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A couple of players are getting shuffled around to see how they look in the Spring. Of note, Eskridge is trying out corner. If French can win the open OL spot, he may move back there.

https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2019/02/re...ctice.html

Not sure how I feel about Eskridge. He drops a few balls he shouldn't, but when our deep passes are on, he's electric. Then again, we haven't got a proven guy to be a fourth corner, assuming they let Dowels come back. I'm still shaking my head at the Jacksons...

That said, most position changes have really worked out for us. Robert Arnheim, Aaron Winchester, Darius Phillips; Anton Curtis worked out well for playing the position for a week before the season. So, I suppose I shouldn't worry about the coaches' choices.

(02-12-2019 03:27 PM)RunningGame Wrote:  A couple of players are getting shuffled around to see how they look in the Spring. Of note, Eskridge is trying out corner. If French can win the open OL spot, he may move back there.

https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2019/02/re...ctice.html

Not sure how I feel about Eskridge. He drops a few balls he shouldn't, but when our deep passes are on, he's electric. Then again, we haven't got a proven guy to be a fourth corner, assuming they let Dowels come back. I'm still shaking my head at the Jacksons...

I don't like the Eskridge experiment, I think he is such a weapon vertically down the field, we don't want to lose that in our offense. His speed is dynamic which is crucial in our system.

(02-12-2019 03:43 PM)WMU2013 Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 03:27 PM)RunningGame Wrote:  A couple of players are getting shuffled around to see how they look in the Spring. Of note, Eskridge is trying out corner. If French can win the open OL spot, he may move back there.

https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2019/02/re...ctice.html

Not sure how I feel about Eskridge. He drops a few balls he shouldn't, but when our deep passes are on, he's electric. Then again, we haven't got a proven guy to be a fourth corner, assuming they let Dowels come back. I'm still shaking my head at the Jacksons...

I don't like the Eskridge experiment, I think he is such a weapon vertically down the field, we don't want to lose that in our offense. His speed is dynamic which is crucial in our system.

We have depth at WR, but we are hurting at CB and our pass defense needs help.

As much as I like Eskridge on offense, this is an experiment that's necessity and not just for curiosity.

Let's see what happens.

Eskridge will still be a pass receiver, just the other teams passes.

Very real threat interception for TD.

I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

If we are up against the scholarship limit, we shouldn't be needing to fill in a position because of a lack of numbers.

(02-12-2019 06:18 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

No, you’d be crazy.

(02-12-2019 06:18 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

If we are up against the scholarship limit, we shouldn't be needing to fill in a position because of a lack of numbers.

I'm going to bet the coaching staff is pretty sold on what we have before the highly-touted freshmen even come in.

Without Eskridge, here's what we have going:

Arnett -- Sanders
Hall -- Bussell
Reed -- Lezzer

I'd say Lezzer is a question mark from our perspective. We also have Ricci as a true threat out there.

We have numbers at corner, but not proven guys without Dowels, or if any of the new guys pan out.

Curtis -- Lovely/Anderson
Claiborne -- Isma

It worked out for Darius Phillips, so who knows how Eskridge will take to the position. He's very fast, and could turn into a great cover corner with ball skills.

He might end up playing both sides of the ball, coming in for a few series on offense in each game.

Any updates on the TE position? We redshirted 3 last year?

As mentioned earlier... Winchester was a great move to defensive backfield. I think this is a great comparison to what Eskridge may be able to do...

Eskridge has been our smoke WR with his speed but he's had trouble with physical corners and defensive backs. He can't seem to get open when he's muscled up from the line... He has the background in what WR's are trying to do so he might turn out to be a great corner with speed... his height may be out done by his smarts and athleticism... could be a great move.

(02-12-2019 08:14 PM)WMU2013 Wrote:  Any updates on the TE position? We redshirted 3 last year?

Ricci (Sr) is Ricci.

Borske (Jr) is healthy and looked good in some action.
Heimbuch (Jr) has played on special teams and a little TE.
Buckman (Jr) was used as a blocker last year and on special teams.

Knipper (So) was moved from defense, he played a few games last year on special teams.

Behind them, Torres and Payton redshirted. Sherwin is an incoming freshman.

So, we've got tight ends. No end to them.

(02-12-2019 07:07 PM)RunningGame Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 06:18 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

If we are up against the scholarship limit, we shouldn't be needing to fill in a position because of a lack of numbers.

I'm going to bet the coaching staff is pretty sold on what we have before the highly-touted freshmen even come in.

Without Eskridge, here's what we have going:

Arnett -- Sanders
Hall -- Bussell
Reed -- Lezzer

I'd say Lezzer is a question mark from our perspective. We also have Ricci as a true threat out there.

We have numbers at corner, but not proven guys without Dowels, or if any of the new guys pan out.

Curtis -- Lovely/Anderson
Claiborne -- Isma

Look at what you listed, what did that group have outside of Reed as far as catches last year? Sure a freshman can come in and have an impact. But that is a group with a lot of questions.

(02-13-2019 03:50 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 07:07 PM)RunningGame Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 06:18 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

If we are up against the scholarship limit, we shouldn't be needing to fill in a position because of a lack of numbers.

I'm going to bet the coaching staff is pretty sold on what we have before the highly-touted freshmen even come in.

Without Eskridge, here's what we have going:

Arnett -- Sanders
Hall -- Bussell
Reed -- Lezzer

I'd say Lezzer is a question mark from our perspective. We also have Ricci as a true threat out there.

We have numbers at corner, but not proven guys without Dowels, or if any of the new guys pan out.

Curtis -- Lovely/Anderson
Claiborne -- Isma

Look at what you listed, what did that group have outside of Reed as far as catches last year? Sure a freshman can come in and have an impact. But that is a group with a lot of questions.

Eskridge literally had half his yards in two games. Two thirds of his yards came in 3 games. He is a big play threat, but not a polished WR. It is smart seeing if he can help out more on the defensive side of the ball. That side of the ball needs a lot of work.

(02-13-2019 03:50 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 07:07 PM)RunningGame Wrote:  

(02-12-2019 06:18 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  I think this is a mistake. We sit and tout our WR corps as a strength, but it's nothing but a position of question marks beyond Reed and Eskeridge. I could argue that Eskeridge is the best WR on the team and not be crazy for making that argument.

If we are up against the scholarship limit, we shouldn't be needing to fill in a position because of a lack of numbers.

I'm going to bet the coaching staff is pretty sold on what we have before the highly-touted freshmen even come in.

Without Eskridge, here's what we have going:

Arnett -- Sanders
Hall -- Bussell
Reed -- Lezzer

I'd say Lezzer is a question mark from our perspective. We also have Ricci as a true threat out there.

We have numbers at corner, but not proven guys without Dowels, or if any of the new guys pan out.

Curtis -- Lovely/Anderson
Claiborne -- Isma

Look at what you listed, what did that group have outside of Reed as far as catches last year? Sure a freshman can come in and have an impact. But that is a group with a lot of questions.

Arnett has looked good and the coaches rave about Hall. Both have gotten significant snaps running the offense, not just special teams. Same with Sanders. We're talking about two upperclassmen here, not six freshmen/sophomores like our 2017 two-deep.

Reed and Ricci are the main targets, with a senior QB slinging it. I don't feel uncomfortable about the passing game anymore, especially in light of Watson transferring. I'm thinking the writing is on the wall that Bussell was going to jump Watson on the depth chart. That's the only thing that makes sense to me on the outside. If they have a guy who can go deep like Eskridge, then this all makes sense.

I read in MLive today that Lester isn't planning on Dowels returning. Not bully on the idea like he was in December.

Spring is a time to mix things up and add experience at other positions. Considering our needs the speed Eskridge brings to the table that looks like a smart experiment. Less thrilled about French trying OL. We need him on the defensive front.

Good quarterbacks can do wonders to make receivers better. Look what ZT did for Carrington Thompson and Michael Henry in 2016. I'm not saying that Wassink is as good as Terrell was but he is not that far behind. There is tons of talent on the roster at the wide receiver position and they will look even better with Wassink throwing to them.

Cornerback is different because they are pretty much on their own out on the corners. It was obvious last season that the Broncos were very short of talent at cornerback. I think with Eskridge's speed this is a great idea to try out. Besides, so many love Eskridge as a receiver but I think he has always underachieved a little at the position. Heck, if you take away his stats from the Syracuse game last season he had a relatively quiet season.

4.3 CB, I'll take it. Eskridge is likely #3,#4 on WR chart this fall. He can be physical as a CB. If Dowels isn't coming back for his 6th year time to do something.

(02-14-2019 10:19 AM)fastbuicks Wrote:  4.3 CB, I'll take it. Eskridge is likely #3,#4 on WR chart this fall. He can be physical as a CB. If Dowels isn't coming back for his 6th year time to do something.

He's probably still the #2. However, his skill set is more of a Braverman-type guy, while Johns/Lester used him on the outside running deep posts and fades. I think he's been underutilized, I wish we used more of the jet sweep we did in 2014 with Braverman, but we got away from that in 2015.

If I were Lester, and Eskridge turns out to be as good as Claiborne or Curtis at corner, I would bring him in on offense half the time to be that horizontal speed guy with Chase Brown in the backfield, running the jet look. The last two years we've developed more of an outside running game, so this staff values stretching the field horizontally. Chase Brown is just a charging bull so far, but a good one!