Rafter_Reese
Active member
I went out to the Red-White game tonight. Took a bunch of notes with the hope to inform you all about what I saw. I always put an emphasis on QB play so I'll start there.
J. Taylor looked in control. He was playing with a confidence that only previous playing experience could bring. He was on schedule and getting the ball out on time. I believe he is ready to step up as a passer next year, but I'm not saying that means he will constantly have 300+ yard passing games like we are accustomed to at EWU. I'm saying I believe he will be able to step up and deliver the clutch throw when we need it. The kid is tough as nails and I appreciate everything he brings to the table----especially in the 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust rushing game. He's just a warrior in my opinion. Went 10 for 11 for 100 yards tonight.
N. Bell got quite a few reps tonight. Not sure if that means that the coaches want him to be the backup, or just want to see what they have in him. He throws a pretty nice ball when he gets a clean look and can step up in the pocket or rolling out. Seems to have quick feet and good scramble ability. Pretty good velocity and throws a tight ball.
J. Schakel might have been the passer that stood out the most to me in the scrimmage. He seems to be quite confident where he wants to go with the ball, and the ball was out on time. He looked poised and was firing darts that were hitting guys in the chest. He did have a pick that hit his receiver in the hands and bounced out straight to the DB. Ball should have been caught. He threw a 16-yard strike to Gardner for a TD tonight. This kid looks like the real deal (from what I've seen so far---smalll sample size) and I believe there is a solid chance he will be the next in line to take the reigns at EWU. Love this kid's potential and I think there's a chance he sees the field at some point this year.
Different format at the Red-White game tonight than I have seen in the past. Lots of 1-on-1 type drills mixed in with the scrimmage. D-line looked better than the O-line during these drills. Lot's of youth on the O-line, so their development will most likely be one of the most important stories for our 2025 team. We shall see how that story plays out. If our D-line can get consistent pressure rushing 4 or 5, that will be huge and will take some pressure off our secondary. D-line looks promising from what I can tell. Didn't see a ton out of our running game tonight. Don't know if that says more about our D-line, or lack of experience on our O-line.
Was hoping to see WR Jaxon Branch play tonight. He was in street clothes. Roster has him listed at 6'3" and he looks every bit of that. This kid looks like a very nice size receiver, even in street clothes. Long arms and a solid frame. Ulm, Williams, Gardner and Branch all bring back that 6'0"+ type receiver we have gotten used to seeing at EWU over the years. We lost one of the best WR's in EWU/Big Sky history last year, but I think this whole group as a committee will step it up. There are a few other WR's I didn't mention that look good and look like they are going to contribute as well.
Some Takeaways from tonight:
- I think our WR's are underrated and might surprise.
-Ulm is a stud, but we have other guys that look solid at WR.
-Keep an eye on TE Landon Cooper. Kid was making plays tonight.
-Our O-line looks like a question mark.
-Didn't see much out of our running game tonight. With Taylor and Dotson both back, I think that gives us a solid chance to put up ground numbers again this year as long as our O-line can hold up. I know that is a big question mark though.
-Mobility at the QB position is going to be important if our O-line struggles.
-Kicking game looks pretty solid at this point.
-There is solid QB talent on this team. If our O-line doesn't hold up, it's going to come down to much more than QB talent. Play calling and the timing of play calling will become much more important (i.e. Keeping the defense off-balance, being unpredictable, etc)
Looking forward to another season of eag football! Always enjoy reading what you all have to say.
Looking forward to our first game!
Until then,
go eags!
J. Taylor looked in control. He was playing with a confidence that only previous playing experience could bring. He was on schedule and getting the ball out on time. I believe he is ready to step up as a passer next year, but I'm not saying that means he will constantly have 300+ yard passing games like we are accustomed to at EWU. I'm saying I believe he will be able to step up and deliver the clutch throw when we need it. The kid is tough as nails and I appreciate everything he brings to the table----especially in the 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust rushing game. He's just a warrior in my opinion. Went 10 for 11 for 100 yards tonight.
N. Bell got quite a few reps tonight. Not sure if that means that the coaches want him to be the backup, or just want to see what they have in him. He throws a pretty nice ball when he gets a clean look and can step up in the pocket or rolling out. Seems to have quick feet and good scramble ability. Pretty good velocity and throws a tight ball.
J. Schakel might have been the passer that stood out the most to me in the scrimmage. He seems to be quite confident where he wants to go with the ball, and the ball was out on time. He looked poised and was firing darts that were hitting guys in the chest. He did have a pick that hit his receiver in the hands and bounced out straight to the DB. Ball should have been caught. He threw a 16-yard strike to Gardner for a TD tonight. This kid looks like the real deal (from what I've seen so far---smalll sample size) and I believe there is a solid chance he will be the next in line to take the reigns at EWU. Love this kid's potential and I think there's a chance he sees the field at some point this year.
Different format at the Red-White game tonight than I have seen in the past. Lots of 1-on-1 type drills mixed in with the scrimmage. D-line looked better than the O-line during these drills. Lot's of youth on the O-line, so their development will most likely be one of the most important stories for our 2025 team. We shall see how that story plays out. If our D-line can get consistent pressure rushing 4 or 5, that will be huge and will take some pressure off our secondary. D-line looks promising from what I can tell. Didn't see a ton out of our running game tonight. Don't know if that says more about our D-line, or lack of experience on our O-line.
Was hoping to see WR Jaxon Branch play tonight. He was in street clothes. Roster has him listed at 6'3" and he looks every bit of that. This kid looks like a very nice size receiver, even in street clothes. Long arms and a solid frame. Ulm, Williams, Gardner and Branch all bring back that 6'0"+ type receiver we have gotten used to seeing at EWU over the years. We lost one of the best WR's in EWU/Big Sky history last year, but I think this whole group as a committee will step it up. There are a few other WR's I didn't mention that look good and look like they are going to contribute as well.
Some Takeaways from tonight:
- I think our WR's are underrated and might surprise.
-Ulm is a stud, but we have other guys that look solid at WR.
-Keep an eye on TE Landon Cooper. Kid was making plays tonight.
-Our O-line looks like a question mark.
-Didn't see much out of our running game tonight. With Taylor and Dotson both back, I think that gives us a solid chance to put up ground numbers again this year as long as our O-line can hold up. I know that is a big question mark though.
-Mobility at the QB position is going to be important if our O-line struggles.
-Kicking game looks pretty solid at this point.
-There is solid QB talent on this team. If our O-line doesn't hold up, it's going to come down to much more than QB talent. Play calling and the timing of play calling will become much more important (i.e. Keeping the defense off-balance, being unpredictable, etc)
Looking forward to another season of eag football! Always enjoy reading what you all have to say.
Looking forward to our first game!
Until then,
go eags!
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