Spring Scrimmage #1 wrap up

[BWahlberg]

Also, Vika Fa'atuiese is going to be a player. Reminds me of a taller, bigger JP Kanongata'a.

Linebacker position is young, deep, and talented.

Vika looks like he is going to be a stud. He looks light and quick at 6' 3" 240. Just imagine how he's going to look in a few years! And to think that he was a late addition to the 2015 recruiting class that I believe attracted the coaches' attention just because he went to the same high school as Manu Ena. I guess we can't say that nothing positive came from the Griz receiving a commitment from Manu!

Really liking the progression of Vika from fall camp to this spring. One play from the scrimmage he stopped a first down with an expert tackle. Bingham was going to try to hurdle him but Vika accelerated into Bingham's lower body and wrapped up around his thighs preventing him from jumping. The next play on 4th and 1 the offense didn't convert and the drive ended. A Gregroak coached LB would've probably tried to pop Bingham up high without wrapping up as much in that situation and who knows the outcome...

 

[VimSince03]

Also, Vika Fa'atuiese is going to be a player. Reminds me of a taller, bigger JP Kanongata'a.

Linebacker position is young, deep, and talented.

Vika looks like he is going to be a stud. He looks light and quick at 6' 3" 240. Just imagine how he's going to look in a few years! And to think that he was a late addition to the 2015 recruiting class that I believe attracted the coaches' attention just because he went to the same high school as Manu Ena. I guess we can't say that nothing positive came from the Griz receiving a commitment from Manu!

Really liking the progression of Vika from fall camp to this spring. One play from the scrimmage he stopped a first down with an expert tackle. Bingham was going to try to hurdle him but Vika accelerated into Bingham's lower body and wrapped up around his thighs preventing him from jumping. The next play on 4th and 1 the offense didn't convert and the drive ended. A Gregroak coached LB would've probably tried to pop Bingham up high without wrapping up as much in that situation and who knows the outcome...

Gregorak's specialty was teaching technique and physicality (which you pointed out) with his weakness being game-planning so I guess I don't see the comparison. I mean I get what you are trying to say but weren't Gregorak coached linebackers pretty damn good over the years? However, I don't want to start a Gregorak thread because God knows what happens there. You are right, going for the big hit can be an issue more times than not.

Brint, how did Jesse Sims look?

 

[BWahlberg]

Gregorak's defenses improved every year but tackling technique seemed to be an issue for a while. They brought in some newer tackling dummies that seemed to clear that up a bit.

Sims I don't recall much from him. He's working his was into the d-end depth. Right now DE is mostly Kidder, Johnson, and Schye with Bedell mixed in a bit.

 

[fanofzoo]

Well if Semore can steal the signals from the O, I would think everyone else could too.
Just like NDSU in the playoffs.

Lol, did you not see they part where it's mentioned that its tradition and that TY did the same thing? The DC can steal the signals because he practices against them every damn day, not because there's some sort of systemic problem with the play calls.

Something about the grassy knoll.....

 

[bgbigdog]

Gregorak's defenses improved every year but tackling technique seemed to be an issue for a while. They brought in some newer tackling dummies that seemed to clear that up a bit.

Sims I don't recall much from him. He's working his was into the d-end depth. Right now DE is mostly Kidder, Johnson, and Schye with Bedell mixed in a bit.

Tackling was an issue all during Gregoraks tenure. How many times did you see someone go for the knockout shot only to take a poor angle & over run the play, or send a runner careening downfield for extra yards?' If they're wrapping up now it will be a 100% improvement on where they were. Playing under control, taking the proper angle and wrapping up aren't in the Gregorak coaching method. They'll look fierce while they're screwing up, I suppose they have that going for them.

 

[Griztime]

The players all looked great-big and strong-shout out to Coach Nicholson! Defense will be ahead of the offense this early as defense is read and react on a limited offensive play book. The O-Line will short itself out too as the 2nd team gets more reps. Last year the second team O-Line was scout team and worked very little on technique, now trying to catch up. They will get better as Spring continues. Exciting stuff-ahead of last year!

 

[Buttegrizzle]

Nice report as always BW. I plan to come over for the next one and check it out. Need some football. Saw Carroll's scrimmage today. Former Griz (?) Sam Gratton had a nice play.

 

[fanofzoo]

Two things.

Even if Semore steals the O's signals, how does that translate into the defense knowing what is coming? Does Semore signal in the defensive call, and then signal in what the offense is running? Why does the defense have signals set up in advance to receive a signal of the offensive play? Yes, I understand that Semore can make a better defensive call based on an offensive signal, but I don't get how the defense would know what the play is.

Why would a DC in a scrimmage be doing this, other than very occasionally? Why/how would that help make the team better? Just doesn't seem like what a DC would do, except perhaps on rare occasion.

Seamen is bush league, just like coach Bob's Titts. Enjoy.

All indications are that Semore will be good, probably very good, and maybe even terrific. Many good signs with Stitt too, but I suppose the proof will be in the pudding. I think he will be successful, even with a few ongoing hiccups here and there. I am encouraged by what is coming out of the coaching staff this winter/spring, in terms of making some improvements and changes and learning from some things that perhaps they didn't quite get right last year.

I agree. All successful people and great coaches make mistakes. What make them successful and great is learning from their mistakes. I'm anxious to see those mistakes minimized going forward.

Yes, well said and already we have seen the coach start utilizing a real big, I mean a really big WR :clap:
in the slot, 6'5" 260 running downhill with the ball. I tell you it's not fair.

 

[George Ferguson]

Sam Gratton is like 28 years old

 

[BWahlberg]

Think he's twisted it with Sam Stratton, a young TE on the Carroll roster.

 

[Ursa Major]

This is great to follow. I'm super excited to hopefully be able to watch the Griz live this year. If I'm still in Missouri, I'll be at N. Iowa. If I move to Idaho, which is possible, will be at many more games. This gets me excited for a great season of football. Need the OL and secondary to come into it's own. Need a little back up/drop down in those 2 areas as well as DL in my opinion just based on what's on the roster. Can't wait for the next couple write ups in the coming weeks. Thanks to all who contribute to this stuff for those of us that can't make it. Really do appreciate it!

Plus 1!! Well said Doc!! Thanks Brinty and all you others!!

 

[Buttegrizzle]

Think he's twisted it with Sam Stratton, a young TE on the Carroll roster.

:shock: indeed. The name looked familiar but I wasn't sure. Anyway, a 6-6 TE really sticks out on that squad.

 

[billgrizfan]

Didn't Phillips have the most rhythmic series on his last drive? Take out the long blown TD by Gus and the INT and they really played pretty even. Gus bouncing the ball on third and short is what we saw last year along with overthrows. I think this competition is just heating up for QB. Chalich is always going to hold the ball too long.

 

[griz5700]

Yep, other than that pick six, the transfer QB looked pretty good.... Looks like we have a new starter. Hilarious. If you think Stitt is going pass up a 6'7" R-SR who knows his offense and has a huge arm, you are crazy.

 

[mtgrizrule]

Yep, other than that pick six, the transfer QB looked pretty good.... Looks like we have a new starter. Hilarious. If you think Stitt is going pass up a 6'7" R-SR who knows this offense and has a huge arm, you are crazy.

I doubt many here would place Phillips ahead of Gus at this stage. However, Phillips will push Gus to become much better and more consistent. If and when Gus needs to a break, the offense will be in great hands under Phillips. :thumb:

 

[griz5700]

Phillips is a good addition. But Brady is going to have a huge year if he stays healthy.

 

[behappp]

Punting was awful?
I know it's not sexy to discuss, but as I have stressed many times on egriz, Special Teams have never been been great since Hauck left. There's a reason why Hauck was hired by SDSU to run STs, and was promoted from there.

I look forward on reporting of how this aspect of the Griz comes along - never has it been promoted by Stitt as a priority. We'll see if this is part of his learning from mistakes.

 

[fanofzoo]

Yep, other than that pick six, the transfer QB looked pretty good.... Looks like we have a new starter. Hilarious. If you think Stitt is going pass up a 6'7" R-SR who knows this offense and has a huge arm, you are crazy.

I doubt many here would place Phillips ahead of Gus at this stage. However, Phillips will push Gus to become much better and more consistent. If and when Gus needs to a break, the offense will be in great hands under Phillips. :thumb:

Coach Stitt might want to look at that 20 plus yard run by Phillips.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Didn't Phillips have the most rhythmic series on his last drive? Take out the long blown TD by Gus and the INT and they really played pretty even. Gus bouncing the ball on third and short is what we saw last year along with overthrows. I think this competition is just heating up for QB. Chalich is always going to hold the ball too long.

Take out the 2 pic-sixes and the KO return for a TD and the Griz and NDSU played pretty even too....

 

[CV Griz Fan]

Didn't Phillips have the most rhythmic series on his last drive? Take out the long blown TD by Gus and the INT and they really played pretty even. Gus bouncing the ball on third and short is what we saw last year along with overthrows. I think this competition is just heating up for QB. Chalich is always going to hold the ball too long.

Take out the 2 pic-sixes and the KO return for a TD and the Griz and NDSU played pretty even too....

LOL. What's funny is that there were posters saying that after the game.....