Scrimmage thread

[Johnnybigcat]

Does anybody know why true freshmen Thompson and Gaziano started the scrimmage on the first team defense over guys like Washington, Oxley and Prather? I thought the second year guys were developing well and would have a leg up on the two true freshmen.

I wouldn't read anything into this scrimmage.

 

[lonestarmvp]

I have to think that Long, Jackson, and Vault are ahead of him and more comfortable with the offense by virtue of experience. With your assessment of Roberts getting snaps on offense, it's hard to imagine Anderson fitting in with significant reps since we have a solid two deep and will be in a good position to redshirt Moten if we need to.
It's a good problem to have, but according to lonestar, his parents already seem to be threatening a transfer. I have no idea why that would be the case since few freshmen even get to see the field on offense or defense. The only explanation for a transfer would be if they were misled to think that our program didn't have talent and that he came here because he would start instantly. However, very few freshman have played during the Fitzgerald years.

Maybe you should read my post again. I don’t believe I stated that the parents made any threats of transfer. Hell, I don’t even know his folks.

The point I raised was that sometimes you can have too much talent at one position and football is a game of numbers.

Players and families will have to determine what is in their best interest long term. I am assuming that other factors must be in play for AA due to the fact that he chose NU over much better “football” offers.

From what I hear, he likes it up there, he is working hard and the staff has plans for him.

This was my opinion based on what I know of many North Texas players and families because football is a religion down here and I have not been shy about my feelings on his college choice nor any Texas player snubbing UT to go out of state.

 

[Katatonic]

That said, I think he is also learning to put loyalty in a much better context. Last year we may have won the Cali game and started the season off on the right foot if he recognized that Justin Jackson > T Green. Finally he recognized it and featured Jackson in the second half, but by then it was too late.

To be fair to FItz, there is more to carrying the pigskin for the RB position.

JJ probably didn't have a handle on all the blocking assignments and add to that, his fairly slight build as a frosh RB - and the 'Cats needed all the help they could get at blocking defenders (which is probably why we didn't see Vitale as involved in the passing game).

I'd lay more blame on Fitz/McCall for not moving the pocket/having Siemian roll out - which would have opened things up for the O and put added pressure on Cal's D.

Siemian at this juncture was healthy - so there was no reason not to do so (just as apparently, there was no reason not to do so earlier in the UM game, as evidently Siemian was healthy enough to run around in the 4th Q).

If Roberts and Nagel can improve field position (if not take it to the house from time to time) like what Mark did w/ his returns - that would be huge in and of itself (what the 'Cats have been sorely missing the past couple of yrs), nevermind what they both can bring to the passing game.

 

[Turk]

To be fair to FItz, there is more to carrying the pigskin for the RB position.

JJ probably didn't have a handle on all the blocking assignments and add to that, his fairly slight build as a frosh RB - and the 'Cats needed all the help they could get at blocking defenders (which is probably why we didn't see Vitale as involved in the passing game).

I'd lay more blame on Fitz/McCall for not moving the pocket/having Siemian roll out - which would have opened things up for the O and put added pressure on Cal's D.

Siemian at this juncture was healthy - so there was no reason not to do so (just as apparently, there was no reason not to do so earlier in the UM game, as evidently Siemian was healthy enough to run around in the 4th Q).

If Roberts and Nagel can improve field position (if not take it to the house from time to time) like what Mark did w/ his returns - that would be huge in and of itself (what the 'Cats have been sorely missing the past couple of yrs), nevermind what they both can bring to the passing game.

Good points