(08-11-2019 05:57 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(08-11-2019 05:50 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  They were in helmets only today, so although they did some situation stuff like two minute drill it wasn't full go. A few notes:

-I would say there were about 100 fans on hand. They let us go on the field before the practice and after, at which point the players sang us the fight song and Coach Hammock briefly addressed us. It was a friendly vibe.

-There was very little separation between Childers and Bowers that I could tell from this small sample. I thought they both looked good. Based on today, again a tiny sample, I would expect Childers to start vs. ISU.

-The number one O-line left to right was Marques Cox, Benn Olson, CJ Perez, Brayden Patton and Jordan Steckler. The twos were Isaac Hawn, Andrew Starr, Austin Warner, Nate Veloz and Nolan Potter.

-We were quite impressed with Michael Love, both as a receiver and punt returner. Fabian McCray and Mohamed Toure (I think it was him in the green jersey) did some nice things too. All three appear to have a chance to contribute this year.

-Jalen McKie and Devin Haney were the number one corners.

-Matt Ference was bombing punts, beautiful spirals. The freshmen punters had their ups and downs.

-When they attempted a field goal in the two minute drill it was John Richardson getting the call and he drilled it.

-Freshman running back Malik Winston moves well and looks like he could be good down the line.

-When asked who has surprised him in camp, Coach Hammock mentioned freshmen Michael Love on offense and Demond Taylor and James Ester on defense. He said they could contribute this year.

If Childers is as bad as everyone says on this board, and he beats out Bowers, that would be quite the negative statement on Bowers' ability.

If everyone evaluated Childers based on his practice play the unanimous opinion would be that he is very good. But people have formed opinions based on game play, which has been mediocre. If he beats out Bowers it will be because of one of two possibilities:

1) he has taken that jump his junior season and improved greatly, ala Harnish.

Or

2) he has fooled Hammock into thinking his game play will be as good as his practice play.