Spring Game Observations

[oldrunner]

Here is the link to the article.

http://www.weberstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8600&ATCLID=210049025" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

First, it was far different than last years spring game. We had enough depth to have an actual game. Most of the guys were playing in their positions and the competition was good. There were far, far fewer mistakes and breakdowns. The flow of players in and out was smooth and the coordination between coaches and players was good. It was a marked improvement over last year.

With that said, it is hard to get a good read on how the team might look in the fall because you have the 1s playing alongside and against the 2s and 3s on the depth chart. Also, many of the 1s were held out. There were a lot of dropped passes. However, we didn't see most of the starting receivers. I saw enough of our young running backs to be excited about that part of our game. Also, the D line and linebackers seemed to have good depth and talent.

If the passing game can make some strides over the summer, then I like our prospects.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Fundamentals were immensely improved over the past few years. The team looked more crisp and weren't afflicted by the small things that have been killing them over the past few seasons. On defense the team wasn't over pursuing, were wrapping up, they were running their gaps, and most importantly were consistently sustaining contact in the backfield.

The offense looked a bit flat but three starting lineman were out, as well as a number that of other starters. To many turnovers, but that could have been because of the defenses intensity. I did like how the offense was able to use a bunch of backups and do some things fairly successfully.

 

[thewaterboy]

I'm still not real convinced in the QB group. That position group needs to be a whole lot stronger than it currently appears. Also, hopefully the coaches can get another kicker out of Australia. :twocents:

 

[oldrunner]

As for QBs, I thought Clark passed the ball poorly, but ran well. I thought Hilinski passed the ball well but had receivers dropping the ball on him. He made some poor running choices. A couple of the other QBs had their moments, but there was nothing consistent. I was not overly impressed with the receivers. The running backs showed a little pop in their game. I don't think we were seeing anywhere near the whole package.

In the fall, with the incoming players and all of the number 1s playing side by side, I think we will look much better. There might just be a few of the incoming freshmen who can contribute. It was a good recruiting class, with lots of speed.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Just for kicks, new to the roster from Spring Game Roster, (Tal thanks for sending me the spring game roster):

Zach Larson QB Timpanogos FR
Kelly Hilinski QB Riverside JC JR
Kaden Wilson S Bonneville FR
TJ Mounga RB Mountain View FR
Malik Batiste CB Las Vegas FR
Arthur Bridenstine LB Snow College SR.
Devan Alldredge OL Castle Rock CO SO
Brady Simpson OL West Richland WA SO
Chandler Tunney WR Carlsbad CA JR
Sean Gallagher WR Woods Cross FR
Justin Burch TE Davis FR
Dane Nordmark DE Manti FR
Haini Moimoi (former Mac player) RB Maplewood MN SO
Dallas Begn QB Malad ID FR
Jordan Ozosky WR Snow JC JR
Alex Bishop S Dixie State JR
Shane Hardy OL Snow JC SO
Tyler Belnap WR Idaho State JR


Signed in Feb:
Cole Payne WR, FR
Connor Shannon OL, JC
Justin Shaw QB, FR
Tui Satuala TE, JC
Blake Schiess OL, FR
Calvin Steyn OL, JC
Filipe Sitake DL, FR

Coming:

Josh Bernard RB 5-11 205 Oceanside, Calif. Oceanside Video
Aaron Blackwell DE 6-3 280 Peoria, Ariz. Liberty Video
Tyler Downs OT 6-6 320 Smithfield, Utah Sky View Video
Dominique Frazier DE 6-3 190 Clearfield, Utah Clearfield Video
Treshawn Garrett RB 5-11 180 Palmdale, Calif. Highland Video
Deondre Hambric WR 6-4 180 Clearfield, Utah Clearfield Video
Nate Heaps TE 6-4 245 American Fork, Utah American Fork Video
Tyler Hinds Saf. 5-11 180 Kaysville, Utah Davis Video
Martrel Holmes WR 6-0 170 San Marcos, Calif. Mission Hills Video
Zach Hymas QB 6-3 195 Logandale, Nev. Moapa Valley Video
Gaige Kartchner LB 6-0 195 Draper, Utah Corner Canyon Video
Junior Latu DL 6-5 250 Tacoma, Wash. Orem (UT) Video
John Leilua DE 6-2 235 Spanish Fork, Utah Spanish Fork Video
Elias Miller RB 6-0 190 Las Vegas, Nev. Las Vegas Video
Kalisi Moli DT 6-2 265 Herriman, Utah Herriman Video
Carter Nielson OL 6-4 335 Henderson, Nev. Green Valley Video
Billy Nelson DB 5-11 185 Vancouver, Wash. Evergreen Video
Spencer Niutupuivaha CB 6-2 190 Provo, Utah Timpview Video
TyJuan Prince WR 6-1 170 Sutter, Calif. Sutter Video
Blake Schiess OT 6-5 280 Manti, Utah Manti Video
Brandon Sherlin WR 5-11 175 Lubbock, Texas Coronado Video
Boogie Sewell DT 6-0 330 St. George, Utah Desert Hills Video
Landon Stice LB 6-3 200 Tooele, Utah Stansbury Video
Bradyn Swanson OL 6-5 270 Springville, Utah Springville Video
Tevita Tauteoli OL 6-4 315 West Valley City, Utah Hunter Video
Kory Wilson DB 6-1 175 Peoria, Ariz. Liberty

 

[Catjoe5150]

In my opinion, Spring game was awful. I got tired of watching the mistakes. I don't know what any of you "Yes Men" (oldrunner & N Ogdencat), were watching, but from my perspective. Jay Hill has an uphill battle. I was not impressed at all. There were few bright spots on the team but overall I was shocked to see what Jay has been fluttering all spring.
First of all, this was a showcase. The were about 15 players on the sidelines that looked to be injured. The players hit the field and didnt even seem to be ready or stretched out. They did some light drills and started the game.Then JH decided to stunt the players in the middle of the field and a lineman gets injured. :wtf:

To start off, the QB situation is still up in the air. There were a couple of good plays but very inconsistent. Hilinski appeared to be the front runner considering his stronger pass abilities and reading the defense. I was hoping to see more out of J Clark but overall made to many mental mistakes.
Both White and Purple Offensive line appears to be the strong along with the Runningback Eric Wilkes. The punter Josh K. seem to be a bright spot on the special teams. I was impressed with his accuracy and booming punts.
As for the Defense, both defensive line seem to be stable and came off the ball with force. But the Linebacker crews on both ends need some serious help. Secondary were making most of the tackles and that shouldn't be happening. All the linebackers seem to have trouble reading the offense and not very instinctive. 54 Liljenquist seem to be big, strong and looked to be a force in the middle. He looked great taking on the line directly up the middle. However, on the outside was slow and got caught up on middle. He wasn't fast enough even on passing downs. He would get caught up in the middle and couldnt shed blocks. Same goes for 58 Tola. Outside backers were just as slow. No contain and couldn't tackle.
As for the secondary on both ends, they seem to be solid. I was impressed by the tackling skills.
Good Luck JH. Lots off work ahead of you.

 

[thewaterboy]

]In my opinion, Spring game was awful. I got tired of watching the mistakes. I don't know what any of you "Yes Men" (oldrunner & N Ogdencat), were watching[/b], but from my perspective. Jay Hill has an uphill battle. I was not impressed at all. There were few bright spots on the team but overall I was shocked to see what Jay has been fluttering all spring.
First of all, this was a showcase. The were about 15 players on the sidelines that looked to be injured. The players hit the field and didnt even seem to be ready or stretched out. They did some light drills and started the game.Then JH decided to stunt the players in the middle of the field and a lineman gets injured. :wtf:

To start off, the QB situation is still up in the air. There were a couple of good plays but very inconsistent. Hilinski appeared to be the front runner considering his stronger pass abilities and reading the defense. I was hoping to see more out of J Clark but overall made to many mental mistakes.
Both White and Purple Offensive line appears to be the strong along with the Runningback Eric Wilkes. The punter Josh K. seem to be a bright spot on the special teams. I was impressed with his accuracy and booming punts.
As for the Defense, both defensive line seem to be stable and came off the ball with force. But the Linebacker crews on both ends need some serious help. Secondary were making most of the tackles and that shouldn't be happening. All the linebackers seem to have trouble reading the offense and not very instinctive. 54 Liljenquist seem to be big, strong and looked to be a force in the middle. He looked great taking on the line directly up the middle. However, on the outside was slow and got caught up on middle. He wasn't fast enough even on passing downs. He would get caught up in the middle and couldnt shed blocks. Same goes for 58 Tola. Outside backers were just as slow. No contain and couldn't tackle.
As for the secondary on both ends, they seem to be solid. I was impressed by the tackling skills.
Good Luck JH. Lots off work ahead of you.

Sounds like someone woke up to an empty cup of coffee I don't think ANY WSU fan is expecting miracles from this team this season, all we are looking for is improvement, which there was a VAST improvement from last years spring game to this one. :twocents:

 

[n.ogdencat]

]In my opinion, Spring game was awful. I got tired of watching the mistakes. I don't know what any of you "Yes Men" (oldrunner & N Ogdencat), were watching[/b], but from my perspective. Jay Hill has an uphill battle. I was not impressed at all. There were few bright spots on the team but overall I was shocked to see what Jay has been fluttering all spring.
First of all, this was a showcase. The were about 15 players on the sidelines that looked to be injured. The players hit the field and didnt even seem to be ready or stretched out. They did some light drills and started the game.Then JH decided to stunt the players in the middle of the field and a lineman gets injured. :wtf:

To start off, the QB situation is still up in the air. There were a couple of good plays but very inconsistent. Hilinski appeared to be the front runner considering his stronger pass abilities and reading the defense. I was hoping to see more out of J Clark but overall made to many mental mistakes.
Both White and Purple Offensive line appears to be the strong along with the Runningback Eric Wilkes. The punter Josh K. seem to be a bright spot on the special teams. I was impressed with his accuracy and booming punts.
As for the Defense, both defensive line seem to be stable and came off the ball with force. But the Linebacker crews on both ends need some serious help. Secondary were making most of the tackles and that shouldn't be happening. All the linebackers seem to have trouble reading the offense and not very instinctive. 54 Liljenquist seem to be big, strong and looked to be a force in the middle. He looked great taking on the line directly up the middle. However, on the outside was slow and got caught up on middle. He wasn't fast enough even on passing downs. He would get caught up in the middle and couldnt shed blocks. Same goes for 58 Tola. Outside backers were just as slow. No contain and couldn't tackle.
As for the secondary on both ends, they seem to be solid. I was impressed by the tackling skills.
Good Luck JH. Lots off work ahead of you.

Sounds like someone woke up to an empty cup of coffee I don't think ANY WSU fan is expecting miracles from this team this season, all we are looking for is improvement, which there was a VAST improvement from last years spring game to this one. :twocents:

I agree. The spring game wasn't perfect and yes, there were a lot of issues, but compared with the past two spring games, Saturday's was a huge improvement. The team was, well, a team. I think it is also very important to point out that the top players were all spread out and that both teams were using a lot of reserve players. Guys who will be 3rd and 4th string this fall. These were the guys getting a lot of spring reps. I think Coach wanted to see who would be able to make it. Also, there are a whole bunch of guys joining the program this summer.

Regrettably, there were a lot of injuries and the injury to Cam Young before the game was idiotic. I've never understood those type of things. But overall, I was happy with the progress of the team and program. It looked better with a bunch of reserves playing major mins.

 

[Catjoe5150]

Sounds like someone woke up to an empty cup of coffee I don't think ANY WSU fan is expecting miracles from this team this season, all we are looking for is improvement, which there was a VAST improvement from last years spring game to this one. :twocents:[/quote]

Improvement???? Not expecting miracles????: Is this the kind of rhetoric we should be expecting from WSU fans and supporters "Vast Improvement"?. This is division 1AA football program and as supports and fans, we should be expect greater effort from our HC, coaches as well as our teams players. The Spring Game is a micro consomme of what we should be expecting on the field in 3 months. But the confusion, I saw on the field is the kind of stuff we should be seeing at the community college level. :wall: JH needs to manage this team at a higher level. Not bringing them 10 mins out, before a game and start playing. Do you think OSU or Utah would be doing this? Not !!

Weber State Football needs to drastically improve speed and conditioning on defense, especially (at the linebacker position). They need to be more consistent on every Offensive down as well as avoiding miscues, turnovers and debacles on 2 minute offense series. Jay Hill, this is your challenge. Lead your coaching staff to the next level and the players will follow. :rockon:

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Checked the official roster a couple of the walkons are now on the roster. Will be an interesting next couple of months. I know that a few more who were on the spring game roster will show up on the official eventually. All that matters to me is that our line gets healthy, stronger and deeper. Battles and games are won in the trenches.