Just finished up the game on my laptop and my impressions:
1) Our DE's are scary good (Washington and Spence). These guys should wreak havoc...really compliment each other well. Some of the sacks were due to the QB not being live but they were causing serious disruptions.
2) Michael Thomas: Showed all the skills he did last year but with more polish to his game. He really should be able to step up and be a player for us this year and down the road. That will be huge for this season but down the road, he can be our #1 pure WR with Marshall, Wilson, Clark, etc. complimenting him in their respective roles. Just keep working young man and big things are coming. I do NOT think he will join Childress and Taurian Washington on the All-Spring Game Team...way too much talent and attention to detail.
3) RBs: With all the hoopla on Ball, he really didn't show much today. Much more impressed with Dunn but then again, the lines were a hodgepodge and he didn't get many touches. However, there were instances where I though Ball could have made a play but didn't
4) OL: Tough to tell much with all the subs, so I'm not too worried. We have 4/5's of the best line in the Big Ten back and I think Decker will step up fine at RT.
5) Curtis Grant: Made a HUGE hit over the middle and really looked much more comfortable out there today. I was happy with what I saw from him today.
6) Tyvis Powell: His length and athleticism are apparent. Put a blanket on Heureman vertically and stays in the hip pocket remarkably well for his height. Seriously, this kid can be special.
7) Eli Apple: Agreed on the Roby comments. Kid just has great instincts and length. Made some really great plays on the ball when thrown at today and regularly was all over his guy. Once he settles into the defense, he is going to be a stud here. Didn't really see anything from Burrows today.
8) Chris Fields: Some really solid plays today. I think Wilson and Marshall will take plenty of his touches with their skill sets, but Fields will contribute to this offense this year.
9) Barnett/Bryant: Maybe they didn't play much today but the only time I noticed them is when they were getting beat vertically. Hopefully that theme does not persist. The front 7 is young and I think they will make big plays, but the secondary MUST step up and be consistent to lead these young pups, or else our defense is going to be as great as they will be bad.
10) Basil: Looked pretty good punting and really, the wind made it impossible to judge his kicking. He has done well in the past though, not concerned.
11) Tough to judge much from ONE spring game, so take everything with a grain of salt and just enjoy it for what it is. Plenty of work to be done and the freshmen will add an interesting dynamic come fall, especially on offense and Bell on defense.
12) Braxton: Not sure why I put this last. Braxton has improved VASTLY from last year in his throwing. Mechanics are greatly improved, he is making his reads and progressions much quicker, and he simply put the ball on the money today. We'll see how it translates this year but he was making throws today I have never seen him make in the past...his improvement is objectively evident.
13) Cardale Jones: Really liked what I saw. Big athletic guy with a cannon, with the potential to become a very good player here. He has a ton of work to do but that is the intrigue...if he can put the pieces together over the next year or two, he can be great. He has all the intangibles.
- If anyone has any questions, just ask
