5 biggest position battles going into spring ball

[bgbigdog]

I must go with Logwood as the next surprise at running back. I see his shifty moves and if he can catch a pass he will be da man!

My man Lwood has "slippery power", day one starter.

 

[EverettGriz]

I must go with Logwood as the next surprise at running back. I see his shifty moves and if he can catch a pass he will be da man!

My man Lwood has "slippery power", day one starter.

But is he best in spac...


Nah, prolly time to retire that one.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I expect we'll see a rotation on the OL. Keeping those guys fresh through out the game will be important, especially in tight games.

Stitt is on record saying that he doesn't expect to sub much at o-line.

Don't see anyway possible the big horses run 90 plays without subbing.

 

[BWahlberg]

I expect we'll see a rotation on the OL. Keeping those guys fresh through out the game will be important, especially in tight games.

Stitt is on record saying that he doesn't expect to sub much at o-line.

Don't see anyway possible the big horses run 90 plays without subbing.

At the peak of Pflu's success in the late 2011 season I don't they subbed that much. A quick look at the stats book showed 75 plays against Weber, 78 against MSU, 87 against UCA, and 69 against UNI.

Adding another 15-20 plays on average... I wonder if the hope is that by the time the starting O-line (and entire offense) is at 50-60 plays the game is out of reach anyways and the backups are on the field.

 

[bgbigdog]

I expect we'll see a rotation on the OL. Keeping those guys fresh through out the game will be important, especially in tight games.

Stitt is on record saying that he doesn't expect to sub much at o-line.

Don't see anyway possible the big horses run 90 plays without subbing.

At the peak of Pflu's success in the late 2011 season I don't they subbed that much. A quick look at the stats book showed 75 plays against Weber, 78 against MSU, 87 against UCA, and 69 against UNI.

Adding another 15-20 plays on average... I wonder if the hope is that by the time the starting O-line (and entire offense) is at 50-60 plays the game is out of reach anyways and the backups are on the field.

If they need 10 receivers in a rotation, they're likely going to sub a few linemen. Not an easy thing to haul yourself around @ light speed when you're 275+ in August/September, as opposed to the last half of the season. They're as or more susceptible to burning out or getting injured as a receiver or running back with that volume of plays. They're engaged with someone on every play, and the wideout is just running sprints on a lot of them.

I would also be surprised if they come out and run 90 plays against NDSU, CP or Liberty. That would assume offensive continuity, which may or may not be there considering they have a new QB, running backs, O-line and one or more receivers. It would also assume that they are successful in managing the downs, moving the chains. Everyone wanted Pflu's head when they regularly went three and out in sixty seconds in that first year. But Stitt has suggested that he can not only run a huge volume of plays, but win the TOP, which means he's looking for ball control.

As far as the linemen go, yes - last year was painful to watch @ times. But be thankful that those kids got to play as much as they did. They're going to be very ready when time comes, because of their trials by fire and because their coach - coaches awfully well.

 

[brewskis]

I think that's pretty accurate bbigdog. I dont think that Stitt will sacrifice quality for speed early in the season, meaning he'll keep the offensive pace slow enough to where the offense is on the same page and is effective. Then as they learn the offense better the pace will gradually pick up.

 

[BWahlberg]

Stitt is on record saying that he doesn't expect to sub much at o-line.

Don't see anyway possible the big horses run 90 plays without subbing.

At the peak of Pflu's success in the late 2011 season I don't they subbed that much. A quick look at the stats book showed 75 plays against Weber, 78 against MSU, 87 against UCA, and 69 against UNI.

Adding another 15-20 plays on average... I wonder if the hope is that by the time the starting O-line (and entire offense) is at 50-60 plays the game is out of reach anyways and the backups are on the field.

If they need 10 receivers in a rotation, they're likely going to sub a few linemen. Not an easy thing to haul yourself around @ light speed when you're 275+ in August/September, as opposed to the last half of the season. They're as or more susceptible to burning out or getting injured as a receiver or running back with that volume of plays. They're engaged with someone on every play, and the wideout is just running sprints on a lot of them.

I would also be surprised if they come out and run 90 plays against NDSU, CP or Liberty. That would assume offensive continuity, which may or may not be there considering they have a new QB, running backs, O-line and one or more receivers. It would also assume that they are successful in managing the downs, moving the chains. Everyone wanted Pflu's head when they regularly went three and out in sixty seconds in that first year. But Stitt has suggested that he can not only run a huge volume of plays, but win the TOP, which means he's looking for ball control.

As far as the linemen go, yes - last year was painful to watch @ times. But be thankful that those kids got to play as much as they did. They're going to be very ready when time comes, because of their trials by fire and because their coach - coaches awfully well.

One thing Stitt also points out is that while his offense plans to run a TON of plays - it's not necessarily a hurry up. It's a ball-control offense designed on a lot of pass plays. CSM was 2nd in their conference in average TOP.

That aspect makes me wonder if the difference with Pflu's system (being a hurry up and go as quick as you can) and Stitt's (get a ton of plays in and control the ball as best you can) would not be as taxing on our O-line.

 

[PlayerRep]

Don't see anyway possible the big horses run 90 plays without subbing.

At the peak of Pflu's success in the late 2011 season I don't they subbed that much. A quick look at the stats book showed 75 plays against Weber, 78 against MSU, 87 against UCA, and 69 against UNI.

Adding another 15-20 plays on average... I wonder if the hope is that by the time the starting O-line (and entire offense) is at 50-60 plays the game is out of reach anyways and the backups are on the field.

If they need 10 receivers in a rotation, they're likely going to sub a few linemen. Not an easy thing to haul yourself around @ light speed when you're 275+ in August/September, as opposed to the last half of the season. They're as or more susceptible to burning out or getting injured as a receiver or running back with that volume of plays. They're engaged with someone on every play, and the wideout is just running sprints on a lot of them.

I would also be surprised if they come out and run 90 plays against NDSU, CP or Liberty. That would assume offensive continuity, which may or may not be there considering they have a new QB, running backs, O-line and one or more receivers. It would also assume that they are successful in managing the downs, moving the chains. Everyone wanted Pflu's head when they regularly went three and out in sixty seconds in that first year. But Stitt has suggested that he can not only run a huge volume of plays, but win the TOP, which means he's looking for ball control.

As far as the linemen go, yes - last year was painful to watch @ times. But be thankful that those kids got to play as much as they did. They're going to be very ready when time comes, because of their trials by fire and because their coach - coaches awfully well.

One thing Stitt also points out is that while his offense plans to run a TON of plays - it's not necessarily a hurry up. It's a ball-control offense designed on a lot of pass plays. CSM was 2nd in their conference in average TOP.

That aspect makes me wonder if the difference with Pflu's system (being a hurry up and go as quick as you can) and Stitt's (get a ton of plays in and control the ball as best you can) would not be as taxing on our O-line.

Stitt's offense is set up to run many more plays (like another half of a game). It has to be hurry-up to run that many plays. It would be ball control only if the play results were shorter than longer, and it took more plays to score. I would think this would be more taxing on o-lineman than hurry-up big play offenses. If Stitt's offense is ball control, it will help the defense, but it will be very demanding on the offense--as well as the opposing defense. I believe Stitt's offense needs 8 receivers, not 10.

 

[getgrizzy]

we won't average 90 plays per game the first year. this offense takes time to perfect. stitt didn't hit 90 plays until last year, which was his 15th. his first year over 80 was 2012. he was in the 60s and 70s before that. my guess is around 75 next year. about 10 more per game from last year.

 

[bgbigdog]

Still only sixty minutes to work with, minus what the other team manages to carve out themselves. More plays would assume (1) the other team isn't having as much luck running their offense (2) that they are but its because they're getting yards in bunches (3) that your yards per play is such that it takes a bunches of plays to make progress (4) that your folks aren't normally threats to take break a tackle and take it to the house or (5) that you run a hurry up style, not normally huddling after each play.

Not getting into the talent discussion here, but having EH, JJones or one of the other receivers on the receiving end of a pass in this offense has got to be potentially more productive than a kid who's SAT is his distinguishing characteristic. Meant with all due respect to everyone but Alpha. They'll be prepared to run a hundred plays, but don't be too disappointed if they don't.

 

[BWahlberg]

we won't average 90 plays per game the first year. this offense takes time to perfect. stitt didn't hit 90 plays until last year, which was his 15th. his first year over 80 was 2012. he was in the 60s and 70s before that. my guess is around 75 next year. about 10 more per game from last year.

Interesting point - thanks for looking that up.

 

[reinell30]

Still only sixty minutes to work with, minus what the other team manages to carve out themselves. More plays would assume (1) the other team isn't having as much luck running their offense (2) that they are but its because they're getting yards in bunches (3) that your yards per play is such that it takes a bunches of plays to make progress (4) that your folks aren't normally threats to take break a tackle and take it to the house or (5) that you run a hurry up style, not normally huddling after each play.

Not getting into the talent discussion here, but having EH, JJones or one of the other receivers on the receiving end of a pass in this offense has got to be potentially more productive than a kid who's SAT is his distinguishing characteristic. Meant with all due respect to everyone but Alpha. They'll be prepared to run a hundred plays, but don't be too disappointed if they don't.

If the team is running 90-100 plays per game, probably not scoring a ton of points. I would be satisfied with 60-75 plays per game and lots of points....

 

[getgrizzy]

we won't average 90 plays per game the first year. this offense takes time to perfect. stitt didn't hit 90 plays until last year, which was his 15th. his first year over 80 was 2012. he was in the 60s and 70s before that. my guess is around 75 next year. about 10 more per game from last year.

Interesting point - thanks for looking that up.

I.s.u. led the b.s.c. last year with 82. m.s.u. said they were going to run a bunch last year and was at just 74. eastern was at 77. cal poly was at 79.

 

[BWahlberg]

we won't average 90 plays per game the first year. this offense takes time to perfect. stitt didn't hit 90 plays until last year, which was his 15th. his first year over 80 was 2012. he was in the 60s and 70s before that. my guess is around 75 next year. about 10 more per game from last year.

Interesting point - thanks for looking that up.

I.s.u. led the b.s.c. last year with 82. m.s.u. said they were going to run a bunch last year and was at just 74. eastern was at 77. cal poly was at 79.

Does a punt or fieldgoal count as a "play" on offense in the stat book?

While it's not enough to statistically bump things way up they had 51 attempts last season on 4th down over 12 games, 4.25 extra plays per game that could have been punts or fieldgoals and not credited to "plays" on offense.

 

[griz4life]

Stitt's offense is set up to run many more plays (like another half of a game). It has to be hurry-up to run that many plays. It would be ball control only if the play results were shorter than longer, and it took more plays to score. I would think this would be more taxing on o-lineman than hurry-up big play offenses. If Stitt's offense is ball control, it will help the defense, but it will be very demanding on the offense--as well as the opposing defense. I believe Stitt's offense needs 8 receivers, not 10.

We’re going to bring in (six) wide receivers. ... You really need about 10 guys going into a game with our offense and the up-temp. You cannot have receivers running 90 snaps a game.”--- Bob Stitt

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/football/stitt-griz-load-up-on-local-talent-receivers/article_c6499fd7-2c68-5619-8378-f5ef8235bc65.html#ixzz3SnX0D8QI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[griz5700]

Not buying the 90 plays-per-game ball control offense. Gregorak's defense has improved, but 70-90 plays isn't happening in any kind of ball control fashion.

 

[bgbigdog]

we won't average 90 plays per game the first year. this offense takes time to perfect. stitt didn't hit 90 plays until last year, which was his 15th. his first year over 80 was 2012. he was in the 60s and 70s before that. my guess is around 75 next year. about 10 more per game from last year.

Interesting point - thanks for looking that up.

This would have rocked in graph form! :thumb:

 

[CV Griz Fan]

We're about 3 weeks out on spring camp getting started and there's some wide-open position battles brewing. Here's what I'll be watching for as spring camp unfolds.

1. Quarterback. No surprise that this would top the list. We've got a new offense and a new system. In his press conference Coach Stitt said he's looking for a QB that will make smart reads and be able to attack defenses quickly. His system has shown some need for a mobile QB but that's not the key factor. Brady Gustafson, Makena Simis, and Will Weyer all return from last years team. Willy Pflug is a true freshman and on campus. Chad Chalich and Eric Prater come to Montana as transfers. Of the roster only Chalich brings game-time experience to the table, having started in 7 games in 2013 for Idaho. Beyond that Gustafson was 0-2 passing in junk time blowouts last year. Looking at experience one might wonder if Chalich has a bit of an inside track. There's also Gus and Simis who have been with this team for a few years now and probably are much more synced up with our WR corps. We can speculate all we want and go off all of these guys high school highlight reels but we'll just have to see what happens once the practices get started.

2. Safety. Matt Hermanson, starter since 2012, has graduated leaving a very important spot on the defense wide open. Veteran player Justin Whitted will presumably hold his role but who will step up to fill Hermey's shoes? Jake Dallaserra brings some experience as he backed up and started I believe one game for Whitted. Beyond them there's a lot of youth, Epperly, Delaney, and Eric Johnson who is a senior (transferred in last year). Josh Sandry and Jerrin Williams are safety recruits coming in, but I don't think they'll be here until the fall. Also there's the message board talk that Manu Rassmussen is here and participating as well.

3. Interior Offensive Line. The Hines brothers have graduated and presumably John Schmaing, a tackle, returns. That gives the Griz some options here. Ben Weyer is one of our most experienced linemen, he's played two years at guard but I'm hearing word he might be rolling over to center as his experience, smarts on the field, and leadership is readily recognized. Regardless of where Weyer goes he's presumably going to start. That leaves two jobs open for McCauley Todd, Devon Dietrich, Robert Luke, Max Kelly, and Roscoe Alley. I'm listing Dietrich because while he played tackle last year with the return of Schmaing I could see him coming back to his natural position at guard. Luke is a bulldozer with his size, I'll be interested to see if his conditioning has helped him to be ready for an offense of this pace. Obviously if he wins the job that would put Weyer at guard and leave one more spot open. Todd finished the Wyoming game and started in the CWU game. I think he pretty much did ST and mop-up duty the rest of the season. Dietrich started and played in every game, at tackle. Kelly and Alley don't bring that in-game experience but Kelly's got great size to him. Alley's a freshman, we'll have to see how he shapes up.

4. Running Back. Unlike other positions we've got experienced players returning - we're replacing a durable workhorse RB in Jordan Canada and a playmaker in TraVon Van. John Nguyen and Joey Counts seem to be the two lead options. Good pass catchers, quick runners, not the highest speed but not slow by any means. Nguyen was the #3 back last year, Counts was the #3 back in 2013 before an ankle injury sidelined him and forced him to RS in 2014. Beyond those two there's Lorenzo Logwood and Tre Favors - both showed some skill and improvement playing late in blowout games. I'm a little more unsure on Logwood and Favors as pass catchers. If you look at CSM's stat books their feature back would usually have over 1000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving. Jeremy Calhoun could be another option, he'll be here in the fall. Carl Johnson and Nate Hanser are on the roster too as RS Frosh. I think Johnson is a FB convert.

5. Cornerback. Nate Harris has his job locked in. Beyond him there's JR Nelson who brings two years worth of experience playing as a 4th or 3rd CB on the field. Nelson's had ups and downs and would presumably be the guy for the 2nd starting spot. However he's going to have some competition hot on his heels. ST standout and transfer Tyrel Garner comes to mind as does the RS Soph Ryan McKinley. Beyond them there's sophomores Chris Parker and Shane Moody - both I don't think did much outside some special teams work last year. There's also transfer Markell Sanders who I believe is here and will be playing in spring ball.

----------

I was debating about going with D-line as well since 3/4's of the D-line graduates... however my gut feeling is that the D-line has it's progression in pretty good order with Crittenden, Peevey, and Kidder rising to the starting spots and Owen, Harris, and Bradley backing up.

Should be a fun one to watch unfold this spring!

With a lot of new coaches eyeing things, there could be some surprises in a few of the position battles. Sure LB and WR are apparent positions of strength now but you never know. There could be a certain "pucker" factor developing amongst the players. Bring your A game from day one. Competition could be wide open........

 

[BWahlberg]

We're about 3 weeks out on spring camp getting started and there's some wide-open position battles brewing. Here's what I'll be watching for as spring camp unfolds.

1. Quarterback. No surprise that this would top the list. We've got a new offense and a new system. In his press conference Coach Stitt said he's looking for a QB that will make smart reads and be able to attack defenses quickly. His system has shown some need for a mobile QB but that's not the key factor. Brady Gustafson, Makena Simis, and Will Weyer all return from last years team. Willy Pflug is a true freshman and on campus. Chad Chalich and Eric Prater come to Montana as transfers. Of the roster only Chalich brings game-time experience to the table, having started in 7 games in 2013 for Idaho. Beyond that Gustafson was 0-2 passing in junk time blowouts last year. Looking at experience one might wonder if Chalich has a bit of an inside track. There's also Gus and Simis who have been with this team for a few years now and probably are much more synced up with our WR corps. We can speculate all we want and go off all of these guys high school highlight reels but we'll just have to see what happens once the practices get started.

2. Safety. Matt Hermanson, starter since 2012, has graduated leaving a very important spot on the defense wide open. Veteran player Justin Whitted will presumably hold his role but who will step up to fill Hermey's shoes? Jake Dallaserra brings some experience as he backed up and started I believe one game for Whitted. Beyond them there's a lot of youth, Epperly, Delaney, and Eric Johnson who is a senior (transferred in last year). Josh Sandry and Jerrin Williams are safety recruits coming in, but I don't think they'll be here until the fall. Also there's the message board talk that Manu Rassmussen is here and participating as well.

3. Interior Offensive Line. The Hines brothers have graduated and presumably John Schmaing, a tackle, returns. That gives the Griz some options here. Ben Weyer is one of our most experienced linemen, he's played two years at guard but I'm hearing word he might be rolling over to center as his experience, smarts on the field, and leadership is readily recognized. Regardless of where Weyer goes he's presumably going to start. That leaves two jobs open for McCauley Todd, Devon Dietrich, Robert Luke, Max Kelly, and Roscoe Alley. I'm listing Dietrich because while he played tackle last year with the return of Schmaing I could see him coming back to his natural position at guard. Luke is a bulldozer with his size, I'll be interested to see if his conditioning has helped him to be ready for an offense of this pace. Obviously if he wins the job that would put Weyer at guard and leave one more spot open. Todd finished the Wyoming game and started in the CWU game. I think he pretty much did ST and mop-up duty the rest of the season. Dietrich started and played in every game, at tackle. Kelly and Alley don't bring that in-game experience but Kelly's got great size to him. Alley's a freshman, we'll have to see how he shapes up.

4. Running Back. Unlike other positions we've got experienced players returning - we're replacing a durable workhorse RB in Jordan Canada and a playmaker in TraVon Van. John Nguyen and Joey Counts seem to be the two lead options. Good pass catchers, quick runners, not the highest speed but not slow by any means. Nguyen was the #3 back last year, Counts was the #3 back in 2013 before an ankle injury sidelined him and forced him to RS in 2014. Beyond those two there's Lorenzo Logwood and Tre Favors - both showed some skill and improvement playing late in blowout games. I'm a little more unsure on Logwood and Favors as pass catchers. If you look at CSM's stat books their feature back would usually have over 1000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving. Jeremy Calhoun could be another option, he'll be here in the fall. Carl Johnson and Nate Hanser are on the roster too as RS Frosh. I think Johnson is a FB convert.

5. Cornerback. Nate Harris has his job locked in. Beyond him there's JR Nelson who brings two years worth of experience playing as a 4th or 3rd CB on the field. Nelson's had ups and downs and would presumably be the guy for the 2nd starting spot. However he's going to have some competition hot on his heels. ST standout and transfer Tyrel Garner comes to mind as does the RS Soph Ryan McKinley. Beyond them there's sophomores Chris Parker and Shane Moody - both I don't think did much outside some special teams work last year. There's also transfer Markell Sanders who I believe is here and will be playing in spring ball.

----------

I was debating about going with D-line as well since 3/4's of the D-line graduates... however my gut feeling is that the D-line has it's progression in pretty good order with Crittenden, Peevey, and Kidder rising to the starting spots and Owen, Harris, and Bradley backing up.

Should be a fun one to watch unfold this spring!

With a lot of new coaches eyeing things, there could be some surprises in a few of the position battles. Sure LB and WR are apparent positions of strength now but you never know. There could be a certain "pucker" factor developing amongst the players. Bring your A game from day one. Competition could be wide open........

Agreed, no job is safe!

 

[PhxGriz]

Hilarious how fat and out of reality some of you are. Stitt will get his plays.