So, spring practice is over; we have seen three scrimmages including the Spring Game and have discussed the team and the program in-depth. Now is the time for reflection and looking ahead to the more important summer training camp and the arrival of the 2011 recruits.
What have we learned so far and how do we feel about it… let’s see. This was a big article so I’m splitting it up into two parts:
How well has Graham taken control of the program both on and off the field?
As far as off the field goes we have seen a few players decide to leave early. In almost every case that was the natural course of things based on Lewis and Baldwin’s plans, it was pretty evident they weren’t going to stick around even with Wannstedt. Hynoski’s decision was another matter and understandable given this new offense. We had two other players expelled from the team in Diaz and Cruz after disciplinary issues (we think, no one really knows what happened in Cruz’s case except that he’s gone).
The Head Coach and his staff seem to have successfully coerced the players into accepting his philosophies. The kids seem engaged and ready to play High Octane Offense, Nitro Defense and Alaskan Crude Oil Special Teams. There was a lot of energy in that Spring Game and it was very impressive how all the kids battled to the end of the fast paced 135 minute scrimmage.
It’s hard to tell at this point whether that will translate into a big winning season but signs look good that we’ll continue to progress with the new systems..
Do we have the talent to successfully run Graham’s Offensive system?
We do. It may not be the exact talent Graham envisions when he has his offense and defense exactly the way he wants them to be; he’ll recruit for that, but he has the playmakers on offense to execute the High Octane offense he’s been selling. For a good review of why Graham has (apparently) picked Sunseri as the starting QB, please re-read this article by Pat Bostick.
In it he details the differences between Wannstedt’s I-Formation and what we’ll be seeing in 2011. One salient point to know is that a staple of this new offense is the “read-option” play where the QB makes a split second decision to hand the ball off to the RB; keep it himself and run or keep it himself and pass… the QB keeping and running the ball is a main component of that, as is the pass option. Sunseri fits that role the best out of our three QBs.
At our skill positions we have Ray Graham who just may have a monster year in this offense; not only will he get a lot of carries we’ll see 5-10 passes a game to him out in space where he can do real damage. We are thin behind him but Des Brown is fast and quick and has impressed… but we need some freshman to give us depth there. I’d like to see Graham develop a short yardage back from one of the new kids, perhaps Isaac Bennett can fill that bill.
WR seems set with three pretty well proven kids in Shanahan, Street and Saddler with some talent behind them – we’ll be fine there. TE is a wildcard because we have no real inkling of how they will be incorporated yet, but Hubie Graham has done well in the spring as has DeCicco. I was really impressed with Brendan Carozzoni the times I watched him play and am hoping he gets a valid shot at playing time. He’s tough and fast. IMO this kid is too good not to make sure he stays in the program.
OL is a work in progress but Jacobson has begun to settle in at center and may turn out to be a good one there. Nix and Gibbs are returning starters and the other two positions are in flux.
