Highlights From Your Team’s Weekend Scrimmage

My team, your team, and everyone’s team had a really great scrimmage over the weekend. So great, in fact, it could be a really great season for everyone.

Except that one team you hate. Despite what you read otherwise, they will suck.

Here are the highlight’s from everyone’s scrimmage.

• Quarterback play looked really strong. The ball came out of [Starter’s] hand with some zip no one had seen before. His release has really quickened and the ball just explodes out of his hand. And those summer throwing sessions with his receivers really paid off. Timing couldn’t have been better.
• Even more impressive than his passes, [Starter’s] footwork and pocket presence were tremendously improved. He looks more comfortable than ever back there. Even when his line let him down, there was no panic. Quickly made his reads and got the ball out to the right person.
• The backup quarterbacks are clearly lacking in experience, but there’s talent there. [Potential backup #1] showed some great decision-making on a couple of drives, and has a CANNON.
• [Potential backup #2] may not have the arm strength as [Potential backup #1], but he seems to understand more of the offense. He’s quick on his reads and doesn’t make many mistakes for a young player. There’s obviously a decline from [Starter] to [Potential backups #1 and #2], but it’s not a huge gap in talent and ability.
• There are some questions about the offensive line, but it’s a matter of finding the five that fit with each other the best. Right now, there are three guys locked in as starters and two spots up for grabs. That will breed some great competition and only make the line stronger.
• Honestly, of the guys competing for the two remaining starting spots, any of them could start and be fine. Again, the right fit is key.
• Receivers looked fantastic. Eight or nine guys can play and should play. The great part of this group is that they seem to be so close to each other, not just in talent, but in encouraging one another and pushing the competition. Always seem to be having fun with each other.
• Tight ends are a work in progress, but a couple of them have the “look” of a dynamic athlete that will be a nightmare to cover. Too fast for linebackers and too strong for safeties. [Redshirt freshman] made a sensational one-handed catch in the back of the end zone where it looked like the pass was going to go through the uprights. Wouldn’t be surprised if he emerges from the group and really turns some heads across the conference this year.
• Running backs don’t have the depth that the wide receiver spot has, but it’s a top-heavy group. It doesn’t really matter who the starter is because all of the guys can play. [Junior RB] has a little more size than the others, but doesn’t quite have the speed of [Sophomore RB] and [Junior RB #2]. They all looked really good at changing direction with a burst. There was even one formation where all three were in at the same time, which had the defense on its heels.
• Don’t want to anoint this defensive line as one of the best in a long time, as this is just practice, but these guys flat get after the offense. Defensive ends are long, lean, and FLYING IN off the corner. With the way the defensive tackles, particularly [Junior DT], create havoc in the middle, they’re going to require double teams, which is only going to create more space and opportunities for other defenders.
• The linebackers seem to be everywhere. Whether it’s in pass coverage or run support, this group finds the football. [Sophomore SAM LB] is really something to watch. On a couple of plays, he ran all the way across the field and tracked down a running back before he could turn the corner. Still some questions at who will start in the middle, but [Defensive Coordinator] has said he trusts both guys vying for the spot.
• Secondary is much bigger than they have been in the last few years. Offseason work in the weight room is really showing. The good news is that they didn’t sacrifice any speed with the size they gained. Several times the safeties came charging downhill in a flash and really made the running back pay. A few busts in coverage, but that’s probably more related to communication issues and the receivers being very good. This group should be able to run with and cover anybody.
• Kickers/punters might get a little interesting at times, but not due to a lack of talent. None of these guys have been THE GUY before, so that’s a different kind of pressure they’re feeling. Power with the kickers and punters doesn’t seem to be a problem. [Kicker 1] was easily clearing 55+ yards on his attempts, but he, and the rest of them, need to find consistency. And [Punter 2] had some impressive hang time. He could be a weapon when trying to pin other teams deep.
• Didn’t really see much of the return and coverage teams. But if they’re filled with a bunch of the younger guys, who are all talented, they’ll have plenty of athleticism and size.
• Overall, this team has the chance to have a great year. They look bigger, faster, and stronger, and everyone seems to be more comfortable in their roles. With what we saw this weekend, no one would be surprised if this team found a way to win 9 or 10 games. Obviously, they’ll need to stay mostly injury-free and get a few breaks here and there like all good teams do, but the talent is there for an outstanding season.

Header image from here