Disclaimer: So I've been reading this here blog for a while now and I absolutely love it. I haven't contributed yet because (as I'm sure you'll notice this season) I have a tendency to get carried away and spend WAY too much time doing this, but I finally gave up caring about that. 

 

Now! I've been to a few practices this summer, watched the first scrimmage, and have read every darn article I could get my hands on. Here's what I'm expecting/hoping for/watching for on Sunday...

 

 

-NOT the QB. I feel like the only person in the world, but here's my thing: We've got what we've got. Whoever plays will be the best option and I feel like both guys are pretty well prepared to lead this team. I know it's the most important position and all that, but they both have looked pretty solid to me this summer.

 

-Every toss/sweep/wide running play we call because watching Ryan Miller pull is absolutely hilarious. He's a beast and he can move. It's going to be great when we can get our little speedsters out in space behind our mountain of a Right Guard. Also, we'll see how much those young Backs have matured and grown based on their patience in waiting for those blocks to develop.

-If we can get vertical before Simas is back and Simmons is caught up. I'm not sure we can, except for an occasional play to the TEs or RBs. This worries me a little, although I think we'll survive against CSU, Toledo and Wyoming. I know McNight and those guys are 'great route-runners,' and Espinoza is actually pretty darn quick, they really just aren't that fast. I believe that they'll be able to get open on shorter routes, but I'm not sure if they'll be able to get separation down the field. Simas and Simmons should provide immediate upgrades (And I CANNOT wait until Toney Clemons can get on the field!).

-Whether we have anything at FB behind Behrens. He's very solid, and he's turning into a pretty darn good Fullback. I mean pretty DARN good. He got better every game last year and looked great all summer, but that's the problem. I didn't see much of Trace Adams behind him. I know Deehan is listed as 2nd at FB, but he's going to be a very good TE and I don't want him stuck in the backfield too much. I just want to know that there's something behind Behrens down the road (and by that I mean: next season).

-Pericak's play at D-Tackle. I called this (I don't brag often, but I called this after the first practice I watched this summer and my friend Dave wouldn't believe me) and I am quite happy that I did. From what I saw this summer, he is pretty good there. He's got solid technique, and quick hands. He's made the position change well, put on a bunch of weight, and he looks like he's got some room for more. He also is 'football player', meaning he's got good instincts and just finds himself around the ball. I'm happy to see him named a starter, even though there will be a ton of rotation along the line. He's going to be tough to keep off the field, from what I saw.

-Rippy. Oh man. This kid is going to be a BEAST. He is a very impressive athlete, and he's another 'football player'. I have a feeling he will erase any disappointment we have over that Katoa kid not making it. Also, in a year or two, Webb and Nobriga, the two freshmen LBs we signed are going to be impact players.

-Bonsu. I remember when we signed him and Nuckols, watching the film of both of them and thinking, 'this kid looks just as good as Ed, if not even a little quicker and smarter'. I'm excited to see what he does, because he's a winner and a competitor and he's going to be someone we talk about for a while. Once he gets a bit better at facing double-teams, he's going to be a force.

-All of our LBs. They can all run and hit. It's going to be a fun year for them. Particularly the top 3. They're going to be fun to watch.

-Our D-backs. They all look good. Even Jaffee and Polk, the guys who switched positions. Jaffee actually looked really good. And Polk may be the fastest guy on the team, holy cow.

-What formations we use to face the spread. We probably won't see this early in the season, but if we do, I'm curious.

-How quickly Orms gets into the rotation in returning kicks. He's good.

 

Believe it or not, there's more, but I have to save something for next week's post. Sorry folks, I just hope somebody reads these.

Now, what are you watching?

 

-David