Spring Football - Who will surprise us?
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
Rashan Gary.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Well... he’s proven, he’s not been a disappointment and he gets a lot of hype.....so, you got anyone else?
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^
Not sure if you are joking or not but I am hoping this. He has been great so far, but I am hoping this year to see him really dominate.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
I hope he hits someone so hard that their helmet flys off. Then we won't have to rewatch "the hit".
Last game of the regular season would be good.
Does anyone outside of AA realize Clowney was unblocked and every DL in D1 could make that play?
Most people believe he split a double team, suplexed a 250-pound full back and then knocked the helmet off of a 220 running back going at full speed.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
Coach Harbaugh looking to mold him into Owen Marecic II - the Sequel
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
Magnus, can Shea play even if not ok'ed by ncaa? If so, he gets my vote.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:39 AM ^
Yes. Ineligible transfers can do everything but play in games.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Villain and Filiaga
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
Don Brown hinted that Luiji would be limited to some extent this spring still during his interview with Sam. What was his injury again?
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
I ran into him at the union a couple months ago and we chatted for a bit -- it's a leg thing, but I can't recall if it was ankle or knee. Wish I could be more specific.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
Vilain is a freak athlete.
I saw him rush the passer in a couple of games and he just abused people.
I think his ceiling is incredible.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
It would be nice if was an O lineman, for sure. So yes to Filiaga.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
Yes to any O-Lineman
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Ambry Thomas. hopefully some added weight, but think he can have breakout year.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
All weight gain is good weight gain and all weight loss is good weight loss.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Tell the first part to my wife.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^
Welschof enrolled yet? If yes he's my man. Hoping he sticks his tongue out after making a play. Like another German we know and love.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^
Hopefully the playcalling
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
McCaffrey on O
Josh Ross on D
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:40 AM ^
I like those choices a lot. I considered both.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
I will add Kwity Paye to your list as Don Brown mentioned him on WTKA yesterday.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
The McCaffrey buzz will be loud this spring, Remains to be seen whether he can take it over to games but he will push for the starters spot based on how he will practice and prepare.
McCaffery to be huge in the Spring and really push for the starting job in the fall.
Think Paye on Defense could be fun to watch.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
J’Marick Woods
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:04 AM ^
Good call. Hoping all the safeties step it up a bit as I thought they were the weak link in an otherwise great defense.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
I'll second Josh Ross on D, and Oliver Martin on O.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
- Not exactly a bold prediction but Ross is going to be good. He'll take McCray's spot with ease and play well.
- I think Dwumfour puts it together.
- Perry isn't full go so Oliver Martin will have a nice spring.
- Gentry is an established weapon but I think he's going to be a legit Mackey candidate this year, so I'm sure he'll have his best spring in his last one.
Not a lot of bold predictions to be made on a team that returns everyone. I think Vilain might grab the #2 Anchor spot, especially if the coaches are serious about moving Kemp inside. Have to eventually get both Vilain and Paye on the field at once.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
I agree he'll win McCray's spot, but it won't be easy. Devin Gil played well early last season in that spot, and Ross' classmates (Anthony and Singleton) will have something to say about that. Noah Furbush will get a look there, as well.
I like the Dwumfour pick a lot. That first step is lethal.
I know Gentry has the measurables, but I think McKeon is the best of the bunch at TE. Both should improve a lot this year. Looking forward to it.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^
It'll just be Gil and Ross at WILL. I think Gil got the nod last year based on experience, not talent. Ross still played a lot of STs and has more natural ability than Gil.
Furbush will remain a SAM. Singleton will rep mostly at SAM and MIKE. Anthony the same.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
However, I think LB is a position group where you want to get your best guys on the field and let the more specific positions sort themselves out. If we are talking positional fit, I think Ross is more suited for the MIKE and Anthony is more suited to WILL. I think that's where they'll end up by the end of their careers, but the best player of that bunch will play WILL this year.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
I'm just telling you where they have all been taking reps to this point and where the coaches plan to play them going forward. Ross is a WILL, Anthony is a MIKE, and Singleton is a SAM, but will get some run at WILL as well. I think Anthony's truly a MIKE because of his stature, Ross' length makes him a better WILL, though he could also be a MIKE, but like you said you want to get your best guys on the field. I always thought Singleton would be a WILL, but I think the coaches saw him in the mold of Furbush given his size and running ability.
I think you'll have DBJ and Ross on the field first against ND, with Khaleke at Viper obviously. Next up will be Anthony and Singleton with Glasgow at Viper. Gil's athletic ceiling should push him out of the two deep by fall camp. Then Furbush and Singleton will be your two deep at SAM when we use it.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
I appreciate your insight, Dr Toboggan.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:01 PM ^
Seriously - I think it has gone under-appreciated how stacked the LB position is now. Loaded up for at least the next two years, and bringing in a stud in McGrone.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
Which makes it a curious thing that Mason is going to double up at linebacker, along with fullback. How is he going to get playing time with guys like Bush, Ross, Singleton, Anthony and McGrone on the roster? That is a talented LB group!
What? Mason is strictly playing FB, as he has been for a year.
Harbaugh did an interview with Ben on the attack each day podcast and he said he would definitely be playing both ways this fall.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^
McKeon has two bricks for hands.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
That's why he led the team in receptions.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
He was also the only player our shitty qbs could throw it to because he was rarely more than 15 yards down field..
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
TEs run the majority of their routes within 15 yards of the LOS. It's not rare for a TE to lead any team in receptions, good QB or not. Obviously Gronk leads the Pats in receptions (with 69, nice) with a decent QB.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
1. Sean Mckeon had the lowest YPC average out of top 8 receivers, and he's running the route he supposed to run. it's not like he was saying I'm not running 15 yards down field, I'm only going to run 5 because I want to.
2. He led the team in receptions and also drops.
3. He had 31 rec and 301 yards, Gentry had 17 for 303.
4. McKeon cannot catch in traffic, see drops against Wisky and MSU that were key.
5. Gentry is the guy who comes up clutch in these situations. See back shoulder seem route against Purdue when we needed a play. That was a much more diffcult catch than anything McKeon did all year.
6. Go to twitter and type in "McKeon drop" and let me know what you find.
McKeon is still a good player, but he has BAD drops, in what always felt like key moments.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
McKeon was the only guy who could make tough, contested catches in traffic.
Also the only TE who showed the ability to grab a low pass without it hitting the turf
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:42 PM ^
Well I'll keep it PG.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^
McKeon has two bricks for hands.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
lets us neg this comment twice. As indicated above, he led the team in receptions last season.