GROUND&POUND
Active member
Hello Eags Fans. I know many of you can't make practice so I thought I'd share with you what I have picked up at the several practices I have attended. I suppose the first thing I have noticed that has been very impressive (but not surprising) is how well organized our team is from the top down. The practices are fast paced and technique teaching goes on throughout every phase. Our staff is highly skilled and we are lucky to have them. I've been to many college practices over the years and ours ranks right up there with the best of them.
Some players I have noticed, some of whom we always hear about and others that I think are just rising.
I'll start with #10, Cooper Kupp sets the tone in everything he does. I suppose it would be fair to say he is the hardest working player in the program and he works so many aspects of his game every time he moves his feet. With Coop it's not just about a quick take off, blazing speed, or even running the great route. He also works on the other aspects of his game every play, like catch (proper form), tuck the ball away as quickly as possible, and then he sprints with a full burst down the field making the required cuts to avoid the tacklers if they were tackling him (although most the time they are not). This is why in the games it seems so easy for him to make plays, and why in my mind he is our best player. I have really come to appreciate what he brings to our program as a player, student, and leader.
Aaron Neary #72 also displays alot of the same characteristics as Coop. In particular, he helps coach up the OL and when the ball is snapped he only knows one gear and that is full speed ahead. He also encourages his fellow OL and really helps set the tone for that group. He is such a superior athlete for his position that I think the sky is the limit, and I think he will be our next drafted OL (my guess is to play Center in the NFL).
#82 is one of our TE's and he consistently gets open inside. He is our one big man too that catches everything that comes his way. I don't know what his name is as that number isn't on the roster, but he's around 6'5 and 235/245. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that right now in practice he is outplaying the rest of the group, which is saying alot considering Cam Wimberly #9 is there and is a good consistent player. #82 has some inside quickness though that is very noticeable and I haven't seen him drop a single ball. He is getting reps with the #1's so its pretty obvious the coaches see it too. He is playing at an All Big Sky level right now, and if he keeps it up he will really open things up for West and Coop.
#7: I have no idea who this player is, but he also works very hard, and is impressive on both his routes and his transitioning from a WR to runner after the catch. He is also a very willing blocker and runs many routes extremely well. Heck of a competitive player we have here and also sets the tone with the way he works.
QB's: Everyone always wants to hear, so here it goes. West is the best and I might also add I think he is also getting better faster than the rest. That said, they can all play. #12 Henessey is the best on the roll outs and throws, #15 GG has great accuracy, and Frosh #16 has a VERY strong arm, and is very skilled on medium range routes. He may have the strongest throw on the team in the outside flats. West though is just good at everything in terms of his throws. If our running game is as good as I expect it to be this year, West will thrive and defenses will have to play us honest. To have this many players playing at this level I just can't say enough about Coach Hill. Just an outstanding QB developmental coach. :notworthy:
DT's 99, 94, and 97 take up alot of space and are really good inside. I think #94 is a solid player that really hustles, seems to lead when in too. #99 though is just a beast and I see All Big Sky potential in him. He really stuffs the run especially well, and has a nice bull rush too. #97 does it all and those 3 players are really going to compliment the outside players like Samson #91. I think the fate of our defense rests with the big guys up front keeping those OL guys off our speedy LB's and SS on the outside.
#4 Raynes was one of my favorite players last year, and I expect him to make a strong push for Defensive Player of the Year. I don't mind saying that about him this early because his work ethic and skill set is perfect for our new defense. I'll stand by this guy any day in a fight on the field because he will find a way to get his job done and help you do yours too. I like everything about his coverage, tackling, and overall versatility.
LB's: All faster than what we have seen, and a few have quick reaction to the right spot on the field all the time. There will be growing pains, but the speed and athleticism here will be complimented by the new scheme and those big DL up front.
Kicker #45: Dude works hard all practice long and has by far the strongest leg on the field. He seems like a superior athlete as well. Very confident and just works hard while others stand around and shoot the breeze. I don't usually get excited about kickers, but I like this guy and he looks like he could actually run down field and slam someone too. If the smoke in the air does'nt cancel the scrimmage we may see a kicking competition. Be sure to watch this guy kick, he's actually someone to be excited about. He has a big toe.
RB's #2 and frosh #20 are really standing out to me. Wilson has so much flash and really seems to understand where the hole is going to be and just has a knack for bursting through at the right time. I know we have a bunch of quality RB's but Wilson is very impressive. #20 McPherson is getting a lot of reps and today he broke a long run and turned a few short catches on 3rd down into long plays for us. One went over 40 years and his long run was about 35 yards. He did a solid job picking up blitzes too. Great kid, looking forward to watching him develop along with this outstanding Frosh OL.
I saw one player that seemed to have a boo boo on his wrist/hand, and another 8 or so that looked like they were sick. They weren't walking like they were hurt and had no wraps. I wont list numbers as that could cross a line. A few that didn't practice in the AM did practice in the PM. I hear the bad air has some of the boys sick.
Lastly, Air quality may lead to Saturday's scrimmage being cancelled. I'll post on this thread later tonight when I hear back for sure if Vic doesn't beat me too it.
That's it for now EAG fans!
Some players I have noticed, some of whom we always hear about and others that I think are just rising.
I'll start with #10, Cooper Kupp sets the tone in everything he does. I suppose it would be fair to say he is the hardest working player in the program and he works so many aspects of his game every time he moves his feet. With Coop it's not just about a quick take off, blazing speed, or even running the great route. He also works on the other aspects of his game every play, like catch (proper form), tuck the ball away as quickly as possible, and then he sprints with a full burst down the field making the required cuts to avoid the tacklers if they were tackling him (although most the time they are not). This is why in the games it seems so easy for him to make plays, and why in my mind he is our best player. I have really come to appreciate what he brings to our program as a player, student, and leader.
Aaron Neary #72 also displays alot of the same characteristics as Coop. In particular, he helps coach up the OL and when the ball is snapped he only knows one gear and that is full speed ahead. He also encourages his fellow OL and really helps set the tone for that group. He is such a superior athlete for his position that I think the sky is the limit, and I think he will be our next drafted OL (my guess is to play Center in the NFL).
#82 is one of our TE's and he consistently gets open inside. He is our one big man too that catches everything that comes his way. I don't know what his name is as that number isn't on the roster, but he's around 6'5 and 235/245. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that right now in practice he is outplaying the rest of the group, which is saying alot considering Cam Wimberly #9 is there and is a good consistent player. #82 has some inside quickness though that is very noticeable and I haven't seen him drop a single ball. He is getting reps with the #1's so its pretty obvious the coaches see it too. He is playing at an All Big Sky level right now, and if he keeps it up he will really open things up for West and Coop.
#7: I have no idea who this player is, but he also works very hard, and is impressive on both his routes and his transitioning from a WR to runner after the catch. He is also a very willing blocker and runs many routes extremely well. Heck of a competitive player we have here and also sets the tone with the way he works.
QB's: Everyone always wants to hear, so here it goes. West is the best and I might also add I think he is also getting better faster than the rest. That said, they can all play. #12 Henessey is the best on the roll outs and throws, #15 GG has great accuracy, and Frosh #16 has a VERY strong arm, and is very skilled on medium range routes. He may have the strongest throw on the team in the outside flats. West though is just good at everything in terms of his throws. If our running game is as good as I expect it to be this year, West will thrive and defenses will have to play us honest. To have this many players playing at this level I just can't say enough about Coach Hill. Just an outstanding QB developmental coach. :notworthy:
DT's 99, 94, and 97 take up alot of space and are really good inside. I think #94 is a solid player that really hustles, seems to lead when in too. #99 though is just a beast and I see All Big Sky potential in him. He really stuffs the run especially well, and has a nice bull rush too. #97 does it all and those 3 players are really going to compliment the outside players like Samson #91. I think the fate of our defense rests with the big guys up front keeping those OL guys off our speedy LB's and SS on the outside.
#4 Raynes was one of my favorite players last year, and I expect him to make a strong push for Defensive Player of the Year. I don't mind saying that about him this early because his work ethic and skill set is perfect for our new defense. I'll stand by this guy any day in a fight on the field because he will find a way to get his job done and help you do yours too. I like everything about his coverage, tackling, and overall versatility.
LB's: All faster than what we have seen, and a few have quick reaction to the right spot on the field all the time. There will be growing pains, but the speed and athleticism here will be complimented by the new scheme and those big DL up front.
Kicker #45: Dude works hard all practice long and has by far the strongest leg on the field. He seems like a superior athlete as well. Very confident and just works hard while others stand around and shoot the breeze. I don't usually get excited about kickers, but I like this guy and he looks like he could actually run down field and slam someone too. If the smoke in the air does'nt cancel the scrimmage we may see a kicking competition. Be sure to watch this guy kick, he's actually someone to be excited about. He has a big toe.
RB's #2 and frosh #20 are really standing out to me. Wilson has so much flash and really seems to understand where the hole is going to be and just has a knack for bursting through at the right time. I know we have a bunch of quality RB's but Wilson is very impressive. #20 McPherson is getting a lot of reps and today he broke a long run and turned a few short catches on 3rd down into long plays for us. One went over 40 years and his long run was about 35 yards. He did a solid job picking up blitzes too. Great kid, looking forward to watching him develop along with this outstanding Frosh OL.
I saw one player that seemed to have a boo boo on his wrist/hand, and another 8 or so that looked like they were sick. They weren't walking like they were hurt and had no wraps. I wont list numbers as that could cross a line. A few that didn't practice in the AM did practice in the PM. I hear the bad air has some of the boys sick.
Lastly, Air quality may lead to Saturday's scrimmage being cancelled. I'll post on this thread later tonight when I hear back for sure if Vic doesn't beat me too it.
That's it for now EAG fans!
