Getting back to B-Davis, lets be patient and remember he is a redshirt freshmen so he has four years actual playing time to prove us "recruiting experts" wrong or right.

Did the team scrimmage yesterday - March 29th? Anyone attend? Feedback?

Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote:Did the team scrimmage yesterday - March 29th? Anyone attend? Feedback?

Was there yesterday and chatted with the coaches, etc...

My impression -

Andy Schmitt and the first team offense looked decent. Blevins runs strong between the tackles and pick his way through the holes. Priest is good on the edges. Kind of gives EMU an inside-outside, or as one coach said, "Thunder and Lightning" combo out of the backfield.

DeAnthony White again showed his versatility with TD run.
Kyle McMahon was okay. He has some mechanical issues to work out. His passes were, for the most part, consistently about 6-12 inches higher than they should have been.

Jacory Stone looked fairly solid and Tyler Jones made a couple of nice grabs.

Offense appears to be ahead of the defense. The offense also seems to be a much more vocal, enthusiastic unit but the defense had some missing pieces, especially with Andre Hatchett being held out.

Good to see Spenser Smith on the field after pulling a hammy about a week or two before spring started. He will be key as will Holtzclaw who is a steady, lead-by-example type of guy. Not vocal, but definitely respected by his teammates.

Keep an eye on LB Tim Fort, a redshirt sophomore who was in the middle of the action and registered a couple of sacks. Could see playing time.

FS Dwayne Harrison may be the top trash talker on defense and plays with a lot of intensity. Coaches want to see him wrap up better on his tackles insted of always going for the big hit.

Palsrock and Brockman had their moments as well.

Another player to watch is sophomore RT Bridger Buche. Coaches very upbeat about his potential and could be a rock at tackle.

D-Line remains probably biggest concern. PK is also shaky.

All in all, a nice outing. Hard to tell a lot from these spring scrimmages but the players and coaches seem to be on the same page at this early stage.

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE AND INSIDE SCOOP! ANY FEEDBACK ON THE NEWCOMERS WHO AR PARTICIPATING IN THEIR FIRST SPRING PRACTICE??

FORT COULD START AT OLB? SMITH PLAYING DL OR OLB?

ANYTHING ON JENKINS AS AN OLB CANDIDATE?

THANKS

Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote:THANKS FOR THE UPDATE AND INSIDE SCOOP! ANY FEEDBACK ON THE NEWCOMERS WHO AR PARTICIPATING IN THEIR FIRST SPRING PRACTICE??

FORT COULD START AT OLB? SMITH PLAYING DL OR OLB?

ANYTHING ON JENKINS AS AN OLB CANDIDATE?

THANKS

Right now they have Fort starting on the Strong side, Holtzclaw in the middle and Jenkins on the weakside. Spenser Smith is on the DL currently.

Hatchett will get back his strong side spot when he returns hopefully.

HuronDave Wrote:

Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote:Did the team scrimmage yesterday - March 29th? Anyone attend? Feedback?

Was there yesterday and chatted with the coaches, etc...

My impression -

Andy Schmitt and the first team offense looked decent. Blevins runs strong between the tackles and pick his way through the holes. Priest is good on the edges. Kind of gives EMU an inside-outside, or as one coach said, "Thunder and Lightning" combo out of the backfield.

DeAnthony White again showed his versatility with TD run.
Kyle McMahon was okay. He has some mechanical issues to work out. His passes were, for the most part, consistently about 6-12 inches higher than they should have been.

Jacory Stone looked fairly solid and Tyler Jones made a couple of nice grabs.

Offense appears to be ahead of the defense. The offense also seems to be a much more vocal, enthusiastic unit but the defense had some missing pieces, especially with Andre Hatchett being held out.

Good to see Spenser Smith on the field after pulling a hammy about a week or two before spring started. He will be key as will Holtzclaw who is a steady, lead-by-example type of guy. Not vocal, but definitely respected by his teammates.

Keep an eye on LB Tim Fort, a redshirt sophomore who was in the middle of the action and registered a couple of sacks. Could see playing time.

FS Dwayne Harrison may be the top trash talker on defense and plays with a lot of intensity. Coaches want to see him wrap up better on his tackles insted of always going for the big hit.

Palsrock and Brockman had their moments as well.

Another player to watch is sophomore RT Bridger Buche. Coaches very upbeat about his potential and could be a rock at tackle.

D-Line remains probably biggest concern. PK is also shaky.

All in all, a nice outing. Hard to tell a lot from these spring scrimmages but the players and coaches seem to be on the same page at this early stage.

Who's going at TE? Did they miss some FG's?

Update - 3/29 scrimmage.

I got there a little late, but this is what I saw....

Defense looked pretty good (I understand they started slow in the 1st period). Held the offense to two field goals, and then I think maybe a late touchdown while I was there. The offense did move the ball though. The D got some pressure up the middle while I was watching. I saw Palsrok and Hunt get a tackle for loss each, and also a DB blitz that would have been a sack (had he not pulled up). Wasn't true one's against one's much while I was there though - lots of subbing on both sides of the ball.

Very spirited practice. Lots of scuffles. The O-line is very tough and agressive. They love to hold guys down after the play which generates some ill feelings (to say the least - wow!) The team was really getting after it on both sides of the ball. Lot's of big time collisions. I only saw Schmitt for a few plays. I'll tell you what, this kid is talented. His arm looks strong (his shoulder must be healed), and he's big, and he can run. I'm excited about him over the next two years. He could be really special as a Junior and Senior.

Spencer Smith did participate a little at DE (#5) and looks very solid - maybe a bit heavier. Cory Everson took a few snaps on the DL as well. Orhman took a few snaps at DT to give them a break, but mostly played DE. As I mentioned before, he's gotten a lot bigger (maybe 250ish).

I saw Blevins on a couple carries. He's pounding it - looks very good.

At this point the offense looks to be ahead of the Defense, although the timing on some of the throws (not Schmitt) wasn't sharp yet. The D shows signs that they could be solid, but they will need to grow and develop a lot at the DL and LB positions to be good this year. IMO it's not out of reach, but it's going to take a lot of work and maybe some luck on the injury front to get where they will need to be.

I wish I could make it to the Spring Game. Some of you guys will have to fill me in.

You know what's great to see? An EMU football thread longer than a hoop's thread. I sense some real fan interest on this board and that this coming fall if we can remain healthy this might be the year we turn the corner and hit .500 or above.

Regarding the TE question above, Pollack (JUCO transfer from CA) has the potential to be a very good blocking tight end, but has had bad luck on the injury front. First a broken bone in his hand, and then on his first day back with a special cast on his hand, apparently some kind of foot injury that has left him in a boot. Ouch!

Hopefully things will go better for him over the summer and into camp.

Also, don't forget about John Bonner. This kid is physically very impressive looking. I know he was out with an injury last season, but he looks like the type of athlete that could be a good all around tight end (blocking and catching). I know he was a multiple letter winner before missing last season. What can those who have seen him in the past tell me about him?

huroncowboy Wrote:You know what's great to see? An EMU football thread longer than a hoop's thread. I sense some real fan interest on this board and that this coming fall if we can remain healthy this might be the year we turn the corner and hit .500 or above.

More fans shall be here with the launch of the Eagle Nation Website. :-D

EagleAttack Wrote:I only saw Schmitt for a few plays. I'll tell you what, this kid is talented. His arm looks strong (his shoulder must be healed), and he's big, and he can run. I'm excited about him over the next two years. He could be really special as a Junior and Senior.

This may be the first time since 1987 that EMU can say they have the best QB in Washtenaw County. If things go right, Andy should be in the mix for All-MAC.