Football Articles
Quick Thoughts on the Spring Game
Posted by Minnesotahorn on April 6th, 2009 under Football
Photobucket’s giving me trouble at the moment but if I figure it out I’ll post a couple of pics. This wouldn’t be a problem if Sailor Ripley had dispatched the photographer I asked for. I hate being the new guy.
A BCS Bowl win, a returning Heisman finalist and an absolutely gorgeous Austin day combined to make this the best attended Spring Game I’ve been to. I arrived an hour before the start and an unbroken-in pair of flip flops dictated that I pay seven bucks to park as close as the garage behind Schultz’s. Concession lines and general eyeballing seemed to confirm the heavy turnout. Bill Little estimates attendance at right around the population of Bombay.
20 million fans. Honest.
I entered through the Southwest corner and started a slow circle around the stadium. I’m halted by Longhorn Band’s entrance and I can’t help but note what a spectacle this has become. Five or six years ago this ‘event’ pretty much consisted of having a janitor unlock the gates that morning. Heck, I used to bring my dog in. It’s not quite a game day atmosphere now but it’s getting closer, what with the bathroom lines and constant advertising bombardment.
After a nice opening ceremony honoring General Hammond and his wife we finally get to the opening coin toss. Wait, what? Shockingly we win the toss. I’m almost positive we defer.
As for the scrimmage itself I only had the single live viewing so I’ll just give some general impressions:
A mixed bag for Alex Okafor. He blew past his blocker on the second play from scrimmage and turned Vondrell back inside for little gain. He also had some nice pressure on the quarterbacks from time to time but the news wasn’t all good. On Kirkendall’s reverse Alex stops running the moment James gets past him and his effort on chasing plays was marginal all day. He’ll play a ton and play well this year but the leaders on this defense need to get in his face.
Encouraging but not surprising play from our defense overall. Kheeston Randall is indeed not ready although I think there’s potential there. Ben Alexander is what he is. Obviously everyone saw Thomas’s pick six but he was fantastic in coverage all day. Emmanual Acho impressed as well. Kindle didn’t play a snap on defense for reasons I won’t speculate on.
On offense we started the scrimmage with about nine straight runs which indicates to me that Brown truly believes our head can knock down this wall one of these days. Whatever. Colt threw the ball well considering the wind conditions and save for one play where Jeremy Hills let Dravanti Johnson come free, our pass protection was generally good.
All told not many surprises yesterday and not as much exposition of the younger guys as I might’ve liked to have seen.
Share This
14 Responses
Leave a Reply
Related Articles
-
28
Spring Game Post-Mortem
By Scipio Tex on April 5th, 2009 -
11
Liveblogging A Recording Of The Spring Game: First Half
By ChrisApplewhite on April 2nd, 2008 -
5
Spring Game notes
By ChrisApplewhite on April 6th, 2009 -
7
Mack Talks Spring Game
By Scipio Tex on April 5th, 2009 -
23
Some Quick Thoughts on Turnover Margin
By Trips Right on August 13th, 2009
Activity
-
Farmer Ted wrote a new blog post: Bo Pelini Interview 35 minutes ago
Steve Sipple has a Q&A with Bo Pelini in Sunday’s Lincoln Journal Star. There are some candid comments and it’s worth a read. Some notable excerpts:
On the program’s improvement: “I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been because I think we’re getting close…I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think the players feel the
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
adam-biggers wrote a new blog post: Spartan Hoopla: Here’s What I Really Think About Spartan Basketball 43 minutes ago
Okay, gloves off.
No stats, no recaps, none of that.
If you have ever read my stuff on Bleacher Report you would notice that I keep to a newspaper style of writing. On this blog, I want to be more opinionated, but without being out of line at the same time.
Here it goes, this is what I
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
P.Drez wrote a new blog post: Carlo’s Chelsea Capitulate; United Seize Control 1 hour, 16 minutes ago
An already painful week turned excruciating for Carlo Ancelotti. After being dumped out of the Champions League midweek by former hero Jose Mourinho, Chelsea failed to rebound and dropped two valuable points at Blackburn. Manchester United edged Liverpool and now control the Premier League race.
A forlorn figure on the touchline, Carlo Ancelotti could
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Tim commented on the blog post Spring Preview: Tech Offense 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
With Leach at the wheel I was expecting a 10 win minimum season with the guys this team has coming back in 2010. Now with Tubbs, Willis, and Brown running the show I’m in agreement it’s anywhere between 9-12 wins this year.
Very exciting to hear your take on the O-line ded, as
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
adam-biggers wrote a new blog post: Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State Stamps Its Ticket to Sweet 16 Without Kalin Lucas 3 hours, 35 minutes ago
No Kalin Lucas?
No problem.
“Too Easy” has had his share of leg and ankle problems this season, and with two minutes left in the Spartans’ second round matchup with Greivis Vasquez and the Maryland Terrapins, he made an early exit.
State’s 5′11″ point-man Korie Lucious may have a little something to
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 5 hours, 28 minutes ago
This really has been a great start. It’s pretty exciting to see dark horse teams winning by playing solid basketball rather than just shooting the lights out. 4 year players are so key.
-
Bob in Houston commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
And nobody melts down like Maryland fans. I can’t even post some of the stuff they have spewed.
-
dick commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
Hopefully, yall caught the Maryland Michigan St ending. Freakin’ thrilling. Maryland almost pulled off a comeback for the ages.
officially the best opening weekend ever
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 22 minutes ago
Tom Izzo can coach some ball.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 23 minutes ago
MSU at the buzzer!!!!!!
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 25 minutes ago
Fear the Turtle! Came all the way back from a dozen down to take the lead on MSU…
-
D W commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 6 hours, 32 minutes ago
It’s incredible how few teams play good, fundamental basketball.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 36 minutes ago
tOSU will be moving on. Evan Turner does a little of everything. 22 pts, 8 reb, 8 ass. Great player.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 36 minutes ago
tOSU will be moving on. Evan Turner does a little of everything. 22 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast. Great player.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 42 minutes ago
Bob Huggins looks like a guy I wouldn’t want to play for. He makes Barnes look like Dick Vermeil….
-
Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 6 hours, 44 minutes ago
Scratch that. The Big Red are blowing Wisconsin out.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 6 hours, 46 minutes ago
I’d be happy to see the last two minutes of the OSU/Tech game. 4 pt game with just under two minutes.
Cornell putting it to the Bo Ryan’s….
-
Scipio Tex commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 7 hours, 13 minutes ago
Cornell is playing phenomenally well. I’d be surprised if Wiscy doesn’t cut into the lead in the 2nd half.
Jay Bilas may end up looking like a genius.
-
admin commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 7 hours, 28 minutes ago
parlin – Shoot me an email sailorripley at barkingcarnival dot com.
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 8 hours, 22 minutes ago
I really want Mizzou to give it to WVU.
-
Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Round 2 Saturday Recaps 8 hours, 36 minutes ago
What kind of NBA player does Samhan end up as?
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 8 hours, 48 minutes ago
I really like Cal today.
ATM and Cornell look too good to be true and the public is all over both of them.
I gotta believe that Izzo beats Maryland today, I haven’t been impressed with the Terps this year. I am surprised that they are favored.
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 10 minutes ago
Gonzaga is getting plowed like a future Zeta during her Provisional Summer session.
-
Alex wrote a new blog post: The Top 10 Reasons our Cal Bears will beat the Duke Blue Devils 9 hours, 14 minutes ago
Kevin Berger from March To March lays it out for us here.
1) Interior Worries. As in the Bears shouldn’t have any defensively even if Cal is an undersized group. Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas aren’t going to drop step and dunk you to death on the low block so Mike Montgomery can
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 21 minutes ago
Jordan Hamilton + 2 years ~ Wesley Johnson. Discuss.
-
James commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember 9 hours, 39 minutes ago
” a heavily tattooed lycanthrope Irish wookie named Lucas O’Rear”
That is just strong command of the English language.
This piece was a nice balm on the hangover.
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 9 hours, 41 minutes ago
gotta,
I think your overall point is a good one. Barnes is a “system” guy especially defensively, which plays into how he overall plays the game. He wants to play a high pressure, overplay man2man scheme predicated on effort, good technique and overall quickness. Similar to Duke, but even Coach K (in fairness
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 9 hours, 52 minutes ago
Would have never guessed that UNI had an Ali shooting threes for them….
-
ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 10 hours, 9 minutes ago
Anyone else as confused as I am by this “Ivan Brothers” ad campaign? WTF?
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition 10 hours, 12 minutes ago
Cuse looking strong. Another week of R&R for the big man….
glenn said:
April 6th, 2009 at 7:31 am
i’m like you. i was hoping for more noise from the youngsters, but was generally pleased.
look forward to the pics.
FYI said:
April 6th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Parking was free in the university garages – something to consider for next year.
dedfischer said:
April 6th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Saw bits and pieces last night.
- Secondary looked good and aggressive. There just wasn’t anyone open and confidence is started to abound. I expected the secondary to be good, and that appears to be the case for 2009.
- Protection was solid for the most part. Got a chuckle out of a pass attempt to Greg Smith, which I’ve left noted in the OL section.
- Malcolm Williams appears to be targeted for Cosby’s role, which is a smart move.
- Noticed Okafor a bit and there’s a lot to like about him. Like the writer, he also leaves much to be desired at this point, which I would chalk up to youth. I thought he might be a tick faster than he was, but he’ll be good, regardless. He looked like he belonged as a high school senior.
- I was actually most impressed on the DL by Dvarranti Johnson at DE (if that’s who #43 was). Dude looks fast and explosive, and could see him as a Jeremy Beal type player down the road.
- I think teams are going to be able to run the ball on Texas a little this year between the tackles, but that was to be expected. The Texas offense doesn’t really provide a great playaction look in its current state. I’m curious to see if the aggressive secondary is vulnerable to big plays over the top, since they might be a more integral part of run defense this year. Currently, there are only two teams who do that well, OSU and OU, and have the complementary defensive players to pose a threat. Which everyone already knew.
Horncasting said:
April 6th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Glad someone else noticed Okafor give up on a couple of plays, including the reverse. Have only seen raving reviews about him from others.
Ambassador said:
April 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I noticed that about Okafor as well.
ponderos said:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
All told not many surprises yesterday and not as much exposition of the younger guys as I might’ve liked to have seen.
Dude, if you parked on Exposition, those flip-flops are ready to be recycled by now.
SausageFest said:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Given the weakness in the middle of the D-Line, does anybody else anticipate BOOM sending Norton up the gut frequently in order to help clog opposing running lanes between the tackles? I’m feeling that, for some reason.
Mugging Linebackers said:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
No
HenryJames said:
April 6th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
CloseToJumping will shit a golden Carl Reese and set DD Lewis on fire if that happens. Or something.
SausageFest said:
April 6th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Okay HJ, now I’m just HOPING that it occurs…
Art Vandelay said:
April 6th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
ponderos – we can’t sandle any more of those.
Brian Combs said:
April 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I took some pictures from the game at the attached website. It’s nice to be able to take in a good telephoto and sit close to the field for once.
Pix here.
glenn said:
April 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
thanks, brian. good shots.
Inger Kipps said:
January 15th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
It is great that you took the time to write all this up; it’s inspiring to hear another’s point of view. I respect your work on this page, and I’ll revisit for more reading.