From: Eric Nahlin
Practice began last Friday with the team in shorts and shirts for the first two days.
On Sunday, the team wore shoulder pads so the physicality was turned up another notch. Speaking of protective wear, if you've seen pictures from practice you've noticed the team wearing an extra shell over their helmets. It's nice to see Herman take extra precautions for the players. It also underlines just how physical things are about to get.
The team will hit a wall eventually before the staff backs off a little, but for now practices have been fast paced and energetic. The coaches are very happy with intensity and effort levels.
This camp is already different than any of the three previous practice blocs Herman has held in that I'm already hearing some positives about the offense.
Collin Johnson versus Kris Boyd serves as a microcosm of the give and take nature of camp thus far. Both Johnson and Boyd are making their share of plays on each other. From a baseline talent standpoint, that's early round NFL on early round NFL.
My main takeaway after talking to a few people is that the offense is showing immediate improvement.
Let's set the stage.
The offense is still mainly in 11 personnel. They have run some 10 which so far is just a dead giveaway they intend to pass.
The defense has been mainly base or nickel.
As I wrote on Friday, Todd Orlando intends to keep his defense as simple as possible versus Maryland, with the same defense he's using now; base or nickel.
The offensive line is better at run blocking at this point, though the big plays are coming on deeper throws in those give-and-take scenarios. By no means are they running well on the defense, but they are gaining some traction.
Calvin Anderson has been rotating with the ones during scrimmage work and I'm hearing very favorable things. While he's still adapting to the speed and athleticism of the pass rush, he's very strong, plays with good leverage and is quick off the ball in the run-game. There was an expletive or two to describe his play strength and quickness.
Over on the other side, Derek Kerstetter has a stranglehold on right tackle. He, along with Elijah Rodriguez, have both been working at back-up center to familiarize themselves with the position in case they're needed.
Rodriguez is in a bit of a battle for snaps, but not with who we expected. Rather than Patrick Hudson, Tope Imade is the player pushing him and he has received 1st team snaps in scrimmage work. I'm still expecting Rodriguez to hold on to the job, but we'll see how camp goes.
Hudson is working behind Patrick Vahe at left guard and taking 2nd team reps solely. I'm sure there's a good reason for him repping where there seemingly isn't playing time, but I'm not sure what that is just yet.
Overall this group has improved at run blocking and they're getting better at picking up blitzes. Having healthy tight ends doesn't hurt, though they have their struggles at times, especially when they stay inline versus the pass. As run blockers they're high-effort players who latch on and fight. So far it sounds like average play from the tight ends which is a marked improvement over last season.
I'll get more into the quarterbacks later in the week, but Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele are making more downfield throws than they have previously against this defense. It's not just Johnson making plays either, as Brennan Eagles has stepped things up from the spring and made some very impressive receptions. He's showing his eval by using his big body to make contested catches. If he continues to develop that's big for depth as XWR is thin.
I continue to hear good things about Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Going forward if I don't write much about him it's because he's a known stud.
I think we know quite a bit about the defensive line. Its strength thus far is pass rushing. With linebacker being somewhat of question mark, playing the run will be the big defensive concern heading into the season.
Prior to camp Gary Johnson has worked Rover, F-backer, B-backer, and Mac, but he's locked in at Rover now. There's a robust competition going on right now at Mac, with Wheeler's half game suspension versus Maryland spicing things up a bit. There you have the senior rotating with Malcolm Roach and Jeffrey McCulloch.
For 2018 versatility will have to create depth at the position. Roach is also working at B-backer where I think he'd start if Wheeler wasn't suspended. He's still being used at times as a stand-up d-end flanking Omenihu.
As stated, the team has worked base 4-3 in preparation for Maryland's running attack, though we'll likely see Nickel more often than not.
If things hold in the secondary, PJ Locke is going to get a web redemption at Nickel versus Maryland. He's currently ahead of Josh Thompson after previously repping at boundary safety. Caden Sterns at boundary safety seems permanent, at least for this season. He's ball-hawking and balling out. It's always telling to find out when players you suspect of being great intersect with average/good ones. The sooner that intersection occurs, the greater the player (or the lesser the other one is). Sterns is going to be a monster and I'm already laughing at those in the inevitable game thread lambasting him for an early coverage bust as overrated.
Brandon Jones has a tight lock on field safety still, but it's fun hearing about the young safeties behind him, including DeMarvion Overshown. He is already throwing his body around (understatement) and covering ground quickly. Coaches are excited to see him when they go full pads.
Davante Davis seems to be fully engaged and could be on the verge of a good season. He sure looks the part.
We've been asked about punt returner. D'shawn Jamison has looked both comfortable receiving and shown head-turning speed, but we'll see how he looks under live fire. First indications are encouraging, though. Remember, if he isn't back there early, it's because the coaches just don't trust him in that situation yet. He's also repping on kick return.
Jerrod Heard and Brandon Jones have also worked at punt return. If Jones is good enough to return punts I'm going to be even more confused on his lack of ball skills.
A lot of the freshmen, who had to overcome their off-season physical wall, are already hitting a mental wall. Their heads are swimming as they have to process their duties much quicker. Players are quizzed on roles but on the field things are moving almost at the pace of a game.
We know this is all #zerosum, but I'm mildly encouraged by what I've heard so far. This sounds like a league competitive team, not just a league competitive defense.
