Spring Rundown…

There has been a lot of speculation about the starting lineups for fall 2007, since shortly after the Sugar Bowl. Fortunatly, for Irish fans, nothing has been really set in stone after a few weeks of spring practice. (What the hell is these coaches problem?) There have been a few minor surprises however. Here’s a rundown of stuff. Just stuff and randomly thought out, about the team and the spring practice session.

Quarterback

• Jimmy Clausen has the smoothest delivery. He has also made a few very tight throws and did a few of those while on the run.
• Zach Frazer has the strongest arm of any of the quarterbacks. He also seems to have a quiet leadership quality.
• Evan Sharpley throws a very nice ball. A few of the receivers mentioned that they prefer his throws over Brady Quinns.
• Demetrius Jones has given one of the better quotes of the off-season “Ain’t no buster ever wear number 3.” He has looked good from what I could tell.

Running Back

• Travis Thomas seems to have the #1 spot locked up. Has had a little trouble with blitz packages.
• James Aldridge is 100% healthy for the first time since the start of his senior year in H.S. He is pushing Thomas for the starting job.
• Armando Allen is fast. He could be VERY dangerous next year.
• Junnior Jabbie has been a pleasent surprise. He has been doing very well, but he may still be buried on the depth chart.
• Robert Hughes. Yes, Robert Hughes. He isn’t on campus yet, but has been to a lot of practices. He looks like he really wants some playing time right away his freshman year.

Wide Receiver

• David Grimes has got the number 1 slot locked up.
• It appears as if George West has the #2 spot to himself. Weis said as much in an earlier presser.
• Weis also mentioned that the rest of the WR are even steven with one another.
• D.J. Hord is not looking too well. The rust needs to go bye-bye in a hurry, if he wants to nab the 3rd WR job.

O-Line

• Young RT
• Sully C
• Turkovich LG
• Duncan LT
• Carufel RG
• The line looks a lot more physical. Still some shake-ups to come I imagine.

Tight End

• Carlson is Heismanesque.

D-Line

• Looks like Pat Kuntz is going to nail down the NT job. Chris Stewart is in a boot and riding a bike.
• Laws at one end and the other side is still very much open. Dwight Stephenson has been running with the first group.

Linebackers

• Anthony Vernaglia is the big surprise here. Looks like he has a starting job at OLB. Think he’s happy with the 3-4 and Corwin Brown?
• Crum and Brockington are going to shore up the middle 2 spots.
• Toryan Smith will be rotating in with Brockington. Smith has looked like a beast so far.
• John Ryan seems to have a hold at the other OLB job…but I think he will be greatly challenged by Kerry Neal this summer.

Defensive Backs

• Zibby is…well…Zibby, and looks faster. Carlson has owned him though.
• David Bruton is bigger and looks to be the leader for the other safety spot.
• Wooden and Lambert seem to have a firm grip at the corner spots.
• McNeil is rotating with Walls at the nickel position on the first team.

There you have it. Just a few notes. By the time you read this things might have changed…I’ll let you know.

SUBWAY DOMER