I was back in Sheridan for the weekend, so I decided to make the trip down to Laramie to check out the scrimmage first hand. Here are my thoughts:
- ACS looked good...scary good. He didn't make a single bad decision. Crum has improved, but not enough for us to get to a bowl game with him. We need ACS to stay healthy.
- It's easy to see Herron's big play capability. He looked OK on traditional running plays, but I think our best bet is to get him the ball in open space and let him create. DC must be thinking the same thing because the first play the #1 offense had was a hook and ladder to Herron. He also had a big gain on a screen play later in the scrimmage. Davis had a couple of nice runs with the #1 offense as well. Alexander worked with the #2 offense today. Once "Kongo" is back from his knee injury, RB may be the strongest/deepest position on the team.
- I REALLY like the looks of Aiken at WR. His athleticism and height (6'3) make him an ideal target in the redzone. If he can polish up his route running skills, he has the raw talent to be a force in the MWC. Leonard looked good as well, especially on the short to intermediate routes. He doesn't get a ton of separation from the DB's, but he does a good job of shielding the ball from the defender with his body. Ogbonna looked good as well. McNeill was quiet today, but I think he will get his fair share of passes. Bolger worked with the one's but seems to be moving down the depth chart as he has been quiet all fall camp.
- I was pleasantly surprised with how the #1 offensive line played. I thought they gave ACS good time to throw the ball and opened up a few nice running lanes for the backs. Their ability to continually improve will have a big impact on how this offense performs as a whole this year. Starters were Kirven, Hutchins, Carlson, Sterner, and Leonard.
- Saw Schober boot two kick-offs. One went just beyond the goaline and would have been returned by most teams. The other went 6 or 7 yards deep into the endzone and most likely would have been a touchback. It's an interesting thing to watch, as he starts so damn close to the ball, but I'll take the results. Gives the opposing offense firther to drive and should help our own offense as far as overall field position. McCoy really struggled with FG kicking. Had another blocked which may have had something to do with a bad snap/hold, but its clear that he doesn't get the initial lift on the ball that Watts does. I wouldn't trust McCoy anywhere outside of 30 yards. Watts looked SOLID. I didn't see him miss a FG, and he was kicking some of them from nearly 40 yards out. McCoy worked on both rugby style punts and traditional punts. He looked decent with a few boomers in there.
- Overall, I thought the offense took a big step forward today. They really cut down on the penalties which helped them keep drives alive. I'm hoping to see more of the same from the last scrimmage next Wednesday. I got a few things I need to get done, but I'll post my thoughts on what I saw from the defense later.
- ACS looked good...scary good. He didn't make a single bad decision. Crum has improved, but not enough for us to get to a bowl game with him. We need ACS to stay healthy.
- It's easy to see Herron's big play capability. He looked OK on traditional running plays, but I think our best bet is to get him the ball in open space and let him create. DC must be thinking the same thing because the first play the #1 offense had was a hook and ladder to Herron. He also had a big gain on a screen play later in the scrimmage. Davis had a couple of nice runs with the #1 offense as well. Alexander worked with the #2 offense today. Once "Kongo" is back from his knee injury, RB may be the strongest/deepest position on the team.
- I REALLY like the looks of Aiken at WR. His athleticism and height (6'3) make him an ideal target in the redzone. If he can polish up his route running skills, he has the raw talent to be a force in the MWC. Leonard looked good as well, especially on the short to intermediate routes. He doesn't get a ton of separation from the DB's, but he does a good job of shielding the ball from the defender with his body. Ogbonna looked good as well. McNeill was quiet today, but I think he will get his fair share of passes. Bolger worked with the one's but seems to be moving down the depth chart as he has been quiet all fall camp.
- I was pleasantly surprised with how the #1 offensive line played. I thought they gave ACS good time to throw the ball and opened up a few nice running lanes for the backs. Their ability to continually improve will have a big impact on how this offense performs as a whole this year. Starters were Kirven, Hutchins, Carlson, Sterner, and Leonard.
- Saw Schober boot two kick-offs. One went just beyond the goaline and would have been returned by most teams. The other went 6 or 7 yards deep into the endzone and most likely would have been a touchback. It's an interesting thing to watch, as he starts so damn close to the ball, but I'll take the results. Gives the opposing offense firther to drive and should help our own offense as far as overall field position. McCoy really struggled with FG kicking. Had another blocked which may have had something to do with a bad snap/hold, but its clear that he doesn't get the initial lift on the ball that Watts does. I wouldn't trust McCoy anywhere outside of 30 yards. Watts looked SOLID. I didn't see him miss a FG, and he was kicking some of them from nearly 40 yards out. McCoy worked on both rugby style punts and traditional punts. He looked decent with a few boomers in there.
- Overall, I thought the offense took a big step forward today. They really cut down on the penalties which helped them keep drives alive. I'm hoping to see more of the same from the last scrimmage next Wednesday. I got a few things I need to get done, but I'll post my thoughts on what I saw from the defense later.
