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2019 Summer Practice Observations

Some really basic observations from 1 1/2 hours of the first practice with no pads (concentrating on the offensive line):

The guys look healthy. The freshmen are generally huge and strong. Ryan Coll is a really big, good-looking lineman with a bright future. Tom Elia is a freaking beast; he looks bigger than he did on Signing Day; looks strong and college-ready. Cade Salyers is strong and hostile. Gavin Lamp is really big, with lots of room for growth. Coleman looked really good. Joe More and Taz Sumpter looked ready to go. Scott Schenke from Florida is working with the offensive line; the guy has really powerful legs.

I'll have some better observations once the pads are on.
 
Some really basic observations from 1 1/2 hours of the first practice with no pads (concentrating on the offensive line):

Scott Schenke from Florida is working with the offensive line; the guy has really powerful legs.
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Scott was the starting OG for Venice HS in his sophomore and junior seasons(FL State Champs).Coach Peacock switched him to the DL his senior season due to attrition.Scott,a District Heavyweight Lifting Champion, is now likely 6-3,285 and is ‘Thomas Evans type strong’.
 
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Managed to catch some of each of the first two practices. Helmets only, no contact. Players for the most part looked pretty sharp in their drills.

Larsen looked like he was putting it a yard or two into the end zone on his kickoffs. This gives me some hope that the kicking game may not be detrimental this season.

Charlie Fessler is going to do some really good things at WR. Fuller has some wheels, and so does a healthy JB. Even after losing 5 receivers from last year's squad, I think we will still fare very well if the QBs can get them the ball. WRs were getting the best of the DBs in the scrimmaging I saw.

Castellano was practicing with the team. He was not participating in any of the scrimmaging, but was particpating in all of the drills and doing rehab work on the sidelines with one of the trainers. Perhaps he will get to play some this season, but I hope they don't rush him.

Mancuso's passes looked the best out of the group. Pretty crisp for the most part. I said it before and I will say it again, Walker has a cannon. No clear cut ones and twos yet, so still time for any one of them to make their mark.

A lot of the freshmen looked really good. Wheeler is going to be a stud. They are a big group of boys.
 
I have no idea how we will fare once CAA play starts but you get the impression that Huesman is a lot more comfortable with this team for whatever reason. It also looks like we are healthier than we have been to start camp in sometime. Lots of new faces but I'm just excited to see the adjustments that have been made and for a "new start".
 
That’s all good news to hear. Clearly the staff changes were needed and sounds like it’s really resulted in improvements on several levels (head coach, players, recruiting, etc).

Listened to of X after first practice. Some great takeaways there from the player leadership council to his description of Huesman. Love that he used Ed Reed clip - all the off the field stuff I think makes a difference.

Compare this to what you hear coming from other programs and I’m liking what I hear. Not sure what that means with W/L but gives reason for optimism.
 
Scott was the starting OG for Venice HS in his sophomore and junior seasons(FL State Champs).Coach Peacock switched him to the DL his senior season due to attrition.Scott,a District Heavyweight Lifting Champion, is now likely 6-3,285 and is ‘Thomas Evans type strong’.
Beat the Dillweeds!
 



Attended Practice this morning and thought I would report on one man observations based on one practice. It looks like Joe Mancusco is a little be ahead of the pack in the QB position based on what I saw. He played first and looked poised and confident. He threw one pick on a long ball but was solid for the most part. Jackson Walker looks good as well especially for a true freshman. I would put him second if I were the coach which I am not. Reid Chenault was solid as well. He plays second after Mancuso at least he did today. Walker has way more upside but he is a true freshman with everything that goes along with that.

From what I saw Beau English is still finding his way and figuring out what to do. He will have to improve a lot to start on August 29.

I think w have three hard running and fast running backs and it seems the line was firing off well as well.

The team energy is up big time from last year which is a great thing. Practice seems to be more organized and with a purpose.
Based on my limited observation I was encouraged that we are getting better and moving in the right direction.
 
Refreshing to hear that Russ has embraced change to turn around the program. Wish that same spirit would spread through the rest of the Robins Center.
 
This season will have highs and lows but it is evident that Russ is building a strong foundation. Our two interior lines have been a major focal point. Coaching changes have been made and players brought in to create competition at each position across the board in some weak areas. I think the offensive line play will be greatly improved. I am also excited about Dykes and Howard at RB. Tight end and LB cause me some concern. Secondary play should be greatly improved this year. Kicking and punting will also be question marks. Looking forward to an exciting year with an improved running game and sound defense.
 
Attended Practice this morning and thought I would report on one man observations based on one practice. It looks like Joe Mancusco is a little be ahead of the pack in the QB position based on what I saw. He played first and looked poised and confident. He threw one pick on a long ball but was solid for the most part. Jackson Walker looks good as well especially for a true freshman. I would put him second if I were the coach which I am not. Reid Chenault was solid as well. He plays second after Mancuso at least he did today. Walker has way more upside but he is a true freshman with everything that goes along with that.

From what I saw Beau English is still finding his way and figuring out what to do. He will have to improve a lot to start on August 29.

I think w have three hard running and fast running backs and it seems the line was firing off well as well.

The team energy is up big time from last year which is a great thing. Practice seems to be more organized and with a purpose.
Based on my limited observation I was encouraged that we are getting better and moving in the right direction.

“From what I saw Beau English is still finding his way and figuring out what to do. He will have to improve a lot to start on August 29.”

We had been looking for months for a Transfer QB for an obvious coaches reason.Would be very surprised if Beau doesn’t get the starting nod v JAX.
 
We had been looking for months for a Transfer QB for an obvious coaches reason.Would be very surprised if Beau doesn’t get the starting nod v JAX

For a young man who hasn't thrown a pass in two in a half years when real bullets are flying, you sure seem pretty confident of your conviction. I just hope that we don't have a rerun of last season when last year's favorite flavor was anointed starting quarterback before spring practice even began. That sure didn't work out well for anybody...including KJ.

Competition....real competition...will always find the cream rising to the top.
 
For a young man who hasn't thrown a pass in two in a half years when real bullets are flying, you sure seem pretty confident of your conviction. I just hope that we don't have a rerun of last season when last year's favorite flavor was anointed starting quarterback before spring practice even began. That sure didn't work out well for anybody...including KJ.

Competition....real competition...will always find the cream rising to the top.
Don’t ever question empty helmet 32, he knows everything.
 
First off, many thanks to those who have stopped by practice so far and shared their thoughts on the board. Much appreciated. It sounds like all of the QB's have struggled somewhat early in camp. Not that surprising since defenses are usually ahead at this stage and none of the QB's have much playing experience. I've beat this drum repeatedly but this year especially we will need to play complementary football in order to have a good season. It doesn't seem like we are going to have a qb who is just going to drop back and pick defenses apart so the running game, defense, and special teams will all need to chip in. I'd like to see more sustained drives with 4-6 yard gains than the "feast or famine" offense we have seen in the recent past. Keep our defense rested and control time of possession. Special teams really need to help keep the opposition pinned as well...can't have the other team starting near midfield so much.
 
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The line has struggled. The defense is ahead as expected. The team will need a mobile QB that can escape pressure and keep the chains moving. Mancusco and English have been alternating first team reps probably because they are the most mobile with English having a strong edge with his legs. None of the Qbs have looked great throwing the ball yet, but Mancusco and English are ahead of the other two. Walker has a gun and will develop down the road and Mancusco’s zip on the ball has been good.

There have been some injuries to some of the big guys thus far in camp and a few key players which is most concerning.
 
The line has struggled. The defense is ahead as expected. The team will need a mobile QB that can escape pressure and keep the chains moving. Mancusco and English have been alternating first team reps probably because they are the most mobile with English having a strong edge with his legs. None of the Qbs have looked great throwing the ball yet, but Mancusco and English are ahead of the other two. Walker has a gun and will develop down the road and Mancusco’s zip on the ball has been good.

There have been some injuries to some of the big guys thus far in camp and a few key players which is most concerning.

That's pretty discouraging news as we have been thinking that the o-line was as deep and healthy as it has been in some time. Seems like we have suffered a ton of offseason and training camp injuries to the OL and RB groups the last few years. Were these guys already banged up or did they get hurt during the first few days of camp?
 
Bob Black talks with Spider Football Special Teams Coordinator Bobby Maffei, plus look ahead to the first scrimmage of the preseason and preview a special road trip coming up to check in on a former Spider now in the NFL. August 6, 2019.

SpiderInSight.2.80619 by Bob Black | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Bobby is young,energetic,seems highly organized by touching all phases of special teams.
 
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JOC RTD 8/7

Richmond, William & Mary seeking their QB1s, and each has an FBS transfer in the mix
JOHN O'CONNOR·18 minutes ago

...”University of Richmond quarterback Beau English is a redshirt sophomore, a transfer from Air Force who hasn't played in a college game. English said he wants to "prove to the coaches, prove to the team, that I can be a guy they can put out there."

“At DeMatha High in Hyattsville, Md., the 6-2, 200-pound English ended his career as the school's all-time leading passer (4,558 yards) while completing 66 percent of his attempts. He was looking for a program that emphasized the pass more than Air Force. After English entered his name to the NCAA national transfer database, Richmond was the first school to contact him.

English competes with junior Joe Mancuso (four starts in 2018), junior Reid Chenault (Goochland, one start in 2018), and freshman Jackson Walker.

"Joe has been good. Reid has probably thrown a few too many picks, but he's a smart player, a good player. And then Beau is coming along. He's learning a new offense, a new system, how we do things," UR coach Russ Huesman said.

"I think those three guys are working extremely hard at it. And then the freshman, Jackson Walker, is a really good player. He's talented, and we're hoping we can redshirt him, and I think we will. "

The Spiders threw more interceptions (18) than touchdown passes (15) last season, when they went 4-7 (2-6 CAA)...”
 
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It's hard to believe Chenault's a junior. It feels like he's been around a lot longer. (And yes, I do understand how redshirts work)

It makes Rocco's "There is no Plan B" game even more aggravating.
 
Agree with 32. Sat in on practice today. They are running 4 QB's now and no one has really stood out. All have made good and bad throws. English and Mancuso biggest threats to run. If we played first game tomorrow, Mancuso would likely start. English is still learning the offense and reacting. Biggest adjustment for Mancuso is being decisive and going through the progressions to find the open guy - quickly. Tendency is if main target is not open to either run or dump off short. Freshman Jackson will be a good QB, especially if redshirt is preserved. We do have some speed on the outside, so the long threat exists, especially with Fuller. Fessler will be the go to guy. Biggest challenge this season is having an effective and healthy O-line. Being able to run the ball, protect the QB and keep the D off the field will be critical.
 
Sounds like QB is going to be a work in progress this year. You can see why Huesman has stated that he will play the guy who doesn't make mistakes...especially coming off a year where we had so many turnovers. I'm interested in seeing if we can put together a consistent run game that will allow us to use play action as a weapon, sustain drives, and protect our qb's as @73CPA mentioned. It will help to involve one or more of the qb's in the run game with designed runs...particularly on first down. This offense really needs to be productive on 1st and 2nd down and stay away from 3rd and longs. That's true of every offense but in the past we've had Lauletta to get us out of those situations...you saw last year what happens when you have less talented/experienced qb's in those spots.
 
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