past 25 years.
BigPawzSharpClawz
Well-known member
Source GoGriz.com
The University of Montana football team concluded the first half of their 2013 spring drills yesterday (Friday, March 29), with practice number 7 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The team is taking the next nine days off for spring break.
In early 11-on-11, situational drills which started on the offense's 35-yard line, the defense dominated, and several players stood out. Senior linebacker John Kanongata'a tackled sophomore quarterback Trent McKinney for a sack, and then two plays later junior tackle Trevor Rehm stopped junior halfback Travon Van for a 5-yard loss.
In the next series, on a safety blitz, Kendrick Van Ackeren, a 6-1, 195-pound transfer from Hawaii, stopped Van for a 2-yard loss. That defensive gem was followed up by tackles for loss by junior noseguard Tonga Takai, senior linebacker Jordan Tripp, and sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Kose, and redshirt freshman tackle Bo Harris (Fairfield, Mont.) sacked junior quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann.
Harris and fellow redshirt freshmen Ryan Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.) and Zach Peevey (Missoula) are three young players who are all expected to contribute on UM's veteran-laden D-line.
Griz associate head coach and D-line coach Legi Suiaunoa said he is very pleased with the progress of his guys so far this spring, both young and old.
"I feel we have a pretty solid group," said Suiaunoa, who is in his third season at Montana and a former (1998-2001) starting linebacker at Nevada. "We have some really good players coming back, with a lot of good experience.
"We also have some guys with not a bunch of game experience from last year, but they're working and they're learning,"he said. "I like the depth that we've got up front, and I really like the guys we've got. There's some leadership there that's created some confidence, and that started a year ago, and they way that the performed last season.
"I think they're anxious, Suiaunoa said. "Last season was a rough one for them, and so they were anxious to get back to work and improving, and building something special this fall."
The offense showed what it was capable of after a few series in 11-on-11 competition, as Van broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run. There were also a couple of nice runs by juniors Jordan Canada and Brett Kirschner. Kirschner, who had been moved from running back to safety this spring, was just moved back to his former position this past Wednesday (March 27).
"I really like the way our running game is shaping up," said Griz head coach Mick Delaney. "We have four or five guys back there who can help us win games.
"Brett was frustrated about not getting on the field last year, so he wanted to try something different," Delaney said. "So I let him try (playing safety) and saw day-by-day he wasn't getting in turns there, and he hadn't played any defense since his junior year in high school.
"So, I just asked him to move back (to offense) because that's where he belongs," Delaney said. "He's a ton behind because of the changes that we've made, but he got more done today and on Wednesday than he did the first part of spring drills and the whole winter program. That's real refreshing to see him bounce around over there and compete."
Sophomore kicker Chris Lider badly missed his first field goal attempt of 42 yards, but nailed his next try from that distance, and it would have been good from 55 yards (or more) out. Later in the day he connected on a 37-yard field goal.
The Grizzlies also worked on their punt returns on Friday, with three sophomores, Ellis Henderson, Chase Naccarato, and Taylor Walcott taking reps. Sophomore punter Stephen Shaw was once again outstanding, and had four kicks (against no pressure) of 60 yards or more.
A few of the other player highlights from practice #7:
1. Cam "Mouse" Warren made a diving catch at mid-field on a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Brady Gustafson.
2. Smithwick-Hann floated a pass to freshman tight end Jordan Harper, who made an over-the-shoulder grab and advanced the ball to the 5-yard line (the offense started the series from the 20-yard line of the defense).
3. Canada turned on the speed and broke free for a 20-yard run around right end for a touchdown.
4. A 2-yard tackle for loss by sophomore linebacker Kelsey Lippert, who tracked down Van, which is no easy task.
5. A double-reverse pass, with Van (who is a lefty) throwing to Walcott for a 20-yard touchdown.
Spring practice number seven ended in a very entertaining way, as several offensive and defensive linemen tried to catch punts by Lider and Shaw.
The first three guys came up empty, but the next five players -- sophomore defensive end Derek Crittenden, sophomore offensive tackle John Schmaing, Rehm, senior center Kjelby Oiland, and sophomore D-tackle Caleb Kidder all made good on their chances to field a punt.
The session concluded with rope pull competition between UM's offensive and defensive assistant coaches. The "D" was the winner of that one.
"I've learned through the years that you've got to give and take a little bit sometimes, and we knew some kids had plans to fly out (go home for spring break) and they've worked so darn hard, that we cut back a ton today," Delaney said. "We went about an hour and 15 minutes, came out earlier, and did not have any meetings before practice.
"When you do something like that you never know how a team is going to respond," Delaney continued. "They had fun today, and I thought today's practice was about as spirited and high-energy of a practice that we've had, and that what we, as a staff, hoped would happen."
Delaney said he is elated about the team's work ethic so far this spring.
"Last spring was tough for the kids," Delaney said. "They pushed through last spring and last fall and competed very hard, but we obviously didn't accomplish what we would have liked to. We did accomplish the fact that they know what they have to do to get back on the right track. If we can avoid injuries and with a little bit of luck, I think this is going to be a fine football team."
Montana resumes spring drills on Tuesday, April 9. They will also practice on April 10th and 12th, then hold a scrimmage in Ronan at noon on Saturday, April 13.
GRIZ GRIDIRON NOTES: For the second straight season the Grizzlies have only 12 seniors on their roster.
Since the 2000 season Montana has 142 wins - the most by any FCS team. The Griz have gone 142-36 over that span, for a winning percentage of 79.8% - the highest of any squad in FCS football.
Montana was ranked second in the nation in the FCS in attendance, averaging 25,236 in six home games in 2012. The leader was Appalachian State at 26,358. The Griz open their 2013 season at home against the Mountaineers on August 31.
Canada has had two of the longest runs in school history -- 75 yards against Portland State in 2011, and 72 at Eastern Washington last season, which are the ninth and 11th (tie) longest by a Griz player. The record for the longest run in a game is 80 yards, and it is shared by five players.
FUN FACT: Senior offensive guard and returning starter William Poehls at 6-8, 345, is the biggest player on the team, while senior wide receiver Cam Warren's vitals are 5-7, 160.
The University of Montana football team concluded the first half of their 2013 spring drills yesterday (Friday, March 29), with practice number 7 in Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The team is taking the next nine days off for spring break.
In early 11-on-11, situational drills which started on the offense's 35-yard line, the defense dominated, and several players stood out. Senior linebacker John Kanongata'a tackled sophomore quarterback Trent McKinney for a sack, and then two plays later junior tackle Trevor Rehm stopped junior halfback Travon Van for a 5-yard loss.
In the next series, on a safety blitz, Kendrick Van Ackeren, a 6-1, 195-pound transfer from Hawaii, stopped Van for a 2-yard loss. That defensive gem was followed up by tackles for loss by junior noseguard Tonga Takai, senior linebacker Jordan Tripp, and sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Kose, and redshirt freshman tackle Bo Harris (Fairfield, Mont.) sacked junior quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann.
Harris and fellow redshirt freshmen Ryan Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.) and Zach Peevey (Missoula) are three young players who are all expected to contribute on UM's veteran-laden D-line.
Griz associate head coach and D-line coach Legi Suiaunoa said he is very pleased with the progress of his guys so far this spring, both young and old.
"I feel we have a pretty solid group," said Suiaunoa, who is in his third season at Montana and a former (1998-2001) starting linebacker at Nevada. "We have some really good players coming back, with a lot of good experience.
"We also have some guys with not a bunch of game experience from last year, but they're working and they're learning,"he said. "I like the depth that we've got up front, and I really like the guys we've got. There's some leadership there that's created some confidence, and that started a year ago, and they way that the performed last season.
"I think they're anxious, Suiaunoa said. "Last season was a rough one for them, and so they were anxious to get back to work and improving, and building something special this fall."
The offense showed what it was capable of after a few series in 11-on-11 competition, as Van broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run. There were also a couple of nice runs by juniors Jordan Canada and Brett Kirschner. Kirschner, who had been moved from running back to safety this spring, was just moved back to his former position this past Wednesday (March 27).
"I really like the way our running game is shaping up," said Griz head coach Mick Delaney. "We have four or five guys back there who can help us win games.
"Brett was frustrated about not getting on the field last year, so he wanted to try something different," Delaney said. "So I let him try (playing safety) and saw day-by-day he wasn't getting in turns there, and he hadn't played any defense since his junior year in high school.
"So, I just asked him to move back (to offense) because that's where he belongs," Delaney said. "He's a ton behind because of the changes that we've made, but he got more done today and on Wednesday than he did the first part of spring drills and the whole winter program. That's real refreshing to see him bounce around over there and compete."
Sophomore kicker Chris Lider badly missed his first field goal attempt of 42 yards, but nailed his next try from that distance, and it would have been good from 55 yards (or more) out. Later in the day he connected on a 37-yard field goal.
The Grizzlies also worked on their punt returns on Friday, with three sophomores, Ellis Henderson, Chase Naccarato, and Taylor Walcott taking reps. Sophomore punter Stephen Shaw was once again outstanding, and had four kicks (against no pressure) of 60 yards or more.
A few of the other player highlights from practice #7:
1. Cam "Mouse" Warren made a diving catch at mid-field on a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Brady Gustafson.
2. Smithwick-Hann floated a pass to freshman tight end Jordan Harper, who made an over-the-shoulder grab and advanced the ball to the 5-yard line (the offense started the series from the 20-yard line of the defense).
3. Canada turned on the speed and broke free for a 20-yard run around right end for a touchdown.
4. A 2-yard tackle for loss by sophomore linebacker Kelsey Lippert, who tracked down Van, which is no easy task.
5. A double-reverse pass, with Van (who is a lefty) throwing to Walcott for a 20-yard touchdown.
Spring practice number seven ended in a very entertaining way, as several offensive and defensive linemen tried to catch punts by Lider and Shaw.
The first three guys came up empty, but the next five players -- sophomore defensive end Derek Crittenden, sophomore offensive tackle John Schmaing, Rehm, senior center Kjelby Oiland, and sophomore D-tackle Caleb Kidder all made good on their chances to field a punt.
The session concluded with rope pull competition between UM's offensive and defensive assistant coaches. The "D" was the winner of that one.
"I've learned through the years that you've got to give and take a little bit sometimes, and we knew some kids had plans to fly out (go home for spring break) and they've worked so darn hard, that we cut back a ton today," Delaney said. "We went about an hour and 15 minutes, came out earlier, and did not have any meetings before practice.
"When you do something like that you never know how a team is going to respond," Delaney continued. "They had fun today, and I thought today's practice was about as spirited and high-energy of a practice that we've had, and that what we, as a staff, hoped would happen."
Delaney said he is elated about the team's work ethic so far this spring.
"Last spring was tough for the kids," Delaney said. "They pushed through last spring and last fall and competed very hard, but we obviously didn't accomplish what we would have liked to. We did accomplish the fact that they know what they have to do to get back on the right track. If we can avoid injuries and with a little bit of luck, I think this is going to be a fine football team."
Montana resumes spring drills on Tuesday, April 9. They will also practice on April 10th and 12th, then hold a scrimmage in Ronan at noon on Saturday, April 13.
GRIZ GRIDIRON NOTES: For the second straight season the Grizzlies have only 12 seniors on their roster.
Since the 2000 season Montana has 142 wins - the most by any FCS team. The Griz have gone 142-36 over that span, for a winning percentage of 79.8% - the highest of any squad in FCS football.
Montana was ranked second in the nation in the FCS in attendance, averaging 25,236 in six home games in 2012. The leader was Appalachian State at 26,358. The Griz open their 2013 season at home against the Mountaineers on August 31.
Canada has had two of the longest runs in school history -- 75 yards against Portland State in 2011, and 72 at Eastern Washington last season, which are the ninth and 11th (tie) longest by a Griz player. The record for the longest run in a game is 80 yards, and it is shared by five players.
FUN FACT: Senior offensive guard and returning starter William Poehls at 6-8, 345, is the biggest player on the team, while senior wide receiver Cam Warren's vitals are 5-7, 160.
stubbins said:
ALPHA was one of, if not THE first one(s) to start trumpeting the above bolded if I'm not mistaken...and I hardly ever am. But, folks were lining up to say he was FOS on this call! He usually is on a lot of things, but he wasn't about that one!
I think a lot of posters on eGriz owe ALPHA an apology...
stubbins said:
Maybe. I don't pay the careful attention that some of you hard cores do, but I'd be really surprised if some of those Pflu haters aren't now Pflu lovers - pretty common on here. As for Delaney, as it was for Pflugrad, time will tell. I have a good feeling about the upcoming season, and I'm getting behind the whole team - players and coaches alike. We need to turn a corner.
stubbins
Well-known member
there were maybe ten posters that could see what Pflu was putting together that first year....and alpha was one of them, for sure.Grizo406 said:stubbins said:
ALPHA was one of, if not THE first one(s) to start trumpeting the above bolded if I'm not mistaken...and I hardly ever am. But, folks were lining up to say he was FOS on this call! He usually is on a lot of things, but he wasn't about that one!
I think a lot of posters on eGriz owe him an apology...
CV Griz Fan
Well-known member
mikegriz said:
I would agree with you except why do many of the Delaney supporters feel that he will have a fantastic second year just because Pflugrad did? What is the correlation? Pflugrad was a good coach! He eventually
won big in his second year because he had a plan and he stuck to it. Who's to say that Delaney is at the level of a Pflugrad? I just don't get that "wishful" thinking. Call it what it is!
CV Griz Fan said:
Hope you're not putting those words in my mouth, I never said Delaney will have a fantastic second season because Pflugrad did. Just that I'm willing to give the guy and chance (what's the choice?) and I hope he succeeds. If Coach Delaney succeeds, my team succeeds, so I don't see the point in ripping on the HC
CV Griz Fan
Well-known member
mikegriz said:
I am not putting words in your mouth. That was not my intention. If your using words like " I hope he succeeds" or I hope my "team succeeds" then that is "wishful" thinking and that is okay. At least you're admitting to it as such. Delaney will not succeed in his second year just because Pflugrad did. The two coaches are two different animals. I feel that Pflugrad was a good HC. The jury is still out on Delaney. His first year was a "bust" and his past record is horrible. That is all we have to go on at this point. Anything other than that is "wishful" thinking IMO. Let's get the season going. We'll find out soon enough.
The jury can be out whether Delaney is a poor, good or great coach, but in my mind too much is placed by some on the HC's credentials. With the talent level and depth of this team, particularly on D, the HC's job is to get out of the way and let the kids play. Sure, he could mess up and cost us some colateral, but I do not think the Griz 2013 level of success is so much on the HC as many on here believe. Pflu was still not looking so good until JJ hit stride in the second half of 2011 and made Pflu's job a lot easier then on. Good players make coaching much easier; we have a lot of good players this year.
granitegriz
Well-known member
Spot on Kem...great points :!:
rimrockgriz
Well-known member
:agree:
kemajic said:
In any event this will be a good time for all of us. Wipe out the past and lets continue on. The head coach is the man in charge and when things go well he gets the credit. Same as when it turns sour, the head man tends to smell bad.
Looking at the players on our team and the assistant coaches I feel very good for this up coming season. I will do my best to STAY OFF DELANEY until the third game is complete! We will know by then what our team is made of and how the coaching looks to us. My bet is we will be damn good this coming year.
Up front worry from me is the double head OCs. Not bitching just a concern by me. It might work and I hope it does. Delaney is a very nice guy win lose or draw. That will help the Griz in many ways.
Lets get this thing rolling, quit the whine and support the Griz!
Looking at the players on our team and the assistant coaches I feel very good for this up coming season. I will do my best to STAY OFF DELANEY until the third game is complete! We will know by then what our team is made of and how the coaching looks to us. My bet is we will be damn good this coming year.
Up front worry from me is the double head OCs. Not bitching just a concern by me. It might work and I hope it does. Delaney is a very nice guy win lose or draw. That will help the Griz in many ways.
Lets get this thing rolling, quit the whine and support the Griz!
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