True Freshman

[NikeGrizz]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

 

[mtgrizrule]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.

There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

 

[CV Griz Fan]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.



There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

Van Ackeren has to be in the mix on day one. He looks to have size and he is athletic. He tackles well too.
If he can cover, he is a huge upgrade at safety.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.

There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

Listen, I'm not trying to put lipstick on a pig, but we need to get over this idea that our defense sucked donkey balls last year (especially the defensive backs). Go back and look at the stats...if you can get past the abortion that was the UND game, in the last six games the Griz pass defense gave up 259, 294, 660, 332, 136, and 247 yards. And this DESPITE being thrown on 43, 53, 61, 58, 25 and 48 times. Now, is there room for improvement? Most definitely....but let's remember: THREE of the guys that we lost ended up getting into NFL camps, and two of them were NFL starters by the end of the year. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Our corners (Dennard, Harris, Chief) got much better in coverage and anticipation as the season progressed. Even Hermy got better (or healthy?) as the season progressed. The UND game is actually the aberration if you look at the stats. But what is an opponent to do? The front seven were giving up practically NO yards rushing after the NAU game, so teams turn to the air. Yes, it was our weak spot, but that's a relative thing. Even without Van Ackern, I would have expected dramatic improvement in our secondary this year, just because of experience.

And let's not forget: We lost wins on two fluke plays, at both EWU and SUU. This team was not that far off...

 

[granitegriz]

It is called much needed experience which they got...secondary played pretty well against DM and scats.

 

[BigPawzSharpClawz]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.

There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

Listen, I'm not trying to put lipstick on a pig, but we need to get over this idea that our defense sucked donkey balls last year (especially the defensive backs). Go back and look at the stats...if you can get past the abortion that was the UND game, in the last six games the Griz pass defense gave up 259, 294, 660, 332, 136, and 247 yards. And this DESPITE being thrown on 43, 53, 61, 58, 25 and 48 times. Now, is there room for improvement? Most definitely....but let's remember: THREE of the guys that we lost ended up getting into NFL camps, and two of them were NFL starters by the end of the year. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Our corners (Dennard, Harris, Chief) got much better in coverage and anticipation as the season progressed. Even Hermy got better (or healthy?) as the season progressed. The UND game is actually the aberration if you look at the stats. But what is an opponent to do? The front seven were giving up practically NO yards rushing after the NAU game, so teams turn to the air. Yes, it was our weak spot, but that's a relative thing. Even without Van Ackern, I would have expected dramatic improvement in our secondary this year, just because of experience.

And let's not forget: We lost wins on two fluke plays, at both EWU and SUU. This team was not that far off...

+25,000 :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[CV Griz Fan]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.

There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

Listen, I'm not trying to put lipstick on a pig, but we need to get over this idea that our defense sucked donkey balls last year (especially the defensive backs). Go back and look at the stats...if you can get past the abortion that was the UND game, in the last six games the Griz pass defense gave up 259, 294, 660, 332, 136, and 247 yards. And this DESPITE being thrown on 43, 53, 61, 58, 25 and 48 times. Now, is there room for improvement? Most definitely....but let's remember: THREE of the guys that we lost ended up getting into NFL camps, and two of them were NFL starters by the end of the year. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Our corners (Dennard, Harris, Chief) got much better in coverage and anticipation as the season progressed. Even Hermy got better (or healthy?) as the season progressed. The UND game is actually the aberration if you look at the stats. But what is an opponent to do? The front seven were giving up practically NO yards rushing after the NAU game, so teams turn to the air. Yes, it was our weak spot, but that's a relative thing. Even without Van Ackern, I would have expected dramatic improvement in our secondary this year, just because of experience.

And let's not forget: We lost wins on two fluke plays, at both EWU and SUU. This team was not that far off...

AzGriz:

I am as big of a "homer" as anybody but your comments about last year's secondary are just not realistic.
Everyone knows that the DB's just didn't play well, especially the safety position. Yes more experience might help but who knows? When the UND head coach blasts your safeties in a post game press conference" we knew the safeties were their weakness and we exploited the situation" there is not much a "fan" can say. Delaney needed to recruit a JuCo/ Drop Down player at safety and he did. Hopefully this Van Eckeren kid can come in and make an immediate impact. We'll see. Trying to "gloss over" last year's
problems six months after the season doesn't do anybody any good.

 

[Pounder29]

Secondary didn't call any of their own converages last year, the decision(s) to use a soft shell was
a call from the sideline. DC is to afraid to actaully let guys play, he has a LB background, so he is looking for holes to fill , not coverages since his knowledge only extends to the "flats".

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

In addition to Ralston, Scarver was also recruited to play right-away as a true freshman.

There are others as well, but we will have to see how pre-season practices go...

Simis, eluded to talented QBs already being here but he said we will have to see about that, he is coming in to be a starter as soon as possible. I like this kids confidence...(don't read his paraphrased comment as cocky, he's not, read it rather he's quitetly confident in his abilities). He's really likeable. Gregorak, the coach that recruited him, said Simis has a tremendous future as a Griz.

I am in the camp that hopes the Indiana WR plays right away, whatta great looking reciever (tall and fast).

Lots of this years new recruits will see the field, count on it. That is why they were brought in...

 

[AZGrizFan]

Ok now that we have our incoming class of 2013 are there any kids that will play year one, and if so who?
I've heard Ryan McKinley will get some serious PT. Also if Curtis White isn't here which there are a lot of questions about maybe Mike Ralston will play? And transfers I know T-Van will start at RB and rotate with Canada and Counts, and will Van Ackeren start at safety? I know there is a long time until spring ball but any early thoughts?

After what we seen from our pass defense last season, I hope the coaches open up safety and cb positions for everyone to compete from day one. Regardless of who wins those positions, I better not see soft coverage the majority of time again next season. If I see that like last season, I will be one of the 1st to call for Gregorak's job (I was so on his bandwagon to get the job too).

Offensively, I am on Marq Rogers bandwagon from the get go.

There will be a lot of competition open for DB, TE, WR, and QB starting in spring ball.

Listen, I'm not trying to put lipstick on a pig, but we need to get over this idea that our defense sucked donkey balls last year (especially the defensive backs). Go back and look at the stats...if you can get past the abortion that was the UND game, in the last six games the Griz pass defense gave up 259, 294, 660, 332, 136, and 247 yards. And this DESPITE being thrown on 43, 53, 61, 58, 25 and 48 times. Now, is there room for improvement? Most definitely....but let's remember: THREE of the guys that we lost ended up getting into NFL camps, and two of them were NFL starters by the end of the year. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill. Our corners (Dennard, Harris, Chief) got much better in coverage and anticipation as the season progressed. Even Hermy got better (or healthy?) as the season progressed. The UND game is actually the aberration if you look at the stats. But what is an opponent to do? The front seven were giving up practically NO yards rushing after the NAU game, so teams turn to the air. Yes, it was our weak spot, but that's a relative thing. Even without Van Ackern, I would have expected dramatic improvement in our secondary this year, just because of experience.

And let's not forget: We lost wins on two fluke plays, at both EWU and SUU. This team was not that far off...

AzGriz:

I am as big of a "homer" as anybody but your comments about last year's secondary are just not realistic.
Everyone knows that the DB's just didn't play well, especially the safety position. Yes more experience might help but who knows? When the UND head coach blasts your safeties in a post game press conference" we knew the safeties were their weakness and we exploited the situation" there is not much a "fan" can say. Delaney needed to recruit a JuCo/ Drop Down player at safety and he did. Hopefully this Van Eckeren kid can come in and make an immediate impact. We'll see. Trying to "gloss over" last year's
problems six months after the season doesn't do anybody any good.

I guess I'm just not convinced it was so much a "talent" issue as a "coverage" issue. And I'm pretty confident that if ANY team were thrown on 50+ times EVERY game they'd have some pretty shitty pass defense numbers too.

 

[kemajic]

Secondary didn't call any of their own converages last year, the decision(s) to use a soft shell was
a call from the sideline. DC is to afraid to actaully let guys play, he has a LB background, so he is looking for holes to fill , not coverages since his knowledge only extends to the "flats".

Recall Gregorak is more a disiple of Paulson than he is of Breske. "Bend, don't break" is a part of his fiber.

 

[kemajic]

I guess I'm just not convinced it was so much a "talent" issue as a "coverage" issue. And I'm pretty confident that if ANY team were thrown on 50+ times EVERY game they'd have some pretty shitty pass defense numbers too.

And Hermanson played hurt all year, which spoke to our lack of depth. Better health, better depth and more experience equates to a far more successful year in '13.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

I guess I'm just not convinced it was so much a "talent" issue as a "coverage" issue. And I'm pretty confident that if ANY team were thrown on 50+ times EVERY game they'd have some pretty shitty pass defense numbers too.

And Hermanson played hurt all year, which spoke to our lack of depth. Better health, better depth and more experience equates to a far more successful year in '13.

Your post is dead-on correct.

In addition to better health and depth in '13, people forget that neither Hermanson or Tulley ever red-shirted. These guys weren't 5th year seniors by any means back there.

I think the secondary is going to be much improved for years to come from here on out...

 

[gotgame75]

On the Curtis White front, I've been told he is here (as has been previously confirmed by those student directory checkers) and that the reason he wasn't announced was due to credit issues, which will hopefully be resolved by the end of this semester. He is here in large part due to his friendship with Jordan, which to me says a lot about JJ's intentions should he be acquitted. As to the status of his injuries, that is still a mystery, but one has to think he wouldn't give up a free education at Oregon if he expected there would be even a decent chance he would be watching from the stands at Montana. That being said, if he isn't fully healed by Fall Camp (which would essentially be 2 years since his last injury), its likely never going to happen...

 

[CV Griz Fan]

I guess I'm just not convinced it was so much a "talent" issue as a "coverage" issue. And I'm pretty confident that if ANY team were thrown on 50+ times EVERY game they'd have some pretty shitty pass defense numbers too.

And Hermanson played hurt all year, which spoke to our lack of depth. Better health, better depth and more experience equates to a far more successful year in '13.

Your post is dead-on correct.

In addition to better health and depth in '13, people forget that neither Hermanson or Tulley ever red-shirted. These guys weren't 5th year seniors by any means back there.

I think the secondary is going to be much improved for years to come from here on out...

I guess Delaney is trying to fix both possibilities either it was coaching or talent. He fired his safety coach and he recruited a "drop down" safety that should start immediately. Why take chances?