Here we go.
Starts Sunday.
http://goviks.com/news/2010/8/2/FB_0802104426.aspx
Starts Sunday.
http://goviks.com/news/2010/8/2/FB_0802104426.aspx
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2010 Fall Camp
- Thread starter martymoose
- Start date
Vikings plan to surprise pollsters
But tough schedule, Hillsboro ‘home’ field will test young team
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128095526037517200
But tough schedule, Hillsboro ‘home’ field will test young team
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128095526037517200
forestgreen said:
Not sure if 98% of the team is correct from Shead, but I think he's close.
I've stopped by a couple times now and there are a lot of guys out there.
Portland State football fall camp preview: New coach, new look on and off the field
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/portland_state_football_fall_c.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/portland_state_football_fall_c.html
And new Oregonian coverage? I wonder if Fentress is going to be the man to cover our new season? Hope Beseda comes back. Meanwhile, out in the hustings, the sites are dead silent on PSU football. Of course, they are for Idaho State too; teams expected to be dead last rarely get a mention. On the Championship site, one trusty Sac State fan allows as how we might be better than 2-9, but that's all. Fact is, no one knows anything about our team this year. They've heard about Brown, and that's all.
I agree with Burton; we've got enough good athletes - they just weren't prepared well last year. AND we've got some great new runners and TEs now. I'm willing to bet that we'll play ASU respectably, beat Davis, be trounced by UO (they'll run it up our throats) and IF we emerge relatively uninjured from these games we'll at least split the conference. Any takers?
I agree with Burton; we've got enough good athletes - they just weren't prepared well last year. AND we've got some great new runners and TEs now. I'm willing to bet that we'll play ASU respectably, beat Davis, be trounced by UO (they'll run it up our throats) and IF we emerge relatively uninjured from these games we'll at least split the conference. Any takers?
Portland State football fall camp preview: Five questions facing the Vikings
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/portland_state_football_fall_c_1.html
Renovations at PGE Park will force the Vikings to play their home games at Hillsboro Stadium. They last time PSU played games there was in 2000, when they went 8-4 and reached the national playoffs, losing in the first round. For PSU to match that type of production this year, several questions must be answered following a 2-9 season. Here are a handful as the Vikings prepare to open fall camp today:
1. Who will start at quarterback?
New coach Nigel Burton said three quarterbacks could rotate with the first-team in the new pistol offense to start of camp. They are junior Connor Kavanaugh from Lincoln High School, senior Tygue Howland, Sedro-Woolley, Wash., and senior Drew Hubel, Corvallis High School. Hubel ranks fifth in all-time passing yards (6,358) after three years operating the run-and-shoot offense. But he is recovering from offseason knee surgery and could be slowed during fall camp. "There's still a lot of things I have to prove to the coaches," he said. Kavanaugh is a dual threat quarterback, who last year thew for 444 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for 390 yards and three scores.
2. Can the offensive line be retooled?
Burton feels comfortable with the talent at the skill positions but the offensive line is a question mark. PSU ranked eighth in rushing yards per game (107.6) and fifth in yards per carry (3.6) last season in the Big Sky Conference. Junior Dustin Waldron is the most experienced with 14 starts. Sophomores Manuel Rojas and Kyle Ritt started half of last season. That's the extent of experience on the roster.
3. Where will the pass rush come from?
Portland State managed 24 sacks last season, third in the conference, but a move to the 4-3 defense means generating pressure with the front four. Senior Travis Beckley has 22 starts under his belt at end in the 3-4 and will move inside. After him, the Vikings are searching for answers.
4. Who will emerge opposite wide receiver Ray Fry?
The senior returns after catching 67 balls for 904 yards last season. The next leading returning receiver is sophomore Keitrell Anderson (six receptions, 101). Listed on the depth chart as starters in the three-wide receiver offense opposite Fry entering camp are sophomores Nevin Lewis (five receptions, 45 yards) and Justin Monahan (zero career receptions).
5. Will key transfers make an impact?
PSU is in need of some playmakers. To that end, the Vikings hope transfers from Division I programs can help. High on that list are junior cornerback David Ross (Oregon State) and junior running back Willie Griffin (Washington).
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/portland_state_football_fall_c_1.html
Renovations at PGE Park will force the Vikings to play their home games at Hillsboro Stadium. They last time PSU played games there was in 2000, when they went 8-4 and reached the national playoffs, losing in the first round. For PSU to match that type of production this year, several questions must be answered following a 2-9 season. Here are a handful as the Vikings prepare to open fall camp today:
1. Who will start at quarterback?
New coach Nigel Burton said three quarterbacks could rotate with the first-team in the new pistol offense to start of camp. They are junior Connor Kavanaugh from Lincoln High School, senior Tygue Howland, Sedro-Woolley, Wash., and senior Drew Hubel, Corvallis High School. Hubel ranks fifth in all-time passing yards (6,358) after three years operating the run-and-shoot offense. But he is recovering from offseason knee surgery and could be slowed during fall camp. "There's still a lot of things I have to prove to the coaches," he said. Kavanaugh is a dual threat quarterback, who last year thew for 444 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions while rushing for 390 yards and three scores.
2. Can the offensive line be retooled?
Burton feels comfortable with the talent at the skill positions but the offensive line is a question mark. PSU ranked eighth in rushing yards per game (107.6) and fifth in yards per carry (3.6) last season in the Big Sky Conference. Junior Dustin Waldron is the most experienced with 14 starts. Sophomores Manuel Rojas and Kyle Ritt started half of last season. That's the extent of experience on the roster.
3. Where will the pass rush come from?
Portland State managed 24 sacks last season, third in the conference, but a move to the 4-3 defense means generating pressure with the front four. Senior Travis Beckley has 22 starts under his belt at end in the 3-4 and will move inside. After him, the Vikings are searching for answers.
4. Who will emerge opposite wide receiver Ray Fry?
The senior returns after catching 67 balls for 904 yards last season. The next leading returning receiver is sophomore Keitrell Anderson (six receptions, 101). Listed on the depth chart as starters in the three-wide receiver offense opposite Fry entering camp are sophomores Nevin Lewis (five receptions, 45 yards) and Justin Monahan (zero career receptions).
5. Will key transfers make an impact?
PSU is in need of some playmakers. To that end, the Vikings hope transfers from Division I programs can help. High on that list are junior cornerback David Ross (Oregon State) and junior running back Willie Griffin (Washington).
Camp Begins Under Sunny Optimism And Spirited Competition
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/8/FB_0808100543.aspx
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/8/FB_0808100543.aspx
BroadwayVik
Active member
pdxfan said:
I like our chances to play ASU respectably. I like our chances to beat Davis. What I would like to do is surprise the UO by following up on that feeling last time we were there when we were behind 21-12 with Duck fans getting palpably uncomfortble. Then, instead of the Ducks breaking away, we hang with them more than would allay their consternation. I would like the end-result of the game to be better-than -expected, like 45-27.
With new coach Nigel Burton on board, Portland State sets a different course
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/with_new_coach_nigel_burton_on.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2010/08/with_new_coach_nigel_burton_on.html
I spent about 45-55 minutes at yesterday's practice. Not long enough to have really any definitive opinions, but I will say the practice had more energy and hitting then I ever saw during the Glanville years. This article has some good info in it:
Defensive Improvement In Demand For 2010
http://goviks.com/news/2010/8/13/FB_0813102356.aspx
Defensive Improvement In Demand For 2010
http://goviks.com/news/2010/8/13/FB_0813102356.aspx
Vikings' First Scrimmage Comes Off Well
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/14/FB_0814102202.aspx
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/14/FB_0814102202.aspx
I was finally able to make it out to a practice, and just in time for the heat wave.
We got there almost an hour before the scrimmage so we could take in some of the drills. A couple things I noticed in drills was a few dropped passes and bad snaps. The focus seems there, but there were just some passes that were not at the hands from some of the QBs. Maybe it was the heat. JT had a couple of great catches for TDs in 7 on 7 drills. One was a fade into the corner of the endzone where he went up to get it. Fry seemed to tweak his knee prior to the scrimmage and appeared to be held out of action. It didn't look bad, but you never know with knee tweaks. Bowen didn't suit for the day.
I seemed to focus on the defense more, as I usually do for some reason. Williams was sort of on my watch list since we really need to see some improvement with him. He still seems to have some issues jamming the receivers in the first five yards and keeping coverage after the contact. He fell right after a jam today, but fortunately the QB threw to an under route. At one point, Shead swapped spots with him and was sort of mentoring him with his technique from the sideline. With Shead as a mentor, I think Williams is in good hands.
Scrimmage started, and the first string defense looked pretty good. They were containing the between the tackles run plays pretty well. Any run success during the scrimmage seemed to be later on with runs to the outside. I know that the defense is playing the offense, but they really seemed to sniff out what the offense was doing. There was an instance on a screen and a draw where the defense immediately knew was was developing and ended up stuffing both plays. Overall, I think the starting defensive unit looks good and some of the backups look solid. D Almond dang near had a pick six, but unfortunately he dropped the pass that was right in his hands.
Some other random thoughts:
- I could be wrong, but I think that CK will be the starter.
- Field goal kicking should be a real strength this season.
- McCaffrey is amazingly fast. He can really get to the outside in a hurry, make people miss, and should have a ton of yards after catch on any under or screen routes.
- Punt coverage was pretty good. Hang time helps, but they seems to really get downfield in a hurry. Shead and Fry were the returners in the punt drills today.
Also, the new uniforms were not unveiled today. Tuesday is the rumor for the new uniforms now.
We got there almost an hour before the scrimmage so we could take in some of the drills. A couple things I noticed in drills was a few dropped passes and bad snaps. The focus seems there, but there were just some passes that were not at the hands from some of the QBs. Maybe it was the heat. JT had a couple of great catches for TDs in 7 on 7 drills. One was a fade into the corner of the endzone where he went up to get it. Fry seemed to tweak his knee prior to the scrimmage and appeared to be held out of action. It didn't look bad, but you never know with knee tweaks. Bowen didn't suit for the day.
I seemed to focus on the defense more, as I usually do for some reason. Williams was sort of on my watch list since we really need to see some improvement with him. He still seems to have some issues jamming the receivers in the first five yards and keeping coverage after the contact. He fell right after a jam today, but fortunately the QB threw to an under route. At one point, Shead swapped spots with him and was sort of mentoring him with his technique from the sideline. With Shead as a mentor, I think Williams is in good hands.
Scrimmage started, and the first string defense looked pretty good. They were containing the between the tackles run plays pretty well. Any run success during the scrimmage seemed to be later on with runs to the outside. I know that the defense is playing the offense, but they really seemed to sniff out what the offense was doing. There was an instance on a screen and a draw where the defense immediately knew was was developing and ended up stuffing both plays. Overall, I think the starting defensive unit looks good and some of the backups look solid. D Almond dang near had a pick six, but unfortunately he dropped the pass that was right in his hands.
Some other random thoughts:
- I could be wrong, but I think that CK will be the starter.
- Field goal kicking should be a real strength this season.
- McCaffrey is amazingly fast. He can really get to the outside in a hurry, make people miss, and should have a ton of yards after catch on any under or screen routes.
- Punt coverage was pretty good. Hang time helps, but they seems to really get downfield in a hurry. Shead and Fry were the returners in the punt drills today.
Also, the new uniforms were not unveiled today. Tuesday is the rumor for the new uniforms now.
Thanks for the scrimmage roundup, Marty. Glad to know JT caught a couple in 7 on 7s. He wasn't mentioned in the scrtimmage story - were there any plays to him? Glad Shead's taking Williams in hand. Yes, our kicking game's going to be a strength. I assume Duyndum's doing the punting - wasn't mentioned. Glad to see Truax got some practice. D line sounds thin - I'm afraid the likes of UO will wear it down. As for O line, the scrimmage story suggests that they do fine protecting the QB, but your take suggests they didn't do as well breaking down the tackles for inside runs. Still, McCaffrey's numbers averaged out to around 4 yards a play, not bad. On the whole, not a bad first week.
pdxfan said:
Hey pdxfan. JT was in on the goal line package that they put in for the 1 yard run that Sanford scored on. He blocks way better than a guy who hasn't played football since high school. He really keeps his feet. I suspect that we'll see him in short yard situations this year. Regarding punting, there were two guys punting in drills. Duyndum and Brown (I think). Duyndum's hang time was good and on one of the last punts there were a couple comments from the defensive guys on the sideline on the hang time. Hopefully punting can be a small tangible this year that help turn some close losses that we've had over the past three years into wins.
Yeah, we do seem a little thin on the depth at D line. We're going to need to see solid play from the transfers in the back up positions.
New Offense And A New Attitude Have The Vikings Moving The Right Direction
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/16/FB_0816101118.aspx
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/16/FB_0816101118.aspx
PSU's Burton gets ready to narrow QB field
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128206502881731700
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128206502881731700
Welcome change
Vikings like the looks of their 4-3 defense
http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128216530391278400
Vikings like the looks of their 4-3 defense
http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=128216530391278400
Defense Leads The Way In Vikings' Second Scrimmage
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/21/athtraining_0821101758.aspx
http://www.goviks.com/news/2010/8/21/athtraining_0821101758.aspx
I didn't get to the scrimmage, but by the sound of the story it sounds like Mccaffrey and JT did their usual thing, and Latu looks as good as earlier recruitment stories made him out to be. Except for Mccaffrey our runners had problems - sounds like our defensive line and linebackers are beginning to get a feel for plugging holes. Truax is doing well on the shorter field goals, definitely a solid backup to Brown. Hubel did fine, but I'd guess it's still CK as starting QB. In two weeks we'll know for sure.
