March 28, 2008

Today I spent the afternoon watching the defense. Here is how the defense looks starting out the spring:

DE- Kevin Richard (R-Sr)
NG- Colin Dugan (Sr)
DE- Trey Jacobs (Jr)
LB- Ian Childress (Sr)
LB- Nick Hursky (Sr)
LB- Kyle O'Donnell (R-So)
LB- Pat Bannon (So)
CB- Kent Hicks (R-Sr)
SS- Ryan Greiser (Sr)
FS- Chris Rocco (Jr)
CB- Pat Calvary (Sr)


Here is the overall look at the defense:

Defensive Line- The two seniors anchoring the first team line Richard and Dugan led the charge during the 11-on-11 work. Looking very good as well was the big German Soeren Wendland, who starts the spring as the #2 right defensive end behind Trey Jacobs.

Looking at the line as a whole, they got plenty of pressure in the backfield in brief scrimmages and looks like they could potentially make the plays that were missing.


Linebackers- One major observation that needs to be made right off is that #11 was all over the field. Flames fans that have been following the team the last two years (and those who read my entry from yesterday) know that number belonged to Stevie Ray Lloyd. This year though. that number belongs to redshirt freshman Mike Connolly. Connolly was all over the field, including just missing an interception off Spencer Landis during 11-on-11 drills. He starts the spring as the backup to senior Ian Childress, who made some good plays as well with the first team.

Another player worth noting is transfer Doncel Bolt. Bolt, a transfer from CA, begins practice behind Nick Hursky at the "Mike" linebacker position. He moved very well when he was on the field and looks like he could make some waves in the coming weeks.

Defensive backs- Only one player is gone from the backfield, as Pat Dickerson graduates in May. There are plenty of players stepping up even on the second day of practice. Kent Hicks. the transfer from Virginia Tech, moves into the left CB position to start the spring, with senior Pat Calvary on the right side. Chris Rocco moves into the #1 spot at free safety with Ryan Greiser, the hard hitting senior from PA, starting at strong safety. The DBs made a few nice plays but the quarterbacks were able to hit a lot of passes in brief scrimmages. Hopefully the backs will improve as the spring progresses, as the backfield was a liability at times throughout the 2007 season.

Looking at the special teams, really not a lot of action at practice but again David Drake and Wes Cheek punting during the special teams work. Cheek was the backup punter in 2007, but did have a number of decent punts and actually was able to consistently get punts out near midfield (he was punting from the 10 yard line).

Tomorrow the team will put on the full pads for the first time this spring and tomorrow I'll analyze that first day as we see, as Coach Rocco put it near the end of practice, "who is going to show up."


Fanning the Flames,

BJ Williams