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Post by Bigfoot on Aug 13, 2019 15:42:57 GMT -6
Had the pleasure of being on the field for the entire practice today.
Some general impressions:
We physically look much bigger with our 1 & 2’s.
My main focus was our corners and I no longer as concerned as what I saw today was a pleasant surprise - we have length, quickness and speed.
Safety was a very pleasant surprise as they have moved Wilbon to one spot and the other is manned by Bryce.
We are loaded at RB solid 5 deep and the new grad transfer is going to really help us a lot and Huntley looked tremendous running the ball.
Oline big, deep and talented.
Receiving corp loaded.
D line not big but quick. True freshman Ramsey out of Merrillville was impressive and moved to the 2’s.
LB’s very solid with good size which afforded us the opportunity to move Wilbon to Safety with Bryce.
All field goals made and good hang time on punts with distance.
It is just one practice but from what I saw this team will surprise some folks.
Guys hustled in everything they did, very vocal and appearance of confidence struck me.
Plitt looked good and can definitely lead this team.
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Post by BSUMike on Aug 13, 2019 16:10:15 GMT -6
I knew that LB was a team strength, but I am a little surprised to hear Wilborn is being moved to safety. That might answer my question about Coll getting some playing time at LB. Let’s hope it is more that we have depth at LB and less that we have holes in the secondary. It is probably a combo.
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Post by cardfan on Aug 13, 2019 16:16:14 GMT -6
Safety has been a major trouble spot. Hopefully wilborn solves it some. That’s a big safety. Can he cover? Guessing he’ll be in the box a lot.
Thx for the write up Biggie.
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Post by redbirdman on Aug 13, 2019 21:42:23 GMT -6
I worry most about the lines. Do you see this team being able to play with IU in 17 days?
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Post by Bigfoot on Aug 14, 2019 6:01:00 GMT -6
Safety has been a major trouble spot. Hopefully wilborn solves it some. That’s a big safety. Can he cover? Guessing he’ll be in the box a lot. Thx for the write up Biggie. I asked several times about Wilbon’s speed and quickness to play the Safety and was told he absolutely can do that. The Pro Scouts in attendance I heard talking as they stood near me frequently were very impressed. |
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Post by cardfan on Aug 14, 2019 6:27:51 GMT -6
He was a WR coming out of high school so he can move a little bit. Main thing will be instincts. The guys we’ve had don’t have any.
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Post by Bigfoot on Aug 14, 2019 6:32:26 GMT -6
I worry most about the lines. Do you see this team being able to play with IU in 17 days? Offensive line no question in my mind as we are big, experienced and have very solid depth. To me this unit is always the most critical. Pro scouts loving Danny Pinter and project him as a guard at the next level. They were hyped about his athleticism for his size. Amazed as well he has only last year at this position. I heard these guys speaking complimentary about Neu and staff for their efforts to find ways to get our most athletic guys on the field at the same time (case in point Pinter and Wilbon). Pro Scouts came in to practice looking for Wilbon at LB and came away thrilled he demonstrated quickness and speed to play Safety. So I am trying not to be overly optimistic based and what I saw and heard at just one practice. I still must say if our corners cover like they demonstrated they have the ability too and we have Bryce (athletice/experienced/very cerebral at position) and Wilbon (6’4” 230 - WOW) solid at Safety’s with a talented/experienced Mitch Larsen able to provide support our D outlook will change quick and definitely for the better. We will put points on the board against every opponent as we have lots of weapons/depth at ALL positions. The D - line is our weakest link primarily from a size standpoint. Their strength is as a unit they are quick and strong. We have very athletic edge rushers though with good size which will help immensely. Again I was extremely pleased to see our corners playing so well. Guys like Antonio Phillips and a couple others looked really sharp and played aggressively. Corners had several interceptions and I noticed matched the speed of Dunner on long balls and other receivers. I was impressed and that doesn’t happen much especially at that position. I should also mention that we have 4 or 5 true freshman that are impressive and as deep as we are they still may see the field. Two of those are receivers from Detroit - don’t even remotely look like freshman physique wise. Ramesy and another kid on D whose name escapes me also playing really well and should see the field. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2019 6:46:24 GMT -6
So, our expectations of being a D-one perennial bottom dweller were grossly exaggerated due to our off-season improvements and the replacement of our OC?
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Post by BSUMike on Aug 14, 2019 6:57:00 GMT -6
Coach Neu said in interview, and I’m paraphrasing here, that the concern is depth in the secondary. I think we have a good group of starters, but if we experience any injuries in the secondary we will be in trouble. That is where Wilborn moving to safety could really help out the team defense.
As I read about the other teams in the MAC and consider our experience at OL and other positions, I’m getting more confident that we could surprise some people. This could just be that preseason hope that every fan base experiences.
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Post by 00hmh on Aug 14, 2019 7:14:41 GMT -6
So, our expectations of being a D-one perennial bottom dweller were grossly exaggerated due to our off-season improvements and the replacement of our OC? Given the most optimistic predictions are that we surprise some teams in our bottom dwelling conference and maybe might compete with a bottom dweller in the B10 it doesn't seem a gross exaggeration.
And given the determination of so many on the forum to never enjoy any good news, never fear, we will find a way to make that development a curse. For example, I am sure if it does happen we will see posts about how awful it is to merely be competitive, fail to match past glory and merely move up to the middle of the MAC. After all we once went to bowl games and were nationally ranked.
Hey I will be delighted if I leave the Stadium celebrating a victory or 3 or 4 at home, even if I curse some bonehead play that led to a close loss it is better than to leave dejected, mumbling about blowout losses.
Go Cards, Beat Miami!
Ohio, at least!
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 14, 2019 8:33:44 GMT -6
Pre season optimism flowing at its highest peak... I am never that optimistic about anything but I hope we have a great season and shock a couple people
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Post by bsu0 on Aug 14, 2019 8:37:58 GMT -6
This GREAT news. One practice does not a team make, but we have not had optimistic posts for a great while..Years? I am stoked and ready for the ''home'' opener. Ball State University 28 points...Indiana University 24points...Bring your cameras fellas we could make a little noise.
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 14, 2019 8:41:28 GMT -6
I would like to also add I have been building my coaching resume. I feel that I learned a ton from my first year of 3rd and 4th grade tackle and have full confidence that this years Mancinos Metro fighting Irish are going to be a force in Deleware county. So if you any of become jaded and want to see well coached football at its purest level head on out to Lester Rainey Field and support the Mancinos fighting Irish.... I am looking for contributions to buy the team a helicopter as well so do not be afraid to offer 50 dollar handshakes
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Post by 00hmh on Aug 14, 2019 8:57:59 GMT -6
I would like to also add I have been building my coaching resume. I feel that I learned a ton from my first year of 3rd and 4th grade tackle and have full confidence that this years Mancinos Metro fighting Irish are going to be a force in Deleware county. So if you any of become jaded and want to see well coached football at its purest level head on out to Lester Rainey Field and support the Mancinos fighting Irish.... I am looking for contributions to buy the team a helicopter as well so do not be afraid to offer 50 dollar handshakes Is there a dollar grinder promotion? |
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 14, 2019 9:16:19 GMT -6
If you would like to donate your time or money. I can grant you full field access for all home games and a spot at the awards ceremony where grinders will be free.. beat that
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