Clover, do not worry about this loser. He is just another person who got their tails kicked by my family on a consistant basis. This guy thinks he is tough because he uses the word "Murder" in his screen name. He is nothing more than a wuss who hides behind his computer and his mama's apron strings. He is not worth it. Another chicken ***t who will not put his money (so to speak) where his mouth is. He is not worth your time or mine.
Atlantic Coast Conference
DUKE started spring drills on February 6, and will finish before many ACC teams even take the field for the first time. FLORIDA STATE will open spring drills tomorrow with a focus on retooling the offense. CLEMSON is in the middle of spring practice trying to figure out how to unseat Florida State. GEORGIA TECH looks to continue building on the momentum it gained last season. MIAMI and VIRGINIA TECH each are trying to regain some level of past prominence. NORTH CAROLINA will not hold a spring game due to stadium repair.
ACC Spring Practice Opening Dates
Boston College (Feb 25)
Clemson (Mar 2
Duke (Feb 6)
Florida State (Mar 18)
Georgia Tech (Mar 23)
Louisville (Mar 24)
Miami (Feb 17)
North Carolina (Mar 1)
North Carolina State (Mar 1)
Pittsburgh (Mar 15)
Syracuse (Feb 22)
Virginia Tech (Mar 14)
Wake Forest (Mar 3)
DUKE started spring drills on February 6, and will finish before many ACC teams even take the field for the first time. FLORIDA STATE will open spring drills tomorrow with a focus on retooling the offense. CLEMSON is in the middle of spring practice trying to figure out how to unseat Florida State. GEORGIA TECH looks to continue building on the momentum it gained last season. MIAMI and VIRGINIA TECH each are trying to regain some level of past prominence. NORTH CAROLINA will not hold a spring game due to stadium repair.
ACC Spring Practice Opening Dates
Boston College (Feb 25)
Clemson (Mar 2
Duke (Feb 6)
Florida State (Mar 18)
Georgia Tech (Mar 23)
Louisville (Mar 24)
Miami (Feb 17)
North Carolina (Mar 1)
North Carolina State (Mar 1)
Pittsburgh (Mar 15)
Syracuse (Feb 22)
Virginia Tech (Mar 14)
Wake Forest (Mar 3)
UCLA has suspended offensive line and assistant HC Adrian Klemm for alleged NCAA Rule Violations (as in more than one). He is also the running came occrdinator. With the loss of QB Hundley gone, the UCLA offense must depend on their offensive line and running game that was very unproductive last season. This cannot help. No one likes having to change in the middle of spring drills.
More bad news for Arizona State. WR Cameron Smith will most likely miss the rest of the season after blowing out his knee in spring pratice yesterday. Smith was the projected #1 starter at WR for the Devils. Smith's departure leaves ASU ith no receiver who caught more than 16 passes last season.
Alabama
The Tide will hit the practice field again Monday for its second practice after several days off for spring break. One glaring weakness last season that will get a lot of attention the rest of the spring is the defensive secondary. Alabama finished 11th in the SEC in pass defense last year allowing 226 yards per game. Saban replaced the secondary coach with former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Tucker will take over the secondary duties with no shortage of young talented players. Two former 5 Star recruits will be given the chance to man the corners. Sophomore Tony Brown (Texas) and RS Freshman Marlon Humparey (Alabama) both have the size and speed to take over the positions. Others with playing experience are 4 Star Geno Smith (Georgia), 4 Star Hottie Jones (Louisiana) and 4 Star Maurice Smith (Texas). Another star studded 2015 recruiting class will bring in 5 Star Minkah Fitzpatrich (New Jersey), 4 Star Kendall Sheffield (Texas), 4 Star Deionte Thompson (Texas), 4 Star Ronnie Harrison (Florida), 4 Star Shawn Becker (Florida). The big loss in the secondary from last year was All-SEC safety Landon Collins. It will certainly be an interesting spring for the Bama secondary players.
The Tide will hit the practice field again Monday for its second practice after several days off for spring break. One glaring weakness last season that will get a lot of attention the rest of the spring is the defensive secondary. Alabama finished 11th in the SEC in pass defense last year allowing 226 yards per game. Saban replaced the secondary coach with former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Tucker will take over the secondary duties with no shortage of young talented players. Two former 5 Star recruits will be given the chance to man the corners. Sophomore Tony Brown (Texas) and RS Freshman Marlon Humparey (Alabama) both have the size and speed to take over the positions. Others with playing experience are 4 Star Geno Smith (Georgia), 4 Star Hottie Jones (Louisiana) and 4 Star Maurice Smith (Texas). Another star studded 2015 recruiting class will bring in 5 Star Minkah Fitzpatrich (New Jersey), 4 Star Kendall Sheffield (Texas), 4 Star Deionte Thompson (Texas), 4 Star Ronnie Harrison (Florida), 4 Star Shawn Becker (Florida). The big loss in the secondary from last year was All-SEC safety Landon Collins. It will certainly be an interesting spring for the Bama secondary players.
Alabama
Saban and staff enter spring drills knowing the defensive line is loaded. A tough unit last season, leading the SEC and ranking among the top four rushing defenses nationally, will be even better this year. All starters return and should be the strength of this Alabama team. The returners are highlighted in the middle by prototypical nose tackle in 6-foot-4, 323 pound A'Shawn Robinson, who has started 16 games in his first two seasons, including 13 last year as a full time starter. Flanking Robinson will be junior Jonathan Allen, who led the team with seven quarterback hurries and 5.5 sacks, and the elder statesman in senior Jarren Reed, who also started 13 games a year ago and led all linemen with 55 tackles. The D-line has a second team unit most teams around the SEC would welcome, with senior D.J. Pettway and Dalvin Tomlinson, plus JUCO addition Jonathan Taylor, who appeared in ten games with Georgia back in 2013. They are what Saban calls "difference makers" along the defensive front who will have an immediate impact once the season starts. With the talent available at linebacker, Alabama's front seven will again be one of the best in the country.
Saban and staff enter spring drills knowing the defensive line is loaded. A tough unit last season, leading the SEC and ranking among the top four rushing defenses nationally, will be even better this year. All starters return and should be the strength of this Alabama team. The returners are highlighted in the middle by prototypical nose tackle in 6-foot-4, 323 pound A'Shawn Robinson, who has started 16 games in his first two seasons, including 13 last year as a full time starter. Flanking Robinson will be junior Jonathan Allen, who led the team with seven quarterback hurries and 5.5 sacks, and the elder statesman in senior Jarren Reed, who also started 13 games a year ago and led all linemen with 55 tackles. The D-line has a second team unit most teams around the SEC would welcome, with senior D.J. Pettway and Dalvin Tomlinson, plus JUCO addition Jonathan Taylor, who appeared in ten games with Georgia back in 2013. They are what Saban calls "difference makers" along the defensive front who will have an immediate impact once the season starts. With the talent available at linebacker, Alabama's front seven will again be one of the best in the country.
Auburn
The Tigers, in some ways are starting all over this spring in Gus Malzahn's third season. Auburn will be replacing eight starters on offense, rebuilding a new defense around coordinator Will Muschamp and trying to rebound from a disappointing 8-5 season. Malzahn's goal this spring is to develop toughness that he thought was missing last year. The spring practices have been fast paced and hard nosed with more hitting than ever. The drills are filled with full speed tackling where a new coordinator is trying to establish a physical attitude. The approach resembles Malzahn's first spring, with every position open to competition. The Tigers are going "old school" this spring trying to get their edge back.
Vanderbilt
I watched the Doars spring game yesterday on the SEC Network and was not impressed. I saw a couple of North Alabama's practices (Divison II) and couldn't tell much of a difference. North Alabama would give Vandy a good game. I'll go on record today predicting Vanderbilt will not win a SEC game this season. I'll also go on record that Mason is two and done. The guy is way over his head in this conference.
The Tigers, in some ways are starting all over this spring in Gus Malzahn's third season. Auburn will be replacing eight starters on offense, rebuilding a new defense around coordinator Will Muschamp and trying to rebound from a disappointing 8-5 season. Malzahn's goal this spring is to develop toughness that he thought was missing last year. The spring practices have been fast paced and hard nosed with more hitting than ever. The drills are filled with full speed tackling where a new coordinator is trying to establish a physical attitude. The approach resembles Malzahn's first spring, with every position open to competition. The Tigers are going "old school" this spring trying to get their edge back.
Vanderbilt
I watched the Doars spring game yesterday on the SEC Network and was not impressed. I saw a couple of North Alabama's practices (Divison II) and couldn't tell much of a difference. North Alabama would give Vandy a good game. I'll go on record today predicting Vanderbilt will not win a SEC game this season. I'll also go on record that Mason is two and done. The guy is way over his head in this conference.
Sports
[h=1]USC spring practice: 5 things we’ve learned (No. 5)[/h]March 20, 2015
Updated March 17, 2015 10:18 p.m.
By MICHAEL LEV / STAFF WRITER
Here’s the final installment in our series on the five things we’ve learned so far in USC spring practice. The Trojans return to work Tuesday after taking this week off for spring break. We’ll have more posts Monday and Tuesday. You can find the previous four things we’ve learned at the bottom of this post.
No. 5: The offensive line will be just fine.
Sometimes when a position group isn’t talked about much it’s a good thing – a sign that those players are simply doing their jobs.
That’s what it’s been like for USC’s offensive line, which has come a long way over the past year.
Entering last season, the offensive line was by far the Trojans’ biggest worry. USC began the season with two freshman starters and ended it with three. Only one starter, left tackle Chad Wheeler, was returning at the same position he played the previous year, and he got hurt halfway through the season.
Two-fifths of the way through spring ball, the only real question is Wheeler’s health. He has been limited to rehab exercises on the side while recovering from a torn ACL. There’s hope he’ll be back by training camp but no certainty of that.
Fortunately, USC has Toa Lobendahn, the unsung MVP of the offense. As a freshman, Lobendahn started from Week 1 at left guard, then shifted to left tackle when Wheeler went down. Aside form the UCLA game, Lobendahn performed solidly. That’s been the case through the first two weeks of spring as well. Left tackle isn’t Lobendahn’s natural position, but he has good enough feet and an excellent understanding of angles.
Lobendahn also takes backup snaps at center. He’s been on campus for only 14 months. Could anyone else in the country handle that many responsibilities?
It’s reasonable to assume Lobendahn will be even better as a sophomore, and the same can be said for classmates Damien Mama and Viane Talamaivao. Both are big, athletic and aggressive, and it’s really something to see when the massive Mama comes pulling around the center.
Max Tuerk provides stability in the middle. Although center might not be his best position long term, at least he’s playing the same position in consecutive seasons for the first time. Zach Banner also enters Year 2 as the starter at right tackle.
Depth is better than it’s been in years. Jordan Simmons, finally healthy, looks like a starting-caliber guard. Left tackle Nico Falah is among the Trojans’ most improved players. The freshman and sophomore classes are stocked with promising prospects.
Unlike last season, there’s little consternation over how it all will come together. Wheeler’s return date is the biggest unknown and a domino that will alter the composition of the current starting five.
But if having more than five viable starters is among the biggest potential problems, that’s a good place to be.
http://www.ocregister.com/usc/things-654597-usc-learned.html
[h=1]USC spring practice: 5 things we’ve learned (No. 5)[/h]March 20, 2015
Updated March 17, 2015 10:18 p.m.
By MICHAEL LEV / STAFF WRITER
Here’s the final installment in our series on the five things we’ve learned so far in USC spring practice. The Trojans return to work Tuesday after taking this week off for spring break. We’ll have more posts Monday and Tuesday. You can find the previous four things we’ve learned at the bottom of this post.
No. 5: The offensive line will be just fine.
Sometimes when a position group isn’t talked about much it’s a good thing – a sign that those players are simply doing their jobs.
That’s what it’s been like for USC’s offensive line, which has come a long way over the past year.
Entering last season, the offensive line was by far the Trojans’ biggest worry. USC began the season with two freshman starters and ended it with three. Only one starter, left tackle Chad Wheeler, was returning at the same position he played the previous year, and he got hurt halfway through the season.
Two-fifths of the way through spring ball, the only real question is Wheeler’s health. He has been limited to rehab exercises on the side while recovering from a torn ACL. There’s hope he’ll be back by training camp but no certainty of that.
Fortunately, USC has Toa Lobendahn, the unsung MVP of the offense. As a freshman, Lobendahn started from Week 1 at left guard, then shifted to left tackle when Wheeler went down. Aside form the UCLA game, Lobendahn performed solidly. That’s been the case through the first two weeks of spring as well. Left tackle isn’t Lobendahn’s natural position, but he has good enough feet and an excellent understanding of angles.
Lobendahn also takes backup snaps at center. He’s been on campus for only 14 months. Could anyone else in the country handle that many responsibilities?
It’s reasonable to assume Lobendahn will be even better as a sophomore, and the same can be said for classmates Damien Mama and Viane Talamaivao. Both are big, athletic and aggressive, and it’s really something to see when the massive Mama comes pulling around the center.
Max Tuerk provides stability in the middle. Although center might not be his best position long term, at least he’s playing the same position in consecutive seasons for the first time. Zach Banner also enters Year 2 as the starter at right tackle.
Depth is better than it’s been in years. Jordan Simmons, finally healthy, looks like a starting-caliber guard. Left tackle Nico Falah is among the Trojans’ most improved players. The freshman and sophomore classes are stocked with promising prospects.
Unlike last season, there’s little consternation over how it all will come together. Wheeler’s return date is the biggest unknown and a domino that will alter the composition of the current starting five.
But if having more than five viable starters is among the biggest potential problems, that’s a good place to be.
http://www.ocregister.com/usc/things-654597-usc-learned.html
It at least appears that Beamer's best days (and teams) are in the rear view mirror. The Hokies have been sliding for several years.
[h=1]College football: Virginia Tech aiming for an upswing[/h]
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE BEGINS
FILE/GERRY BROOME/ASSOCIATED PRESS
[h=3]College football: Hokies aiming for an upswing[/h]Michael Brewer had some impressive moments as Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback in 2014, including a winover eventual national champion Ohio State. He’ll aim for more consistency as spring practice opens this week.
FILE/CHUCK LIDDY/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER
[h=3]College football: Hokies aiming for an upswing[/h]Rising senior running back J.C. Coleman (4) finished the 2014 season on a strong note with 157 yards in a bowl victory. He has the starting role entering spring practice this week.
Buy this photo
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 12:00 am
College football: Virginia Tech aiming for an upswing BY NATHAN WARTERS / THE FREE LANCE-STAR Fredericksburg.com | 0 comments
Spring practice is always an important time for Virginia Tech, but this year it may take on even more significance.
The Hokies open the 2015 season at home against defending national champion Ohio State on Sept. 7, making the coming weeks even more critical for sorting out position battles and developing depth in preparation for training camp.
[h=3][/h]
Tech begins spring drills today and will conduct a total of 15 practices over the next 33 days. The team will hold four scrimmages open to the public, including the April 25 spring game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. at Lane Stadium.
Here are some of the top storylines to watch this spring.
Year TWO for Brewer
Quarterback Michael Brewer had a shaky junior year. He led the Hokies to a road win over the eventual national champion Buckeyes but also tossed 15 interceptions and struggled against the likes of Wake Forest and Western Michigan.
To be fair, the 6-foot, 200-pound Brewer has been on campus for less than a year—he arrived last May after transferring from Texas Tech—and basically had to learn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler’s system on the fly.
With a year under his belt and presumably a better command of the offense, this could be Brewer’s season to blossom into the playmaker the Hokies envisioned when he made the move from Lubbock, Texas.
There are plenty of quarterbacks waiting in the wings if Brewer falters. This is a big spring for rising junior Brenden Motley, who saw action last season in the Hokies’ “Wild Turkey” formation, and redshirt freshmen Andrew Ford and Chris Durkin.
If there’s still a question about these guys coming out of the spring, incoming freshman Dwayne Lawson, Tech’s highest-rated quarterback recruit since Tyrod Taylor, could push for playing time when he arrives on campus this summer.
Will run game progress?
The Hokies showed improvement in the running game last season, but it still wasn’t up to their expectations.
Whether they can get closer to their desired production this year depends on a lot of factors. For one, Tech needs to establish a running back rotation. And it needs more depth and consistent play from its offensive line.
Rising senior J.C. Coleman, who was relegated to the bench for part of last season before becoming the Hokies’ feature back over their last four games, will open the spring as the starter. Rising junior Trey Edmunds, who started 10 games in 2013, could also contend for the top spot after an injury-filled 2014.
Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie showed star potential as freshmen last year before both suffering season-ending knee injuries. They will both be out for the spring, and their statuses going forward are uncertain. Williams had surgery in December and his return date is up in the air. McKenzie has been suspended indefinitely from the team.
The Hokies became much more effective in the run game when Wyatt Teller took over at starting left guard. Teller, the team’s offensive line MVP last year, is expected to anchor a line that must find replacements for three graduated starters.
Missing some hard hitters
Earlier this month, Hokies head athletic trainer Mike Goforth sent out an unusually long list of players dealing with injuries or recovering from surgeries.
The defense will be especially thin this spring, as starting linemen Corey Marshall (ankle), Luther Maddy (knee) and Ken Ekanem (shoulder) are all expected to be held out. Starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (wrist) and Brandon Facyson (leg) will also miss the spring.
All are expected to be ready for fall practice, but their absences this spring leave major voids.
Rising sophomore defensive end Seth Dooley should have an opportunity to play a lot in place of Ekanem, and sophomore Melvin Keihn and freshman Yosuah Nijman will be among the other ends vying for playing time.
The Hokies are overflowing with young defensive tackles who could benefit from the absence of Maddy and Marshall. Massaponax graduates Vinny Mihota and Steve Sobczak will have a chance to get some key reps, along with the likes of Nigel Williams, Woody Baron and Ricky Walker.
Donovan Riley and Greg Stroman will lead the group of corners that will be expected to hold things down while Fuller, a 2014 All-American, and Facyson are out.
New faces
Anthony Shegog needs no introduction in Stafford County, but he is still a relative unknown among Virginia Tech fans.
The North Stafford grad played a limited role on defense and special teams last year, but he could see an expanded role this spring with two vacant safety spots to fill following the graduations of Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner.
Rising junior Chuck Clark is the early leader to take over the free safety job, but Shegog could also be in the mix—as well as in the strong safety competition.
Shegog, a rising sophomore, has a year of experience under his belt, which is more than some of the Hokies’ players can say this spring. But Tech doesn’t shy away from throwing first-year players to the wolves.
Redshirt freshman Travon McMillian will have a chance to prove his worth at running back, as will a group of January enrollees that includes highly touted cornerback Mook Reynolds, physically imposing safety Adonis Alexander and mammoth offensive tackle Austin Clark.
[h=1]College football: Virginia Tech aiming for an upswing[/h]
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE BEGINS
FILE/GERRY BROOME/ASSOCIATED PRESS[h=3]College football: Hokies aiming for an upswing[/h]Michael Brewer had some impressive moments as Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback in 2014, including a winover eventual national champion Ohio State. He’ll aim for more consistency as spring practice opens this week.
FILE/CHUCK LIDDY/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER[h=3]College football: Hokies aiming for an upswing[/h]Rising senior running back J.C. Coleman (4) finished the 2014 season on a strong note with 157 yards in a bowl victory. He has the starting role entering spring practice this week.
Buy this photo
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 12:00 am
College football: Virginia Tech aiming for an upswing BY NATHAN WARTERS / THE FREE LANCE-STAR Fredericksburg.com | 0 comments
-
- Posted on Mar 24, 2015
by Nathan Warters
Spring practice is always an important time for Virginia Tech, but this year it may take on even more significance.
The Hokies open the 2015 season at home against defending national champion Ohio State on Sept. 7, making the coming weeks even more critical for sorting out position battles and developing depth in preparation for training camp.
[h=3][/h]
Tech begins spring drills today and will conduct a total of 15 practices over the next 33 days. The team will hold four scrimmages open to the public, including the April 25 spring game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. at Lane Stadium.
Here are some of the top storylines to watch this spring.
Year TWO for Brewer
Quarterback Michael Brewer had a shaky junior year. He led the Hokies to a road win over the eventual national champion Buckeyes but also tossed 15 interceptions and struggled against the likes of Wake Forest and Western Michigan.
To be fair, the 6-foot, 200-pound Brewer has been on campus for less than a year—he arrived last May after transferring from Texas Tech—and basically had to learn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler’s system on the fly.
With a year under his belt and presumably a better command of the offense, this could be Brewer’s season to blossom into the playmaker the Hokies envisioned when he made the move from Lubbock, Texas.
There are plenty of quarterbacks waiting in the wings if Brewer falters. This is a big spring for rising junior Brenden Motley, who saw action last season in the Hokies’ “Wild Turkey” formation, and redshirt freshmen Andrew Ford and Chris Durkin.
If there’s still a question about these guys coming out of the spring, incoming freshman Dwayne Lawson, Tech’s highest-rated quarterback recruit since Tyrod Taylor, could push for playing time when he arrives on campus this summer.
Will run game progress?
The Hokies showed improvement in the running game last season, but it still wasn’t up to their expectations.
Whether they can get closer to their desired production this year depends on a lot of factors. For one, Tech needs to establish a running back rotation. And it needs more depth and consistent play from its offensive line.
Rising senior J.C. Coleman, who was relegated to the bench for part of last season before becoming the Hokies’ feature back over their last four games, will open the spring as the starter. Rising junior Trey Edmunds, who started 10 games in 2013, could also contend for the top spot after an injury-filled 2014.
Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie showed star potential as freshmen last year before both suffering season-ending knee injuries. They will both be out for the spring, and their statuses going forward are uncertain. Williams had surgery in December and his return date is up in the air. McKenzie has been suspended indefinitely from the team.
The Hokies became much more effective in the run game when Wyatt Teller took over at starting left guard. Teller, the team’s offensive line MVP last year, is expected to anchor a line that must find replacements for three graduated starters.
Missing some hard hitters
Earlier this month, Hokies head athletic trainer Mike Goforth sent out an unusually long list of players dealing with injuries or recovering from surgeries.
The defense will be especially thin this spring, as starting linemen Corey Marshall (ankle), Luther Maddy (knee) and Ken Ekanem (shoulder) are all expected to be held out. Starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (wrist) and Brandon Facyson (leg) will also miss the spring.
All are expected to be ready for fall practice, but their absences this spring leave major voids.
Rising sophomore defensive end Seth Dooley should have an opportunity to play a lot in place of Ekanem, and sophomore Melvin Keihn and freshman Yosuah Nijman will be among the other ends vying for playing time.
The Hokies are overflowing with young defensive tackles who could benefit from the absence of Maddy and Marshall. Massaponax graduates Vinny Mihota and Steve Sobczak will have a chance to get some key reps, along with the likes of Nigel Williams, Woody Baron and Ricky Walker.
Donovan Riley and Greg Stroman will lead the group of corners that will be expected to hold things down while Fuller, a 2014 All-American, and Facyson are out.
New faces
Anthony Shegog needs no introduction in Stafford County, but he is still a relative unknown among Virginia Tech fans.
The North Stafford grad played a limited role on defense and special teams last year, but he could see an expanded role this spring with two vacant safety spots to fill following the graduations of Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner.
Rising junior Chuck Clark is the early leader to take over the free safety job, but Shegog could also be in the mix—as well as in the strong safety competition.
Shegog, a rising sophomore, has a year of experience under his belt, which is more than some of the Hokies’ players can say this spring. But Tech doesn’t shy away from throwing first-year players to the wolves.
Redshirt freshman Travon McMillian will have a chance to prove his worth at running back, as will a group of January enrollees that includes highly touted cornerback Mook Reynolds, physically imposing safety Adonis Alexander and mammoth offensive tackle Austin Clark.
Stanford Sports
Offense continues to sparkle in football practices
March 10, 2015 4 Comments Share
By: Sanjay Srinivas | Staff Writer
Kevin Hogan and the Stanford offense looked sharp in Saturday’s open practice session at the Elliott Fields. The rising fifth-year senior got off to an especially quick start, completing 11 of his first 12 passes on his first three drives, all of which ended in touchdowns.
Junior Ryan Burns (left) is locked in a tight battle with freshman Keller Chryst for the second string quarterback spot. Burns went 7-9 with 67 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s practice, while Chryst virtually equalled him by going 7-9 with 66 yards and a touchdown. FRANK CHEN/The Stanford Daily
The first-team offense did most of its work over the middle of the field, punctuated by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Hogan to sophomore tight end Dalton Schultz and a spectacular 61-yard touchdown grab by senior wide receiver Devon Cajuste.
Stanford’s defense, which ranked second in the nation in points allowed per game last season, has faced some growing pains this spring as it attempts to integrate several new faces into the starting lineup. Injuries to rising senior Aziz Shittu and rising sophomore Solomon Thomas have left the Cardinal with only three healthy defensive linemen to rotate into scrimmages.
“We’ve got a young secondary,” coach David Shaw said. “A lot of talented guys that we’re still working on. Today was tough, and we gave up some big plays in the passing game.”
Despite battling injuries and inexperience, coach Lance Anderson’s defense showed signs of development during Saturday’s practice session. Rising sophomore cornerback Terrence Alexander put his natural coverage instincts on full display, jumping a seam route and picking off a pass from rising junior Ryan Burns. Rising junior outside linebacker Mike Tyler built on his impressive spring campaign in Kevin Anderson’s absence, recording 4 tackles and providing a solid pass rush. Rising senior safety Kodi Whitfield, now over a year removed from switching to defense after playing wide receiver, led the Cardinal with 8 tackles.
Stanford’s top two candidates for backup quarterback, Burns and rising sophomore Keller Chryst, turned in poised, confident efforts on Saturday, leading a scoring drive each.
“I thought they were really good,” Shaw said of his three quarterbacks. “They went through their progressions well, hit guys in rhythm, and the receivers made plays.”
Burns was involved in the play of the day for the Cardinal, a one-handed touchdown grab by rising junior Francis Owusu on a back-corner fade from Burns. After coming to Stanford as a raw prospect playing in a rush-heavy single-wing offense, Burns has matured and adapted well to Shaw’s offense.
Not to be outdone, Chryst led the offense down the field in the first of his two drives, a 13-play effort that ended with a fade caught by rising fifth-year senior Rollins Stallworth.
Stanford begins the second session of spring practices on Mar. 30. The team’s next open practice is on Apr. 4, and spring football ends with the Cardinal and White Scrimmage on Apr. 11.
Offense continues to sparkle in football practices
March 10, 2015 4 Comments Share
| Sanjay Srinivas Staff Writer |
By: Sanjay Srinivas | Staff Writer
Kevin Hogan and the Stanford offense looked sharp in Saturday’s open practice session at the Elliott Fields. The rising fifth-year senior got off to an especially quick start, completing 11 of his first 12 passes on his first three drives, all of which ended in touchdowns.
Junior Ryan Burns (left) is locked in a tight battle with freshman Keller Chryst for the second string quarterback spot. Burns went 7-9 with 67 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s practice, while Chryst virtually equalled him by going 7-9 with 66 yards and a touchdown. FRANK CHEN/The Stanford DailyThe first-team offense did most of its work over the middle of the field, punctuated by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Hogan to sophomore tight end Dalton Schultz and a spectacular 61-yard touchdown grab by senior wide receiver Devon Cajuste.
Stanford’s defense, which ranked second in the nation in points allowed per game last season, has faced some growing pains this spring as it attempts to integrate several new faces into the starting lineup. Injuries to rising senior Aziz Shittu and rising sophomore Solomon Thomas have left the Cardinal with only three healthy defensive linemen to rotate into scrimmages.
“We’ve got a young secondary,” coach David Shaw said. “A lot of talented guys that we’re still working on. Today was tough, and we gave up some big plays in the passing game.”
Despite battling injuries and inexperience, coach Lance Anderson’s defense showed signs of development during Saturday’s practice session. Rising sophomore cornerback Terrence Alexander put his natural coverage instincts on full display, jumping a seam route and picking off a pass from rising junior Ryan Burns. Rising junior outside linebacker Mike Tyler built on his impressive spring campaign in Kevin Anderson’s absence, recording 4 tackles and providing a solid pass rush. Rising senior safety Kodi Whitfield, now over a year removed from switching to defense after playing wide receiver, led the Cardinal with 8 tackles.
Stanford’s top two candidates for backup quarterback, Burns and rising sophomore Keller Chryst, turned in poised, confident efforts on Saturday, leading a scoring drive each.
“I thought they were really good,” Shaw said of his three quarterbacks. “They went through their progressions well, hit guys in rhythm, and the receivers made plays.”
Burns was involved in the play of the day for the Cardinal, a one-handed touchdown grab by rising junior Francis Owusu on a back-corner fade from Burns. After coming to Stanford as a raw prospect playing in a rush-heavy single-wing offense, Burns has matured and adapted well to Shaw’s offense.
Not to be outdone, Chryst led the offense down the field in the first of his two drives, a 13-play effort that ended with a fade caught by rising fifth-year senior Rollins Stallworth.
Stanford begins the second session of spring practices on Mar. 30. The team’s next open practice is on Apr. 4, and spring football ends with the Cardinal and White Scrimmage on Apr. 11.
Urban Meyer said that he plans on utilizing a one QB system. That means two of his three QB's are going to be watching a lot from the sidelines. Braxton Miller is a good bet to be one of the two sitting on the sidelines. Not only is he still not capable of a full range of throws, but then he got involved in a potential rules violation because of something he posted. It is not a big deal, but when you HC is looking for excuses to sit players, this does not help at all.
There's a lot of local chatter and facebook buzz about how much Bama football tix will increase in 2016 if they do in fact hire Gregg Marshall at 3.5 million per year as hoops coach. ... Some are speculating that tix could go up 15-20%.
I never thought i'd see the day when Bama would pay 3 mil for a hoops coach.
I never thought i'd see the day when Bama would pay 3 mil for a hoops coach.
