Spring Practice Follow Up - Offense

[filexvol]

I think Neal is going to be the every down back we have been looking for. I just looked at some pics of him from practice and he looks the part. I'm not sure about Lane tho. Lane may just not be comfortable yet? Also like DY as a change up back and love his speed and big play ability. There is just something about Neal I really like this kid could be special! Seems he has great speed and instinct. GBO!!

[FredWhite2]

Originally Posted by rocktopper16

Fred, Man. Can you do more follow ups? It's about the only thing postive on this board. Great read tho.

Ya ill try to chime in and give what I know/educated opinion every now and then... Mostly just happens when it's a slow day, but ill see what I can do.

As for the RB situation... I didn't mean to imply that Marlin Lane is out of it. We have had one week of practice and scrimmage numbers have been known to be misleading at times. DY has definitely improved and added good weight in the offseason. Neal obviously has made the biggest splash thus far in spring ball, but it doesn't mean it's his position yet. Also as someone mentioned earlier, Borque and Watson aren't even here yet... while I see Borque with the potential to play every down and be a workhorse and Watson as more of a DY/change it up back. I think the only thing that can be concluded for sure from this position is man are we glad to have Jay Graham back in orange...

[LotteryPick]

Pretty bummed to hear that about Lane, but I'm glad Neal is doing well.

[oakridgevolfan]

Nice post thanks for the info!

[Billy Antrim]

Originally Posted by filexvol

I think Neal is going to be the every down back we have been looking for. I just looked at some pics of him from practice and he looks the part. I'm not sure about Lane tho. Lane may just not be comfortable yet? Also like DY as a change up back and love his speed and big play ability. There is just something about Neal I really like this kid could be special! Seems he has great speed and instinct. GBO!!

I really liked what I saw and heard from Neal and Young in the practice videos today (4/10). Lane not so much - maybe he's just soft spoken?

[FredWhite2]

The good news with our RB and running game in general is there's nowhere to go but up. Our line has improved a lot this offseason. Add that to Jay Graham's knowledge of the position and we are going to put AT LEAST a middle of the pack running attack on the field... If I had to rank our RB right now

1a) Neal
1b) Lane
2) Young
3) Smith
4) Hill - He has shown flashes and is pretty good size already for an incoming freshman... Could be a sleeper in this class, but he's just very raw right now.

[hjeagle1vol]

Concerns for Neal: ball security and blocking, both of which I think Graham will resolve.

Positives for Neal are huge: speed, big play threat, size to handle SEC defenses, and my personal favorite about him is his experience as a WR. I have no doubt CJC is going to split him out, put him motion, and get LB's on him in coverage. He can be nightmare for defenses because of his pass catching ability imo.

If he's used correctly he can be the perfect compliment to Rogers, Hunter, and Patterson (who I'm giving the benefit of the doubt as a major contributor until proven otherwise)

This is the most excited I've been about an offense we're fielding since Stallworth and Washington were here.

[FredWhite2]

Originally Posted by hjeagle1vol

Concerns for Neal: ball security and blocking, both of which I think Graham will resolve.

Positives for Neal are huge: speed, big play threat, size to handle SEC defenses, and my personal favorite about him is his experience as a WR. I have no doubt CJC is going to split him out, put him motion, and get LB's on him in coverage. He can be nightmare for defenses because of his pass catching ability imo.

If he's used correctly he can be the perfect compliment to Rogers, Hunter, and Patterson (who I'm giving the benefit of the doubt as a major contributor until proven otherwise)

This is the most excited I've been about an offense we're fielding since Stallworth and Washington were here.

I agree with you that you can go ahead an pencil in CP at one of the 3 WR spots b/c the dude is a freak (hope he picks up the playbook)

I do not necessarily agree that one of Neal's problems is ball security... Yes, we all remember the two fumbles against Georgia. The Kentucky muffed snap was not his fault, that's on Bullard. I also agree that the addition of Graham will help out every RB we have in every aspect of their game. Graham is such an upgrade from Chino it's like going from an old Honda Civic to a new BMW, there's no comparison.

I also do not think Lane has been given a fair shake, by that I mean he's being overshadowed and is not playing as badly as it's being portrayed. He's still a solid option at RB, it's just Neal has improved and impressed so far in the ONE WEEK of spring practice... still a long way to go before NC State.