I received notes from practice yesterday and an overall look at a few subject matters on the team.
Here's a breakdown:
- Cade McNamara is still the leader at the quarterback spot. I can piggyback off what @Josh Henschke reported regarding the returning starter's accuracy, dependability, and improvement in all areas of his game. Nothing Earth-shattering from McNamara, but he looks ready to lead the way for this offense again. However, I'm told to expect a similar system to last year, with J.J. McCarthy getting more reps this year if Cade closes camp and wins the job. According to my source, J.J.'s biggest concern right now is his consistency. He flashes greatness but still makes mistakes you'd expect from a second-year quarterback. Monday was J.J.'s first practice without an interception, and he completed 70-80% of his passes. "Just balled out," I'm told. "He needs to follow it up again tomorrow." They're off for meetings today.
- Once J.J. is reliably consistent, expecting him to pass Cade becomes more serious. He's getting there. He is starting to read defenses consistently better and making better choices: not making stupid throws when he scrambles, learning to perfect the art of throwing the ball away. He struggles knowing it's OK to give up on that play, especially on third downs, and live to see another drive. Lately, I'm told, he's improving in all of that.
- It's still Cade's job at the time of writing.
- The wideouts are hard to pick out right now. "So many damn receivers," a source said. It's tough to tell from practice who will be the main guys because they're split into two groups and getting equal reps with both the 1s and the 2s. Right now, expect that position to be heavily subbed with a deep rotation, at least in the non-conference slate, to get a feel for who's who in-game. Ronnie Bell still seems like he's the guy.
- Freshman wideout Darrius Clemons is "legit."
- Freshman linebacker Jimmy Rolder has the look of a future star. He's behind because he couldn't report to Ann Arbor until July. However, Rolder's been loud with the pads, and his ultra-wide and tall frame fits the part already. I'm told to bet on him playing this year, in some capacity.
That's all for now.
Here's a breakdown:
- Cade McNamara is still the leader at the quarterback spot. I can piggyback off what @Josh Henschke reported regarding the returning starter's accuracy, dependability, and improvement in all areas of his game. Nothing Earth-shattering from McNamara, but he looks ready to lead the way for this offense again. However, I'm told to expect a similar system to last year, with J.J. McCarthy getting more reps this year if Cade closes camp and wins the job. According to my source, J.J.'s biggest concern right now is his consistency. He flashes greatness but still makes mistakes you'd expect from a second-year quarterback. Monday was J.J.'s first practice without an interception, and he completed 70-80% of his passes. "Just balled out," I'm told. "He needs to follow it up again tomorrow." They're off for meetings today.
- Once J.J. is reliably consistent, expecting him to pass Cade becomes more serious. He's getting there. He is starting to read defenses consistently better and making better choices: not making stupid throws when he scrambles, learning to perfect the art of throwing the ball away. He struggles knowing it's OK to give up on that play, especially on third downs, and live to see another drive. Lately, I'm told, he's improving in all of that.
- It's still Cade's job at the time of writing.
- The wideouts are hard to pick out right now. "So many damn receivers," a source said. It's tough to tell from practice who will be the main guys because they're split into two groups and getting equal reps with both the 1s and the 2s. Right now, expect that position to be heavily subbed with a deep rotation, at least in the non-conference slate, to get a feel for who's who in-game. Ronnie Bell still seems like he's the guy.
- Freshman wideout Darrius Clemons is "legit."
- Freshman linebacker Jimmy Rolder has the look of a future star. He's behind because he couldn't report to Ann Arbor until July. However, Rolder's been loud with the pads, and his ultra-wide and tall frame fits the part already. I'm told to bet on him playing this year, in some capacity.
That's all for now.
