Some February Football Nuggets.
February 26th, 2017 at 12:36 AM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 1:42 AM ^
Mettelus' 40 result is particularly encouraging at Viper, as it shows how much quickness/explosiveness he has which was reason for him playing that spot in the Orange bowl. I'm just hoping he has the instincts to match so we can have at least a poor man's version of Jabrill's shot-out-of-a-cannon backfield takedowns and those amazing rundown&tackles to the sideline. I hope Mettelus makes us (kind of) forget about losing out on Willie Gay
February 26th, 2017 at 6:56 AM ^
Hudson seems to be the better athlete to me. Not saying Josh won't have a great year, but I believe by mid-season Khaleke will be the better viper. Based on a few tidbits it sounds like the coaches love him as well. Zordich compared him to Jabrill at last weeks practices, and his group of friends on the team look to be the leaders of our team for years to come (Keko, Hill, Long, and Mikey). Also it looks like the idea is to try and have both Josh and Khaleke on the field at the same time as often as possible..
February 26th, 2017 at 8:57 AM ^
irrationally excited to see Hudson wreck people this year.
I don't wish injury to anyone, but I want to see oposing players beg their coaches not to put them back in the game.
February 26th, 2017 at 2:20 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^
I thought this (Metellus winning the DB race) was the most surprising tidbit. It means he beat some fast dudes (David Long and Ambry Thomas, among others).
February 26th, 2017 at 2:21 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 12:47 AM ^
The oline and dbs will surprise everyone just like the lbs did this past season.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:09 AM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 8:18 AM ^
Players had reached their ceiling talent wise.
The new OL personnel has more potential
and by late season will be a force.
February 26th, 2017 at 8:30 AM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 8:47 AM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 9:12 AM ^
The linebackers were returning two upperclassmen who were relative unknowns. The OL is returning bits and pieces of a below average line and is hoping to fill the gaps with freshmen and other unknowns. Still no reason to think the OL will magically get better, and a move to a more passing heavy offense should be taken as indication that Harbaugh is thinking the same way
February 26th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
I think the good LB play was at least somewhat correlated to the absolutely dominant play of the defensive line. Not to say that McCray, Gedeon, and the rest of the corps weren't good on their own, but our DL made everyone that much better.
With depth somewhat lacking on the line this fall, we'll find out how good the rest of the defense really is. And hopefully the OL improves as well. No shortage of talent, but a lottttt of new faces there.
February 26th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
Great info, thanks OP. Secondary will certainly be young but I think the athleticism we have on the D-Line will really help out the corners and safeties. Can't wait for 4/15.
February 26th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
with the development of the athletes that Hoke recruited and Harbaugh and staff brought to the next level. I wish them all the best of luck in the NFL......now it is time to see the development of the talent that JH has brought in. I expect this team to be fun to watch for a long time.
GO BLUE
February 26th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
1. Offensive line, specifically tackles. I feel good about the interior even though two of three have less-than-ideal experience. Tackles, however, are the stretch for me. There are enough options that I think we're far from disaster, but it takes all my irrationality to be optimistic.
2. Secondary. Corners will be decent at the start and get better throughout the year. After Kinnel, however, is an unknown. Also unkonwn is whether nickel will be a difficulty.
3. Linebackers. McCray was a relevation. There's reason to optimistic about Bush. We need a third, who isn't obvious to me. Viper could be good between Mettellus and Hudson, though that interacts with the questions over safety.
---- Below are more high-class problems.
4. Wideouts and slots. Lots of options here, but everyone has to take a full step up. It's interesting to me that people talk about McDoom as a wideout and Harris in the slot. Is it reasonable to hope for more than a Corley-like frehman year from our incoming class?
5. Tight ends. Too bad about Assiasi, but we're still ridiculous here. Only thing lacking is proven high-level production already.
6. Running backs. Lots of options too, but with more experience.
7. Quarterback. Another year of whispering.
8. Full back. Known high-quality.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^
which I think is excellent.
But Special teams (particularly without Pepper's sure hands) is going to be very, very inexperienced. Everywhere.
I'd put those related position groups (& their specialists) near the top of your list.
February 26th, 2017 at 4:18 PM ^
I think we've learned that the most important thing is to have a punt returner who can catch all but dribblers. Kickers? Who knows, but isn't that true even if you got an All American returning?
February 26th, 2017 at 5:30 PM ^
You could just say "let Pepper's back-up handle the punts" . . . that would be Jourdan Lewis.
Kick Return? See above.
Punting . . .? Tice, Robbins (F) if he wins it.
Kicker. . . Nordin? How many in-game kicks did he have last year? David?
Shit we're even losing our best Long Snapper in Sypnieski. (Hello Cheesman!)
Plus just having experienced players on the line & in down-field coverage.
It's actually a terrifying amount of inexperience.
I always say (perhaps innacurately) that a minimum of 1 game each season is absolutely going to be decidied by a very good or a very poor special teams play. Right now I'm penciling in a loss.
February 26th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 2:06 PM ^
February 26th, 2017 at 7:04 PM ^
February 27th, 2017 at 7:24 AM ^
Cal Hires Tony Tuioti as Linebackers Coach
February 27th, 2017 at 3:51 PM ^
Sam Webb just posted on his board that none of this is true. DPJ, Evans, and David Long are your fatest guys on the team. Not sure where your info is coming from but Sam says it's wrong.