Spring Practice is Here, Spack Comments

[MadBird]

Well, just looking at the board this morning and I didn't think I'd be the first one to post about today's Pantagraph article about spring practice opening. Interesting to see what Spack has to say.

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/c...cle_f6013f02-e0a0-52ee-8a94-927d16c72fcb.html

He's pretty upbeat, I would say, altho he seems to be always upbeat. And not that any of it is any super secret new insight.

At QB, he doesn't mention putting Hatfield back into the mix. Doesn't mean they won't, I spose, but seems to be counting on Jefferson to be the backup.

J Rob won't get much work this spring, want to showcase Proctor and the young guys.

"Our players had such a good offseason," Spack said. "Winter conditioning was so good. Our testing was great. The weight room was outstanding. Numbers went way up. We're light years ahead of where we were last year at this time."

Lots of us here worried about WR, but Spack is upbeat:

"That's a good-looking crew," said Spack of his receivers. "We have speed there as well. It's a nice combination of speed and size, and they are going to be here awhile."

Also lots of positives on the defensive outlook.

You can read the rest for yourself.

 

[fourthandshort]

thanks for posting link ... I missed it. 3 comments that stood out for me. Great to hear there are 2 more OL he likes adding to group that returned 4 starters. Aaron Mends is rehabbing ... concerned he will have slow start, but have to get healthy first. Zeke will take over for Mathews .. can't wait to see him develop with a year of experience, and now getting more reps and bigger role .. very nice upside it would seem.

the 3 comments from Pantagraph:

- "I'm really high on Asche. He's a hard worker and loves the weight room. He's 6-7 and already 310 (pounds). He is definitely in the mix," Spack said. "I've been very impressed with Solomon. He's a big, physical guy, and he's got an edge to him. Illinois made a late push to keep him, and I can see why."

- Iowa linebacker transfer Aaron Mends could be the replacement for 2018 top tackler Zack Mathews. But Mends won't see a lot of spring work while rehabilitating a knee injury.

- Zeke Vandenburgh will be at Mathews' spot this spring and also can play inside along with DeForest.

 

[MadBird]

Okay, moving right along, the first spring update is already on the website after last night's practice. Spack is happy about some of the position groups we're most worried about. Been some shifting around too.

https://goredbirds.com/news/2019/3/17/football-spring-camp-report-1-debut-under-the-lights.aspx

Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"Tonight was a great start. I've told several people that this team is very deep at several positions, and that certainly showed tonight. I was particularly impressed with the wide receivers, running backs and offensive line. Each of those groups are strong and really athletic. This is going to be an interesting spring and we are certainly much further ahead than we were last year at this time. There's a lot of work to do still, but I like what I saw out there tonight."

Camp News & Notes:
• Defensive backs Jarrell Jackson and returned Peyton Jones to individual drills, after each missed the entire 2018 season due to knee injuries … both are expected to be non-contact for the spring and fully healthy for fall practice in August
• A pair of defensive linemen have moved across the line of scrimmage, as Trey Georgie returns to the offensive line and Peter Bussone joins the group
• Quarterback turned running back Trenton Hatfield has now settled at safety and will be competing for playing time along with a young but talented group behind Kirk and Christian Uphoff
• Illinois transfer offensive lineman Adam Solomon has settled in nicely and ran with the first team unit at right tackle Sunday

So, he's impressed with the O-line, but moved two guys over there?? WR and RB groups are impressive!!?? Great, hope that's so. Here we are worried. In Spack we trust!! ray:

 

[fourthandshort]

good to hear, but Spack has been overly optimistic before .. he's also been dead on accurate (before 5-6 2013 season, and before 2014 Natty Run).

Have to agree we are deep in a lot of places ... WR group is not yet proven, and clearly more unproven than any other group. Good to hear Davis came out sharp, same for Jeffersen ... but we need a #3. My doubts about Davis last season proved true, but my doubts about his accuracy (and "it" factor) had a lot to do with no offseason and not having played meaningful games since HS ... those are both gone. So I am much more optimistic going into 2019 that he will have a chance to develop and be much more comfortable and familiar this time around. We saw and heard the inaccurracy issue last August .. so far we're hearing otherwise .. way to early, but again, I'm more optimistic Beathard and Davis will figure it out. And if this WR turns out to be solid group by August and we find a good #2 RB like Proctor .... I really like what this offense could become.

Again, it is early.

 

[PurpleRedbird]

Okay, moving right along, the first spring update is already on the website after last night's practice. Spack is happy about some of the position groups we're most worried about. Been some shifting around too.

https://goredbirds.com/news/2019/3/17/football-spring-camp-report-1-debut-under-the-lights.aspx

Thoughts From Coach Spack:
"Tonight was a great start. I've told several people that this team is very deep at several positions, and that certainly showed tonight. I was particularly impressed with the wide receivers, running backs and offensive line. Each of those groups are strong and really athletic. This is going to be an interesting spring and we are certainly much further ahead than we were last year at this time. There's a lot of work to do still, but I like what I saw out there tonight."

Camp News & Notes:
• Defensive backs Jarrell Jackson and returned Peyton Jones to individual drills, after each missed the entire 2018 season due to knee injuries … both are expected to be non-contact for the spring and fully healthy for fall practice in August
• A pair of defensive linemen have moved across the line of scrimmage, as Trey Georgie returns to the offensive line and Peter Bussone joins the group
• Quarterback turned running back Trenton Hatfield has now settled at safety and will be competing for playing time along with a young but talented group behind Kirk and Christian Uphoff
• Illinois transfer offensive lineman Adam Solomon has settled in nicely and ran with the first team unit at right tackle Sunday

So, he's impressed with the O-line, but moved two guys over there?? WR and RB groups are impressive!!?? Great, hope that's so. Here we are worried. In Spack we trust!! ray:

My guess is they moved back for next year. Lots of seniors on the oline

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[fourthandshort]

Here is some info about spring ball leading up to Spring Game on April 13, Saturday

https://goredbirds.com/news/2019/3/14/redbird-football-opens-spring-camp-march-17.aspx

2019 Redbird Football Spring Camp Schedule:
• Sunday, March 17 – 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 19 – 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 21 – 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 23 – 9 a.m.
• Sunday, March 24 – 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 26 – 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28 – 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 30 – 9 a.m. (CLOSED TO PUBLIC)
• Tuesday, April 2 – 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 4 – 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 6 – 9 a.m. (CLOSED TO PUBLIC)
• Tuesday, April 9 – 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 11 – 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 12 – 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 13 – 1 p.m. (Spring Showcase Scrimmage / OPEN TO PUBLIC)

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I think almost all, if not all, football coaches are up beat in the spring, Coach Spack being no different in that respect. Why would they not be upbeat at this time of year? I sincerely hope his optimism turns out to be spot on next fall and the receiving corps is solid. Too bad they cant stream the spring game. I would like to watch the game and not just see some short clips of what took place. Since I don't believe there are any plans to stream the festivities I will continue to rely on those of you in the Normal area for my spring updates! Go Redbirds!

 

[JHBird]

It looks like Trey Geogie is back to being listed as OL. I guess that means he didn't work out on the Dline, or we have more needs on the offensive side. Hopefully it's because we have a lot more up and coming defensive tackles. Oh well, can't blame Brock for switching people around. Some times those experiments really work out.

 

[fourthandshort]

It looks like Trey Geogie is back to being listed as OL. I guess that means he didn't work out on the Dline, or we have more needs on the offensive side. Hopefully it's because we have a lot more up and coming defensive tackles. Oh well, can't blame Brock for switching people around. Some times those experiments really work out.

I think Spack has proven himself capable of recognizing phyical skills sets & mindsets that warrant a position change. But it also probably has some to do with our DL 2 deep is young and deep enough, while our OL is much more senior oriented this coming fall .. leaving bigger holes to fill in 2020 on the OL. And maybe Georgie saw the writing too and asked knowing he will get a shot on OL in 2020, and probably not on DL .. playing time will affect any kids attitude.

The one that surprised me was local boy DT Bussone .. Spack was real high on him at DT as HS recruit .. now moved to OL.

 

[Total Red]

So, he's impressed with the O-line, but moved two guys over there??

We've lost seven O-Linemen since last season. G - Kanugh who started most of last season and T - O'Day another starter. Also not returning for various reasons Mikkelson, Baker, Ames, Starforth and Buffalomeat.

That's a fairly big hit so I wasn't surprised Georgie was kidnapped back by the offense. I was a little surprised by Bussone. I was looking forward to him being inserted alongside Ridgeway in short yardage situations this season as the "The Twin-City Terrors". It would have been difficult for an offense to root those two out of the way on 3rd or 4th and 1.

 

[MadBird]

Okay, been kinda quiet here for a few days. Yesterday's Pantagraph had an article about spring practice, and maybe most important, another assistant coach moving on.

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/c...cle_b885909e-9467-5d68-99a0-a383af1726f2.html

The first part of the article talks about DeMarco Washington running with the first team at the "sam" LB slot, with Tuvone Clark moving to "jack" - and we don't even need Timmy to 'splain it to us!!

“I learned mike and will like the back of my hand,” Washington said. “I’m learning the sam, and I’ve got Tuvone (Clark) to help me. He’s been playing there for two or three years. He’s kind of mentoring me, and teaching me the basics of it. I’m catching on pretty fast.”

Clark has been moved to ISU’s jack position, a hybrid outside linebacker/end spot.

Now, more concerning, we lose another assistant, and the guy who was listed as "associate head coach". You guys who have greater insight into the inner workings of the team can comment on how big of a role McClain played and whether this hurts much. I guess it worries me, but in the end, over a two year, or really 18 month period, Spack has almost totally cleaned house on the coaching staff. Good or bad? Guess we'll find out. And as always, will be "fun" to see who the replacement is.

McLain leaves staff: Greg “Moose” McLain, who has been part of Spack’s staff for all nine seasons, has resigned from his position as tight ends/H-backs coach to become offensive coordinator at Division II Clark in Atlanta, Ga.

McLain also worked with special teams and was ISU’s associate head coach the past four years.

“He wants to call his own plays. I get it. He did a good job here,” said Spack. “It’s closer to home. He and his wife are two hours from home (in Atlanta).”

McLain played his college football at Alabama.

Spack said he is “close” to hiring McLain’s replacement.

 

[fourthandshort]

9 years ... shake hands for a really nice run. What's surprising is he stayed 9 years in this profession .. Good for him and best wishes. Still very comfortable with this staff.

 

[TIMMY]

9 years is a long time to be an assistant in one place. Good for him. He might be the best play caller we never had.

 

[MadBird]

Good report on RB Proctor in the Pantagraph today, got lots of work in yesterday's scrimmage. Hopefully it pays off.

 

[fourthandshort]

Good report on RB Proctor in the Pantagraph today, got lots of work in yesterday's scrimmage. Hopefully it pays off.

interesting how he tallies 24 carries for 132 yards for 5.5 ypc .. next most productive listed was Brown at 17 carries for 63 yards for just under 4 ypc ... and not a word about Proctor in Goredbirds.com ... not a word. But plenty of attention from pantagraph. Goredbirds maybe trying to keep him on the down low ???

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/isu-s-proctor-getting-plenty-of-carries-as-robinson-watches/article_43427805-5b7c-5ba2-bcf3-5e35c48bd3bc.html

Here is what RB Robinson said about Proctor:

“He’s really fast,” Robinson said of junior college transfer Jeff Proctor. “He’s learning our plays and the way we do things. I think he's a really good player.”

Here's what Spack said, which the Pantagraph report echo'd:

“He’s explosive, fast, quick, strong,” ISU coach Brock Spack said. “He plays with his pads over his toes. He’s hard to tackle.”

Reminder that Robinson is seeing very little action/contact this spring on purpose. So the backups are getting lots of looks with 1st string.