First, tracking Potrykus's comments, I'm sticking with my obscenely early snap decision that Sherer will be the starter. And I'm ok with that.
The Sentinel's (unattributed, but got to believe it's Potrykus's) latest practice report has some good info in it. From the sound of things, expect Toon as a starting wide receiver. It's good to hear that Jefferson is doing something to reduce his exposure to further concussions, but with the solid reports Toon is getting, I'm assuming he'll be the first on the field (with Anderson). As I said the other day, I think 3 WRs will be a pretty common set for the Badgers, with a TE rather than a fullback. That's where Gilreath will come in, I think. On the other hand, with Mickey Turner flashing some skills in practice, Chryst may have a tough decision whether to go that way, or two tight ends, which might give him as many weapons receiving, and better versatility running. Either way, don't expect to see our new fullbacks (Jones, Ewing, and Spitz) on the field as often as you saw Pressley and Rentmeester last season.
Two more notes from the report: it sounds like the DBs are playing pretty well (also here), and Pat Hughes, a walk-on, will be the back-up kicker with Fischer off to Cornell (Potrykus asks Bielema about it on video; also an interesting discussion of the DBs, including focus on Otis Merrill who remains buried in the depth chart).
Speaking of the secondary, another note from the JS gives a little background on the Shane Carter "incident" that kept him out of the bowl (not academics, as I previously misstated). Also, Potrykus reiterates what Coach Cooks said last week, that the safeties will play one side and the other, but not a traditional strong and free safety. In the back of my head that worries me a little re Valai, who's height might be a liability in a free safety-type role -- on the other hand, it's probably a liability no matter what. Despite that, he got consistently better last year, and I expect will do the same this year.
JJ Watt sounds like the real deal at DT. I remain not terribly concerned about the d-line.
Badgerbeat reiterates what Coach Settle had to say about John Clay: lose weight, understand the playbook. Clay has been up around 250, but needs to get to 240, preferably a little lower than that. I've got to believe Clay will stay at #1 on the depth chart, but if he doesn't get a better handle on the playbook, we'll see more of Zach Brown. Not a bad thing. Zach can play.
Showing posts with label discipline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discipline. Show all posts
Spring Bloom: Notes from BB's Presser
Some quick hitters out of the opening press conference for the Spring:
Of note on the depth chart: Bsherer moved to left guard to help shore up the lack of depth there. We could have a very athletic line, but a very green second string. On the defensive line Garner and Grimes, both likely not in the two-deep, but good for depth . . . not anymore. They are out of the program.
Backup kicker Fisher is gone to Cornell. Frankly it's hard to see how that's a bad move for him.
Likely the 1st and 2nd string fullbacks (Jones and Ewing) are out for the spring with injuries. Mo Moore and Jay Valai will miss some practice due to recent surgeries. Tyler Westphal is also going to miss the Spring, which isn't good news for a developing young talent at defensive end.
Mario Goins is still in academic trouble with Bret and won't practice this Spring. Similarly Shane Carter is on thin ice. Pretty clear that Henry and Brinkley will be the starters at corner unless something surprising happens. If Goins and Carter don't make the grade, as it were, it's going to hurt the previously expected depth in the backfield quite a bit.
Clay needs to slim down. But not too much; he's always going to be a load to carry.
Toon and Jefferson are sprinting with the track team and Bielema likes what it's doing for their attitudes.
Finally, based on Potrykus's thoughts on the quarterbacks yesterday, and looking at a ridiculously quick snap decision (subject to change daily), I'm throwing my hat in the Sherer corner. Consistent is what we need, much more than "athletic," and I'm just not willing to call for a true freshman who hasn't played competitively in over a year.
Of note on the depth chart: Bsherer moved to left guard to help shore up the lack of depth there. We could have a very athletic line, but a very green second string. On the defensive line Garner and Grimes, both likely not in the two-deep, but good for depth . . . not anymore. They are out of the program.
Backup kicker Fisher is gone to Cornell. Frankly it's hard to see how that's a bad move for him.
Likely the 1st and 2nd string fullbacks (Jones and Ewing) are out for the spring with injuries. Mo Moore and Jay Valai will miss some practice due to recent surgeries. Tyler Westphal is also going to miss the Spring, which isn't good news for a developing young talent at defensive end.
Mario Goins is still in academic trouble with Bret and won't practice this Spring. Similarly Shane Carter is on thin ice. Pretty clear that Henry and Brinkley will be the starters at corner unless something surprising happens. If Goins and Carter don't make the grade, as it were, it's going to hurt the previously expected depth in the backfield quite a bit.
Clay needs to slim down. But not too much; he's always going to be a load to carry.
Toon and Jefferson are sprinting with the track team and Bielema likes what it's doing for their attitudes.
Finally, based on Potrykus's thoughts on the quarterbacks yesterday, and looking at a ridiculously quick snap decision (subject to change daily), I'm throwing my hat in the Sherer corner. Consistent is what we need, much more than "athletic," and I'm just not willing to call for a true freshman who hasn't played competitively in over a year.
No Band!?!
Are you freakin' kidding me!?! A night game against Ohio State and the band won't be there?
Apparently not. After more trouble at Michigan, the Band is suspended until further notice.
This is the first time in 40 years the Badgers will take the field at Camp Randall without the band. 40 years.
Apparently not. After more trouble at Michigan, the Band is suspended until further notice.
This is the first time in 40 years the Badgers will take the field at Camp Randall without the band. 40 years.
Game Saving Tackle Tarnished
According to the Journal Sentinel (link), Jonathan Casillas was cited for a DUI last month, and blew a .15. That's high. That's loaded. It was nice that he made the "game saving" tackle against Fresno State, but should he have been playing at all?
The arrest was made in August, about a week before Akron. Casillas was injured for Akron and Marshall, so couldn't play. A suspension for either of those games wouldn't have had any effect. If he knew he was suspended for Fresno State, maybe he doesn't work as hard to get ready? Maybe it's a bigger deal to get suspended for Michigan? Or maybe the school's punishing body has rules that it is in the midst of following. I respect the decisions that body has made in the past, so perhaps that's the issue.
Also, the hearing for his arrest is this week, so he hasn't even had a chance to enter a plea. Nonetheless, I believe this is a very serious offense, and even putting himself in this situation deserves punishment.
Casillas has been one of my favorite players in his time in Madison (one of the reasons he's included in that slideshow off to the right there), but this really stinks. DUIs are a very serious offense. Ok, so he was on a scooter, not driving a car. That's different, I'll grant you (only people on the scooter at risk, as opposed to others), but it still shows a serious lack of judgment. Et tu, Jonathan?
The arrest was made in August, about a week before Akron. Casillas was injured for Akron and Marshall, so couldn't play. A suspension for either of those games wouldn't have had any effect. If he knew he was suspended for Fresno State, maybe he doesn't work as hard to get ready? Maybe it's a bigger deal to get suspended for Michigan? Or maybe the school's punishing body has rules that it is in the midst of following. I respect the decisions that body has made in the past, so perhaps that's the issue.
Also, the hearing for his arrest is this week, so he hasn't even had a chance to enter a plea. Nonetheless, I believe this is a very serious offense, and even putting himself in this situation deserves punishment.
Casillas has been one of my favorite players in his time in Madison (one of the reasons he's included in that slideshow off to the right there), but this really stinks. DUIs are a very serious offense. Ok, so he was on a scooter, not driving a car. That's different, I'll grant you (only people on the scooter at risk, as opposed to others), but it still shows a serious lack of judgment. Et tu, Jonathan?
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