A few pointers on some guys/plays/things to watch for and a few things of what I'm hoping for as well.
1. Don't expect to see much/anything at all from Tripp, Hardy, Haas, and probably Kemp. The first three are working their way back and don't partake in regular contact drills, Kemp was in a boot and missed the two practices I saw this week.
2. That said, with Tripp and Hardy out both of our long-snappers will be MIA. The punt-snapping might be a little rough with 1st string short-snapper Brett Brauer handling those duties. Additionally in the punt return game prepare to hold your breath on a few fielded punts, especially if they rotate returners in, they've been having issues in this area with players cleanly fielding punts.
3. Watch Gregorak's blitz scheme, this spring so far I've seen a lot of the same blitzes that Breske liked, many coming right up the middle sending the mike-backer plus a safety or OLB to overload the middle. You'll see that, but Ty also brings a lot of pressure on the edge and will send OLBs around the DE and he sends corner blitzes more often than I'd seen Breske run.
4. In the passing game keep an eye on Sean Haynes and Cam Warren, both have really had solid springs so far and making the most of it. Haynes has great speed and he's been making a lot of big catches and Warren's been doing good work as a slot WR.
5. Of the linebackers today Brock Coyle will play in Tripp's spot, he's a beast out there and is having a huge spring camp, he'll play mike-backer with the 2s as well, keep an eye on him in run-support and especially blitzing. Also be prepared for a pretty solid showing from up and comer Addison Owen.
6. Watch for some new wrinkles in the short-passing game with increased screen plays and more looks to the running backs. Also don't be caught off guard if you notice a slot-WR lining up in the backfield on the QBs hip almost as a running back.
7. Be prepared for the 3-4 as well, they don't use it a ton but it's been pretty effective in pass coverage and with zone blitzes.
8. Keep an eye on the next generation of our DTs, Bienemann, Takai, and Tuliapupu have been making the most plays this spring and Jesse Ginn is just getting into full contact drills.
9. We know of Josh Harris at DE, two others who I'm hoping will show something tonight will be Zach Wagenmann (#58) and Trevor Rehm (#54)
10. There's a lot of fresh-faces wearing familiar numbers out there with the walk-ons currently fighting for a roster spot. While I've not seen some step up as immediate impact players yet I'm seeing good stuff from Shawn Heavyrunner (#71 mostly playing DE), Tommy Wyatt (#16, JuCo WR), David Nguyen (#20 playing corner), and Kyler Bruno (#39 playing WR).
11. Shay Smithwick-Hann has shown great improvement at QB, I'm hoping he continues to improve and catch some attention tonight.
12. A big issue the coaches have been trying to work on is containment on tackling lanes both on special teams and by the secondary. This will be something that'll be under a microscope (amongst many other things of course), Delaney, Gregorak, Williams, and Burtnett have been grilling these kids on making sure they keep the ball carrier contained and don't let him get to their outside
13. Don't expect a ton from the TEs overall, Richards is still finding his way and needs to improve "winning" battles to get the ball, also Pierson should have a few grabs I'd hope/think but he's still making the transition.
14. The O will probably run some silent count and force some off-sides plays where the whole O-line stays in their stance. Additionally the linebackers will attempt to simulate the snap count and shout during the QB's cadence forcing false starts. Both have been moderately effective.
15. The first string OL has had more issues effectively blocking up the middle, which the 2nd string OL has had more on the edge. The defense has attacked this accordingly, look for both to test this and adjust.
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That's some stuff that I'm looking for and hoping we all see tonight. As always I'll be tweeting updates as the scrimmage happens.
Go Griz!
1. Don't expect to see much/anything at all from Tripp, Hardy, Haas, and probably Kemp. The first three are working their way back and don't partake in regular contact drills, Kemp was in a boot and missed the two practices I saw this week.
2. That said, with Tripp and Hardy out both of our long-snappers will be MIA. The punt-snapping might be a little rough with 1st string short-snapper Brett Brauer handling those duties. Additionally in the punt return game prepare to hold your breath on a few fielded punts, especially if they rotate returners in, they've been having issues in this area with players cleanly fielding punts.
3. Watch Gregorak's blitz scheme, this spring so far I've seen a lot of the same blitzes that Breske liked, many coming right up the middle sending the mike-backer plus a safety or OLB to overload the middle. You'll see that, but Ty also brings a lot of pressure on the edge and will send OLBs around the DE and he sends corner blitzes more often than I'd seen Breske run.
4. In the passing game keep an eye on Sean Haynes and Cam Warren, both have really had solid springs so far and making the most of it. Haynes has great speed and he's been making a lot of big catches and Warren's been doing good work as a slot WR.
5. Of the linebackers today Brock Coyle will play in Tripp's spot, he's a beast out there and is having a huge spring camp, he'll play mike-backer with the 2s as well, keep an eye on him in run-support and especially blitzing. Also be prepared for a pretty solid showing from up and comer Addison Owen.
6. Watch for some new wrinkles in the short-passing game with increased screen plays and more looks to the running backs. Also don't be caught off guard if you notice a slot-WR lining up in the backfield on the QBs hip almost as a running back.
7. Be prepared for the 3-4 as well, they don't use it a ton but it's been pretty effective in pass coverage and with zone blitzes.
8. Keep an eye on the next generation of our DTs, Bienemann, Takai, and Tuliapupu have been making the most plays this spring and Jesse Ginn is just getting into full contact drills.
9. We know of Josh Harris at DE, two others who I'm hoping will show something tonight will be Zach Wagenmann (#58) and Trevor Rehm (#54)
10. There's a lot of fresh-faces wearing familiar numbers out there with the walk-ons currently fighting for a roster spot. While I've not seen some step up as immediate impact players yet I'm seeing good stuff from Shawn Heavyrunner (#71 mostly playing DE), Tommy Wyatt (#16, JuCo WR), David Nguyen (#20 playing corner), and Kyler Bruno (#39 playing WR).
11. Shay Smithwick-Hann has shown great improvement at QB, I'm hoping he continues to improve and catch some attention tonight.
12. A big issue the coaches have been trying to work on is containment on tackling lanes both on special teams and by the secondary. This will be something that'll be under a microscope (amongst many other things of course), Delaney, Gregorak, Williams, and Burtnett have been grilling these kids on making sure they keep the ball carrier contained and don't let him get to their outside
13. Don't expect a ton from the TEs overall, Richards is still finding his way and needs to improve "winning" battles to get the ball, also Pierson should have a few grabs I'd hope/think but he's still making the transition.
14. The O will probably run some silent count and force some off-sides plays where the whole O-line stays in their stance. Additionally the linebackers will attempt to simulate the snap count and shout during the QB's cadence forcing false starts. Both have been moderately effective.
15. The first string OL has had more issues effectively blocking up the middle, which the 2nd string OL has had more on the edge. The defense has attacked this accordingly, look for both to test this and adjust.
-------
That's some stuff that I'm looking for and hoping we all see tonight. As always I'll be tweeting updates as the scrimmage happens.
Go Griz!
