Offense
The QB play is at an extremely high level. Kaaya looks like a pro out there and things are not coming really easy because of the elevated play of the defensive backs
But the thing that is the most striking from observing the past 2 days is the continued improvement of Malik Rosier. His accuracy keeps getting better and better. I won't say he is at Kaayas level yet but on many individual plays there is not a steep drop off
The offensive line play seemed inconsistent, which was not really a surprise.
Sonny Odogwu looks much more comfortable out there, but I think there are still concerns about his consistency.
Beyond that, there was not a lot of contact or a lot to go by in judging this group
I am not sure that any of the true freshman are close at all to being ready to play
Tyree St. Louis , for example,has a big frame that is very impressive but on consecutive reps was knocked on his butt by Demetrius Jackson and beat inside by Chad Thomas
TE
A lot of Thursday practice was devoted to throwing to the tight ends and Chris Herndon and David Njoku were both bigger and more physical presences Njoku Showed off a huge catch radius in passing drills near the goal line.
RBs
Very little to report yet
WR
Everyone is catching the ball pretty well. Saw just one drop by Malcolm Lewis. But I didn't see a ton of guys getting separation which could be partially due to improved defensive back play
Defense
DL
Considering the need that there is for this group to develop into a better unit than last year,I was not very impressed watching them practice. There was Very little emotion and Not a lot of urgency.
Who looks improved? Chad Thomas.
Ufromba Kamalu is a big manly presence but I still think he is a strong side de rather than a tackle . The problem is that there has been a better job recruiting ends tha tackles and he is badly needed inside. I just wonder how much he will get done there again.
Michael Wyche is in better shape but still doesn't look to me like a guy that's going to make a difference
Trent Harris" physical limitations remain pretty obvious to me
LB
Not much to really report here. I did note that young guys James king and Charles perry look very undersized and are probably not close to contributing
DBS
This was probably the most impressive group on the team to my eye. Corn Eder is really getting good. I mean really good. Artie Burns was solid. I was a little disappointed watching Tracy Howard look confused over where to line up on consecutive plays. This is also the group where the freshmen were the most impressive. Michael Jackson -list a big corner Getting a lot of attention from true head coach and seems to be doing well. He has very Good instincts. Sheldrick Redwine bid snoring bigger athlete who looks like he has s chance to contribute.
One other notable thing, Dallas Crawford showed veteran savy when he stripped the ball from Braxton Berrios after getting beaten on a long pass. There was an absolutely great throw by Rosier on that play by the way
The QB play is at an extremely high level. Kaaya looks like a pro out there and things are not coming really easy because of the elevated play of the defensive backs
But the thing that is the most striking from observing the past 2 days is the continued improvement of Malik Rosier. His accuracy keeps getting better and better. I won't say he is at Kaayas level yet but on many individual plays there is not a steep drop off
The offensive line play seemed inconsistent, which was not really a surprise.
Sonny Odogwu looks much more comfortable out there, but I think there are still concerns about his consistency.
Beyond that, there was not a lot of contact or a lot to go by in judging this group
I am not sure that any of the true freshman are close at all to being ready to play
Tyree St. Louis , for example,has a big frame that is very impressive but on consecutive reps was knocked on his butt by Demetrius Jackson and beat inside by Chad Thomas
TE
A lot of Thursday practice was devoted to throwing to the tight ends and Chris Herndon and David Njoku were both bigger and more physical presences Njoku Showed off a huge catch radius in passing drills near the goal line.
RBs
Very little to report yet
WR
Everyone is catching the ball pretty well. Saw just one drop by Malcolm Lewis. But I didn't see a ton of guys getting separation which could be partially due to improved defensive back play
Defense
DL
Considering the need that there is for this group to develop into a better unit than last year,I was not very impressed watching them practice. There was Very little emotion and Not a lot of urgency.
Who looks improved? Chad Thomas.
Ufromba Kamalu is a big manly presence but I still think he is a strong side de rather than a tackle . The problem is that there has been a better job recruiting ends tha tackles and he is badly needed inside. I just wonder how much he will get done there again.
Michael Wyche is in better shape but still doesn't look to me like a guy that's going to make a difference
Trent Harris" physical limitations remain pretty obvious to me
LB
Not much to really report here. I did note that young guys James king and Charles perry look very undersized and are probably not close to contributing
DBS
This was probably the most impressive group on the team to my eye. Corn Eder is really getting good. I mean really good. Artie Burns was solid. I was a little disappointed watching Tracy Howard look confused over where to line up on consecutive plays. This is also the group where the freshmen were the most impressive. Michael Jackson -list a big corner Getting a lot of attention from true head coach and seems to be doing well. He has very Good instincts. Sheldrick Redwine bid snoring bigger athlete who looks like he has s chance to contribute.
One other notable thing, Dallas Crawford showed veteran savy when he stripped the ball from Braxton Berrios after getting beaten on a long pass. There was an absolutely great throw by Rosier on that play by the way
