Spring Football

[GoRMU]

RMU Football‏@RMUFootball 9h9 hours ago
It’s Almost Time for some Football. Come check us out this Spring.

1Day

1Play

1Game at a Time #FastPhysicalFinish #RMUFB

 

[GoRMU]

Original_RMC I am counting on you to get us an updated roster for spring drills - you are the man for the job, you can get this done! LOL

 

[GoRMU]

Okay, spring football is here. What's anyone hear? Anyone, going to visit?

 

[M4Fam]

Only day 2 off spring ball but just a few notes:

The QBs were all releasing the ball quickly a lot of under clearing routes. A bit of west coast passing feel. They were also tremendously accurate when throwing into traffic between LBs and DBs. On day two it didn’t look like anyone stuck out more than the other however, I will say this George Martin is a “Big” presence in the Pocket with an accurate strong arm in traffic he gets it there quickly. He could be fun to watch in the future as he grows with this staff.

No pads on so can only say this. I like the size of the OL they look bigger and moving well in what appears to be a significantly quicker pace up and down the field and in and out of the huddle. A few scrappy blocks and defensive hand fighting all met with encouragement by this staff early on.

Defense with out pads is hard to tell. But guys seemed to adjust quickly and not a lot of coaching for being out of position from what I could hear or see.

It’s a different feel, a different energy, music on the whole practice. Guys retrieving their own dropped or missed passes( which only happened a few times) the drills and indy time looked well coached. A lot of basic fundamentals being addressed. Can’t wait to catch a few practices in pads and really judge the energy of this team, plus the tempo of the offense.

 

[LetsGoRoMo]

Thanks M4

 

[irish_buffalo]

Thanks M4Fam, I like to hear the "pace" of practice has improved as it should. The few practices I attended last year were pathetically slow paced with zero sense of urgency.

 

[M4Fam]

Pads on today. Again in and out of the huddle was a point of focus. High energy.
Inside run looked promising a lot of movement from the OL. Mixed a lot of combinations in and out on the OL definitely getting a look at everyone.
I like what George Martin and Caleb showed today. Both have rifle arms and accurate again today in underneath routes in the mess. Vecchio grabbed a few underneath and had 10-15 YAC he looked to really settle in on the crossing routes and shallow slants fit his game well.
Defense looked to be in position for the majority of the plays and in a year of scheme change that’s good to see this early. They had their fair share of run stuffing plays and a few defended passes as well. Tackling was a tremendous focus point in Indy’s today.

All team plays were live to the ground as well.
You can only get better at tackling when you practice it.

Heard coach calling for a few guys late to class to be in his office to address that after practice. Accountability looks high on the field with the coaches and sounds like it’s carrying over off it as well. That will only drive this team in the right direction. Plus it maybe hard for a young man to see now, but it showes they care. I like it.

 

[irish_buffalo]

Thanks again. Like to hear. Vecchio is made for underneath crossing and cobra routes (Patriots use these to perfection with their undersized Vecchio types over the years - Welker, Edleman, Amendola). These routes are also tough to defend as they put the WR in motion seeing who is supposed to defend them and allowing them to create their own space as opposed to 10 & 15 yard out routes with 5'9" WR's.

Really surprised to hear they are tackling already live to the ground. I like it but I also realize it can be tough keeping people healthy. Regardless good teams focus on little things and I like what I'm hearing in that respect.

Accountability and discipline go a long way and your last sentence is spot on in terms of realizing coaches care. Goes a long way in building trust and family type atmosphere.

Thanks again for the updates.

 

[GoRMU]

Does anyone have any updates?

 

[M4Fam]

Everything just has a better feel.

The offense is a lot more physical in the run game in team sessions which leads to opening up the passing game. They have run a lot of situational down and distance series and the offense has done really well. The running backs are hitting it up inside a lot, this helps to set up bouncing which they do more timely now. The short passing game looks really good with a lot of underneath clearing routes to the WRs and play action rollouts to the TEs. I would say that Caleb and George have separated themselves, however Chase shows moments where he shines as well. Barr is still the athlete in the group but his accuracy is definitely lacking compared to the others. Jimmy is has been injured and in a boot. But walking without crutches or anything.

Defense is looking like they should. Coaches are focusing on being in the right place right now and timing of stunts and blitzes in the even man front. The base defense sits down pretty hard and holds their ground pretty well. The edges are also pretty hard to get around with this group and the scheme.
Pass defense again is about getting to the right spots for the DBs and Safeties. They have had a few picks on underthrown balls, lazy out route throws by the QBs and some tipped balls.

Coach Clark is all about setting the tone with this team and the coaches, right now it looks like on the field it’s tempo and finishing every play, every series, every session, every one on one....it’s all about finishing. Off the field it’s about accountability and representing this team in a positive light.

 

[GoRMU]

2018 Spring Football roster is up

http://rmucolonials.com/roster.aspx?path=football

 

[GoRMU]

2018 Spring Football roster is up

http://rmucolonials.com/roster.aspx?path=football

 

[GoRMU]

Spring roster - looks as though we only have five defensive linemen, four linebackers, and two running backs, although there are also two fullbacks. I think there was only one defensive lineman included in the announced recruiting class.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Only 55 players on that roster. I wonder if the staff will look at more potential transfers to help fill it out along with the players who ha e already committed.

There might be some position changes that are not listed, too. One of the reports said Barr was playing QB again but he's still listed at WR.

I know a couple of the OL played DL in high school, as did TE Matt Holmes. In fact, he was a really good DL.

 

[M4Fam]

Missed yesterday, heard it was a scrimmage format. Anyone go yesterday or hear anything?

 

[M4Fam]

Spring Game today!!! Anyone going?

 

[irish_buffalo]

I was hoping you. Lol.

I'm going to try and head over there.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Here's a brief release from RMU.

http://rmucolonials.com/news/2018/4/14/football-offense-holds-off-defense-in-spring-game.aspx

Looks like Chase Bodeman moved to wide receiver. Matt Barr, Jimmy Walker, Caleb Lewis and George Martin took snaps at quarterback. T.J. Neal is back on defense after getting time at running back.

Really good news is it looks like Aidan Howard, the Virginia transfer and Gateway grad who has gone through so much, is healthy and playing.

 

[LetsGoRoMo]

Great news all the way around. Can't wait till the fall.

 

[M4Fam]

I will talk briefly about three things Environent, Offense and Defense.
Environment was spectacular there is an obvious buzz with a tremendous crowd to watch this game today and after pre stretches Coach Clark brought all the recruits in with the team and gave a pregame pump up speech that closely resembled what a lot of “U” players do. I was 20 rows up and got pumped, he is building a lot of enthusiasm with current and prospective players. There was a cookout and a DJ playing music on the sidelines. I’ve said it a bunch already but it’s a totally different feel and enthusiasm sometimes breeds immediate success.
Offense all I’ll say is this, we moved the ball and scored TDs. The line with numerous subs and combinations looked really good and has eliminated the gross mistakes. I give Holder a lot of credit. They look confident at presnap and execution. Howard & Vecchio could be one hell of a duo. These guys have baby soft hands and love to go be athletes and make the tough catches. Petrick is a game changer that will open up the middle of the field and is a favorite target on rollouts for all the QBs. The running game has a little nasty to it with Wanat smashing it up in there and just being hard nosed all around.
The defense looked good at times as well with a lot of runs stopped off the edges and three big interceptions. They did give up some short yardage but with lack of players on the defense packages were short to come by. They will need a few incoming DL to take snaps throughout the year and perhaps one be a real impact force inside.
All in all it was a real treat to see the enthusiasm and the talent of this team start to show. The scheme looks like it’s more executable and now the athletes get to be athletes...glad I kept it short

 

[GoRMU]

Very excited about Aiden Howard being on the field today. He has had plenty of challenges since coming out of high school as a high-level D-I recruit. I am happy for him if he is healthy. WR could be a very strong position for the Colonials. Lots of good competition at QB, hopefully, someone rises to the top by the time the season starts.

 

[irish_buffalo]

Got there just in time to see the first snap and was surprised to see Bodeman take one in from a quick jet. An addition of size on the edge will help. The entire atmosphere is different. More focus. Stephens and Wanet should be a nice RB duo but I hope they can pick up a couple more RB's for dept. Of all the QB's yesterday I'd a rated it as Barr, Martin, Lewis, Walker. I also believe Coach Luvara was being a tad vanilla. Unsure how much is even installed at this point but I already saw far more creativity from a year ago. I know Walker can play a tad better, he has his strong suits (great arm, accuracy, ball comes out quick). Not sold on Lewis just yet. Just because LSU allowed you to hang out for several years does not instantly mean you can play at RMU. I also think he lacks decent footwork. I've said it before but as a personal preference I like a mobile QB. You do not have to be a Mariota but you have to be able to move and extend plays AND take off if need be. It simply is one more dynamic that gives defenses fits.

Defense will be fine. We have a talented Dline but need more depth. I like Neal playing DB, I believe he has a chance to be really good there.

Guys like Adam Wollett and Tim Vecchio are steady Eddies. They just show up and do their job and make plays.

Petrick is HUGE. What a great pick up. I do not think I saw any 10 personnel yesterday. I like the idea of actually using the TE in multiple ways and Gonzo moving around as well.

I thought the Oline looked night and day from last year AND we rotated a lot of guys.

Talking in the stands it was said that several kids could not play because of grades. Not because they were ineligible but were sitting because they missed some classes. Wow. Who'd a thunk? Accountability to self and team.

Overall it looked like a lot of kids were having fun again which was nice. Our team body language by years end last season was as bad as I've ever seen from a football team and yesterday it looked like a bunch of reinvigorated kids. I thought the scrimmage was run very well (short and sweet).

 

[rolling stones]

The players and staff have great energy