Quarterbacks Look Good in Fan Day Scrimmage

[Caveman Catfan]

http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=39&url_article_id=1816 3&change_well_id=2

[Caveman Catfan]

“Eric Scott has moved to center. He was doing good job in the defensive line, but I’m looking for an athletic guy who can do some things (at center). This is his third day at center, he’s picked it up remarkably well. (Starting center Matt) McCutchan has worked with him on his assignments. I think he’s going to give us more depth and competition at that position.”

[gerntz]

Maybe this sounds negative, but Scott going to C sounds like we're not crazy about Mac's backups at this point.

[TOPCAT]

casey shumate left the team!

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

I was surprised that the big freshman OT Jeffries from St X, has been moved to the D-Line.

[Caveman Catfan]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: I was surprised that the big freshman OT Jeffries from St X, has been moved to the D-Line.

He said that he wanted to try D-Line. The coaching staff has been pretty good at letting kids give a try at the positions of their choosing. That is how Smith and Dixon ended up at RB. This is more than likely a redshirt year for Jeffries, so giving D-Line a whirl is not a bad thing.

[Caveman Catfan]

TOPCAT wrote: casey shumate left the team!
Maybe that is why Scott has been moved to center.

[RV]

I was asking Coach Heggins about our options at center today and he was excited about the move of Scott. This move does two things. If gives us a more mature recruited athlete asa backup this year and without the move would have little depth there next year and also possibly keeps us from having to depend on a RS Freshman at Center next year.

IMHO our two positions where we could ill afford an injury are Center on offense and Will LB on defense.

[jwade]

At least part of the reason for Scott's move is a look toward next season. Prior to Scott's move we had 3 listed centers and 2 of them, McCutcheon and Slaydon, are seniors this season. That would leave Gonzales as the only center going into spring drills in 2007.

Jim

[gerntz]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds we'll have only Scott & Gonzales for 07 unless we recruit a C in or move someone else. This could be a JUCO spot for 07.

[Sam K.]

Caveman Catfan wrote: TOPCAT wrote: casey shumate left the team!
Maybe that is why Scott has been moved to center.



Could be. It'd be interesting to know which came first. Shu leaving the team or Scott moving to center. With us having a bevy of TE's I'm glad to see such a physical specimen (Scott) give C a try.

[jwade]

Don't be surprised if Garry Williams moves to center as well, assuming he remains eligible.

Jim

[Trueblujr]

I thought Shumate was originally recruited primarily as a long snapper and not necessarily an every down center, I didn't think he had the size to fill that position, (i don't remember how big he was though) Regardless, When the staff goes out and recruits Offensive Linemen, do they specifically target centers? I can't remember any offensive lineman that we have recruited in the past few years that was specifically recruited as a center to be a center. Eric Scott was a tight end at one point was he not? how big is he? most SEC centers are tipping the scales at 300+ pounds.

[Caveman Catfan]

For those who attended, how did the running game look? It has not received much pub today. Who looked strong running the ball?

[poodoo]

Caveman Catfan wrote: For those who attended, how did the running game look? It has not received much pub today. Who looked strong running the ball?

Caveman, we did not look particularly good running the ball, in my opinion. HOWEVER, we all know that our running backs are a strength. Both Little and Dixon have already proved themselves to be fine running backs, and Alphonso Smith, the fastest of the three,impressed fans during the Blue-White game. In other words, I saw our lack of really impressive runs to be more an improved defense against the run, which is a very good thing for this football team.I still think we will see a strong running game against Louisville. :)

Tony Dixon was probably the most impressive, though (and Rafael still has that injury that may be holding him back a bit), even with his one fumble. Maurice Grinter did some good things. My husband and I were even impressed with the freshman running back Antoine Brown, far down the depth chart and surely a redshirt candidate.

Also, we liked how the running backs (including the fullback) were catching the ball out of the backfield. I suspect we are going to see even more of that this season, although we saw quite a bit of Little's receiving passes last year.

[EricBigNally]

Caveman Catfan wrote: For those who attended, how did the running game look? It has not received much pub today. Who looked strong running the ball?
They looked a bit off. It could have just been a solid run defense going up against the various backs. However, Dixon impressed me and even excited me because I know how good Little is and if Dixon is going to be mentally ready, could make an interesting 2 back set from time to time or as the only back on some plays. He showed some good moves and speed IMO and will likely see a solid amount of action this season.

[gerntz]

Trueblujr wrote: I thought Shumate was originally recruited primarily as a long snapper and not necessarily an every down center, I didn't think he had the size to fill that position, (i don't remember how big he was though) Regardless, When the staff goes out and recruits Offensive Linemen, do they specifically target centers? I can't remember any offensive lineman that we have recruited in the past few years that was specifically recruited as a center to be a center. Eric Scott was a tight end at one point was he not? how big is he? most SEC centers are tipping the scales at 300+ pounds.
Jorge Gonzales was recruited as & specifically is a C.

[trublue4life]

Caveman Catfan wrote: For those who attended, how did the running game look? It has not received much pub today. Who looked strong running the ball?
As others have said, Dixon looked good. He showed otherworldly acceleration when making a cut through a hole and looked strong when he moved the pile on a couple of runs. I was really impressed with Antoine Brown. He had very little wasted motion (no dancing around) and hit the holes hard. Looked quick and fast and stronger than I would have guessed. A lot of the scrimmage looked to be an audition for him and to see how Dixon responds to coming off a serious injury. In both case the results were very positive. Smith is a terror when he gets outside, but will still need to get stronger in order to do much between the tackles. Understandably we did not see much of Little on Saturday (nor did we need to). Grinter will provide another option from fullback spot although his most impresssive run came in a one-back set where he was able to get a little head of steam before getting to the line of scrimmage. Running back is definitely a strength with quality backs and more depth than I can ever remember. We will move the ball this year. The only thing that will stall this offense, IMO, is the dreaded turnover. If we take care of the ball andkeep negative plays (sacks, penalties & turnovers) to a minimum I believe we have a real chance to surprise some people beginning with those demons in red on Sept 3.

[poodoo]

I was really impressed with Antoine Brown. QUOTE by trublue4life

__________

It's nice to know that someone other than Mr. Poodoo and I noticed that young man. Both of us think that young man will definitely play someday, although he will probably redshirt this season with our depth at the running back position. We thought he was quite noticeable in the scrimmageand especially quick.

[Caveman Catfan]

poodoo wrote: Caveman, we did not look particularly good running the ball, in my opinion. HOWEVER, we all know that our running backs are a strength. Both Little and Dixon have already proved themselves to be fine running backs, and Alphonso Smith, the fastest of the three,impressed fans during the Blue-White game. In other words, I saw our lack of really impressive runs to be more an improved defense against the run, which is a very good thing for this football team.I still think we will see a strong running game against Louisville. :)

Tony Dixon was probably the most impressive, though (and Rafael still has that injury that may be holding him back a bit), even with his one fumble. Maurice Grinter did some good things. My husband and I were even impressed with the freshman running back Antoine Brown, far down the depth chart and surely a redshirt candidate.

Also, we liked how the running backs (including the fullback) were catching the ball out of the backfield. I suspect we are going to see even more of that this season, although we saw quite a bit of Little's receiving passes last year.


Thanks Poodoo.

As for Brown, I thought he already had a redshirt season.

[Caveman Catfan]

EricBigNally wrote: Caveman Catfan wrote: For those who attended, how did the running game look? It has not received much pub today. Who looked strong running the ball?
They looked a bit off. It could have just been a solid run defense going up against the various backs. However, Dixon impressed me and even excited me because I know how good Little is and if Dixon is going to be mentally ready, could make an interesting 2 back set from time to time or as the only back on some plays. He showed some good moves and speed IMO and will likely see a solid amount of action this season.
Maybe Ricky is right about the improved run stopping capabilities of the defense. I sure hope so.

[RV]

Caveman Catfan wrote: poodoo wrote: ... My husband and I were even impressed with the freshman running back Antoine Brown, far down the depth chart and surely a redshirt candidate.

Also, we liked how the running backs (including the fullback) were catching the ball out of the backfield. I suspect we are going to see even more of that this season, although we saw quite a bit of Little's receiving passes last year.


Thanks Poodoo.

As for Brown, I thought he already had a redshirt season.

That is correct sir! -voiced inmy best Phil Hartman impersonation.

[poodoo]

Thanks for the correction, Caveman Catfan. You are so right. Antoine Brown is indeed a redshirt freshman, as I just checked my roster from Fan Day. I had not remembered the young man and had wrongly assumed that he was a freshman.

Well, I guess that means that he will definitely not be redshirting. :ggrin:Having seen his quickness, I hope the coaches can find a way to get him on the field. I would be surprised not to see him on special teams, at least.