UCD Kicks Off Spring Practice

[travelinman67]

(from ClubFred @ Aggiesportstalk.yuku.com)

Actual Practice Times Listed (warm-up and exit times not incorporated)
4/7 - 5/3 Spring Practice
Mon, Wed, Fri 3:30 - 6PM Howard/Toomey
Saturday, 4/12, 19, 26, & 5/3 9:30-12:00PM Aggie Stadium

4/7: Helmets only; No contact
4/9: Helmets only; No contact
4/11: Full pads; Contact; Tackling
4/12: Full pads; Contact; Tackling
4/14: Full pads; Contact; No tackling
4/16: Full pads; Contact; Tackling
4/18: Shells; Contact; No Tackling
4/19: Full pads; Contact; Tackling; Scrimmage
4/21: Full pads; Contact; No tackling
4/23: Full pads; Contact; Tackling
4/25: Shells; Contact; No tackling
4/26: Full pads; Contact; Tackling; Scrimmage
4/28: Helmets only; No contact
4/30: Full pads; Contact; Tackling
5/3: Full pads; Contact; Tackling; Scrimmage (Spring Game)
Post-scrimmage Meal

[travelinman67]

After 5 days of contact, UCD postponed this past weeks practice due to injuries. Sched. bumped one week...

Also just got home from CSU Hornet's scrimmage...with 30 JC's and 17 Sr.'s I was expecting to see some depth. Excepting 2 of the 47, most of the highlights came from the Frosh & Soph. None of the QB's got to show their stuff with only 1-1.5 second protection. Notable MLB #41 not on Spring Roster...showed most talent...great angles...fantastic read...other than that...

...I'll be drinking the rest of the day.




(Superhornet...keep your stinger in your trou...I'm there and supporting 'em...but about half the team didn't have their head in the game...I agree with you about Dom Carmazzi though...saw him in HS...talent and poise beyond his age...will become the franchise if MBT cannot deliver.)

[SuperHornet]

Tell me something new, travelin. For the past three weeks, I've been seeing my beloved Sacramento Sirens struggle due to no pass pro. You can't win if the QB is spending half the game (or more!) on her back.... Last week, we couldn't capitalize on a late blocked punt vs. the Seattle Majestics (we lost 14-7), and this week we couldn't move after recovering an unintentional "onside" kick 20-30 yards downfield from the opening kickoff. For a team that only two or three years ago was winning games 70-0, losing to a Corvallis Pride squad that didn't even bring a single fan (final 33-13) is not very fun.

Of course, playcalling is having a lot to do with it, too. Fourth and goal on the two vs. NO nose and NO mike, and you don't have a sneak called. What is that? Too much option and not enough pass pro.

[travelinman67]

Tell me something new, travelin. For the past three weeks, I've been seeing my beloved Sacramento Sirens struggle due to no pass pro. You can't win if the QB is spending half the game (or more!) on her back.... Last week, we couldn't capitalize on a late blocked punt vs. the Seattle Majestics (we lost 14-7), and this week we couldn't move after recovering an unintentional "onside" kick 20-30 yards downfield from the opening kickoff. For a team that only two or three years ago was winning games 70-0, losing to a Corvallis Pride squad that didn't even bring a single fan (final 33-13) is not very fun.

Of course, playcalling is having a lot to do with it, too. Fourth and goal on the two vs. NO nose and NO mike, and you don't have a sneak called. What is that? Too much option and not enough pass pro.

...at the risk of stirring up a 'Hornet's nest', who's scouting and calling the plays?

Are the Siren's still using Foothill HS?

That's always been one of my biggest gripes about Central Valley fball...

I jokingly call it Matchbook Playbook. The entire playbook fits on a matchbook...

WC: 2 options; 3 middle - sneak, blast, trap; 2 off tackle; 2 screens; 4 pass routes (3 plus a corner for redzone). Defense is similar...centered around the Nickel with 3 blitz schemes; a base (redzone); and wall ("we're f'cked and goal"). DB's trained to watch the runner/route and only react when they see the receiver's hands go out...great way to sucker in a DB for a 15 yd 1st down on 3rd and long...simply stick your hands out early!

When I travel around and look at the dynamic coaching taking place in the midwest/S.E. and northern states...just pisses me off. Gadgets, 8 man fronts, etc... shouldn't be used every series, but they sure spice up the game.

BTW...Note to all teams who are trying to run a spread: YOU HAVE TO HAVE A G.D. OFFENSE LINE THAT CAN BLOCK AND PULL FIRST...

[SuperHornet]

Yes, the Sirens are using Foothill High. I'm actually impressed with the field as it reminds me of many juco fields, such as DeRicco Field at Delta.

The Sirens' OC actually surprised me by calling sneak on 1st down midfield late on Saturday. Impressive results: up to five yards a pop due to the surprise factor. But failing to call it in obvious short-yardage situations and getting stuffed on iso and option will kill you. Someone had better talk to Chantelle Powers and Amber Mitchell (the QBs) about audibles or even the "goose" play.

I'm not familiar with your "matchbook" playbook concept, but given what I've seen of the Sirens' playcalling of late, it certainly fits with your description. :evil

BTW, the defense quite often runs a coverage very similar to 3 robber. I'm surprised that they're not having as much success with it as Sac State did under Lou Patrone. (Of course, Patrone had a penchant for dropping it in favor of Cover 2, which got the Hornets killed). Strong safety Amy Williams and free safety Denise Granderson have been doing a semi-decent job (Williams recovered last weeks freak "not onside" kickoff and Granderson is reminding me somewhat of Ronnie Lott), but the corners are WAY too soft. Folk are getting open deep WAY too often. It absolutely SUCKS when the starting QB has to come in late at right corner to shore up the pass coverage.