(08-20-2013 04:20 PM)talon owl Wrote:  Surprised there hasn't been a post or a thread on it yet, but I was at the scrimmage this past weekend, anybody have any questions of my observations?

Talon, How much progress has our secondary made in the "not giving up the quick, big plays" department?

We can do all the little things well on the D line for a down or two in each series, but if we cannot overcome our tendancy to ineveitably give up the big play we will have difficulty staying in the game with A&M, let alone Tulsa and Houston. This is my main area of concern with the Olws as to what their final record will be this season, the difference between 11-1, 12-0 or 6-6.

(08-20-2013 04:20 PM)talon owl Wrote:  Surprised there hasn't been a post or a thread on it yet, but I was at the scrimmage this past weekend, anybody have any questions of my observations?


Main concerns I had going in remained after watching: DT depth, and the sometimes herky-jerkyness of our offensive execution.

Was pleasantly surprised with some of our previously unheralded or new edge pass rushers. The back-up LB twosome of Lyons and McGaskey continue to impress, but need to keep moving up the depth chart. Also Donte Moore looked the best I've seen him.

And reiterating the obvious, we are loaded at RB. Neither Ross or Hamilton participated, but Petersen, Turner, Dillard and Davis all looked good, especially Dillard.

Is your concern over the depth of DL due to loss of Shahin more than anything? Or are you not impressed with the guys that will replace him.

Are you seeing a lot of the Pistol formation?

Any idea on German's speed? He's playing Johnny Manziel on the scout team, wonder how fast he looks compared to McHargue, for example.

What kind of back is Dillard? Does he break a lot of tackles, or is he more elusive? Thanks.

(08-20-2013 08:03 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  Which edge rushers in particular surprised you? How about our Safety play?

Leland, Patt, McGaskey on a blitz, Schantz.

(08-20-2013 10:49 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

(08-20-2013 04:20 PM)talon owl Wrote:  ...the sometimes herky-jerkyness of our offensive execution.

Can you elaborate on this?

Sure. An occasional lack of coordination that we saw in previous seasons was still there in a scrimmage. Busted plays that never really get off the ground where it was as if some of the offensive players weren't quite ready for the snap or something similar. People still not on the same page. Drive-killing sorts of things. At the best a waste of a down, at the worst a turnover.

(08-21-2013 11:33 AM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Talon, How much progress has our secondary made in the "not giving up the quick, big plays" department?

While there certainly were some big plays in the scrimmage, outside of a well-contested deep ball caught by Moore, the only other big plays over the top came against essentially the last string defense, one after a scramble by DJ. The upper strings of the defense absolutely dominated the "2-minute" drill at the end of the scrimmage when, conceivably, the offense is trying to break some big plays off. Got tons of pressure on the QBs. (Perhaps concerning for the offense)

(08-21-2013 12:12 PM)Buho00 Wrote:  Is your concern over the depth of DL due to loss of Shahin more than anything? Or are you not impressed with the guys that will replace him.

Are you seeing a lot of the Pistol formation?

Any idea on German's speed? He's playing Johnny Manziel on the scout team, wonder how fast he looks compared to McHargue, for example.

What kind of back is Dillard? Does he break a lot of tackles, or is he more elusive? Thanks.

Yeah, losing Shahin is a big part of it. But there was a pretty big size drop-off (from ~290ish to ~260ish) once you got beyond the top 3 guys (Covington, Winship, Mouchantaf), and that was pretty concerning. Warren's another ~290 guy but he's just getting back into football and was an OL (he holds his own but doesn't have much of a repertoire yet). Started getting pushed around more. The big guys are going to have to be well conditioned and be healthy against the more physical/downhill teams we play.

There was some pistol, mainly with 2 RBs in the backfield (one behind and one to the side). Often it was with a wildcat Qb, but I think they ran the pistol some with McHargue and DJ.

No idea on German's speed beyond HS film (did not play in the scrimmage). Not as fast as Manziel, but he's bigger.

Dillard is quick if not overly fast, has really good pad level and is not afraid of contact. He sees the hole well, makes one cut and bursts upfield, does not dance. Very good hands, excellent body awareness/control, just like his bro. He shrugged off Malcolm Hill going towards the pylon for one of his 3 rushing TDs.


Re: Frazier, he wasn't suited for the scrimmage. Hard to say how he's positioned in the depth chart. Right now I'd peg the starting safety lineup as: FS - White (with Fuhrmann standing in for him as he is being somewhat limited in contact situations), SS - Porras (no doubt here), KAT - Malcolm Hill (best cover guy at this spot, Baker brings more of a run-stopping presence).

Talon -- I thought Lyons would be starting, with Nwosu out. Who do you see starting at LB? Do you see any of those big freshman starting on OL? We seem a little thin (pardon pun) there also.
Did we recruit Farrimond as a punter? I know we recruited Decell as strictly a punter, and I'm disappointed he isn't punting yet. I'm no expert on kicking, but if his delivery was so slow, why did we give him a scholarship?
Who were you impressed by besides the usuals at WR (Moore, Taylor, Parks). I thought Derrick Brown looked like he could model for Football Magazine, he absolutely looks the part. Yet he didn't DO anything. I was impressed with Zack Wright more than all else; nice downfield blocking, good routes.
Your thoughts?

(08-21-2013 04:31 PM)tramile12 Wrote:  Talon -- I thought Lyons would be starting, with Nwosu out. Who do you see starting at LB? Do you see any of those big freshman starting on OL? We seem a little thin (pardon pun) there also.
Did we recruit Farrimond as a punter? I know we recruited Decell as strictly a punter, and I'm disappointed he isn't punting yet. I'm no expert on kicking, but if his delivery was so slow, why did we give him a scholarship?
Who were you impressed by besides the usuals at WR (Moore, Taylor, Parks). I thought Derrick Brown looked like he could model for Football Magazine, he absolutely looks the part. Yet he didn't DO anything. I was impressed with Zack Wright more than all else; nice downfield blocking, good routes.
Your thoughts?

Game 1 I still expect Nwosu to start until we hear explicitly otherwise. Opposite him I would expect Radcliffe, although he did get dinged in the scrimmage.

I think the OL is set outside of Reue stepping in for Carroll being out to start the season (Reue stepped in for Carroll at times last season as well). Don't see any true freshman playing there.

Wasn't really "impressed" by anybody at receiver in that one scrimmage besides Moore. Wright was a pleasant surprise. I'm pretty confident in a group of Taylor, Moore, Hull and Parks. I liked how they are now moving Taylor around (into the slot at times as opposed to always outside). I think Brown needs in-game reps at WR.

Nwosu questionable for the A&M game.

http://www.chron.com/sports/rice/article...756491.php

Definitely the right way to handle this.

That would really hurt our defense, but his longterm health is more important. His backup is a senior, so he should be able to step right in and play well. We'll see.

(08-21-2013 04:31 PM)tramile12 Wrote:  Did we recruit Farrimond as a punter?

I thought he was (is?) a walk-on.

Still hopeful about Nwosu. Didn't realize his injury was going to hold him out for all of camp.

(08-23-2013 04:44 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(08-21-2013 04:31 PM)tramile12 Wrote:  Did we recruit Farrimond as a punter?

I thought he was (is?) a walk-on.

Was. Don't know about the is.

(08-23-2013 03:37 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  Nwosu questionable for the A&M game.

http://www.chron.com/sports/rice/article...756491.php

Definitely the right way to handle this.

Hoping he is ready, but if not, then the extra time should help him heal. Good decision not to rush Nwosu back.

Considering the opponent and the bye week afterwards, it makes a lot of sense to just sit him.

With Nwosu and Shahin out, gameplan for Aggies should be pretty simple to run between tackles and just believe they are more physical than us....Goal is just to keep gashing us for 5-10 yard runs up-the-gut.. and then once we put 8-9 box, go for big strike/quick TD.

Can see that up-the-gut success setting-up play action deep balls and inside fake run action outside hashmarks off the inside fakes once we load the box. If we know that is what is coming, let's hope the preparation is there to force them to earn every TD and no big plays...they can easily beat themselves if they put it on ground or have a bunch of penalties.