Had a great time at "the game" as named by Harbaugh today. Hard to tell lots about the team. I had to wonder about my observations when Michael days he did not see Freddie Canteen and I saw him make two catches in a row and maybe 3 in one series. Or sometimes putting down Shallman because he whiffed on a block against Marshall. He did but Marshall was on him and Morris so fast Shallman was trying to block before Morris pulled the ball back on the fake. Not much he could do. Morris did a decent job not losing possession. Marshall just blew up the left tackle on the play. By the tackle before the tackle made a move to him. I do not think any conclusion can be made about the team when the O line is divided up the way it is. Coaches talk about how the O line needs reps with each other to learn how each plays, how each adjust to calls at the line. That was not there. Besides that the running plays were so basic in the blocking schemes and run angles they were simple to defend. Bolden looked great but wonder at his ability to fill and chose the right gaps with more complicated runs. Not much can be said for the backs because of the line situation in a drafted game. Smith has improved with finding the right lane and falling forward. Still think he needs more patience. I am finally at a point that I have little hope in Green being a difference maker. He seems to have a problem finding any crease at all. Any gains seem to go outside with the pursuit getting cut off so he gets a few yards. Still goes down with minimal contact for his size. Shallman surprised me today. He does not have the quickest feet but quick enough to get the job done. He had the best vision of all the backs today with the patience to use it. Does not mean he got lots of yards but did get those 3 yard or more gains when the lane looked only big enough for half a body. He would cut it up and be through. When stopped it would take a full load or two players to put him down. Maybe not a great back but serviceable and dependable I think by game day 15. The QBs were hurt the most by their supporting personnel. Frankly Morris surprised me because of all that has been written about him and the fact he was drafted after Malzone. He looked promising. The interception was a well thrown ball. It went through the receiver's hand hit his helmet bounced in the air about 8 yards to be intercepted. He had several balls dropped. That long pass that was commented on should have been caught but Darbor (sp?) did not play the ball. Ran his pattern too far along the sideline before cutting to the center for the ball. Morris put it where the receiver could have had a play on the ball which is his job. He had defenders in his face all day but managed several completions through arms of defenders. Showed enough to be somewhat encouraged if he needed to start. He would certainly take us to 7 wins maybe 8. Still think Ruddock wins the battle but now without some competition first. Malzone really is quite good considering his age and size but obviously is not ready. He has a good sense how to extend a play to throw it away so as to not take loss of yards. Seems to absolutely control the huddle. His intangibles may allow him to be a quality QB when his physical maturity manifests itself. To use the stats from today as one writer did is really shortsighted and of no use when considering the game and its conduct today. More comment can be made about the defense sense they seem deeper but how much I wonder. Wormley sometimes seems the man out there. If that continues he could be all conference. Marshall came out of no where for me. He is quick. Fast. Looks strong. Even when not doing a bull rush he uses his hands well to cut the distance down to the QB so his speed gets him there. I honestly could not say much about the interior sense only saw the plays twice. Hard to see how they take on blocks etc. One thing noted is that if the play gets by them they all seemed to have a quickness for 2,3 steps to stop the ball carrier before he gets up field. I think Delano Hill deserves to play. He is starting to use his physical abilities now. He was always around the ball either the pass or run. Of course, Fleet had some problems out there but I think he will be mostly on offense once Lyon and the frosh get here. Defense seemed solid on the basics like how to bring the shoulders with the tackle, swarm to the ball. I say we get to nine wins but would take 8.
Understand spring reports descrepancies now
- Thread starter shaman43
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