UC Spring Football 2011
- Thread starter swg
- Start date
Help Support BearcatTalk:
Springer w/ BJ
"I liked our tempo, we've got to pick it up though. I really like the mentality right now that our defense has. Right now, offensively, we're still not executing the way we need to. We have way too much talent on offense right now, with it being practice #7, to not be executing more. That's going to be a point of emphasis again. I'm not real happy where our offense is right now. That's what usually happens in spring football, the defense is usually ahead of the offense, but we've got to step it up."
OL Jason Kelce trying to rally the offense today (verbally) looking for that?
"No question. Jason's a very passionate individual and he takes great pride in everything that he does. Most teams that win have peer pressure and they don't want to let each other down. One of our goals this spring is to develop our leadership, who's going to be our leaders? It's our job to teach them leadership qualities but we're also looking where our leaders are. I expect to see leaders step up. Jason's an individual who's been through a lot, he's been very successful in this program and he's paid his dues."
On how individual competitions make you better....
"That's why we compete on each and every play and that's why we end practice as coming together as a team because we are one. But, when you compete on every snap on both sides of the ball, that makes you a better football team."
Trying to make statement with more physical practices?
"Well, I think our philosophy as a coaching staff and it's our program philosophy. I don't think it has anything to do with what's gone on in the past, it's the way we conduct our business. That's the way we're going to play and those are our demands and those are our expectations."
Halfway point...good and bad....
"I think we're still learning how to practice. When I say learn how to practice--how we track the ball in a 'tag' situation, how we tackle, how we block on the perimeter, how we run the football--so we're still going through that process. I think our players came out here on back-to-back days and the 'want' is there. Now, it comes down to they've got to do a better job of executing our schemes, the finite details that it takes--the proper route technique, the pass 'pro' technique, being able to rush the passer--all those different things that continue to be a work in progress."
Grading how team has taken to the new staff....
"It's an ongoing process, but I would say an 'A'. We're still learning each other, we're still learning each and every day. But, I think what they should find out is that we care for them both on and off the field. We're very passionate in what we do. We're very fair and we're going to demand excellence. We're going to demand greatness on every snap. I think our players are showing that they want to please by their academic progress and by the way they're practicing, so I've been extremely happy to date."
Intense red-zone drill today...point of emphasis?
"No question. It's a mentality. You've got to live that mentality everyday, it's a way of life. Obviously, coaching is correcting but also you need to point out the good too and you want to reward the performance that you want. There was a number of times where finally our tight ends started blocking the way we want them too."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/scott-springer/
"I liked our tempo, we've got to pick it up though. I really like the mentality right now that our defense has. Right now, offensively, we're still not executing the way we need to. We have way too much talent on offense right now, with it being practice #7, to not be executing more. That's going to be a point of emphasis again. I'm not real happy where our offense is right now. That's what usually happens in spring football, the defense is usually ahead of the offense, but we've got to step it up."
OL Jason Kelce trying to rally the offense today (verbally) looking for that?
"No question. Jason's a very passionate individual and he takes great pride in everything that he does. Most teams that win have peer pressure and they don't want to let each other down. One of our goals this spring is to develop our leadership, who's going to be our leaders? It's our job to teach them leadership qualities but we're also looking where our leaders are. I expect to see leaders step up. Jason's an individual who's been through a lot, he's been very successful in this program and he's paid his dues."
On how individual competitions make you better....
"That's why we compete on each and every play and that's why we end practice as coming together as a team because we are one. But, when you compete on every snap on both sides of the ball, that makes you a better football team."
Trying to make statement with more physical practices?
"Well, I think our philosophy as a coaching staff and it's our program philosophy. I don't think it has anything to do with what's gone on in the past, it's the way we conduct our business. That's the way we're going to play and those are our demands and those are our expectations."
Halfway point...good and bad....
"I think we're still learning how to practice. When I say learn how to practice--how we track the ball in a 'tag' situation, how we tackle, how we block on the perimeter, how we run the football--so we're still going through that process. I think our players came out here on back-to-back days and the 'want' is there. Now, it comes down to they've got to do a better job of executing our schemes, the finite details that it takes--the proper route technique, the pass 'pro' technique, being able to rush the passer--all those different things that continue to be a work in progress."
Grading how team has taken to the new staff....
"It's an ongoing process, but I would say an 'A'. We're still learning each other, we're still learning each and every day. But, I think what they should find out is that we care for them both on and off the field. We're very passionate in what we do. We're very fair and we're going to demand excellence. We're going to demand greatness on every snap. I think our players are showing that they want to please by their academic progress and by the way they're practicing, so I've been extremely happy to date."
Intense red-zone drill today...point of emphasis?
"No question. It's a mentality. You've got to live that mentality everyday, it's a way of life. Obviously, coaching is correcting but also you need to point out the good too and you want to reward the performance that you want. There was a number of times where finally our tight ends started blocking the way we want them too."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/scott-springer/
Bearcat Bowl IV, the University of Cincinnati football team's 15th and final workout of the spring is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Nippert Stadium. Admission is free and open to all patrons. Fans are encouraged to sit on the east side of Nippert, opposite the press box. The first 5,000 fans that enter receive a commemorative rolled Sugar Bowl poster.
Bearcat Bowl IV is only one of several events taking place on the Clifton campus on April 24.
Head Coach Butch Jones and his staff will lead the annual free youth football clinic for players up to eighth grade, which will take place on the Nippert turf at 3 p.m. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. Following the clinic, selected student-athletes from the football team will be on hand to sign autographs.
The Bearcats Family Zone on Sheakley Lawn will be open from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The Family Zone will feature many of the activities normally seen on a regular football game day such as inflatable games, cornhole, KIDS CLUB coloring contest, face painting and a opportunity to meet the Capital One Mascot of the Year, BEARCAT.
Saturday, April 24 is also the renewal deadline for season ticket deposits, ticket payments, UCATS pledges, and 2010 football renewals/seat improvement requests.
http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/bearcatbowl4.html
Bearcat Bowl IV is only one of several events taking place on the Clifton campus on April 24.
Head Coach Butch Jones and his staff will lead the annual free youth football clinic for players up to eighth grade, which will take place on the Nippert turf at 3 p.m. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. Following the clinic, selected student-athletes from the football team will be on hand to sign autographs.
The Bearcats Family Zone on Sheakley Lawn will be open from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The Family Zone will feature many of the activities normally seen on a regular football game day such as inflatable games, cornhole, KIDS CLUB coloring contest, face painting and a opportunity to meet the Capital One Mascot of the Year, BEARCAT.
Saturday, April 24 is also the renewal deadline for season ticket deposits, ticket payments, UCATS pledges, and 2010 football renewals/seat improvement requests.
http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/bearcatbowl4.html
Noisy Nippert Sat-Springer article
Oh, I think it had an effect. A lot of times, when you run a no-huddle system--survival of the fittest--these kids line up and play fast and they rely too much on the verbalizations and not the hand signals. Obviously today, piping in the crowd noise, you couldn't hear anything. It made us go back to the roots of the offense which is all hand signals--different signals and seeing who's live and who's not live. I thought it was a great, great teaching point and a great learning lesson. We've got to get better on offense, plain and simple. We've got to get better as a football team each and every day. We're nowhere (near) where we need to be, we're nowhere where we should be. That's what spring football's for and we'll continue to strive to get better."
Offense improved as day went, but early on was sloppy....
"Real sloppy for our liking and for our expectations of handing the ball to the officials and the overall efficiency of operating the offense."
On several fumbles during the day....
"We're going to pride ourselves in taking care of the football. We're going to get those things corrected."
Any movement on the depth chart between 1s and 2s?
"We'll sit down as a staff and we'll grade each and every player. Tremendous, tremendous teaching occurred with all the situation football that we exposed our players to and then obviously we're seeing who we can win with in the fall. This is a great gage and I'll know more once I watch the film."
On the defense's dominance on the scoreboard Saturday....
"Well, I thought we got after it. (There's) still a long way to go. The one individual that really sticks out there right now who's added another level to our defense is Walter Stewart. I think you see that with him coming off the edge. I'm real pleased with him--he's got to continue to learn the 'Leo' position--very excited with the progress he's making right now."
On having Dominique Battle square off with Vidal Hazelton in practice....
"It's more the situations and the schemes than anything else."
What does Vidal Hazelton bring to the receiving corps?
"Well, he's got to pick it up. He'll be the first to tell you in terms of being in shape to run the offense, the nuances, the whole group (needs to ). I know he's got great expectations for himself, but he's still going through a learning process of learning how to play fast, and getting lined up, and being in receiver shape, and getting through the next play and snapping clear if something happens. I'm excited about him because I know he's hungry. I know he's passionate and he wants to do it, but we've got a long, long way to go and he's far from being crowned anything or earning a starting spot."
Does he have and advantage having been here for a year?
"No. He was here for a year, but he ran scout team. It's easy just to run scout team--look at a card and run deep and we'll throw you the football. It's different when you do an offense and you've got to know down and distance and you've got to get lined up and you've got to know route conversions and techniques and all those things. It's a big difference."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/noisy-nippert-saturday.html
Oh, I think it had an effect. A lot of times, when you run a no-huddle system--survival of the fittest--these kids line up and play fast and they rely too much on the verbalizations and not the hand signals. Obviously today, piping in the crowd noise, you couldn't hear anything. It made us go back to the roots of the offense which is all hand signals--different signals and seeing who's live and who's not live. I thought it was a great, great teaching point and a great learning lesson. We've got to get better on offense, plain and simple. We've got to get better as a football team each and every day. We're nowhere (near) where we need to be, we're nowhere where we should be. That's what spring football's for and we'll continue to strive to get better."
Offense improved as day went, but early on was sloppy....
"Real sloppy for our liking and for our expectations of handing the ball to the officials and the overall efficiency of operating the offense."
On several fumbles during the day....
"We're going to pride ourselves in taking care of the football. We're going to get those things corrected."
Any movement on the depth chart between 1s and 2s?
"We'll sit down as a staff and we'll grade each and every player. Tremendous, tremendous teaching occurred with all the situation football that we exposed our players to and then obviously we're seeing who we can win with in the fall. This is a great gage and I'll know more once I watch the film."
On the defense's dominance on the scoreboard Saturday....
"Well, I thought we got after it. (There's) still a long way to go. The one individual that really sticks out there right now who's added another level to our defense is Walter Stewart. I think you see that with him coming off the edge. I'm real pleased with him--he's got to continue to learn the 'Leo' position--very excited with the progress he's making right now."
On having Dominique Battle square off with Vidal Hazelton in practice....
"It's more the situations and the schemes than anything else."
What does Vidal Hazelton bring to the receiving corps?
"Well, he's got to pick it up. He'll be the first to tell you in terms of being in shape to run the offense, the nuances, the whole group (needs to ). I know he's got great expectations for himself, but he's still going through a learning process of learning how to play fast, and getting lined up, and being in receiver shape, and getting through the next play and snapping clear if something happens. I'm excited about him because I know he's hungry. I know he's passionate and he wants to do it, but we've got a long, long way to go and he's far from being crowned anything or earning a starting spot."
Does he have and advantage having been here for a year?
"No. He was here for a year, but he ran scout team. It's easy just to run scout team--look at a card and run deep and we'll throw you the football. It's different when you do an offense and you've got to know down and distance and you've got to get lined up and you've got to know route conversions and techniques and all those things. It's a big difference."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/noisy-nippert-saturday.html
Bearcats really fast
“When you can score points you’ve got to score points,’ said UC quarterback Zach Collaros. “You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to score. I don’t care who you are. Who doesn’t want to score on the first play of the game? I never really bought into that.”
Collaros and his teammates have totally bought into the new, even faster offensive approach being installed by new head coach Butch Jones. Many of them didn’t believe it was possible to play faster than they did last year, but they’re finding out otherwise.
“We really went fast last year, but this is definitely faster,” said offensive tackle Sam Griffin. “Coach Jones calls it controlled chaos. Everybody’s screaming. We’ve got the music playing. We’ve got the crowd noise. They want to put you in the worst circumstance and move as fast as possible because when we get here and we‘re playing in front of our home fans, it’s not going to be that crazy. We’ll feel like we can walk through this.”
There’s been very little walking around during spring practice. Jones has spent a good portion of the spring installing his new offense and his expectations for how fast he wants it to be executed.
And despite the fact that the Bearcats were already accustomed to operating at a fast pace, there has been an adjustment period, not just to the pace but to the new signals and the new wrinkles in the spread offense that Jones employs.
Jones wasn’t happy with the way his offense performed during a scrimmage near the end of practice Saturday but he said he saw improvement Tuesday.
“We’ve still got to get faster,” Jones said. “It’s still not anywhere where we need to be.”
SURGERY FOR COBB: Starting right tackle C.J. Cobb will miss the rest of spring practice after undergoing surgery Monday night to repair a broken right ankle. He’s expected to be ready when fall camp opens in August.
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2010/04/13/theres-fast-and-then-theres-really-fast/
“When you can score points you’ve got to score points,’ said UC quarterback Zach Collaros. “You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to score. I don’t care who you are. Who doesn’t want to score on the first play of the game? I never really bought into that.”
Collaros and his teammates have totally bought into the new, even faster offensive approach being installed by new head coach Butch Jones. Many of them didn’t believe it was possible to play faster than they did last year, but they’re finding out otherwise.
“We really went fast last year, but this is definitely faster,” said offensive tackle Sam Griffin. “Coach Jones calls it controlled chaos. Everybody’s screaming. We’ve got the music playing. We’ve got the crowd noise. They want to put you in the worst circumstance and move as fast as possible because when we get here and we‘re playing in front of our home fans, it’s not going to be that crazy. We’ll feel like we can walk through this.”
There’s been very little walking around during spring practice. Jones has spent a good portion of the spring installing his new offense and his expectations for how fast he wants it to be executed.
And despite the fact that the Bearcats were already accustomed to operating at a fast pace, there has been an adjustment period, not just to the pace but to the new signals and the new wrinkles in the spread offense that Jones employs.
Jones wasn’t happy with the way his offense performed during a scrimmage near the end of practice Saturday but he said he saw improvement Tuesday.
“We’ve still got to get faster,” Jones said. “It’s still not anywhere where we need to be.”
SURGERY FOR COBB: Starting right tackle C.J. Cobb will miss the rest of spring practice after undergoing surgery Monday night to repair a broken right ankle. He’s expected to be ready when fall camp opens in August.
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2010/04/13/theres-fast-and-then-theres-really-fast/
"I'm very excited about being back on offense, for him (Coach Jones) to say that's my home now, 'cause that's where I started out," said Barnett. "In high school I went both ways, but I'm very excited to be back on offense and get my chance to establish myself on offense without having to go back and forth between offense and defense."
With the new staff, Barnett has seen increased competition, but seemingly more reps than I recall him getting last year when he appeared buried on the depth chart. Thus far, he's shown a lot of the playmaking ability that Bearcat fans remember from the 2007 season when "Bones" was Ben Mauk's go-to guy.
While the others have had their moments, it just seems Barnett has had more opportunities to open some eyes-like the practice where Coach Jones commended him for following the ball in the end zone and grabbing a tipped ball intended for Armon Binns.
"Yeah, I'm trying too," said Barnett. "If the opportunity presents itself, I try to make the best of the play. If I get the ball thrown to me, I've got to catch it, that's my job. I'm getting a pretty good amount of reps. There's always room for improvement, so you can never get enough."
Especially, when the reps get limited thanks to the influx of talent coming in enamored with UC's spread offense. Many schools would be happy to take the so-called "2 and 3" receivers from Butch Jones.
"Right now, we've got a talented cast of receivers out there," said Barnett. "We've got D.J. Woods in the slot, Vidal Hazelton, Armon Binns, got my boy KT (Kenbrell Thompkins), Jamar Howard, Tomaz Hilton, Lynell Payne, Danny Milligan, we got a lot of cats out there. I mean, it's all competition."
And, Barnett left out Orion Woodard and the receivers that'll show up in August wondering why they're being led deep into the forest in Indiana. The competition is crazy tough. Still, it's hard to fathom how a 62-catch guy three years ago dropped off the radar offensively.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/bones-happy-to-be-back-at-wr
With the new staff, Barnett has seen increased competition, but seemingly more reps than I recall him getting last year when he appeared buried on the depth chart. Thus far, he's shown a lot of the playmaking ability that Bearcat fans remember from the 2007 season when "Bones" was Ben Mauk's go-to guy.
While the others have had their moments, it just seems Barnett has had more opportunities to open some eyes-like the practice where Coach Jones commended him for following the ball in the end zone and grabbing a tipped ball intended for Armon Binns.
"Yeah, I'm trying too," said Barnett. "If the opportunity presents itself, I try to make the best of the play. If I get the ball thrown to me, I've got to catch it, that's my job. I'm getting a pretty good amount of reps. There's always room for improvement, so you can never get enough."
Especially, when the reps get limited thanks to the influx of talent coming in enamored with UC's spread offense. Many schools would be happy to take the so-called "2 and 3" receivers from Butch Jones.
"Right now, we've got a talented cast of receivers out there," said Barnett. "We've got D.J. Woods in the slot, Vidal Hazelton, Armon Binns, got my boy KT (Kenbrell Thompkins), Jamar Howard, Tomaz Hilton, Lynell Payne, Danny Milligan, we got a lot of cats out there. I mean, it's all competition."
And, Barnett left out Orion Woodard and the receivers that'll show up in August wondering why they're being led deep into the forest in Indiana. The competition is crazy tough. Still, it's hard to fathom how a 62-catch guy three years ago dropped off the radar offensively.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/bones-happy-to-be-back-at-wr
At 5' 10" and 266 pounds, Brandon Mills is atypical of an FBS nose tackle; nevertheless, it was the position this redshirt freshman played all of last season when he recorded a respectable 25 tackles including 8 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as Derek Wolfe's primary back-up.
This spring the Colerain grad could be playing anywhere along the Bearcat defensive front or even dropping into pass coverage as Cincinnati's hybrid DE/OLB, and Mills has embraced the new possibilities.
"I love it. I love playing a new spot, trying to hold down a different position and making our defense stronger," said Mills.
When Mills committed to play for the University of Cincinnati in January of 2008, the comparisons to Terrill Byrd were inevitable. Both starred at Colerain, and both were not highly recruited primarily because of their height. But Byrd proved that BCS defensive linemen don't need to be over six feet tall to excel in college, and Mills appreciates that his former teammate helped clear the way for his becoming a Cincinnati Bearcat.
"Shout out to Byrd," laughed Mills. "He could have done anything I'm doing now. He was a great player, a sophomore All-American. He did his thing."
The two remain close today, and Byrd recently sent Mills tickets to see him play with the Cincinnati Commandos of the Continental Indoor Football League.
Mills and Byrd share more than just a similar physique. The two also bring an unbridled enthusiasm to the field that often surfaces after big plays in the form of talking and dancing. When asked about it, Mills grinned and struggled to control his excitement.
"I love doing that. I love doing that, I love doing that. It gives the crowd something to watch."
However, both Byrd and Mills have occasionally taken their celebrations too far and have been flagged for their indiscretions. Mills tried to defend himself.
"I've only had one penalty. I've had just one. Never more than one."
With no seniors in this position group, Mills knows everyone has to step up his play in 2010.
"We have a lot of people that played last year but just didn't start. Now we've got our chance and just need to hold it down."
Despite being selected 1st team Division I All-Ohio as a senior, Mills had very few FBS college options. He thinks Iowa State was offering him something, but he wasn't sure. And even the MAC schools didn't offer him a scholarship so he was asked if he feels some sort of redemption two years later.
"Height is not everything. You have to know the game of football and just go out there and play. I'm going to go hard on every play so I don't care about my height. I'm going to bring it hard on every single play."
Mills was then asked what he does best.
"Maintain my gap. Hit players. Hit the ball carrier. Cause havoc in the backfield." The fact that almost half of last year's stops occurred in the opponents' backfields supports his self-analysis.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/mills-plays-big
This spring the Colerain grad could be playing anywhere along the Bearcat defensive front or even dropping into pass coverage as Cincinnati's hybrid DE/OLB, and Mills has embraced the new possibilities.
"I love it. I love playing a new spot, trying to hold down a different position and making our defense stronger," said Mills.
When Mills committed to play for the University of Cincinnati in January of 2008, the comparisons to Terrill Byrd were inevitable. Both starred at Colerain, and both were not highly recruited primarily because of their height. But Byrd proved that BCS defensive linemen don't need to be over six feet tall to excel in college, and Mills appreciates that his former teammate helped clear the way for his becoming a Cincinnati Bearcat.
"Shout out to Byrd," laughed Mills. "He could have done anything I'm doing now. He was a great player, a sophomore All-American. He did his thing."
The two remain close today, and Byrd recently sent Mills tickets to see him play with the Cincinnati Commandos of the Continental Indoor Football League.
Mills and Byrd share more than just a similar physique. The two also bring an unbridled enthusiasm to the field that often surfaces after big plays in the form of talking and dancing. When asked about it, Mills grinned and struggled to control his excitement.
"I love doing that. I love doing that, I love doing that. It gives the crowd something to watch."
However, both Byrd and Mills have occasionally taken their celebrations too far and have been flagged for their indiscretions. Mills tried to defend himself.
"I've only had one penalty. I've had just one. Never more than one."
With no seniors in this position group, Mills knows everyone has to step up his play in 2010.
"We have a lot of people that played last year but just didn't start. Now we've got our chance and just need to hold it down."
Despite being selected 1st team Division I All-Ohio as a senior, Mills had very few FBS college options. He thinks Iowa State was offering him something, but he wasn't sure. And even the MAC schools didn't offer him a scholarship so he was asked if he feels some sort of redemption two years later.
"Height is not everything. You have to know the game of football and just go out there and play. I'm going to go hard on every play so I don't care about my height. I'm going to bring it hard on every single play."
Mills was then asked what he does best.
"Maintain my gap. Hit players. Hit the ball carrier. Cause havoc in the backfield." The fact that almost half of last year's stops occurred in the opponents' backfields supports his self-analysis.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/mills-plays-big
OL-Unsung Heroes (News Record)
Last season, the University of Cincinnati football team had one of the highest-powered offenses in college football, ranking 13th nationally with 5,817 yards and 66 touchdowns.
Look at the stats, it’s easy to see all the touchdowns Tony Pike threw for and all the yards Mardy Gilyard racked up.
But a lot of the credit for the Bearcats’ offensive firepower goes to the guys who didn’t accumulate any stats — the offensive linemen.
The offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of the game, often flying under the radar while their skill-position teammates shine in the spotlight.
“It comes with the territory,” said junior T.J. Franklin. “All the quarterbacks know that we’re the reason they get the chance to throw the ball, and the running backs and the quarterbacks are always the first ones to come up to us after the game and thank us for playing our butts off.”
Last season, the Bearcats’ offensive line was an iron curtain, allowing only 15 sacks for 96 yards, ranking 16th in the NCAA and first in the Big East.
“As an offensive line, we just want to try to do what we did last year, which was lead the conference in the fewest sacks against,” said senior Sam Griffin. “That’s just something we take pride in.”
After losing seniors Chris Jurek and Jeff Linkenbach, the three returning starters from last season are Franklin, Griffin and junior Alex Hoffman
“We don’t care who’s filling in with just us three returning,” Hoffman said. “We’re comfortable with anyone who steps in. We can trust anyone and we’ll work
with anyone.”
Junior Evan Davis and senior C.J. Cobb have had strong outings during spring practices and have shown the UC coaching staff they have the determination and drive to play with the returning veterans.
Cobb broke his right ankle during practice Saturday, April 10, and has undergone a successful surgical procedure. The team’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Angelo Colosimo, preformed the surgery at University Hospital Monday, April 12.
“[The offensive line has] done a good job without C.J. Cobb,” said head coach Butch Jones. “[The injury] was unfortunate, but that’s part of the game.”
No matter who fills in and starts with the returning trio, the offensive line will again need to play an integral part by buying the quarterback time and opening holes during the upcoming season.
Jones plans on featuring the running game more this season than in years past at Cincinnati. But Jones has no plans of slowing down the high-paced offense Brian Kelly first brought to Nippert Stadium. In fact, he plans on making it faster.
“I believe we can be one of the most high-powered offenses in the whole NCAA this year,” Franklin said. “That certainly is one of our goals, to be one of the best, fast-paced and high-scoring offenses in the league.”
With only five spring practices remaining, the offensive line has been worked hard in order to get accustomed to the new style of play. But if the Bearcats want to make plans for a third-straight Big East title and another Bowl Championship Series appearance, the offensive line will need to be near perfect.
http://www.newsrecord.org/sports/unsung-heroes-1.2221641
Last season, the University of Cincinnati football team had one of the highest-powered offenses in college football, ranking 13th nationally with 5,817 yards and 66 touchdowns.
Look at the stats, it’s easy to see all the touchdowns Tony Pike threw for and all the yards Mardy Gilyard racked up.
But a lot of the credit for the Bearcats’ offensive firepower goes to the guys who didn’t accumulate any stats — the offensive linemen.
The offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of the game, often flying under the radar while their skill-position teammates shine in the spotlight.
“It comes with the territory,” said junior T.J. Franklin. “All the quarterbacks know that we’re the reason they get the chance to throw the ball, and the running backs and the quarterbacks are always the first ones to come up to us after the game and thank us for playing our butts off.”
Last season, the Bearcats’ offensive line was an iron curtain, allowing only 15 sacks for 96 yards, ranking 16th in the NCAA and first in the Big East.
“As an offensive line, we just want to try to do what we did last year, which was lead the conference in the fewest sacks against,” said senior Sam Griffin. “That’s just something we take pride in.”
After losing seniors Chris Jurek and Jeff Linkenbach, the three returning starters from last season are Franklin, Griffin and junior Alex Hoffman
“We don’t care who’s filling in with just us three returning,” Hoffman said. “We’re comfortable with anyone who steps in. We can trust anyone and we’ll work
with anyone.”
Junior Evan Davis and senior C.J. Cobb have had strong outings during spring practices and have shown the UC coaching staff they have the determination and drive to play with the returning veterans.
Cobb broke his right ankle during practice Saturday, April 10, and has undergone a successful surgical procedure. The team’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Angelo Colosimo, preformed the surgery at University Hospital Monday, April 12.
“[The offensive line has] done a good job without C.J. Cobb,” said head coach Butch Jones. “[The injury] was unfortunate, but that’s part of the game.”
No matter who fills in and starts with the returning trio, the offensive line will again need to play an integral part by buying the quarterback time and opening holes during the upcoming season.
Jones plans on featuring the running game more this season than in years past at Cincinnati. But Jones has no plans of slowing down the high-paced offense Brian Kelly first brought to Nippert Stadium. In fact, he plans on making it faster.
“I believe we can be one of the most high-powered offenses in the whole NCAA this year,” Franklin said. “That certainly is one of our goals, to be one of the best, fast-paced and high-scoring offenses in the league.”
With only five spring practices remaining, the offensive line has been worked hard in order to get accustomed to the new style of play. But if the Bearcats want to make plans for a third-straight Big East title and another Bowl Championship Series appearance, the offensive line will need to be near perfect.
http://www.newsrecord.org/sports/unsung-heroes-1.2221641
Sam (Griffin) He IS
"I heard about C.J. Cobb, it's survival of the fittest out here," said fellow senior Sam Griffin, who will most certainly man one of the tackle spots. It also means a couple behemoths like Sean Hooey or Andre Cureton are going to have to step in. Just like the guard competition has an opening with Randy Martinez out.
It's not been one of the better springs in terms of injuries. On the other hand, things happen for a reason and maybe it's better to have some youngsters get reps now than in August or September.
The other part of the equation is...these practices have been more physical than past springs. Certainly, from post-Dantonio years.
"It gets intense," said Griffin. "This is as intense as it's been since I've been at the University of Cincinnati. At least for spring ball. We might fight in the middle of practice, but after, we're all love in the locker room. I feel it's just bringing us together. It's bringing the toughness out of us on both sides of the ball from what we're doing in the trenches day to day. I would honestly say that. Not taking anything from the past three years--this might be the toughest team that played at the University of Cincinnati."
Well, that might ruffle some feathers, but you can't argue with the idea. Based on the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl losses, there was a level of physicality that was missing. Coaches and players have admitted as much.
"That might have been," said Griffin. "We always play hard, not matter what. Everyone on the field loves to play. But, we will take it to another level this year."
And, that comes from a tackle who's been molded to move vertically and pass-protect rather than just grind guys forward for a run. Obviously, with UC's talented receivers, you see a lot of four and sometimes five wide-out sets. That doesn't mean the backs are out of the picture though if you saw any of Central Michigan's games.
"We don't run that much in the spread offense, but when we get the chance, we try to make sure it's good," said Griffin. "Open some holes for Isaiah Pead."
A lot of times, the run plays look that much more successful because the defense is sitting back trying to stop the various downfield routes. Trust me, the big guys pride themselves on rushing yards.
Also, even though they look big, burly and mean, most of them are "teddy bears" off the field. Of course, you don't mention to them while in uniform, but usually offensive linemen are well-rounded kids and good interviews. That's probably because they're often the "forgotten" ones to the naked eye (but not to the coaches that see the gaping holes on video).
This year's O-line is no different.
"Whenever you're going to have different personalities, it's going to be hard at first," said Griffin. "But, we've matured over the years. We've come together. We might me the most closest-knit group on the team."
When you spend so much time together, it's natural for that to happen. Many of them came in as somewhat scrawny (in terms of linemen) high school stars and they've had to add (and share) beef together.
Sam Griffin can relate. He was 228 pounds fresh out of Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey. It's amazing that he even played that first year. Like many, his proportions have changed dramatically.
"I've gained close to 50 pounds since I've came here," said Griffin. "Jason Kelce too--almost over that. It's all been good weight. If you look at Andre Cureton, he's good where he's at, but he'd probably move better and work better in our offense if he'd lose weight. Really, it's about having good weight. C..J. Cobb, before he got injured, he was up to 320 and got down to 300. It just helped him conditioning wise and blocking in space."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/sam-he-is.html
"I heard about C.J. Cobb, it's survival of the fittest out here," said fellow senior Sam Griffin, who will most certainly man one of the tackle spots. It also means a couple behemoths like Sean Hooey or Andre Cureton are going to have to step in. Just like the guard competition has an opening with Randy Martinez out.
It's not been one of the better springs in terms of injuries. On the other hand, things happen for a reason and maybe it's better to have some youngsters get reps now than in August or September.
The other part of the equation is...these practices have been more physical than past springs. Certainly, from post-Dantonio years.
"It gets intense," said Griffin. "This is as intense as it's been since I've been at the University of Cincinnati. At least for spring ball. We might fight in the middle of practice, but after, we're all love in the locker room. I feel it's just bringing us together. It's bringing the toughness out of us on both sides of the ball from what we're doing in the trenches day to day. I would honestly say that. Not taking anything from the past three years--this might be the toughest team that played at the University of Cincinnati."
Well, that might ruffle some feathers, but you can't argue with the idea. Based on the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl losses, there was a level of physicality that was missing. Coaches and players have admitted as much.
"That might have been," said Griffin. "We always play hard, not matter what. Everyone on the field loves to play. But, we will take it to another level this year."
And, that comes from a tackle who's been molded to move vertically and pass-protect rather than just grind guys forward for a run. Obviously, with UC's talented receivers, you see a lot of four and sometimes five wide-out sets. That doesn't mean the backs are out of the picture though if you saw any of Central Michigan's games.
"We don't run that much in the spread offense, but when we get the chance, we try to make sure it's good," said Griffin. "Open some holes for Isaiah Pead."
A lot of times, the run plays look that much more successful because the defense is sitting back trying to stop the various downfield routes. Trust me, the big guys pride themselves on rushing yards.
Also, even though they look big, burly and mean, most of them are "teddy bears" off the field. Of course, you don't mention to them while in uniform, but usually offensive linemen are well-rounded kids and good interviews. That's probably because they're often the "forgotten" ones to the naked eye (but not to the coaches that see the gaping holes on video).
This year's O-line is no different.
"Whenever you're going to have different personalities, it's going to be hard at first," said Griffin. "But, we've matured over the years. We've come together. We might me the most closest-knit group on the team."
When you spend so much time together, it's natural for that to happen. Many of them came in as somewhat scrawny (in terms of linemen) high school stars and they've had to add (and share) beef together.
Sam Griffin can relate. He was 228 pounds fresh out of Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey. It's amazing that he even played that first year. Like many, his proportions have changed dramatically.
"I've gained close to 50 pounds since I've came here," said Griffin. "Jason Kelce too--almost over that. It's all been good weight. If you look at Andre Cureton, he's good where he's at, but he'd probably move better and work better in our offense if he'd lose weight. Really, it's about having good weight. C..J. Cobb, before he got injured, he was up to 320 and got down to 300. It just helped him conditioning wise and blocking in space."
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/sam-he-is.html
RB Williams Ready to make his mark
After being redshirted as a freshman and being a seldom-used backup last year, University of Cincinnati running back Darrrin Williams is doing all he can to make sure his time has finally arrived.
“With the new coaching staff coming in I felt like things were open so I just wanted to take advantage of my opportunities,” Williams said Thursday. “I’ve sat out two years and I’m ready to play.”
Williams, a 5-foot-7, 180-pound third-year sophomore, arrived at UC in 2008 with glowing high school credentials after gaining 2,837 yards – the third-highest single-season total in Michigan prep history – while leading his Martin Luther King High School team to the 2007 Division II Michigan state title.
With Williams and Isaiah Pead in the same recruiting class, the Bearcats seemed set at running back for years to come.
But while Pead got a chance to play right away, Williams was told he would have to wait his turn. The Bearcats already had Jacob Ramsey as the starting running back with Pead emerging as his backup and John Goebel also in the mix.
There wasn’t room for Williams, so then-UC coach Brian Kelly chose to redshirt him rather than waste a year of eligibility.
That decision didn’t sit well with Williams.
“I was told that I wouldn’t be redshirted and I didn’t think that I would be,” Williams said, “but the reality is that it’s a business and I had to learn that aspect of it.
“I was mad in the first place but I had to let go and do what I needed to do to better myself because if I would have kept being sad over it I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I probably would have left or something,”
After much soul-searching, Williams chose to stay. Now he’s glad he did. And so is UC coach Butch Jones.
“I’m really excited about Darrin,” Jones said. “He’s one of those individuals who brings intensity and passion every day. I’ve seen his progress from practice one now to practice 10 and continually improve.”
With his small stature and speed, Williams has the potential to hide behind the offensive line and then explode through the line of scrimmage for big gains, providing the Bearcats with a nice complement to Pead and Goebel.
“He’s a different dimension,” Jones said. “We’re going to be able to put him out on the perimeter and let him run some receiver routes and some slot, throw him some screens. He can execute our run game. He’s got great quickness and he’s extremely competitive and very, very tough.
“He’s been extremely hungry and very passionate and very eager and I like that. I like everything that he’s bringing to the table right now.”
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2010/04/15/ucs-williams-ready-to-make-his-mark/
After being redshirted as a freshman and being a seldom-used backup last year, University of Cincinnati running back Darrrin Williams is doing all he can to make sure his time has finally arrived.
“With the new coaching staff coming in I felt like things were open so I just wanted to take advantage of my opportunities,” Williams said Thursday. “I’ve sat out two years and I’m ready to play.”
Williams, a 5-foot-7, 180-pound third-year sophomore, arrived at UC in 2008 with glowing high school credentials after gaining 2,837 yards – the third-highest single-season total in Michigan prep history – while leading his Martin Luther King High School team to the 2007 Division II Michigan state title.
With Williams and Isaiah Pead in the same recruiting class, the Bearcats seemed set at running back for years to come.
But while Pead got a chance to play right away, Williams was told he would have to wait his turn. The Bearcats already had Jacob Ramsey as the starting running back with Pead emerging as his backup and John Goebel also in the mix.
There wasn’t room for Williams, so then-UC coach Brian Kelly chose to redshirt him rather than waste a year of eligibility.
That decision didn’t sit well with Williams.
“I was told that I wouldn’t be redshirted and I didn’t think that I would be,” Williams said, “but the reality is that it’s a business and I had to learn that aspect of it.
“I was mad in the first place but I had to let go and do what I needed to do to better myself because if I would have kept being sad over it I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I probably would have left or something,”
After much soul-searching, Williams chose to stay. Now he’s glad he did. And so is UC coach Butch Jones.
“I’m really excited about Darrin,” Jones said. “He’s one of those individuals who brings intensity and passion every day. I’ve seen his progress from practice one now to practice 10 and continually improve.”
With his small stature and speed, Williams has the potential to hide behind the offensive line and then explode through the line of scrimmage for big gains, providing the Bearcats with a nice complement to Pead and Goebel.
“He’s a different dimension,” Jones said. “We’re going to be able to put him out on the perimeter and let him run some receiver routes and some slot, throw him some screens. He can execute our run game. He’s got great quickness and he’s extremely competitive and very, very tough.
“He’s been extremely hungry and very passionate and very eager and I like that. I like everything that he’s bringing to the table right now.”
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2010/04/15/ucs-williams-ready-to-make-his-mark/
April 17, 2010
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati football team wrapped up the fourth week of spring football with practice number 11 under sunny skies Saturday.
It was Family Day at Nippert Stadium as several hundred family members of UC student-athletes, coaches, and support staff were on hand. Following a meeting with the new coaching staff, and a campus tour, the families watched practice from the stands and participated in a group picture with the team around the C-Paw at the 50-yard line.
"We had great participation today from our football family," head coach Butch Jones said. "Together we are a family. Everything that we do within our football program is family. I don't like to use the term football program I like to use the term family. I know a lot of individuals preach family, but we live family each and every day."
After practice, the group gathered at the Myers Alumni Center where the members of the 2009 team received their BIG EAST Championship rings.
Bearcat Bowl IV, the University of Cincinnati's 15th and final practice of the 2010 spring season, will air live throughout the state of Ohio on FOX Sports Ohio on April 24 from 7-9 p.m.
Tom Gelehrter (PXP), Jim Kelly Jr. (ANA), and Artrell Hawkins (SL) will call the action from Nippert Stadium as the back-to-back BIG EAST Conference Champions wrap up their first spring under coach Jones.
Admission is free and open to all patrons. Fans are encouraged to sit on the east side of Nippert, opposite the press box. The first 5,000 fans that enter receive a commemorative rolled Sugar Bowl poster.
http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041710aaa.html
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati football team wrapped up the fourth week of spring football with practice number 11 under sunny skies Saturday.
It was Family Day at Nippert Stadium as several hundred family members of UC student-athletes, coaches, and support staff were on hand. Following a meeting with the new coaching staff, and a campus tour, the families watched practice from the stands and participated in a group picture with the team around the C-Paw at the 50-yard line.
"We had great participation today from our football family," head coach Butch Jones said. "Together we are a family. Everything that we do within our football program is family. I don't like to use the term football program I like to use the term family. I know a lot of individuals preach family, but we live family each and every day."
After practice, the group gathered at the Myers Alumni Center where the members of the 2009 team received their BIG EAST Championship rings.
Bearcat Bowl IV, the University of Cincinnati's 15th and final practice of the 2010 spring season, will air live throughout the state of Ohio on FOX Sports Ohio on April 24 from 7-9 p.m.
Tom Gelehrter (PXP), Jim Kelly Jr. (ANA), and Artrell Hawkins (SL) will call the action from Nippert Stadium as the back-to-back BIG EAST Conference Champions wrap up their first spring under coach Jones.
Admission is free and open to all patrons. Fans are encouraged to sit on the east side of Nippert, opposite the press box. The first 5,000 fans that enter receive a commemorative rolled Sugar Bowl poster.
http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041710aaa.html
Pead Running With Opportunity (Cnati)
By Paul Dehner Jr., CNATI.com Posted April 19, 2010 2:58 PM ET
On Thursday night, Isaiah Pead will sit back on his couch and take in the NFL Draft. Nothing new, he watches every year.
Only, this year it feels different. Pead can't watch Roger Goodell read off a name or a drafted player embrace his family in the same unattached light as he did even one year ago.
Now, when he hears a pick announced or sees a mother hugged, he pictures himself. More than at any point in his career, the UC sophomore running back sees the hole opening up for him to run to that reality.
"I was out here at pro day and it gave me chills," Pead said. "Growing up (the NFL) is all you dream about. Really, it is only a couple months away."
What's a couple months away is more than just a football season. It is an opportunity.
Check that - it's THE opportunity.
The former high school track star comes off a season where he bulked up his resume to include more statistics than just a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. He rushed for 806 yards on 121 carries, good for 6.7 yards per carry. Adding 20 receptions for 201 yards, he went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage all while sharing duties with Jacob Ramsey.
Pead totaled the most rushing yards in a season for UC since Richard Hall went for 1,012 in 2004.
And now Ramsey is gone. Along with his departure comes the arrival of Butch Jones, who despite running a spread offense as Brian Kelly did, actually ran the ball more than he passed it last year at Central Michigan.
By all accounts, Pead is the favorite for the role of featured back in front of John Goebel and Darrin Williams. Add in defenses forced to account for the arm and legs of returning QB Zach Collaros and a wide receiving corps among the best in the country, all the pieces appear to have finally fallen in line.
On the national radar, Pead stands at the intersection of talent and opportunity.
One season of fulfilling his potential and he knows he could be watching the 2011 NFL Draft with much sweatier palms than he will on Thursday.
"At the same time, I think of one bad quarter can mess everything up in school," Pead said. "At the same time I am still a student-athlete. I got to get the work done. As far as football-wise, I do dream and pray. If I can't get a three-and-out, which everyone would love, I would love to come back for a fourth year."
Those types of thoughts are jumping a little ahead. There are no guarantees. Nobody knows that more than Pead.
As he hit a stride around midseason last year, he prepared for a game against Illinois. Over the previous three games he averaged 14 carries for 106 yards. Yet, he fought a nagging injury along with a week where he "wasn't locked in" mentally and barely played.
Four carries, negative five yards.
"It really hit me, you are not a superstar, there are no superstars," Pead said. "You can't sit out a week and expect to get back in."
Such is why with every comment about the new swagger he has developed and dreams of his NFL future, he immediately counters with a thought process properly grounded in reality.
"I humble myself and know that anything can happen at any snap," Pead said. "My mindset is there is no spot given, there is only spots taken. That is just how it is."
The other reality is Pead's weakness is no secret. His pass-blocking skills need improving. Last season, they weren't always needed. At 230 pounds, Ramsey excelled in that area. At 195 pounds, Pead did not.
Goebel admires Pead's quick feet and ability to make the first person miss. Scouts drool over his track-star speed. But without mastering the less glamorous details of the running back position, those traits may never see the light of day in the NFL.
"I think the biggest thing is just him becoming a complete back again," Jones said. "We are going to expect him to pass protect. He is not going to be extended out in the formation. We always talk to our running backs, you have to be a complete running back. It is easy to find a runner or a pass-catcher, but a running back has to do all the fine details: pass protect, got to block, got to have great play fakes, got to understand the run system and tempo of run plays and obviously be able to catch the ball."
Pead hopes a summer spent adding strength to match speed in the weight room, along with his development over the course of the past three weeks and in Saturday's Bearcat Bowl push him closer to where he needs to be when the season begins at Fresno State.
http://cnati.com/college/pead-running-with-opportunity-001791/
By Paul Dehner Jr., CNATI.com Posted April 19, 2010 2:58 PM ET
On Thursday night, Isaiah Pead will sit back on his couch and take in the NFL Draft. Nothing new, he watches every year.
Only, this year it feels different. Pead can't watch Roger Goodell read off a name or a drafted player embrace his family in the same unattached light as he did even one year ago.
Now, when he hears a pick announced or sees a mother hugged, he pictures himself. More than at any point in his career, the UC sophomore running back sees the hole opening up for him to run to that reality.
"I was out here at pro day and it gave me chills," Pead said. "Growing up (the NFL) is all you dream about. Really, it is only a couple months away."
What's a couple months away is more than just a football season. It is an opportunity.
Check that - it's THE opportunity.
The former high school track star comes off a season where he bulked up his resume to include more statistics than just a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. He rushed for 806 yards on 121 carries, good for 6.7 yards per carry. Adding 20 receptions for 201 yards, he went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage all while sharing duties with Jacob Ramsey.
Pead totaled the most rushing yards in a season for UC since Richard Hall went for 1,012 in 2004.
And now Ramsey is gone. Along with his departure comes the arrival of Butch Jones, who despite running a spread offense as Brian Kelly did, actually ran the ball more than he passed it last year at Central Michigan.
By all accounts, Pead is the favorite for the role of featured back in front of John Goebel and Darrin Williams. Add in defenses forced to account for the arm and legs of returning QB Zach Collaros and a wide receiving corps among the best in the country, all the pieces appear to have finally fallen in line.
On the national radar, Pead stands at the intersection of talent and opportunity.
One season of fulfilling his potential and he knows he could be watching the 2011 NFL Draft with much sweatier palms than he will on Thursday.
"At the same time, I think of one bad quarter can mess everything up in school," Pead said. "At the same time I am still a student-athlete. I got to get the work done. As far as football-wise, I do dream and pray. If I can't get a three-and-out, which everyone would love, I would love to come back for a fourth year."
Those types of thoughts are jumping a little ahead. There are no guarantees. Nobody knows that more than Pead.
As he hit a stride around midseason last year, he prepared for a game against Illinois. Over the previous three games he averaged 14 carries for 106 yards. Yet, he fought a nagging injury along with a week where he "wasn't locked in" mentally and barely played.
Four carries, negative five yards.
"It really hit me, you are not a superstar, there are no superstars," Pead said. "You can't sit out a week and expect to get back in."
Such is why with every comment about the new swagger he has developed and dreams of his NFL future, he immediately counters with a thought process properly grounded in reality.
"I humble myself and know that anything can happen at any snap," Pead said. "My mindset is there is no spot given, there is only spots taken. That is just how it is."
The other reality is Pead's weakness is no secret. His pass-blocking skills need improving. Last season, they weren't always needed. At 230 pounds, Ramsey excelled in that area. At 195 pounds, Pead did not.
Goebel admires Pead's quick feet and ability to make the first person miss. Scouts drool over his track-star speed. But without mastering the less glamorous details of the running back position, those traits may never see the light of day in the NFL.
"I think the biggest thing is just him becoming a complete back again," Jones said. "We are going to expect him to pass protect. He is not going to be extended out in the formation. We always talk to our running backs, you have to be a complete running back. It is easy to find a runner or a pass-catcher, but a running back has to do all the fine details: pass protect, got to block, got to have great play fakes, got to understand the run system and tempo of run plays and obviously be able to catch the ball."
Pead hopes a summer spent adding strength to match speed in the weight room, along with his development over the course of the past three weeks and in Saturday's Bearcat Bowl push him closer to where he needs to be when the season begins at Fresno State.
http://cnati.com/college/pead-running-with-opportunity-001791/
Getting close to the end (Katz)
With only three practices left to go in spring camp - including Saturday's Bearcat Bowl IV - Butch Jones has seen his UC squad practice nearly a dozen times. He's installed about half of what he wants to use in his offense. He's seen the work rate and the tempo and the players' ability to adjust to a new coaching staff.
He's not satisfied. Not even close.
"No, I wish we had another spring ball," Jones said after Monday's practice. "As a coach, you're never satisfied with where you're at. It comes down to execution and having a great base for the next phase in your program - our summer strength and conditioning program. Tuesday and Thursday will be critical practices for us."
As was Monday's get-together. More than anything, though, Jones called Monday's practice a good exercise in the cerebral portion of football.
"It was a great learning day," Jones said. "I thought we got a lot of out of it. It was a big mental day for us coming out of our scrimmage on Saturday. To come out and reinforce all the fundamentals and all the attention to details and review all the situations that have occurred through the spring. Today was a great mental day, but also a good fundamental day."
Jones isn't the only one who's been left a bit unsatisfied. So have some of his players.
"We still have a long ways to go," sophomore defensive end Walter Stewart said. "We're definitely making strides. The first thing is we have to clean up the mental errors. We're having a lot of breakdowns. We have to clean that up. The effort has gotten way better, because everybody is in better shape. We just have to give more attention to detail."
That's to be expected, though. With a new offense and a new defense to install, mistakes are bound to occur during the coaching staff's first spring camp. Doesn't mean Stewart has to like it, but it's been plenty to take in for the Bearcats.
"The terminology this year and the way we played it last year, it sometimes contrasts - just the way the call is presented," Stewart said. "We're trying to put it together and trying to make the right reads while we're playing fast."
And they're trying to understand why they're doing so, as well.
Said Jones: "It's a process. Each day, it's been an improvement, some days more than others. We still have a long way to go in our depth of the football team. It's us understanding situational football. We always talk about FBI - FootBall Intelligence- and understanding what we're trying to accomplish and understanding our opponent and their technique and their body language. That all goes into playing a game."
--UC announced today that senior WR Jamar Howard underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee and will miss the rest of spring camp. He's expected to be ready for the start of fall camp.
He played in five games last season, catching three passes for 50 yards.
--It's not very often you hear from an athlete who makes an effort to seek you out and tell you that he appreciates something you wrote about him or her. It's actually quite rare.
And that's fine. I don't write articles and features so athletes will say how much they like and appreciate my prose and my reporting. In fact, if they read it or not, if they like it or not, it doesn't make much of a difference to me. If they like it, cool. If not, that's OK too. If they're indifferent, well, that's pretty much what I expect.
That said, it's always nice when you get a phone call out of the blue telling you how much somebody treasured what you wrote about them.
Throughout my years as a sports writer, this has happened only a handful of times. When I was in college at Georgia, I wrote a nice piece about Randy McMichael and his daughter (or was it his mother? Not sure, but I think it was his daughter), and he sought me out the next day to tell me how much he loved the story. When I worked at the Cincinnati Post, I wrote a nice feature about Xavier play-by-play man Joe Sunderman. A week or so later, I got an actual hand-written thank you card from the classy Sunderman.
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/getting-close-to-the-end.html
With only three practices left to go in spring camp - including Saturday's Bearcat Bowl IV - Butch Jones has seen his UC squad practice nearly a dozen times. He's installed about half of what he wants to use in his offense. He's seen the work rate and the tempo and the players' ability to adjust to a new coaching staff.
He's not satisfied. Not even close.
"No, I wish we had another spring ball," Jones said after Monday's practice. "As a coach, you're never satisfied with where you're at. It comes down to execution and having a great base for the next phase in your program - our summer strength and conditioning program. Tuesday and Thursday will be critical practices for us."
As was Monday's get-together. More than anything, though, Jones called Monday's practice a good exercise in the cerebral portion of football.
"It was a great learning day," Jones said. "I thought we got a lot of out of it. It was a big mental day for us coming out of our scrimmage on Saturday. To come out and reinforce all the fundamentals and all the attention to details and review all the situations that have occurred through the spring. Today was a great mental day, but also a good fundamental day."
Jones isn't the only one who's been left a bit unsatisfied. So have some of his players.
"We still have a long ways to go," sophomore defensive end Walter Stewart said. "We're definitely making strides. The first thing is we have to clean up the mental errors. We're having a lot of breakdowns. We have to clean that up. The effort has gotten way better, because everybody is in better shape. We just have to give more attention to detail."
That's to be expected, though. With a new offense and a new defense to install, mistakes are bound to occur during the coaching staff's first spring camp. Doesn't mean Stewart has to like it, but it's been plenty to take in for the Bearcats.
"The terminology this year and the way we played it last year, it sometimes contrasts - just the way the call is presented," Stewart said. "We're trying to put it together and trying to make the right reads while we're playing fast."
And they're trying to understand why they're doing so, as well.
Said Jones: "It's a process. Each day, it's been an improvement, some days more than others. We still have a long way to go in our depth of the football team. It's us understanding situational football. We always talk about FBI - FootBall Intelligence- and understanding what we're trying to accomplish and understanding our opponent and their technique and their body language. That all goes into playing a game."
--UC announced today that senior WR Jamar Howard underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee and will miss the rest of spring camp. He's expected to be ready for the start of fall camp.
He played in five games last season, catching three passes for 50 yards.
--It's not very often you hear from an athlete who makes an effort to seek you out and tell you that he appreciates something you wrote about him or her. It's actually quite rare.
And that's fine. I don't write articles and features so athletes will say how much they like and appreciate my prose and my reporting. In fact, if they read it or not, if they like it or not, it doesn't make much of a difference to me. If they like it, cool. If not, that's OK too. If they're indifferent, well, that's pretty much what I expect.
That said, it's always nice when you get a phone call out of the blue telling you how much somebody treasured what you wrote about them.
Throughout my years as a sports writer, this has happened only a handful of times. When I was in college at Georgia, I wrote a nice piece about Randy McMichael and his daughter (or was it his mother? Not sure, but I think it was his daughter), and he sought me out the next day to tell me how much he loved the story. When I worked at the Cincinnati Post, I wrote a nice feature about Xavier play-by-play man Joe Sunderman. A week or so later, I got an actual hand-written thank you card from the classy Sunderman.
http://www.gobearcats.com/blog/2010/04/getting-close-to-the-end.html
GOEBEL HURT AGAIN
Senior running back John Goebel, who missed most of last season with injuries, is hurt again. This time it's a foot injury that will keep him out of the remainder of spring practice. He's expected to be ready to play in the fall ... Wide receiver Jamar Howard is also out after undergoing surgery on his left knee earlier this week.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100420/SPT0101/4210344/1064/Center+Davis+sold+on+Bearcats+early+on
Senior running back John Goebel, who missed most of last season with injuries, is hurt again. This time it's a foot injury that will keep him out of the remainder of spring practice. He's expected to be ready to play in the fall ... Wide receiver Jamar Howard is also out after undergoing surgery on his left knee earlier this week.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100420/SPT0101/4210344/1064/Center+Davis+sold+on+Bearcats+early+on
LB's adjusting..
After watching a dozen practices, the Cincinnati defense has used a lot of their nickel defense this spring, and Coach Jancek talked about the reason.
"Yeah. We're playing a lot of nickel since we're facing a spread offense," said Jancek. "It's an opportunity for us to get a guy on the field that can really run. Walter Stewart who was our 'sam' is playing a little bit of defensive end right now so it's a chance to get another athlete on the field."
Right now, redshirt freshman Ryan Paxson is Stewart's back-up at the 'sam' position, but Robby Armstrong could elevate to that role when he gets completely healthy. Since the Bearcat defense hasn't been using much of the 3-4 scheme, Paxson hasn't seen a lot of reps this spring.
Although Stewart's star is definitely on the rise, the leader of this group is JK Schaffer. The true sophomore recorded a hundred tackles last season, and according to Jancek, the LaSalle grad is also quite versatile.
"JK is doing a great job. He knows both 'mike' and 'will.' He's been cross training those two. We're looking at some other guys now. Dorian Davis needs to be more consistent. He's been too inconsistent this spring. (Maalik) Bomar is really at a new position and has caught on well, but he's hit a plateau. But he's a great young man that will continue to grow and get better."
Bomar might be the defensive surprise of spring camp as he has recently claimed a spot with the No. 1 defensive unit, but can a 205 pound linebacker survive on the inside? Jancek commented.
"He's got to do a great job over the summer to add strength and weight, but his movement and change of direction allow him to stay alive throughout the entire play."
Collin McCafferty and Ricardo Thompson have emerged this spring as two of the primary back-ups on the inside.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/linebackers-adjusting-to-new-defense
After watching a dozen practices, the Cincinnati defense has used a lot of their nickel defense this spring, and Coach Jancek talked about the reason.
"Yeah. We're playing a lot of nickel since we're facing a spread offense," said Jancek. "It's an opportunity for us to get a guy on the field that can really run. Walter Stewart who was our 'sam' is playing a little bit of defensive end right now so it's a chance to get another athlete on the field."
Right now, redshirt freshman Ryan Paxson is Stewart's back-up at the 'sam' position, but Robby Armstrong could elevate to that role when he gets completely healthy. Since the Bearcat defense hasn't been using much of the 3-4 scheme, Paxson hasn't seen a lot of reps this spring.
Although Stewart's star is definitely on the rise, the leader of this group is JK Schaffer. The true sophomore recorded a hundred tackles last season, and according to Jancek, the LaSalle grad is also quite versatile.
"JK is doing a great job. He knows both 'mike' and 'will.' He's been cross training those two. We're looking at some other guys now. Dorian Davis needs to be more consistent. He's been too inconsistent this spring. (Maalik) Bomar is really at a new position and has caught on well, but he's hit a plateau. But he's a great young man that will continue to grow and get better."
Bomar might be the defensive surprise of spring camp as he has recently claimed a spot with the No. 1 defensive unit, but can a 205 pound linebacker survive on the inside? Jancek commented.
"He's got to do a great job over the summer to add strength and weight, but his movement and change of direction allow him to stay alive throughout the entire play."
Collin McCafferty and Ricardo Thompson have emerged this spring as two of the primary back-ups on the inside.
http://www.bearcatlair.com/home-news/linebackers-adjusting-to-new-defense
There will be multiple recruits at the spring game on Sat. If you are able to go, but choose not to, then don't complain about the recruiting. The difference between 25k in the stands and 5k.....certainly a recruit notices these things.
UCBearcat4ever
Well-known member
Per Tommy G's Twitter
Bearcat Bowl IV will have: #1 offense /#2 Defense vs #1 Defense/#2 Offense
http://twitter.com/TommyG_Sideline/status/12647403089
Bearcat Bowl IV will have: #1 offense /#2 Defense vs #1 Defense/#2 Offense
http://twitter.com/TommyG_Sideline/status/12647403089