Good morning everyone, I thought I'd give some general impressions from the 2 1/2 practices I caught last week. As all know practices are open (there are usually 1 or 2 closed scrimmages that QB Club can attend). Also well known is that the coaching staff loves to have fans there but also just generally asks that we enjoy the practice and don't share information on formations, plays, and especially injuries. So that said, I'm going obviously follow that request here, so like the great Nick Saban once said, "I'm not going to, so quit asking me!"
I caught days 1, 3, and then some of 5 before a 2nd thunderstorm chased the team off the field for safety reasons. Day 1 was no-pads, 3 was half pads, and 5 was full pads. Energy was high early on but at the end of the week you could sense the camp grind was starting to settle in. There is a strong amount of swagger coming from this team and the coaching staff was sharply on-edge as the week started but also seemed to be more settled in to their typical groove in the next two practices.
Here's a few of my observations:
- The QB competition we saw in the spring (to me) has tightened. I like what I'm seeing from our QBs, Fife looks more comfortable in the role than he did in the spring. Ah Yat and Huot can sling it and show ongoing signs of being well familiarized with the WRs/RBs/TEs. I had a stronger feeling I knew who our starting QB was coming out of spring ball than I do now. This week will be an interesting one to see how things unfold there.
- Our new OL coaches work with these guys is strongly noticeable. I've been REALLY impressed with the play I've seen from the O-line. I've never played the game and so my full knowledge is based on what I've seen but the design and movement / strength of this group has been astounding. Not that they didn't have it before but there's a mean streak in these guys. I like the way both the #1 and #2 OL play right now. We've got a few position battles going on (I think). That Cal transfer is more versatile than I thought he would be and this new Central Michigan transfer has provided depth/options at center.
- I was worried that with so many long-standing staples on defense departing this group would be searching to find new attitude and leadership. That worry is all but gone. There are various guys with strong voices / leadership in each position group. And the amount of trash talk? ohhhhh boy! They back it up a lot too so it isn't just talk either.
- As was observed in spring ball, the transfers this team brought in (for the most part) are still appearing that most every one of them will be contributing players. Some currently appear to be landing starter roles, others rotate in with 2nd team reps. This was stated by the coaches in the spring and seems to hold true - they "hit" on just about every transfer they brought in. These guys will contribute this year.
- You can't replace Gubner but this D-line has really upped it's size and appears to have a far more deep rotation than it did last year. I recall last season being a little on edge because of how beat up this group got fast. This year the ranks are far deeper. I believe they're working hard on establishing that depth this fall, we kind of know who the starting group is, but who will rotate in and help out is the big question.
- Some fresh faces that (so far) have stood out to me are: Malae Fonoti, Kenzel Lawler, Kyon Loud, Stevie Rocker Jr, Geno Leonard, Erich Osteen, Clay Oven, & RB Wilson V.
- Cornerback seems to be a spot where there's a lot of guys battling for reps. Outside of Gradney there's not a lot of starting experience there.
- Day 1 in no pads the LB group looked so different and *seemed* undersized, but once the pads came on that size difference didn't seem to be a thing. Riley Wilson appears to have added a bit more muscle and is looking like he'll be even more of a force. Lots of new LB's mixing in with a few familiar names out there.
- DB's / Safeties are coming along, this group is pretty well rounded in pass protection and under the tutelage of Tim Hauck they appear to be getting better. This group now has fully changed over from some of the long-standing starters we've had.
- One thing I usually don't see a lot in practice is the use of more exotic / unique / "trick" plays. Well... I've seen a few so far! It seems there's some heated rivalry between O and D coaches as well as they're getting after each other a bit too when there's full team drills. These guys are challenging each other in ways I'd not picked up on before (could be just my poor prior observation). They're testing and working on each other to improve.
- I've only seen one field goal kicking session but that one looked pretty good - it was from a distance and I was chatting with others though.
- The amount of talent on offense is really something. We don't need a world-beater QB at the role, we need one to grow into the role as the season goes along. This group will help out in a big way. The one thing I'm going to be looking for this week and next week is to see which QB (if any) can start to take that first step to grow. It's funny because I reflected back on camp at this point last year and most of us were pretty sure Vidlak was the guy and McDowell was a fun change of pace / gadget QB but we weren't seeing him as a legit starter option. Well... he grew into the role. This year QB play is well ahead of where it was last year at this point.
Generally this group has me excited for the season, however we've got a lot of new guys in key roles that are finding their footing. The intensity is there, the work and effort is there. We're going to need many of these newer guys to step up and fill some big shoes and that could come with some growing pains. I think that fans will need to tamp expectations that the 2024 Grizzlies will open the season looking like the late season / playoffs 2023 Grizzlies. However, I also don't see a spot on this roster (so far) that appears to be an area of concern that could totally derail the team's 2024 goals. It's a long way to go for these guys but so far, I'm liking the direction they're headed!
