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Topic: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Topic: Observations from the Spring "Game"

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OhioCatFan
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Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 8:56:45 PM

I thought it would be nice for those who attended the spring so-called game to share their observations from this sort of glorified controlled scrimmage. And, if you can explain that scoring scheme you get bonus points! :-)

OK, I'll start out with a few very non-professional observations on the offense, which is what I concentrated on when watching this event:

1. My surprise player of the day: Jerrid Marhefka, WR. He made some really good catches, one of which was Sports Center quality.

2. Sprague seemed more fit than last year. It looked to me like he had lost a little belly fat and, perhaps, had grown an inch taller. Regardless, he seem to pass better and he moved with his feet better around the pocket to find a receiver. IMHO, he was always better at this than Vick, though Vick has the better arm deep and is probably more athletic. Vick did not suit up today because of a sore arm.

3. Papi White looked to be back in form after his injury. Made some nice runs.

4. Maleek Irons is the real deal. He scored the first TD and made some other nice runs. One particular run for about seven yards for a first down showed his speed and athleticism as he hit the hole very fast at full speed after just a few steps and then made the perfect cut down a small seam to the left for another four or five yards.

5. AJ looked good too, had some good runs. He has a very different style than Irons. AJ as everyone knows likes to just brute force run and knocks folks over with great abandon. Irons while he's strong and doesn't go down on first contact, is more of a skill runner rather than a brute force guy. At least that's my take after seeing the performance today.

6. Duckworth and Windham looked to me like they might not be quite ready for primetime. Though each of them showed some good play at times.

7. The best QB on the field today looked to me to be Conner Krizancic, the transfer from Minnesota who I don't believe will be eligible until 2016. This dude has a rifle for an arm and made some very difficult throws down the sidelines for big yardage.

8. We seem to have a good stable of TEs, with several making good plays. A transfer from the Evil Empire, Carter Ryan, 6-6, seemed to be to have some intriguing possibilities. Is he eligible this year?

Last Edited: 4/5/2015 12:32:14 AM by OhioCatFan

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

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BuddyLee
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 9:36:26 PM

Strong post OCF. I didn't see the scrimmage, but sounds like the RB stable will be our strength this year. Noticed that you didn't mention anything about the defense, though it may be harder to judge them in a scrimmage format.

Bcat2
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 10:13:16 PM

Click the links.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/04041...

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/view.gal?id=177972

Video & images. Confidence inspiring.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 10:32:59 PM

I've got a story up on the homepage now.

As for my personal thoughts, tough it came down to the final play with the scoring system, the defense correctly came away the winner, giving up only a touchdown and a field goal (and one field goal came on the second try). As has been a problem at times, the offense moved the ball but stalled out far too often. But then again, two starting offensive linemen, Vick, Smith and Patterson were out.

I didn't like to see Yazdani miss two field goals, and he only punted a couple of times, but Bonstetter's punts weren't great. But it's a very small sample size.

I agree that Ohio should have plenty of options at running back. I don't know that I saw it in the game, but Irons mentioned afterward a two-back set they can use effectively because they have several different styles of runners.

It's too bad Vick didn't play, but the other QBs looked better than I've seen in past spring games. I still have to think Vick is the definite leading candidate to start at QB.

Solich's biggest concern on defense seemed to be the line. He really emphasized those guys putting on muscle between now and the fall.

OhioCatFan
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 11:00:13 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

. . . I don't know that I saw it in the game, but Irons mentioned afterward a two-back set they can use effectively because they have several different styles of runners. . . .

Monroe, please note this possible two-back set.

L.C.
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 11:26:06 PM

Here's another review of the Spring game, by Hustlebelt:
http://tinyurl.com/qbca9aw

His observation is that "the team looked much sharper today than it did at this point last year."

I expected the defense to be ahead of the offense, but expected the offense to be able to grind away some yards on the ground. It sounds like that's about the way it went, with the running backs averaging about 4 yards a carry, not great, but better than last year. The passing yards were harder to come by, and Ohio was a combined 24-41 for 256 yards, which is a pass efficiency of 105.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

TWT
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/4/2015 11:51:52 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

6. Duckworth and Windham looked to me like they might not be quite ready for primetime. Though each of them showed some good play at times.

7. The best QB on the field today looked to me to be Conner Krizancic, the transfer from Minnesota who I don't believe will be eligible until 2016. This dude has a rifle for an arm and made some very difficult throws down the sidelines for big yardage.

8. We seem to have a good stable of TEs, if several making good players. A transfer from the Evil Empire, Carter Ryan, 6-6, seemed to be to have some intriguing possibilities. Is he eligible this year?

Doesn't sound like much has changed at QB for 2015. Vick and Sprague are going to be #1/#2. That isn't completely a bad thing as they are decent MAC QB's. The TE news is very good. Frank's best two teams had Mooney and Thompson at TE with near misses in the MAC title game. Control the first 10 yards after the line of scrimmage with your offense and everything else follows from there.

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Cats2014
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 9:28:02 AM

Beautiful day, players had fun. Very limited injuries, looks like they are being careful, which is good. Jovon Johnson is gonna have a helluva year, imo. Defense can be really good. Offense needs to see one of these RBs really shoot forward and be a beast, whether it's AJ or Irons or whoever, this team needs a stud RB to really keep the defense off balance. Then passing opens up. But if we give it to a little guy who just gets pummeled and goes nowhere, uggh. I guess AJ and Irons would be my preference, with Daz out in the slot. Do not run Daz from the backfield.. Or Papi for that matter. Keep them in space. I'm tired of seeing little guys get smashed in backfield. Give them space, please.

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 9:50:56 AM

Well said OCF.... My thoughts exactly.

I always like to listen to the people I come with...both of them watched quite a few games last year. Some of their thoughts:

*Irons looks like the real deal.

*Sprague seems to have improved his passing.

*Marhefka # 80 knows how to get open...he was a stud in high school.

* McCray at RT looks huge.

*Sad to see remains of The Union.

*Spring sale as crazy as ever...prices a little
higher on some stuff...but still good buys.

Last Edited: 4/5/2015 9:52:12 AM by Doc Bobcat

Paul Graham
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 12:20:13 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

7. The best QB on the field today looked to me to be Conner Krizancic, the transfer from Minnesota who I don't believe will be eligible until 2016. This dude has a rifle for an arm and made some very difficult throws down the sidelines for big yardage.

Arkley says he was 2-4 with 10 yards passing. Something doesn't add up here :)

OhioCatFan
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 12:37:45 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

Arkley says he was 2-4 with 10 yards passing. Something doesn't add up here :)

It sure doesn't. I saw one his passes go for at least 20 yards. Perhaps, it was ruled a non-catch for some reason, but it looked like a catch from my vantage point. The guy who caught it was right along the sidelines. I thought they moved the chains after the pass, but with some of the crazy rules they had in place it's hard to remember the sequences of some of the things. Any one else had memory of the pass that I'm talking about?

L.C.
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 3:27:09 PM

The best news from the scrimmage is that, while 20 or so players were held out of the Spring game for injury, they don't expect the lingering injuries to be a problem this fall, and that apparently there were no serious injuries in the Scrimmage.

Now we have 5 months of conditioning and off-season work before Ohio shows us what they can do against Idaho on September 3. I think this is going to be a very good Ohio team that will a lot of fun to watch, and one that will win a lot of games. From the reports of those that went to the Spring game, the consensus seems to be that there is a lot of improvement.

From the various comments, it sounds like this will be a team that, like last year, will bring it on defense, with fast, hard hitting linebackers in particular. The offense will have an improved offensive line, and an improved running game, which should make the whole offense work better. It sounds like Isphording is having an impact in the offensive philosophy, and there will be some new wrinkles this fall, though it remains to be seen just what those are.

Happy Easter to everyone.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

TheBobcatBandit
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/5/2015 11:00:52 PM

With Irons sounding to be the real deal it'll be interesting to see what happens to Daz. Hustle Belt mentioned he didn't play but I hope we find a way to incorporate him. There has to be somewhere for a player that athletic to fit in. Anyone think he'll move to WR?

Paul Graham
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 12:27:46 AM

The main issue for Daz may be that Papi is a better option as the change-of-pace back. At a minimum, he should be back returning kicks.

Bcat2
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 7:03:21 AM

Doc Bobcat wrote:

There was one image of 65, 75 & 67 blocking together. Did you notice much of 75 & 67 as a guard combination?

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 8:07:24 AM

Bcat2 wrote:

Doc Bobcat wrote:

There was one image of 65, 75 & 67 blocking together. Did you notice much of 75 & 67 as a guard combination?

Of course 75 and 67 started last year....#65 Joe Lowery seemed to play some as he had a group behind us cheering for him quite a bit..

L.C.
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 9:15:39 AM

TheBobcatBandit wrote:

I still think Irons is going to be a very good back, and I think Dorian Brown is better than most realize, so there is a lot of depth at RB. It will be interesting to see how they use the backs this fall. Daz was a good back when the offensive line made him some room to get started, but he couldn't make his own space. The offensive line will be a lot better this fall, so he'll look a lot better. Also, he's a very effective ball carrier in the open field, where he can use his speed and elusiveness. Daz would make a great wishbone halfback, where he could work mostly outside, I think.

Per Ted's thread on receiver stats, http://tinyurl.com/o5punnc
AJ - targeted 25 times, caught 21 (84%), gained 123 yards, 5.3 yards/target
Daz - targeted 23 times, caught 12 (52%), gained 116 yards, 5.0 yards/target
Edmond - targeted 2 times, caught 2 (100%), gained 18 yard, 9.0 yards/target
Brown - targeted 3 times, caught 2 (67%), gained 9 yards, 3.0 yards/target

Daz was very effective in space when the did catch the ball, but there were a lot of incomplete passes, and I seem to remember that a lot of them were catchable.

Doc Bobcat wrote:

Bcat2 wrote:

There was one image of 65, 75 & 67 blocking together. Did you notice much of 75 & 67 as a guard combination?

Of course 75 and 67 started last year....#65 Joe Lowery seemed to play some as he had a group behind us cheering for him quite a bit..

I think he's asking, will McQueen shift to guard so that Lowery can start at LT?

Last Edited: 4/6/2015 9:26:17 AM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

The Optimist
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 10:51:26 AM

My biggest gripe with the current staff is their inability to draw up a scheme to get guys like Daz the ball in space. Going back to 2013, I expected Daz to get the ball in space via screens and sweeps while lining up in the slot. That never happened.
I still feel that is the best use for Daz and I think the same goes for Papi White.
Feature Maleek and AJ in the backfield and line up Daz and White in the slot.

I've seen crazier things happen.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 11:15:07 AM

The Optimist wrote:

While I'm often one of the first to jump on Albin for putting together a boring and predictable gameplan, I don't think that's totally fair to the staff. Daz was given lots of chances early last year and we were met with drops and fumbles. Not singling him out because it was an epidemic last season. We know he can be an electric player in the open field, but there has to be trust to fully open up the playbook, between a coach and his players and between a QB and his RBs and receivers. if you ultimately believe that drops and fumbles also come back to the coaching then I would say it's fair to call them out there. I hope that will subside with more experience across the board this season.

Edit: I expect that Daz will get the ball plenty and have plenty of chances to prove his worth.

Last Edited: 4/6/2015 12:07:18 PM by Deciduous Forest Cat

Bcat2
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 2:23:43 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

The Optimist wrote:

Prediction. The QBs, RBs, WRs and coaches will all look much improved this season. Credit to improved play from the OL & TEs.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

Valley Cat
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 3:26:46 PM

I drink my Kool-Aid green no question but I though Saturday the team looked really good. I saw a lot of good things and physically this team looks stronger and faster than I have seen in a while. Just a couple random thoughts.
LB's- really fast, get to the football and when they blitzed they got to the QB. Jovon Johson and Blair Brown seem to give you so much speed and ability to cover that I can't see as much reliance on the nickel as in the past. Dicillo and Grillot are very capable as reserves.
D-line- A ton of different rotations, there seems to be a decent amount of versalititlity. One play Sayles was in a three technique the next play a rush end. Same with Purdum. He looked trimmed down. D Tackle still a concern. Just a bunch of unproven guys.
QB- Vick has to be the starter, it's a shame we didn't get to see him. Sprague IMO though looked more settled and made a couple good throws.
RB- AJ played well. Irons is intriguing. He was more physical than I thought. I think Dorian Brown ran hard.
I liked the variety of formations. Hopefully it transfers over to the season. There was a lot of different personnel groupings. Papi and Robbie Walker are dangerous in space. Tight ends were much improved and deep.
It seemed like there was a ton of energy and talking. Excited after that display.

Mike Johnson
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 3:39:08 PM

Me thinks the Idaho game might be more telling than at first blush. Idaho isn't a strong opponent. BUT, getting to Moscow can be tiring. I don't know where the team will be flying to, but on my only visit to Moscow, I flew into Spokane, rented a car, drove east through Pullman and onto Moscow. Game will be played at high altitude. If the Cats can win there and win big, we might be looking at a special team.

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Bobcat1998
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 9:03:55 PM

I agree that our LB's looked extremely tough and when you look at our best past teams our LB's were studs who carried the D. What is awesome is that they don't have to carry this D. We have athletic ends, run-stuffing ends and returning AND new DBs. Last year it was A.J. in the backfield and that was IT. This year after seeing Brown and Irons I feel like we need to utilize some 2-back sets and let the defense guess. All 3 guys can block and all three can run. I loved Irons up the middle. We will score in the redzone, not a problem. And if we are putting any hope into Sprague we are doomed. Has turned into a solid backup but Vick is the man. Too bad we have to wait on Krizancic, but think of him with Irons, Brown and Oulette in 2016! And the 0-line looks good too.

C Money
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RE: Observations from the Spring "Game"

Posted: 4/6/2015 9:27:38 PM

Valley Cat wrote:

I liked the variety of formations. Hopefully it transfers over to the season. There was a lot of different personnel groupings. Papi and Robbie Walker are dangerous in space.

You know what's better than a 2 back set? A 3 back set. Imagine, if you will, Vick in the pistol, AJ on his right hip for the dive read, Irons behind him for the toss read, and Papi or Walker in the slot/H-back spot for a flat/wheel route. Cope wide on one side and Smith wide on the other keeping the safeties honest.

Lots of options there on offense. Let's see if we use them.

And let's hope the middle of the D line can get a push up field.

Cats2014
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BIG BACKS

Posted: 4/7/2015 9:56:07 AM

I'm a fan of big RBs. I just get tired of getting stuffed in the backfield when we give it to guys who are 5'7 or smaller. Those guys need room to use their speed and quickness. That space isn't created in the offensive backfield. The teams that dominated us last year were the teams with big backs and big receivers. It's that simple.

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