2013 Fall Camp Thread

[Sherm Sticky]

To be fair, I think the Mahone doubters have been justified to an extent. He was not impressive in the Spring game, which is really the only action we (the fans) have seen of him. I fall into this camp but in no way have I written him off as a future contributor to this program. Kelly's recent comments are encouraging and also provides a glimpse into Mahone's work ethic and determination. As with all Irish players, I'm rooting for him.

Never understood why everyone thought he had a underwhelming spring game. i though he did pretty well. Shrug...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Definitely wouldn't categorize myself as Mahone hater as, like NDWorld stated, I root for everybody that wears a gold helmet. I am also encouraged by what we're hearing just don't see where the playing time comes from. If he's at the slot now he'll undoubtedly be behind at least Amir and probably Procise so I can't get too excited about our 2nd or maybe 3rd string slot since the slot isn't even going to be on the field every down.

To be honest, I think Carlisle or Prosise will have have a hard time stealing game reps from our #2 TE. If our TEs are as good as advertised, we're gonna see a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, which means our Z WRs will be sitting.

 

[NDWorld247]

Never understood why everyone thought he had a underwhelming spring game. i though he did pretty well. Shrug...

8 rushes, 11 yards with a long of 4 yards. He did have two receptions for 40 yards with a long of 29, but I just remember watching and not being impressed. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[Emcee77]

To be honest, I think Carlisle or Prosise will have have a hard time stealing game reps from our #2 TE. If our TEs are as good as advertised, we're gonna see a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, which means our Z WRs will be sitting.

Yep. It may just depend on the opponent and its system/personnel and whether Kelly thinks on a given Saturday that our best shot to win the matchup in the slot is with speed/quickness/elusiveness or size/strength.

 

[NDWorld247]

To be honest, I think Carlisle or Prosise will have have a hard time stealing game reps from our #2 TE. If our TEs are as good as advertised, we're gonna see a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, which means our Z WRs will be sitting.

Do you know what the percentage of 12 and 13 personnel was last year? I can't imagine it was, or will be this season, much more than 50%.

As a comparison, I read today that the Patriots had 2 or more TEs on the field 50% of the time last season.

 

[Cackalacky]

I think what worries me is that we will be predictable depending on who the Rb is no matter 12 or 13 or whatever.

Each of our Rbs has a set of skills and are not complete backs. I really think Mahone could be our Riddick. I don't see GAIII in the slot and I don't know how good of a blocker he is). I definitely don't see Cam doing anything but running. Amir can do it but I have seen nothing of him during camp and no spring ball. Folston and Bryant...I don't know how they make it on the field.
The RB is a big question mark for me.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I think what worries me is that we will be predictable depending on who the Rb is no matter 12 or 13 or whatever.

Each of our Rbs has a set of skills and are not complete backs. I really think Mahone could be our Riddick. I don't see GAIII in the slot and I don't know how good of a blocker he is). I definitely don't see Cam doing anything but running. Amir can do it but I have seen nothing of him during camp and no spring ball. Folston and Bryant...I don't know how they make it on the field.
The RB is a big question mark for me.

Cam has shown that he has some great hands. He was even being considered for CB before being moved back to RB. His 1 handed grab in the spring game was spectacular. I could see him getting some action in the slot. He is tough and can catch and runs good routes.

We have so much talent at RB, most of it unproven, but I have confident in Kelly and Martin to be creative and get the most out of that talent. I honestly did not think Theo would do very well going back to RB. I wasn't impressed with him the few times he lined up in the backfield prior to last season but he changed my mind quickly. And though there are some veterans that are extremely talented, I definitely can see how Bryant and/or Folston see PT this year. They are both too explosive to not be used in 1 way or another. Maybe more on ST but I doubt either red shirts and definitely not both. But if they do, it simply means one or 2 of the vets really performed well and kept them off the field.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yep. It may just depend on the opponent and its system/personnel and whether Kelly thinks on a given Saturday that our best shot to win the matchup in the slot is with speed/quickness/elusiveness or size/strength.

True. But even against a stout front 7, where Kelly often chooses to spread them out, he still prefers to run first. Downfield blocking is important in those situations, and I'd imagine our TEs are significantly better at that than, say, Carlisle. In other words, our Z WRs are less versatile, even in the spread.

Do you know what the percentage of 12 and 13 personnel was last year? I can't imagine it was, or will be this season, much more than 50%.

As a comparison, I read today that the Patriots had 2 or more TEs on the field 50% of the time last season.

I couldn't find any season-long stats, but this post from HLS indicates that we were in 12 or 13 personnel for ~78% of our offensive snaps against Navy. I know we didn't use it that much on average, but I think it was still a high %.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think what worries me is that we will be predictable depending on who the Rb is no matter 12 or 13 or whatever.

Each of our Rbs has a set of skills and are not complete backs. I really think Mahone could be our Riddick. I don't see GAIII in the slot and I don't know how good of a blocker he is). I definitely don't see Cam doing anything but running. Amir can do it but I have seen nothing of him during camp and no spring ball. Folston and Bryant...I don't know how they make it on the field.
The RB is a big question mark for me.

1. Your right, GAIII is a pure running back. However, that doesn't mean that he won't be on the field. So was cierre and he still had a lot of success over three seasons.
2. Not one person that has actually watched practice this week or during spring ball thinks that Amir and Bryant aren't complete backs. Amir is moving to the slot so we can get GAIII and Bryant on the field at the same time. Not because they lack the skill.

 

[Cackalacky]

Cam has shown that he has some great hands. He was even being considered for CB before being moved back to RB. His 1 handed grab in the spring game was spectacular. I could see him getting some action in the slot. He is tough and can catch and runs good routes.

We have so much talent at RB, most of it unproven, but I have confident in Kelly and Martin to be creative and get the most out of that talent. I honestly did not think Theo would do very well going back to RB. I wasn't impressed with him the few times he lined up in the backfield prior to last season but he changed my mind quickly. And though there are some veterans that are extremely talented, I definitely can see how Bryant and/or Folston see PT this year. They are both too explosive to not be used in 1 way or another. Maybe more on ST but I doubt either red shirts and definitely not both. But if they do, it simply means one or 2 of the vets really performed well and kept them off the field.

That was one nice catch.

 

[Cackalacky]

1. Your right, GAIII is a pure running back. However, that doesn't mean that he won't be on the field. So was cierre and he still had a lot of success over three seasons.
2. Not one person that has actually watched practice this week or during spring ball thinks that Amir and Bryant aren't complete backs. Amir is moving to the slot so we can get GAIII and Bryant on the field at the same time. Not because they lack the skill.

So in essence when there is a Z we are looking at Amir/Prosise?

How are GAIII and Bryant going to be on the field at the same time. Do mean splitting reps at Rb?

From camp this week is it assumed by those knowledgeable Bryant is going to see significant minutes?

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Off topic (kinda):

did anyone notice that jack nolan is missing a tooth?

 

[NDWorld247]

ISD Video: Irish Practice and Interviews 8-9-2013

Tuitt says he is in 'perfect' shape. I dare any of you to tell him otherwise to his face!

 

[95NDAlumNM]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DGxeYlqE5eU?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[95NDAlumNM]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e0_fnqIakq8?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[95NDAlumNM]

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/72063743?color=ffcc12" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/72063743">Practice highlights - August 9</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/irishillustrated">Irish Illustrated</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

ISD Video: Irish Practice and Interviews 8-9-2013

Tuitt says he is in 'perfect' shape. I dare any of you to tell him otherwise to his face!

Well, I certainly trust Tuitt himself over online speculation based on one play in a practice video. I guess we'll have to wait to see him for ourselves though. Also good to hear him say Jarron Jones has "shined", it would do wonders for our depth if he can play at a high level.

 

[Cackalacky]

Glad to hear coach talking about Mahone and Amir like that.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Surprised that Chris Brown wasn't even with the second WR unit

 

[STLDomer]

To be honest, I think Carlisle or Prosise will have have a hard time stealing game reps from our #2 TE. If our TEs are as good as advertised, we're gonna see a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, which means our Z WRs will be sitting.

In the ISD practice report it said they were mostly in 3 WRs - 1 TE sets.

 

[Emcee77]

Surprised that Chris Brown wasn't even with the second WR unit

Yeah, Dan Murphy commented that he and Folston were both in full pads but took limited reps. Definitely puzzling. Slight injuries, maybe?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In the ISD practice report it said they were mostly in 3 WRs - 1 TE sets.

That's good info, but I wouldn't read too much into it. We have 16 scholarship players between WR and RB, but only 5 TEs on the roster. Given the staff's apparent aversion to 2-RB sets, one would expect lots of 11 personnel in camp simply because it allows them to spread the reps around equitably and maximize workload for the highest number of players.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Yeah, Dan Murphy commented that he and Folston were both in full pads but took limited reps. Definitely puzzling. Slight injuries, maybe?

I see Murphy said Folston had some type of injury that limited him to non contact stuff. Hopefully that's all it was with Chris too.

 

[Emcee77]

Jaylon has definitely done some work in the weight room. His arms are huge compared to his high school tape.

 

[IrishLax]

Heard both Folston and Brown were a bit dinged up, nothing serious though.

 

[STLDomer]

Robinson is looking like the steal of the class so far. Sounds like he catches everything, coaches love him, and ISD said he did pretty well in run blocking today.

 

[RuntheBall]

Notes from BK's interview:

BK called someone "Zach Watt"?

Very positive on freshmen RB, particularly Bryant

Daniels a "BCS wr". Excited about depth and diversity of WR core (and TE's).

Didn't sound overly optimistic on Rees, but says he is more "mobile" and has done better keeping the play alive. Better with fade. Gradual improvement in all aspects.

Battle for 4th DE position. Kona has been much better this fall (than Spring). Likes were we are with DE's. Jarron Jones, Kona, and Rochell are battling for 3-5 DE positions. No leaders, wont be decided for a while.

Overall, some of the best, most competitive practices. Fast football. Hopes it translated to games. Loves depth.

Question on Shumate. Still learning how to line people up, still competition back there. Talked about best players vs. best players in the scheme. Will change scheme to best players, when he knows best 22 are. Gifted player with competition. Barratti, Farley, Hardy, Collingsworth, Redfield ("has really shown up").

 

[Wild Bill]

They've only shown a few reps and maybe I'm jumping to conclusions but Ishaq does not look comfortable in a three point stance. He's slow off the ball, can't use his hands and gets driven by the blocker. It's brutal.

 

[calvegas04]

Didn't sound overly optimistic on Rees, but says he is more "mobile" and has done better keeping the play alive. Better with fade. Gradual improvement in all aspects.

Everything that has been said about TR so far has been good news, impressing everyone

 

[RuntheBall]

Everything that has been said about TR so far has been good news, impressing everyone

Yeah I was just trying to read body language/ tone more than anything. Even if Rees has royally sucked so far, Kelly wouldn't come out and say it. Not that that is the case. Far from it, but he definitely isn't as optimistic as some on here (which is expected I guess). I (and I think BK) am confident we will see the best Tommy Rees yet.