The first scrimmage is in the books, and as important as these live exercises are, there's something important to keep in mind: Nothing about these scrimmages screams final decision.
It's a crucial step in the evaluation process, but this isn't the end of the line. After all, it'd be foolish to judge a team based off of one scrimmage, especially considering the number of holdouts due to injuries that Robert Morris had on Saturday. The left side of the line, the starting tight end, and a starting defensive lineman were all in shorts and a t-shirt at Joe Walton Stadium, joining a handful of crucial depth players and freshmen inactive.
Saturday was not the final exam, just a good midterm look at where the Colonials stand. From an observer's eyes, they look talented but inconsistent. There appears to be some semblance of a running game and a bit more aggression on defense, two keys that lacked in 2011. But there are still some hints of miscommunication, an inconsistent rhythm to the offense, and ghastly mistakes that could haunt a team.
The other problem with judging a scrimmage is comparing the two opposing units. If the quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, is it because of his own failures or because of the defense's ability to make a play? If a running back bursts through a hole for a big gain, is it because the defense can't stop anyone or because the execution was perfect on that particular play?
It's why college coaches don't look at results, but at mental awareness and execution. Was everyone where they needed to be on a play at the time they were required to be there? If so, it's a step in the right direction. If not, it's time for reevaluation and more practice.
Speaking of, the Colonials get back at it on Monday. We'll see just what sort of impact this first scrimmage had on the competition at that point.
THE DEPTH CHART
Robert
Morris used every available body for the scrimmage. Here were the top two units as best as we could figure.
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Jeff Sinclair, Matt Layman
Running back - Deontae Howard, William Quarles
Fullback - Corey Garry, Luke Zearing
Tight End - Andrew Smith, Tyler Digby
Wide Receiver - Donte Jeter, Duane Mitchell
Wide Receiver - Rickeem Jackson, Quinton Pirl
Left Tackle -Alex Kirsch, Dylan Knight
Left Guard - Maxwell Robertson, Cory Pitkavish
Center - Nick Faraci, Anthony Lucian
Right Guard - Jon Hill, Sean Guy
Right Tackle - Nate Hargraves, Maxwell Robertson
DEFENSE
Defensive end - Chris Thompkins, A.J. Holderman
Defensive tackle - R.J. Cook, Farren Mason
Defensive end - Nolan Nearhoof, Conner Sullivan
Outside linebacker - Brad Banas, Sanchez Faugue/Adrian Perez
Inside linebacker - Kyle Cooper, Dan Mignogna
Inside linebacker - Mike Cook, Mike Neilson
Outside linebacker - Mark Centofanti, Sanchez Faugue/Kimani Smith
Corner back - Clay Ilkin, Malik Johnson
Safety - Cameron Chadwick, Ben Ridgeley
Safety - D.J. Myers, Samuel Collins
Corner back - Antwan Eddie, Zach Washington
NEWS AND NOTES
I almost couldn't believe my eyes. Joe Walton not only started a scrimmage on time, but he started it early! Walton is notorious for taking his time for scrimmages, working in extra 7-on-7 drills, hashing out last minute preparations and rotation adjustments, and more. Walton has his practices scheduled down to the second, so much so that veteran players know exactly when a drill is about to end purely based off of their body clocks. Not so with scrimmages, so it was quite surprising to see the group go early.I observed from up high to get a better sense of how the team moved and adjusted, so I didn't get an up close view at all of the absences. But based off of the sidelines and the rotations, here's who appeared to get the first scrimmage off: TE Paul Evans, OL A.J. Dalton, OL Vince Mongelluzzo, FB Nick Groat, FB Ryan Thermil, OL Nate Lojek, WR Warren Fields, RB Kenny Davis, WR Chad Dawgiello, RB Justin Brooks, FB Marty Thomas, DB Eric Lowry, and DB Wayne Graves.Prognosis is not looking good for Lojek, Dawgiello, and Graves. All are wearing significant leg armor and braces to protect their various injuries. Graves is most likely out from his knee injury, while it's not optimistic for Dawgiello and Lojek.Linebacker Adrian Perez returned after a few practices off to take his customary spot with the second team at outside linebacker.Jeff Sinclair and Matt Layman both looked okay running the offense. They had their moments, but it seemed the focus was more on the running game. Walton would run three straight running plays before attempting any sort of a pass, partially because the ground game was fairly effective but also because that just seemed to be the point of emphasis. Deontae Howard looked good, breaking a few runs. William Quarles also had some nice bursts, finding the seams in the line to get into the second level for 6-to-8 yard pick-ups. But there were also cases where the RMU defense just shut the running game down.We haven't seen much of Luke Sweeney at defensive end in camp because he's spent more time focusing on his duties as long snapper. R.J. Cook is no longer snapping - though I'm sure he could be used in an emergency - so Sweeney has had less time with the defense. It's the first time in a while I've seen a long snapper actually pal around with the kickers for a large portion of each practice. But Sweeney is still a defensive end, and he registered a nice "sack" (there was no hitting the quarterbacks, obviously) of Mikal Hall during a series with the third team. Hall had it rough at the end. Sweeney sacked him, as did linebacker Luke Mueller, and they were quick sacks. It wasn't Hall holding onto the ball too long or anything like that. It was just Mueller and Sweeney bulldozing through and taking care of business. Hall also was picked by Zach Washington on the freshman QB's second series.We haven't spent much time on the kickers because they get very little showcase in camp. But Greg Langer has looked good, as has freshman Zach Keaton. The freshman is a little inconsistent, but he has some power behind that right leg. Langer, meanwhile, seems to be honing in on his accuracy, especially from 35-plus. Langer will never have 50-yard field goal leg, but he's getting much better above 40-yards. That helps open up the playbook if he can be relied on from that distance, and it gives Walton another option.
Sunday is picture day for the Colonials. They resume the final week of camp with a two-a-day on Monday.
It's a crucial step in the evaluation process, but this isn't the end of the line. After all, it'd be foolish to judge a team based off of one scrimmage, especially considering the number of holdouts due to injuries that Robert Morris had on Saturday. The left side of the line, the starting tight end, and a starting defensive lineman were all in shorts and a t-shirt at Joe Walton Stadium, joining a handful of crucial depth players and freshmen inactive.
Saturday was not the final exam, just a good midterm look at where the Colonials stand. From an observer's eyes, they look talented but inconsistent. There appears to be some semblance of a running game and a bit more aggression on defense, two keys that lacked in 2011. But there are still some hints of miscommunication, an inconsistent rhythm to the offense, and ghastly mistakes that could haunt a team.
The other problem with judging a scrimmage is comparing the two opposing units. If the quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, is it because of his own failures or because of the defense's ability to make a play? If a running back bursts through a hole for a big gain, is it because the defense can't stop anyone or because the execution was perfect on that particular play?
It's why college coaches don't look at results, but at mental awareness and execution. Was everyone where they needed to be on a play at the time they were required to be there? If so, it's a step in the right direction. If not, it's time for reevaluation and more practice.
Speaking of, the Colonials get back at it on Monday. We'll see just what sort of impact this first scrimmage had on the competition at that point.
THE DEPTH CHART
Robert
Morris used every available body for the scrimmage. Here were the top two units as best as we could figure.
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Jeff Sinclair, Matt Layman
Running back - Deontae Howard, William Quarles
Fullback - Corey Garry, Luke Zearing
Tight End - Andrew Smith, Tyler Digby
Wide Receiver - Donte Jeter, Duane Mitchell
Wide Receiver - Rickeem Jackson, Quinton Pirl
Left Tackle -Alex Kirsch, Dylan Knight
Left Guard - Maxwell Robertson, Cory Pitkavish
Center - Nick Faraci, Anthony Lucian
Right Guard - Jon Hill, Sean Guy
Right Tackle - Nate Hargraves, Maxwell Robertson
DEFENSE
Defensive end - Chris Thompkins, A.J. Holderman
Defensive tackle - R.J. Cook, Farren Mason
Defensive end - Nolan Nearhoof, Conner Sullivan
Outside linebacker - Brad Banas, Sanchez Faugue/Adrian Perez
Inside linebacker - Kyle Cooper, Dan Mignogna
Inside linebacker - Mike Cook, Mike Neilson
Outside linebacker - Mark Centofanti, Sanchez Faugue/Kimani Smith
Corner back - Clay Ilkin, Malik Johnson
Safety - Cameron Chadwick, Ben Ridgeley
Safety - D.J. Myers, Samuel Collins
Corner back - Antwan Eddie, Zach Washington
NEWS AND NOTES
I almost couldn't believe my eyes. Joe Walton not only started a scrimmage on time, but he started it early! Walton is notorious for taking his time for scrimmages, working in extra 7-on-7 drills, hashing out last minute preparations and rotation adjustments, and more. Walton has his practices scheduled down to the second, so much so that veteran players know exactly when a drill is about to end purely based off of their body clocks. Not so with scrimmages, so it was quite surprising to see the group go early.I observed from up high to get a better sense of how the team moved and adjusted, so I didn't get an up close view at all of the absences. But based off of the sidelines and the rotations, here's who appeared to get the first scrimmage off: TE Paul Evans, OL A.J. Dalton, OL Vince Mongelluzzo, FB Nick Groat, FB Ryan Thermil, OL Nate Lojek, WR Warren Fields, RB Kenny Davis, WR Chad Dawgiello, RB Justin Brooks, FB Marty Thomas, DB Eric Lowry, and DB Wayne Graves.Prognosis is not looking good for Lojek, Dawgiello, and Graves. All are wearing significant leg armor and braces to protect their various injuries. Graves is most likely out from his knee injury, while it's not optimistic for Dawgiello and Lojek.Linebacker Adrian Perez returned after a few practices off to take his customary spot with the second team at outside linebacker.Jeff Sinclair and Matt Layman both looked okay running the offense. They had their moments, but it seemed the focus was more on the running game. Walton would run three straight running plays before attempting any sort of a pass, partially because the ground game was fairly effective but also because that just seemed to be the point of emphasis. Deontae Howard looked good, breaking a few runs. William Quarles also had some nice bursts, finding the seams in the line to get into the second level for 6-to-8 yard pick-ups. But there were also cases where the RMU defense just shut the running game down.We haven't seen much of Luke Sweeney at defensive end in camp because he's spent more time focusing on his duties as long snapper. R.J. Cook is no longer snapping - though I'm sure he could be used in an emergency - so Sweeney has had less time with the defense. It's the first time in a while I've seen a long snapper actually pal around with the kickers for a large portion of each practice. But Sweeney is still a defensive end, and he registered a nice "sack" (there was no hitting the quarterbacks, obviously) of Mikal Hall during a series with the third team. Hall had it rough at the end. Sweeney sacked him, as did linebacker Luke Mueller, and they were quick sacks. It wasn't Hall holding onto the ball too long or anything like that. It was just Mueller and Sweeney bulldozing through and taking care of business. Hall also was picked by Zach Washington on the freshman QB's second series.We haven't spent much time on the kickers because they get very little showcase in camp. But Greg Langer has looked good, as has freshman Zach Keaton. The freshman is a little inconsistent, but he has some power behind that right leg. Langer, meanwhile, seems to be honing in on his accuracy, especially from 35-plus. Langer will never have 50-yard field goal leg, but he's getting much better above 40-yards. That helps open up the playbook if he can be relied on from that distance, and it gives Walton another option.
Sunday is picture day for the Colonials. They resume the final week of camp with a two-a-day on Monday.
