GENERAL:

1) I'd like to astutely point out that I probably didn't see as many slow, white athletes in a single location last week (down at the Masters) as I did today. The format of splitting up the teams contributed to this, but when the white team was on offense...........ick.

2) We watched various pre-game stations, but focused on the running backs, offensive linemen, and DBs. I came into this game focused on conditioning, and have to call out a few players. I was struck by the overall lack of tone and general fitness of our running backs. On a typical team your running back is the alpha athlete. I must say that two players stood out to me as particularly well put together: David Horne and Josh Davis. Horne has always been lean, and I guess I could give a crap if he doesn't weigh 220 lbs. Davis is made of iron. His arms were huge and put most of our linebacker's and linemen's to shame. These two guys, even when going through simple drills struck me as "athletes". Meanwhile, I was shocked and dismayed by our starting fullback. I remember seeing him in high school, and to say he is a shell of his former self is being too kind. I am an overweight, out-of-shape engineer who just happens to be about the same wt as Judd. And I'm put together better than him. I don't know if he's on a strange regimen, or isn't working out at all, or is a frequent visitor of the buffet line...but there is no excuse for him coming out here in this condition. None. I never want to call out a kid playing ball but I have bit my tongue for a couple years hoping he'll get come around and he hasn't yet. Furthermore, while some of the running backs exuded some confidence, Judd's demeanor is so defeated it looks the criticism is really getting to him mentally. I'd feel sorry for him, but he has a great opportunity this summer to get his stuff together and be the great FB I believe he can be. I could go on, but I think I've done enough damage here.

3) Seeing the OL up close drove the point home that testing numbers do not lie. Interestingly enough, as but a few posters (h3 being one of them) pointed out...Jamayel Phillips is far from our worst conditioned lineman. He is a huge human being, but he appeared quick and surprisingly lean. I could not say the same for many of the other OL. Very sad.

4) The supposed hustle that Bo Pelini is supposed to be instituting hasn't fully shown up yet. A few players (particularly Ruud, Pippens, Williams) showed that great never-give-up attitude, but we still had players not finishing out the play. Very discouraging.

5) The demeanor on the bench of Pelini and the players was somewhat surprising. There was a bit more goofing around than I expected. I'm not necessarily saying it was bad - but it was different than the impression I had gotten from the spin-reports on Pelini.

OFFENSE:

1) Once again, I am left wondering if I am watching the same game as those around me. Jammal Lord looked worlds better throwing the short passes than I can remember. He started off pretty hot, and was the most accurate of the passers IMO (taking into account level of competition). His interception was unfortunate, but something that is not altogether unexpected. Him not having the running aspect available to him is really a fish-out-of-water situation, but I thought he performed admirably. He is still the best and most fluid athlete on the field 95% of the time.

2) Given the limited number of play types we got to see very similar scenarios thrown at Horne and Davis. I thought both of them performed very similarly and actually both reacted similarly to certain holes or opportunity to bust runs outside. Horne still seems quicker than his timed speed would suggest and Davis still seems a touch slower in pads than his timed speed would suggest. Both looked solid (and superior to Diedrick) but they aren't to the point yet where they will do anything more than keep a defense honest.

3) Was startled by the way the offense line blocked, both in running and passing situations. I'll get to the DL below....

4) Ronnie Smith is a small human being. His arms are maybe 12-13" in circumference. In a bitter twist of irony, now that he's wearing the #12 jersey all the screens attempted to him were hopped into the turf by various QBs.

5) I know I've already railed on him, but gosh darnit we've got a three-year senior starter at FB and I expect a little more out of this key position. In a sequence of plays in the first half I saw him whiff a passblock, get annihilated in the hole on an iso, and then....get shoved backwards on his a** by the lighter Barrett Ruud - with one hand. This was at the point of attack on a sweep, so I'm sure someone else here saw this. Balance, my friend. Balance. It is critical that we find somebody here that could crush a LB if need be.

6) LeFlore, Pilkington and Herian are a GREAT group of young receivers. They all have their roles and can all stretch the field. Whoever is the QB in 2004 will inherit a great group of players to throw it to.

7) QB depth? Ugh. And hell, given our overall lack of depth and quality no wonder Glissman was putting up decent numbers. Garth is tough, but he's no answer. Dukes looked like the #2 guy, and I thought he looked better than last year. But he's still a ways back from JL. Stuntz....is Stuntz.

8) Not too many penalties was a good sign. Couldn't help but notice Incognito almost getting into a fight with a DE near the goal line. Unbelievable. I'm glad the kid is getting help though.

DEFENSE:

1) Our starting trio of LBs looked aggressive. Williams as usual was involved in alot of plays, but it wasn't as obvious as last year's game.

2) There is an overall lack of speed on both sides of the ball that cannot be denied. It makes it hard to tell if anybody is "fast". Who knows.

3) Jamrog's management of the entire defensive line definitely has had an effect - this entire group of scholarship players collectively got their asses handed to them by a less talented (but better coached?) OL. Players still not using their hands to shed blocks. Players still not taking proper angles. A bright spot was Seppo following his pulling man (DVW) and destroying a play along with Titus Adams. Given the limited playcalling the DL should have had more of an upper hand. DEs took a simple outside rush and were for the most part easily forced out of the play. Even though Crunk was beating DVW, his angle was so deep that Jammal or Dukes could simply step up into the pocket. The integrity of the pocket that the OL could maintain is unacceptable and will mean murder against the Big XII.

4) Stewart Bradley was sure fun to watch.

5) It is obvious that Crunk is in much better shape than he was last year. He looks scary after looking pudgy a year ago. I don't know if it will translate to the field, but it's a start.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

1) Paging David Dyches. David Dyches please report to the red sideline.

OTHER:

1) Stood next to the younger Ruud for a while. He is not a very thick kid, to say the least, considering the hype. Was very skinny and (not being gay here) had some narrow legs and backside. Didn't look like the frame was there to be much bigger. There's no way this kid could carry the weight to play DE. Speaking of....

2) Met Chris Patrick. I was very critical of our offer to Chris, based solely on his highlight tape. The difference in person between him and Bo Ruud was astounding. Patrick is very thick, and put together very well. His brother was there as well as his entire family. Patrick's pretty tall too. Imposing guy. Speaking of....

3) Adam Carriker is one tall S.O.B. My goodness. Unlike....

4) Sandro DeAngelis. Sheesh. He could damned near walk though Kabongo's legs without scraping his head.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

Due to the recruiting greatness of Dave Gillespie we have achieved an outstanding balance of mediocrity across the board. No one position or player stands out as being particularly exceptional at this time. There are those with potential, but on down the depth chart there was a disturbing lack of athletes. In this controlled game, it's hard to tell if the offense or defense has the upper hand. I'm calling it a draw. I was much more impressed with last year's spring game, so I hope that isn't a bad omen.

The good news is that there are 4 months for these players to transform themselves into their best. I sure hope they do. Because looking through the schedule it will take a remarkable effort by the coaches and players alike to get a 9-4 campaign.

RDK
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Two follow-up comments:

1) I must give credit to Roastemred on calling out that Josh had the ability to be shifty in him, and that it was only a matter of time to relearn those instincts. His punt return late in the game featured more moves in one play than he has made his entire stay here. A great sign for the future.

2) Charlie Denman. I'll admit it - when I see the lower units play and there are 21 caucasians out there and a single brotha, I went searching for my roster to figure out who it was. He was a man among boys playing with the lower units and thought he did almost as many good things as Stewart Bradley in the lower groups. Just FYI, he is #48, 5'-11", 230 lbs, a sophomore walk-on from Rusk, TX, and plays BUCK. He would seem like a guy who could provide depth at that position.

RDK