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.
It's a Business
I've been enjoying Chris Pressley's blogging for the Journal Sentinel about his efforts to make the NFL. He's a smart guy, a hard worker, and everyone in Badger Nation should wish him all the best. Here's his latest installment.
One thing you can take away from this? College football is a lot of things, including a money maker for the athletic department. It's not a business. Not like the League is. Just reading Pressley's notes you start to get a feel for the business influence. The NFL is great football, but it sure isn't just a bunch of guys out playing football for the love of the game.
One thing you can take away from this? College football is a lot of things, including a money maker for the athletic department. It's not a business. Not like the League is. Just reading Pressley's notes you start to get a feel for the business influence. The NFL is great football, but it sure isn't just a bunch of guys out playing football for the love of the game.
Nick Sheridan Breaks Leg
Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan apparently broke his leg yesterday in practice. Conventional wisdom was already that true freshman Tate Forcier was the starting quarterback for the Fall. Now there's no doubt.
Let's hope the Badgers don't have any similar injuries this Spring.
Let's hope the Badgers don't have any similar injuries this Spring.
Chryst Knows
Solid comments from Chryst on the quarterback situation yesterday here (about 1 minute in).
QB is the key and it's what he's focused on.
Also, interesting comment at the end about using what you have. Don't be surprised to see a lot of two-tight end sets and more 3 WR, 1 TE sets than we did the last two years.
QB is the key and it's what he's focused on.
Also, interesting comment at the end about using what you have. Don't be surprised to see a lot of two-tight end sets and more 3 WR, 1 TE sets than we did the last two years.
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.
5 Questions for Spring Practice? How About 3 . . .
Men's basketball survived longer than expected, but they're done. Men's hockey came in third in the WCHA regular season and tournament, but that wasn't good enough to make the dance, and the women have established their dynasty. So let's get back to football, with Spring practice kicking off tomorrow:
It seems fashionable to ask 5 questions for spring practice, and I guess, if pressed, I can come up with five, but I think there are really three critical questions:
(1) Who is the quarterback? Really, this is the only question. All else pales in comparison. If ESPN is reporting on it, you know that it's common knowledge. As the quarterback goes, so go the Badger fortunes in 2009. Sherer? Phillips? Tolzein isn't really in the equation, is he? Budmayr? No. Not as a true freshman who hasn't taken a competitive snap in over a year. The coaches' video on the quarterbacks: here.
(2) How do the new folks look in our defensive front seven? Largely new defensive line and a complete reshuffling at linebacker (McFadden is back, but in a new position).
(3) Can our receivers hang onto the ball? Last year there were dropsies all over the field. To give the offense the diversity Chryst so badly wants, we need receivers who hang onto the ball.
By my count, those are the three big questions.
For those of you who really want five, (4) how does Henry look at corner? Recovered? (5) How do the semi-new faces on the offensive line look?
But don't kid yourself even with three questions, it's all about the quarterback.
Here is Potrykus's version.
It seems fashionable to ask 5 questions for spring practice, and I guess, if pressed, I can come up with five, but I think there are really three critical questions:
(1) Who is the quarterback? Really, this is the only question. All else pales in comparison. If ESPN is reporting on it, you know that it's common knowledge. As the quarterback goes, so go the Badger fortunes in 2009. Sherer? Phillips? Tolzein isn't really in the equation, is he? Budmayr? No. Not as a true freshman who hasn't taken a competitive snap in over a year. The coaches' video on the quarterbacks: here.
(2) How do the new folks look in our defensive front seven? Largely new defensive line and a complete reshuffling at linebacker (McFadden is back, but in a new position).
(3) Can our receivers hang onto the ball? Last year there were dropsies all over the field. To give the offense the diversity Chryst so badly wants, we need receivers who hang onto the ball.
By my count, those are the three big questions.
For those of you who really want five, (4) how does Henry look at corner? Recovered? (5) How do the semi-new faces on the offensive line look?
But don't kid yourself even with three questions, it's all about the quarterback.
Here is Potrykus's version.
Dynasty
The Badgers women's hockey team won their third national title in four years. Led by all-American Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan, Alicia Matthews, Captain Erika Lawler, and the NCAA's top player, goaltender Jessie Vetter, the Badgers left no doubt with a 5-0 finals win over Mercyhurst. The Badgers rolled through the NCAA tourney outscoring the competition 17-1 capping a season with only two losses. Seniors Vetter, Lawler, Matthews, Rachel Bible, Kayla Hagen and Angie Keseley have been there for all three national titles. Coached by Mark Johnson, himself one of the Badgers' all-time greats, with a men's NCAA title as a player, two goals in the Miracle on Ice victory over the Russians in 1980, a two-time NHL all-star with over 300 career goals, now coach of three women's NCAA titles, and the 2010 U.S. Women's National Team Coach, there's very little not to like about this team. Many, many congratulations to the dynasty in Madison.
UW Release College Hockey Online Release
Nice video intro to the team here; UW will surely release a 2008-09 highlight video soon.
UW Release College Hockey Online Release
Nice video intro to the team here; UW will surely release a 2008-09 highlight video soon.
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