For my sports radio job, I've been attending every BYU practice since the beginning of training camp eight days ago. Based on what I've seen during this time,I've narrowed the immediate challenges facing this team so far down to 5 topics:
1-The Quarterback Race
The "four man race" has clearly been whittled down to a two man competition (though Coach Mendenhall is trying his best to sell James Lark as still having a shot at the starting role). The true freshman phenom Jake Heaps, and the seasoned leader Riley Nelson. They both have their pros and cons, but I personally feel that Heaps is the guy. His pin point precision on the long ball, the natural ability to check through his progressions efficiently, and his confidence in the offense tell me that BYU would be best served having him be their starter NOW. Nelson is a great athlete, don't get me wrong. And he's no slouch as a quarterback, either. But his talents and abilities do not outweigh Heaps', and so I don't see why BYU would keep Heaps from progressing early this year, with Nelson ready to come in when needed.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Heaps needs to be named the starter, and soon, so that the team can get used to him being their leader on the field.
2. Wide Receivers Dropping Passes
The receiving corps at BYU this year are an incredible sight to behold. Tall, athletic, physical and FAST are attributes that could be used to describe each and every one of them. From veterans O'Neill Chambers and McKay Jacobson (not to mention back ups Spencer Hafoka, Luke Ashworth, BJ Peterson and Matt Marshall) to young up-and-comers Ross Apo and Cody Hoffman, whoever ends up being QB will not lack open targets on every play. HOWEVER, there have been WAY too many dropped passes in practice. It's not something that can't be fixed, but it needs to be fixed immediately. If you have a young QB like Heaps making great throws on the numbers to guys 60+ yards down the field, but the ball is being dropped time and again, that ruins a passer's mentality and poisons his confidence.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If this issue can be addressed and nipped quickly, look for a big year from the wideouts this season.
3. Place Kicking
The Cougars have two kickers on the squad this season: Mitch Payne (place kicker), and Riley Stephenson (punter). However, Payne went down with a sprained ankle late last week, and his prognosis is not yet known (originally thought to be a 7-10 days deal, but Mendenhall has said he can't be too sure as of yet). Even before he was injured, Payne missed a PAT and two semi-long field goal tries. Stephenson, coming off a somewhat roller coaster freshman year last season, has now been thrown into the place kicking position, and has not been able to produce a consistency you need from your field goal kicker. Actually, field goals between 35-40 yards don't seem to be as big a problem for him as PAT's. He missed all but one PAT's during today's practice, and afterward Mendenhall said he will probably open the issue up to the rest of the team to see if anyone kicked in high school and can step in to the place kicking role until Payne heals.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Every game is vital in college football, and place kicking is the LAST position you want to have to worry about. Close games are always dependent on field position, and a missed field goal attempt can leave your defense in tough spots with the odds stacked against them. Plus, PAT's should be automatic. If they're not, you might as well go for two everytime. Losing by one is still losing....
4. Running Backs
Each running back on this team has his own talents and abilities that make him unique from the other backs around him. Brian Kariya is more of a power back who will run through a defender. JJ DiLuigi is the fast, shifty, finesse runner who can leave defenders in the dust. Then there's freshman Josh Quezada (Juice, as the team calls him), Mike Hague, Zed Mendenhall, and David Foote. Quezada will need some time to learn and flourish, but his future is bright. Hague is powerful, but short and slow. Mendenhall is a fullback playing tailback, and Foote, while always hustling and giving max effort, would not be successful on a different team with less experienced offensive linemen in front of him.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Harvey Unga had it ALL. Speed, power, finesse, and swagger. While you cannot replace a special player like Unga, it is important to make the transition period as smooth as possible. Running back by committee may be the answer for now, but eventually you're going to want that every-down-back you can rely on to move the ball down field and open up the passing game for your offense. Combined: These backs=Harvey Unga. Individually: they have chinks in their armor.
5. "Blue Zone" Defense
This year's secondary and defensive backs are stacked with experience and talent, and I expect a big season from them. Cornerback Corby Eason told me last week that the DB's are the cornerstone of the Cougar defense, and judging by their game between the twenties, I like what I see. However, once the offense gets inside the twenty (red zone, or "blue" zone at BYU), the needed stops don't seem to happen as often for the defense. It's not a HUGE issue, just a little something that could use some tweaking.
THE BOTTOM LINE: For the most part the defense is able to hold their own against the offense, but their confidence seems to be shaky inside the Blue Zone. While it's great that the Cougars are able to keep teams at bay in the middle of the field, they need to find a way to spread that success from the twenties and in, when big stops are most critically needed.
*Stay tuned for an update on these topics following this week of practices*
Austin's Sports Blog (the one place where he is ALWAYS right)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
BOTTOM LINE: BYU Training Camp Days 1 and 2
I recently was given the opportunity through my sports radio job to attend BYU practices and gather notes/interviews for use at the station and on the website. After attending two days (Saturday Aug 7, Monday Aug 9) of training camp, I just wanted to share a few observations I've made:
Day#1 (Aug 7th)
The biggest question in camp this year is Who will be the starting QB? Here's my depth chart after day 1:
1a.Jake Heaps
Shared seemingly equal amount of snaps on first team offense with Riley Nelson. Seemed to be very confident with the offense and was able to make a few pin point perfect passes for big yards, including the last play of practice - an on the money, down the sideline 60+ yard pass to double-covered McKay Jacobson.
1b.Riley Nelson
Has strong ability to scramble and create on the run when the pocket disappears. Not as accurate as Heaps, but has a stronger line drive throw across the middle. Very familiar with offense plays and schemes, and has the division 1 experience Heaps lacks.
3. James Lark
Doesn't possess the natural talents that Heaps or Nelson do, but has the work ethic to be a terrific back up plan if needed. I wouldn't want him starting, but I'd feel fairly comfortable having him under center should the other two QB's get injured.
4. Jason Munns
His size is unreal, but he doesn't seem to be very comfortable at the QB spot. Makes mistakes, has little accuracy, and isn't able to read where a player is going to end up. We'll see what happens later on, but right now I don't see him being a big part of this race.
Other notes:
-Offense:
-Loaded at running back, with Kariya and DiLuigi splitting time. Hague, Foote, and Quezada all will see playing time.
-Tight end is full of possibility, though the spot may be filled by committee for the first part of the season until someone emerges as the better player.
-Receivers are looking very good this year. Young, strong and extremely athletic. If the QB can get the ball to them, look for the receiving corp to have a big season, led by McKay Jacobson and O'Neill Chambers.
-Defense:
-The defense, as a whole, was dominant today. Very enthusiastic, hyped up, and ready to hit somebody. They had all the momentum in the team segment.
-CB Carter Mees and DL Thomas Bryson both had exceptional practices. Bryson had two sacks and Mees 3 breakups.
Day #2 (Aug 9th)
QB Depth Chart:
1.Jake Heaps
It wasn't clear until team segment (scrimmage), but Heaps should definitely be the #1 QB on this team. He is confident, accurate, and powerful, and to watch him connect with Jacobson down the field is a thing of beauty. He has his flaws, such as his mechanical looking play fake, but he is head and shoulders above the other 3 QB's vying for the starting spot.
2.Riley Nelson
Has everything Jake Heaps doesn't, but they're attributes that don't really matter ALL that much. Ability to scramble, amazing magician-like skills on the play action fake, and division 1 experience. However, he isn't as tall/athletic/powerful as Heaps, and therefore will make a perfect back up for when Heaps makes his freshman mistakes.
3.James Lark
Nothing different from Saturday's practice.
4.Jason Munns
Reminds me of Brett Engemann. Tall and stocky, could take a hit and get back up, but really isn't a quarterback. Would have been better served to play linebacker or even tight end.
Other notes:
-Offense:
McKay Jacobson remains the favorite target, and is unbelievable at shaking off the defender on his first move. O'Neill Chambers had an off day, running wrong routes and dropping two money ball passes. Spencer Hafoka and Luke Ashworth are always reliable second looks, and newcomer Cody Hoffman is 6'4", 205 lbs. and runs like a gazelle. He will be THE guy for the next 3 years at the Y.
-Defense:
Thomas Bryson once again shined at defensive end. He had 3 hurries, a sack, and a fumble recovery in the scrimmage. The defensive backs really shut down the passing game, and the linebackers were able to contain the running game (other than two scampers by Riley Nelson for double digit gains).
THE BOTTOM LINE, it's only been 2 days of Fall practice, so not a lot can be determined yet. Jordan Pendleton, the star studded linebacker, hasn't participated in team segment scrimmage as of yet because of hampering injuries, and there are still a few players who haven't been cleared by the NCAA. Besides that, only time will uncover all the flaws/talents that haven't been shown as of yet. But it IS exciting that college football is back!!! Here we go.....
***Curtis Brown, Jan Jorgensen, and Nate Meickle were among the former BYU players I spotted at practice Tuesday. Brown sells pharmaceuticals in the Utah Valley area, Jorgensen was there as a representative of his new employer 1280 THE ZONE, and Meickle (formerly employed on KSL's broadcasts of the games as a sideline reporter) was there as a spectator. Rumors were he's going to Stanford Law School in the near future***
Day#1 (Aug 7th)
The biggest question in camp this year is Who will be the starting QB? Here's my depth chart after day 1:
1a.Jake Heaps
Shared seemingly equal amount of snaps on first team offense with Riley Nelson. Seemed to be very confident with the offense and was able to make a few pin point perfect passes for big yards, including the last play of practice - an on the money, down the sideline 60+ yard pass to double-covered McKay Jacobson.
1b.Riley Nelson
Has strong ability to scramble and create on the run when the pocket disappears. Not as accurate as Heaps, but has a stronger line drive throw across the middle. Very familiar with offense plays and schemes, and has the division 1 experience Heaps lacks.
3. James Lark
Doesn't possess the natural talents that Heaps or Nelson do, but has the work ethic to be a terrific back up plan if needed. I wouldn't want him starting, but I'd feel fairly comfortable having him under center should the other two QB's get injured.
4. Jason Munns
His size is unreal, but he doesn't seem to be very comfortable at the QB spot. Makes mistakes, has little accuracy, and isn't able to read where a player is going to end up. We'll see what happens later on, but right now I don't see him being a big part of this race.
Other notes:
-Offense:
-Loaded at running back, with Kariya and DiLuigi splitting time. Hague, Foote, and Quezada all will see playing time.
-Tight end is full of possibility, though the spot may be filled by committee for the first part of the season until someone emerges as the better player.
-Receivers are looking very good this year. Young, strong and extremely athletic. If the QB can get the ball to them, look for the receiving corp to have a big season, led by McKay Jacobson and O'Neill Chambers.
-Defense:
-The defense, as a whole, was dominant today. Very enthusiastic, hyped up, and ready to hit somebody. They had all the momentum in the team segment.
-CB Carter Mees and DL Thomas Bryson both had exceptional practices. Bryson had two sacks and Mees 3 breakups.
Day #2 (Aug 9th)
QB Depth Chart:
1.Jake Heaps
It wasn't clear until team segment (scrimmage), but Heaps should definitely be the #1 QB on this team. He is confident, accurate, and powerful, and to watch him connect with Jacobson down the field is a thing of beauty. He has his flaws, such as his mechanical looking play fake, but he is head and shoulders above the other 3 QB's vying for the starting spot.
2.Riley Nelson
Has everything Jake Heaps doesn't, but they're attributes that don't really matter ALL that much. Ability to scramble, amazing magician-like skills on the play action fake, and division 1 experience. However, he isn't as tall/athletic/powerful as Heaps, and therefore will make a perfect back up for when Heaps makes his freshman mistakes.
3.James Lark
Nothing different from Saturday's practice.
4.Jason Munns
Reminds me of Brett Engemann. Tall and stocky, could take a hit and get back up, but really isn't a quarterback. Would have been better served to play linebacker or even tight end.
Other notes:
-Offense:
McKay Jacobson remains the favorite target, and is unbelievable at shaking off the defender on his first move. O'Neill Chambers had an off day, running wrong routes and dropping two money ball passes. Spencer Hafoka and Luke Ashworth are always reliable second looks, and newcomer Cody Hoffman is 6'4", 205 lbs. and runs like a gazelle. He will be THE guy for the next 3 years at the Y.
-Defense:
Thomas Bryson once again shined at defensive end. He had 3 hurries, a sack, and a fumble recovery in the scrimmage. The defensive backs really shut down the passing game, and the linebackers were able to contain the running game (other than two scampers by Riley Nelson for double digit gains).
THE BOTTOM LINE, it's only been 2 days of Fall practice, so not a lot can be determined yet. Jordan Pendleton, the star studded linebacker, hasn't participated in team segment scrimmage as of yet because of hampering injuries, and there are still a few players who haven't been cleared by the NCAA. Besides that, only time will uncover all the flaws/talents that haven't been shown as of yet. But it IS exciting that college football is back!!! Here we go.....
***Curtis Brown, Jan Jorgensen, and Nate Meickle were among the former BYU players I spotted at practice Tuesday. Brown sells pharmaceuticals in the Utah Valley area, Jorgensen was there as a representative of his new employer 1280 THE ZONE, and Meickle (formerly employed on KSL's broadcasts of the games as a sideline reporter) was there as a spectator. Rumors were he's going to Stanford Law School in the near future***
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