(08-04-2015 05:19 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-04-2015 04:34 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(08-04-2015 04:07 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-04-2015 03:46 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I'd have no problem with one of the Walter brothers playing CB if that's where one could really help the team. Rice players aren't a selfish bunch. I'd think they'd do whatever is necessary to help the team.

I'd have no problem with both of them playing somewhere in the defensive backfield if that's where they could really help the team. And it just might be.
My biggest worry about this team, on paper, is that we could be back in the business of giving up lots of big plays defensively. And if you can't stop giving up big plays defensively, it's hard to beat anyone--including Wagner.

??? We have a strong LB corp and I think the DL will be just fine; certainly not a liability. The issue is the secondary, and that is where we have been prone to big plays consistently throughout Bailiff's tenure-- even when both Gaines and Callahan were at CB.

Why the ???
You seem to be agreeing with me.

Because...

1. We're not going to be "back in the business" of giving up big plays since we've always been in that business.

2. And despite being prone to the big passing play we have still managed "to beat" plenty of teams the past several years.

(08-04-2015 05:31 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Because...
1. We're not going to be "back in the business" of giving up big plays since we've always been in that business.
2. And despite being prone to the big passing play we have still managed "to beat" plenty of teams the past several years.

I do think we've been much better about it recently. And that's when we've won those games

But you are correct in that we have never been as good about it as we should be. And a lot of those wins were simply outscoring people, not stopping them.

(08-04-2015 05:31 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  1. We're not going to be "back in the business" of giving up big plays since we've always been in that business.

Still having trouble getting the Notre Dame game out of my head.

One x's and o's thing that will be interesting is that with Gaines and Callahan gone to see if our schemes change in coverage. We had so much confidence in those guys to lock down man-to-man on the outside WR that it put our Safeties in man coverage where 4.6 can't cover 4.3 if we don't get pressure on the QB. That is where many of big plays came from and despite how good the CB's were, the Safeties were consistently getting burned and not fair to those guys to put them in that position while also having to deal w/ run support.

In other words, do we see more dink/dunk by the opposing offenses (sans Baylor) this year vs. them trying to throw over-the-top so much as we change our schemes to fit the personnel.

(08-04-2015 10:21 PM)owl40 Wrote:  One x's and o's thing that will be interesting is that with Gaines and Callahan gone to see if our schemes change in coverage. We had so much confidence in those guys to lock down man-to-man on the outside WR that it put our Safeties in man coverage where 4.6 can't cover 4.3 if we don't get pressure on the QB. That is where many of big plays came from and despite how good the CB's were, the Safeties were consistently getting burned and not fair to those guys to put them in that position while also having to deal w/ run support.
In other words, do we see more dink/dunk by the opposing offenses (sans Baylor) this year vs. them trying to throw over-the-top so much as we change our schemes to fit the personnel.

I think a big part of the solution is to get more athletic back there. Which is why I said I wouldn't mind seeing both Walters in the secondary. You can only scheme so much, at some point you have to have athletes.

(06-26-2015 10:46 AM)Pan95 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:01 AM)mrbig Wrote:  I'm just excited to see VJ Banks atop the depth chart at one of the CB spots. Last year he reminded me of a young Gaines and I was on-board the Gaines train extremely early. I'll go ahead and predict that he'll be a top-5 round draft pick (assuming he has enough speed, which I don't know) when he graduates.

(06-25-2015 04:39 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  It looks as though the kicking job is Fox's to lose.
Also, some interesting omissions: Jeremy Jones, John Coppens (walkon kicker), and Derek Brown.

Several have confirmed that Derek Brown will be on the roster this fall. I wonder if Jones decided to go full time in basketball? Also, I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the OL/DL freshman. Don't know if anyone has seen some of Coach Bailiff's tweet pics, but Mockry and Abercrumbie both look like they could start tomorrow.

Derek Brown is on the roster, just not the depth chart. Not surprising he's off the depth chart for now after missing a full season.

Jeremy Jones is a surprising omission. He's still listed as being at Rice on twitter and instagram. Coming out of basketball season into spring football, didn't Coach Bailiff or someone in the football program suggest he could be the next Jordan Taylor?

I agree regarding VJ Banks. I don't know if he is as fast as Gaines, but I also don't ever recall seeing him getting beat.

Derek was not on the roster earlier in the week so it looks as if they updated the roster recently. Unfortunately, he is listed as a Senior so we may only have him for a year.

I think that I remember someone lauding the potential that Jeremy Jones had at WR. I hope that his omission is an oversight or at worst it means that he has decided to focus on basketball.

Jeremy Jones bio at riceowls.com says: "Elected to transfer after the end of the 2014-15 school year."

(08-04-2015 10:33 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-04-2015 10:21 PM)owl40 Wrote:  One x's and o's thing that will be interesting is that with Gaines and Callahan gone to see if our schemes change in coverage. We had so much confidence in those guys to lock down man-to-man on the outside WR that it put our Safeties in man coverage where 4.6 can't cover 4.3 if we don't get pressure on the QB. That is where many of big plays came from and despite how good the CB's were, the Safeties were consistently getting burned and not fair to those guys to put them in that position while also having to deal w/ run support.
In other words, do we see more dink/dunk by the opposing offenses (sans Baylor) this year vs. them trying to throw over-the-top so much as we change our schemes to fit the personnel.

I think a big part of the solution is to get more athletic back there. Which is why I said I wouldn't mind seeing both Walters in the secondary. You can only scheme so much, at some point you have to have athletes.

Agree. I'm hoping the loss of so many defensive secondary players will be offset by the higher caliber of recruits that Bailiff has brought in over the last 2-3 years, and also by the fact that many of our new starters were redshirted and do have some playing experience under their belt. I'm not worried about the offense. If the defense can exceed my expectations, then we could win a West title and maybe even the conference. The defense needs to be good. All this talent needs to come through for us. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about the defense.

(08-04-2015 11:23 PM)graceful Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:46 AM)Pan95 Wrote:  

(06-26-2015 10:01 AM)mrbig Wrote:  I'm just excited to see VJ Banks atop the depth chart at one of the CB spots. Last year he reminded me of a young Gaines and I was on-board the Gaines train extremely early. I'll go ahead and predict that he'll be a top-5 round draft pick (assuming he has enough speed, which I don't know) when he graduates.

(06-25-2015 04:39 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  It looks as though the kicking job is Fox's to lose.
Also, some interesting omissions: Jeremy Jones, John Coppens (walkon kicker), and Derek Brown.

Several have confirmed that Derek Brown will be on the roster this fall. I wonder if Jones decided to go full time in basketball? Also, I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the OL/DL freshman. Don't know if anyone has seen some of Coach Bailiff's tweet pics, but Mockry and Abercrumbie both look like they could start tomorrow.

Derek Brown is on the roster, just not the depth chart. Not surprising he's off the depth chart for now after missing a full season.

Jeremy Jones is a surprising omission. He's still listed as being at Rice on twitter and instagram. Coming out of basketball season into spring football, didn't Coach Bailiff or someone in the football program suggest he could be the next Jordan Taylor?

I agree regarding VJ Banks. I don't know if he is as fast as Gaines, but I also don't ever recall seeing him getting beat.

Derek was not on the roster earlier in the week so it looks as if they updated the roster recently. Unfortunately, he is listed as a Senior so we may only have him for a year.

I think that I remember someone lauding the potential that Jeremy Jones had at WR. I hope that his omission is an oversight or at worst it means that he has decided to focus on basketball.

Jeremy Jones bio at riceowls.com says: "Elected to transfer after the end of the 2014-15 school year."

That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

(08-05-2015 11:50 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

IIRC, there is a bio for everyone including assistant coaches etc who are no longer there. Snapshot of their contributions and history.

Heck, even the Toad has a bio
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...odd00.html

(08-05-2015 12:27 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 11:50 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

IIRC, there is a bio for everyone including assistant coaches etc who are no longer there. Snapshot of their contributions and history.

Heck, even the Toad has a bio
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...odd00.html

I have to say, that doesn't make much sense either.

(08-05-2015 12:27 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 11:50 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

IIRC, there is a bio for everyone including assistant coaches etc who are no longer there. Snapshot of their contributions and history.

Heck, even the Toad has a bio
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...odd00.html

My favorite line from Toad's bio ...

In January, Graham received an contract extension that runs through the 2012 season.

Didn't he bolt like 43 hours after the contract extension?

I saw where Derek Brown is on the roster. That is great news for the Defense.

(08-05-2015 01:45 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 12:27 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 11:50 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

IIRC, there is a bio for everyone including assistant coaches etc who are no longer there. Snapshot of their contributions and history.

Heck, even the Toad has a bio
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...odd00.html

My favorite line from Toad's bio ...

In January, Graham received an contract extension that runs through the 2012 season.

Didn't he bolt like 43 hours after the contract extension?

(08-05-2015 01:39 PM)Middle Ages Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 12:27 PM)Antarius Wrote:  

(08-05-2015 11:50 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  That's kind of strange. Why even still have a bio?

IIRC, there is a bio for everyone including assistant coaches etc who are no longer there. Snapshot of their contributions and history.

Heck, even the Toad has a bio
http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...odd00.html

I have to say, that doesn't make much sense either.

Actually, it kind of does. The whole site is as much a historical record. They (and they're not the only university that does) have made a decision not to remove entries for anyone who is no longer at the university. In part probably because deleting the pages breaks all kinds of links in that historical record, like press releases, game recaps, etc.

Mack Brown still has a page at UT (though it takes a little looking, probably like the Toad's): http://texassports.com/coaches.aspx?path...all&rc=659

Stephanie Kuzydym's story from this morning mentions that Brandon Dawkins is out for the season with a shoulder injury. He was not on the 2-deep for the o-line at the beginning of the summer, but never good to have guys injured. Hopefully he has a full recovery and is back for his RS senior year.

(08-26-2015 07:55 AM)mrbig Wrote:  Stephanie Kuzydym's story from this morning mentions that Brandon Dawkins is out for the season with a shoulder injury. He was not on the 2-deep for the o-line at the beginning of the summer, but never good to have guys injured. Hopefully he has a full recovery and is back for his RS senior year.

Good to get Hennessee back though

(06-25-2015 02:51 PM)talon owl Wrote:  With the freshmen added:

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...l-mtt.html

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/rice...woDeep.pdf

Interesting the true frosh Fox is already atop the kicker list.

He better be, he's on scholarship. College programs don't waste a scholarship on kickers to redshirt them.....

Noticed Stehling as #2, no mention of German which is interesting because once DJ leaves, we are going to rely on Stehling to play. Nothing against him but he hasn't played for four years and we expect him to all of sudden be good enough to win at this level during his fifth year. What if he doesn't come back. Does not make sense

I couldn't find a link at Riceowls.com, but I took an educated guess and was correct when trying to find the Rice/Wagner Game Notes, which includes the updated depth chart!

Changes from the Summer Two-Deep:
TE - maybe minor, but Hunt now listed above Luke Turner
LT - with Patterson shifting to LG, RS-Fr Sam Pierce now the #2 LT
LG - Reue off the chart because of his injury, replaced by Patterson
C - no change
RG - no change
RT - Pierce moved to LT
RB - Sam Stewart and Austin Walter added
WR1/2/3 - Darrion Pollard removed

DE - Schantz and Womac switched sides. Derek Brown bumped Connor Johnson
DT - Peterson, Luvender, and Hennessee off the chart, replaced by Abercrumbia (true freshman alert!) and Gordon
LB - DJ Green added, but no one removed
CB - Starters same with Blasingame primary backup. Aston Walter removed, Bickham and Douglas (true freshman alert on both!) added.
SS - Fuhrman replaced by Jorian Clark as backup
FS - Ibe replaced Cole Thomas as starter, Thomas now #2
KAT - no change

Kickers - wow. 4 guys listed as placekickers, 2 for kickoffs. I'm scared.
PH - Luke Turner replaced Clayton Malcolm as #2
Holder - same
P Return - Zack Wright out, Parks/Sam Stewart/VJ Banks in
KO Return - Austin Walter, VJ Banks, Austin Walter added

I'm always leery of having a starting CB retruning punts or kickoffs, but Callahan stayed healthy. Hopefully the same will be true of Banks if they utilize him in those roles.

7 RS Fr and no true freshman on the offensive 2-deep
5 RS Fr and 3 true freshman on the defensive 2-deep

It'd be a strong coverage secondary with Clark in at SS. Maybe he's the nickel?

(09-01-2015 01:48 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I couldn't find a link at Riceowls.com, but I took an educated guess and was correct when trying to find the Rice/Wagner Game Notes, which includes the updated depth chart!

Changes from the Summer Two-Deep:
TE - maybe minor, but Hunt now listed above Luke Turner
LT - with Patterson shifting to LG, RS-Fr Sam Pierce now the #2 LT
LG - Reue off the chart because of his injury, replaced by Patterson
C - no change
RG - no change
RT - Pierce moved to LT
RB - Sam Stewart and Austin Walter added
WR1/2/3 - Darrion Pollard removed

DE - Schantz and Womac switched sides. Derek Brown bumped Connor Johnson
DT - Peterson, Luvender, and Hennessee off the chart, replaced by Abercrumbia (true freshman alert!) and Gordon
LB - DJ Green added, but no one removed
CB - Starters same with Blasingame primary backup. Aston Walter removed, Bickham and Douglas (true freshman alert on both!) added.
SS - Fuhrman replaced by Jorian Clark as backup
FS - Ibe replaced Cole Thomas as starter, Thomas now #2
KAT - no change

Kickers - wow. 4 guys listed as placekickers, 2 for kickoffs. I'm scared.
PH - Luke Turner replaced Clayton Malcolm as #2
Holder - same
P Return - Zack Wright out, Parks/Sam Stewart/VJ Banks in
KO Return - Austin Walter, VJ Banks, Austin Walter added

I'm always leery of having a starting CB retruning punts or kickoffs, but Callahan stayed healthy. Hopefully the same will be true of Banks if they utilize him in those roles.

7 RS Fr and no true freshman on the offensive 2-deep
5 RS Fr and 3 true freshman on the defensive 2-deep

But, but, Bailiff NEVER plays freshmen over upperclassmen!

Heheheheheheheh

I wonder why the roster has not been updated with correct ht/wts? Bailiff said in the press conference that Calvin Anderson is up to 290lbs now. Yet, he is still listed as 260lbs. Not that it matters in the long run...