The Opening Day 2 Open Thread
I thought I would start a new thread to discuss the action at the Opening today.
1. 7-on-7 pool play is going on today. Shane Morris opened on fire today as Land Sharks team rolled over Brice Ramsey's (UGa) squad.
Shane Morris' team RT @RecruitingESPN Land Sharks beat Vapor Carbon, 27-6
Michigan QB commit Shane Morris is on fire in game one. Making all the right throws.
Jake Butt caught the game winning TD as his team (also Mike McCray) won their opener.
Tyrone Swoopes to Jake Butt as time expires to lift #AlphaTalon over #SuperBad 18-13 #THEOPENING
2. Linemen 1-on-1 took place earlier this morning. Unfortunately due to HS regulations in MI and OH, David Dawson and Taco Charlton could not participate with pads and had limited reps. But Taco still got rave reviews:
#Michigan commit Taco Charlton is a very athletic DE - quick and long.
Ohio players can't pad up here but Taco Charlton, wearing just a helmet, is one of the quickest ends here #Michigan
247sports: The guys from states where you can't wear pads are going now. Taco Charlton has been dominant.
3. Kyle Bosch went home sick today. Wish we could have seen him participate and hope he gets better soon.
Michigan commit Kyle Bosch headed home from #TheOpening per his family. Illness.
Are there set times recruits have to announce commitments? I know Anzalone is doing it today or tomorrow and we all know the deal with LT, but are there any specific times to look forward to? Or will they drop at any time?
So if Anzalone is one of two commiting tonight, do we know who the second one is? Should we be buckling up?
Ra'sha'ad Samples is one of the guys committing. Not sure about the other one.
Anzalone is announcing tomorrow.
Samples commited to Oklahoma State... one less WR spot there.
Treadwell is not announcing tonight...
EDIT: Rashaad Samples is the other.
My DirectTV guide says that today is The Opening Day 2, or are we counting check in as day 1?
Also, Bosch tweeted this earlier, hope its not mono like he says it is that will knock you out for a month.
Tweets
But I will edit it to avoid confusion.
This from his flight:
Worst flight of my life just got pissed on by a 2 year old kid and my wallet,shoes, and compressions are soaked in it #lovinglife
— Kyle Bosch(@KyleBoschOL79) July 5, 2012
Is Kyle Bosch enrolling early?
I heard Kyle Bosch plans to enroll early.
Shane Morris' Land Sharks are scheduled to duel Hackenberg's (PSU) Alpha Speed (also Laquon Treadwell) in prime time. The other game going on will feature Jake Butt & Mike McCray's Alpha Talon squad vs. Jourdan Lewis' Field Generals.
In case you're interested, here are the highlights of Mike Mitchell, the SPARQ champion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVCjFOzktdI
He's very awkward athletically, but somehow he gets the job done...4.39 speed will do that for you. He also looks like he goes 100 mph all the time.
I watched his film and he does seem a little awkward at times but has a great motor. Almost think he would make a better DE than LB.
What do you think of him Magnus?
I would take him as a WDE or perhaps even a SAM. The speed and motor make him a worthwhile player, and he could definitely help on special teams. I wouldn't want to put him in coverage much, though.
At 6'4'' and 215 lbs, plus an apparent forty time of 4.39, wouldn't you think he would do just fine covering a TE? I know more than size and speed factors into coverage skills, but he has to have at least some agility as well if he won the SPARQ competition.
He does have some agility (a 4.00 shuttle time, for example), but he looks lost in coverage. His footwork isn't very good and he doesn't really know what to do or where to go. You might be able to put him in man coverage on a TE, yeah, but I'd be afraid of putting him in zone.
I believe he's only considering schools that are recruiting him at linebacker. He's been pretty adamant about not playing with his hands down, for what it's worth.
Thanks for the info. I had heard the name but hadn't really paid attention to him until I saw him tearing it up at The Opening.
but why are TomVH or Ace more qualified in evaluating film? I trust them for breaking stories and reporting about our commits, but what exactly are their qualifications that make you trust them in evaluating prospects? Do they have a background in football?
I just asked Magnus his opinion because he had brought the topic up and had also watched the film.
He's a high school coach, very well versed in the technicalities of football, and has provided some excellent unbiased opinions on our recruits. He's quoted in hello posts by ace, and posts by brian, who both clearly appreciate and trust his analysis. You don't have much basis calling him out.
Sure he can be a dick sometimes, but that's Magnus.
Comparing Magnus to TomVH/Ace is comparing apples to oranges. Tom and Ace aren't really film/talent evaluators. They're recruiting analysts. Sure, they chime in with their two cents, but they wil readily admit they're not football experts when it comes to diagnosing plays or evaluting players. They make hypotheses based on all the information available to them.
I'm no member of the Magnus Fan Club, but I'd say he's much more qualified to evaluate film than either Ace or TVH. Due respect to all parties, of course. At least Magnus is a coach at some level. He's definitely not infallible, though.
I'm glad to see you've worked to improve your weaknesses...
On the flip side, TomVH and Ace do their jobs well and I hope I do my "job" well. We have different roles, and I don't think some people understand that. I'm less of a reporter than a self-appointed analyst; they're more reporters than analysts.
Laquon Treadwell goes over Michigan CB commit Jourdan Lewis for a long TD. Ball thrown by Christian Hackenberg.
Treadwell is a beast, might be best WR here, open every play
Early thoughts, @SuccessfulQuon and Ricky Seals Jones might be best WR duo @TheOpening2012. Pretty much doing what they want right now.
LeQuan Treadwell looks fantastic out here. Tweaked an ankle, but he should be OK. #theopening
Hackenberg to Marcus Baugh for the TD, Baugh has been killing it out here today as well, Alpha Speed up 26-19, 7:05 left
Ohio State TE commit Marcus Baugh with a TD. USC RB commit Ty Isaac also playing well.
Brandon Huffman @BrandonHuffman
There is a reason we have Marcus Baugh as the top tight end in the region. Good speed, great hands and gets separation consistently from DB
Sounds like Ohio's Marcus Baugh and PSU's Hackenberg have impressed today.
Gettem Land Sharks!
247sports:
Impressions of Butt at TE?
Treadwell's Alpha Speed squad got the best of Jourdan Lewis' squad in their opener 26-25, but Treadwell's squad is struggling in game 2.
All this Hackenberg talk has doomed him, 3 INTs in this game #theopening
From Barton Simmons of 247Sports:
Treadwell vs Lewis:
With guys like Stribling/Conley...I am hoping that Lewis wont be getting stuck on big WR's all the time. Should be a match-up nightmare for slot guys though.
The coaches are recruiting him for field corner, not slot corner.
What is the difference (in play and desired skillset) between the two?
I believe the field corner covers the wide side of the field and the boundary corner covers the short side so it also depends on where the ball is, what hash its on, etc.That's why field corners are usually the quicker fast guy and the boundary is usually bigger and stronger. Somebody correct me if wrong.
You are correct. The field corner defends the wide side, the boundary corner defends the short side.
There may be exceptions in certain situations or packages, but that's the basic difference.
The slot corner can afford to be a little bit slower (but doesn't have to be), will likely blitz more, has to be ready to support the run a little more.
Guys who have played slot corner in recent memory are Courtney Avery and Brandon Harrison. FWIW, Thomas Gordon was working as the slot corner a little bit last spring before he won the FS job.
Laquon Treadwell's team is playing in 0-0 game with 9 min remaining 2nd half. PSU's Hackenberg has thrown 5 INTs in the game.
Both QBs threw multiple INTs.
Treadwell's team lost 7-0 to fall to 1-1 in pool play. Plays Shane Morris' team next in prime time.
Jourdan Lewis' squad won their second game 14-7 to improve to 1-1.
Land Sharks v. Alpha Talon starting now. Both teams 1-0 after their openers.
The Admiral is rooting for Shane (and his son):
David Robinson @DavidtheAdmiral
Here @theopening2012 watching epic 7 on 7 games. Go Land Sharks! @CoreyRobinson13 scored 1st game
13-0 Land Sharks
Shane Morris with a laser to OJ Howard who outruns the whole secondary. Howard is a freak. TD Land Sharks