Last Spring/This Spring

#1
orange+white=heaven

orange+white=heaven

VN GURU
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Feb 16, 2005
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#1
I don't have a laundry list on this because I think only two things really stood out for me...

-The energy level and enthusiasm on the field and sidelines was a huge difference. Players and coaches.

-Last year there was a lot of talk about a power running game from coaches leading up to spring game. Game day came and there were almost zero rushing yards inside....

This year, the power running game was promised again. And delivered.

Run the ball first, and good things will come.

Vanilla offense v. Vanilla defense.. I didn't expect to see a lot of flashy.

This one thing, running the ball inside, pleased me enourmously though, and made the trip worthwhile.
 
#2
#2
they had me once they lined up in an I formation (we have a FB???) on the first play.
 
#3
#3
Hopefully the power running game will show up in the games this fall. We're going to need it.
 
#6
#6
An offensive line that can at least compete for line of scrimmage control is one of if not the number 1 problem last year, good to see some signs of life.
 
#7
#7
I remember being impressed with they way our offense looked in last year's spring game, I hope that it carries into the fall this time. While I haven't been able to personally witness the spring practices either year, by all accounts the coaches and players have been working harder, smarter and with more enthusiasm. That should translate into better execution when it matters.
 
#9
#9
i can't get too excited because this time last year i came away pretty optimistic about us after our spring game. especially the qb.

that said, the things i took away from watching it last night.....aside from what OWH has already stated.....was the plays our WR's were making on the ball.

that was very encouraging to see again. diving catches, taking hits, jugglilng catches, tip toe catches, quick slants, across the middle with contact.....Hancock looks like a completley different person, and Brandon Warren i think with his size will be an imposing threat underneath and across the middle of the field. he might make a living on 3rd down and in the red zone. Moore looked good, and you still have G. Jones who wasn't really all that much of a factor. bring inthe freshmen, and we could be pretty darn good, and deep, at WR.

and after seeing the game, i think Crompton and Coleman are in about the same place. Stephens needs some work becuase he got behind, but i saw things from Jon and BJ i liked....and didn't like. but the WR's in large part played equally well for all three of the qb's.

hard to judge the fronts given the format, though i did think defensively they pursued very well, and tackling for the most part was good. it was finally nice to see Tony Williams in action....i liked what i saw. Hardesty remaining healthy though is worthy of note...knocking on wood as i type....

as for my attitude leaving this spring vs. last....a lot more "cautious" than "optimism". i'm just going to believe Lane Kiffin when he says "we have a long way to go".
 
#10
#10
jakez4ut said:
i can't get too excited because this time last year i came away pretty optimistic about us after our spring game. especially the qb.

that said, the things i took away from watching it last night.....aside from what OWH has already stated.....was the plays our WR's were making on the ball.

that was very encouraging to see again. diving catches, taking hits, jugglilng catches, tip toe catches, quick slants, across the middle with contact.....Hancock looks like a completley different person, and Brandon Warren i think with his size will be an imposing threat underneath and across the middle of the field. he might make a living on 3rd down and in the red zone. Moore looked good, and you still have G. Jones who wasn't really all that much of a factor. bring inthe freshmen, and we could be pretty darn good, and deep, at WR.

and after seeing the game, i think Crompton and Coleman are in about the same place. Stephens needs some work becuase he got behind, but i saw things from Jon and BJ i liked....and didn't like. but the WR's in large part played equally well for all three of the qb's.

hard to judge the fronts given the format, though i did think defensively they pursued very well, and tackling for the most part was good. it was finally nice to see Tony Williams in action....i liked what i saw. Hardesty remaining healthy though is worthy of note...knocking on wood as i type....

as for my attitude leaving this spring vs. last....a lot more "cautious" than "optimism". i'm just going to believe Lane Kiffin when he says "we have a long way to go".
Click to expand...
I agree - didnt they score on the first play of the game. I was fired up as were many of my volnation counterparts. So i was pleased was with what I saw but I am not getting too excited. like CLK said I think there is tons of work to do. For instance getting the signals implemented.
 
#11
#11
jakez4ut said:
i can't get too excited because this time last year i came away pretty optimistic about us after our spring game. especially the qb.
Click to expand...

I think we all felt that way.

Yeah where has Toney Williams been hiding? That guy looked like a solid RB. But, then again, Kurston Biggers looked good in the O&W game at one time too.
 
#12
#12
the one thing i'll give williams though is he did it, and has done it in practice, consistently over the course of the spring. at some point after 15 practices and a handfull of scrimmages, you are what you are.
 
#13
#13
I really believe BJC will be starting at QB in the fall. He seems to be getting it and seems to me to have more upside.
 
#14
#14
velovol said:
I agree - didnt they score on the first play of the game. I was fired up as were many of my volnation counterparts. So i was pleased was with what I saw but I am not getting too excited. like CLK said I think there is tons of work to do. For instance getting the signals implemented.
Click to expand...

They scored on their first drive. It was a very nice drive featuring power running plays with a few passes mixed in. I think that's a glimpse of what our offensive identity will be this year.
 
#15
#15
abvol said:
I really believe BJC will be starting at QB in the fall. He seems to be getting it and seems to me to have more upside.
Click to expand...

Interesting thought--that BJC has the most upside. Not to be argumentative but I think JC has the most upside--he's bigger, better arm, more athletic but, unfortunatley, his (JC's) downside is greater too.
I think BJC offers us the best chance to win with solid, methodical QB play.
 
#17
#17
What really seemed to stand out for me were the intangibles. The energy and swagger that they had as well as the discipline. I know the refs weren't calling the game tight but I don't recall any offsides or false starts at all, just a delay of game that they let go. As for the videos from practice sessions they showed at half time, WOW! Coach O got me so fired up that I turned over the couch and ran through a wall.
 
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#18
#18
COOKEVOL said:
What really seemed to stand out for me were the intangibles. The energy and swagger that they had as well as the discipline. I know the refs weren't calling the game tight but I don't recall any offsides or false starts at all, just a delay of game that they let go. As for the videos from practice sessions they showed at half time, WOW! Coach O got me so fired up that I turned over the coach and ran through a wall.
Click to expand...


If you turned over coach O, you obviously have no fear! I wouldn't mess with him!
 
#20
#20
In regards to the QB situation:

I think Crompton is a better practice player when the pressure is off.

On other hand, I think Coleman steps up in games and is a gamer - doesn't perform as well in practices.
 
#21
#21
SpringBokVol said:
In regards to the QB situation:

I think Crompton is a better practice player when the pressure is off.

On other hand, I think Coleman steps up in games and is a gamer - doesn't perform as well in practices.
Click to expand...

just wondering what you base the "gamer" label on. We only saw him in very limited action last season in games and he did not look comfortable at all
 
#22
#22
utvolpj said:
just wondering what you base the "gamer" label on. We only saw him in very limited action last season in games and he did not look comfortable at all
Click to expand...
i think even Kiffin used the term in the post game presser saturday. CLK is contiuously surprised at how well Coleman plays in the scrimmages, despite struggling somewhat in practice. so, gamer, right now pertains to the live scrimmages he's participated in.
 
#23
#23
utvolpj said:
just wondering what you base the "gamer" label on. We only saw him in very limited action last season in games and he did not look comfortable at all
Click to expand...

On nothing tangible, just the fact that everyone raves about Crompton in practices, but it never translates to the game.

The way Coleman handled the little game time he had I thought he stepped up...played well in the O&W and his press conference after was fantastic. Just shows the leadership qualities that you expect from a starting QB.
 
#24
#24
SpringBokVol said:
and his press conference after was fantastic.
Click to expand...

I keep seeing this and, not really directed at you, I couldn't care less if the guy speaks Spanglish in grunts and picks his nose during the PC as long as he wins. Nothing has ever been won in a press conf.
 
#25
#25
utvolpj said:
I keep seeing this and, not really directed at you, I couldn't care less if the guy speaks Spanglish in grunts and picks his nose during the PC as long as he wins. Nothing has ever been won in a press conf.
Click to expand...

I agree with you to an extent, but character comes into play at some point as well.

Coleman has leadership qualities and Crompton throws out canned quotes that a monkey generated. That right there shows you a character difference. And in most cases that translates to the play on the field.

But you are right, you are not winning a game in a press conference. But you certainly can help your team get motivated or re-energized- just look at Tim Tebow.
 
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