So, what do we look for at Saturday's scrimmage?

[LBPop]

Things are too slow on this board, so here's my attempt to wake everyone up from their August naps. ;D

My list of things to watch are as follows...what are yours?

1) Number 1, 2 & 3 are probably all "How is the QB competition shaping up?" I hear that both Nick C. and Keith A. are doing well.

2) Can this "new" O line open some holes and protect the new QB?

3) Can the offense consistently move the ball against the outstanding Hoya defense? They will likely not see better all season.

4) Can anyone block Ono and Buzz when they are on the field at the same time? If you double both of them, you have very few receivers left to put in the patterns.

5) Any new faces that will contribute? I think the Hoya staff did a fine job recruiting this year.

OK, that's my two cents. Any additions, any disagreement?

[fsohoya]

I think the O Line is key. QB development is also important, but my recollection of the last few seasons has been that protecting him and giving him time to find open receivers has been lacking.

[wolf10]

Both posts are right on the head. Hi LBpop missed you and football board. I only hope The COACH comes to his sences as does not allow the QB,S TO BE HIT, during scrimmages,PUT "pinnys"ON THEM. THE LAST TWO YEARS, we have had our QB not healthy. Pick the QB, keep him healthy, as our competition does, and go into opening day healthy. Use good judgement. Yes I was taking a nap. Might try to make first scrimmage. I think THIS team could be THE BIG SUPRISE. MY best to SARIN. If any of the players have his Motivation to be the "BEST", as he showed, they too will be WINNERS>You will be missed KIM but not forgotten.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

A couple of thoughts on the O-Line situation: Have we had a consistant group of guys in the trenches the last couple of years? How experienced is the O line? If they've been struggling the last two years because they've been young that's ok.

We also have a new offense this year which could mean that we'll be fixing problems faced in earlier schemes.

What sort of blocking schemes are we using? Is it hat on hat or will we be pulling tackles and guards a lot or zone blocking?

If we're airing the ball out and don't have a very experienced line look for a 3 step drop - I've noticed that in past years our QBs have been using 5 and (ugh) 7 step drops. How many steps does it look like their dropping in their QB drills with dummy defenses or no defense?

[TBird41]

Some thoughts:

1) Which running back is going to step up and fill the huge hole left by Sarin's injury?

2) Is the line going to be able to mesh/overcome the loss of seniors from last year? I seem to recall that a majority of the line consisted of seniors.

3) Do the players look more comfortable in the second year of Coach Uzelac's offense? Is our QB going to be healthy enough to properly run the option oriented attack?

[showcase]

stpetersburghoya said:

A couple of thoughts on the O-Line situation: Have we had a consistant group of guys in the trenches the last couple of years? How experienced is the O line? If they've been struggling the last two years because they've been young that's ok.

We also have a new offense this year which could mean that we'll be fixing problems faced in earlier schemes.

What sort of blocking schemes are we using? Is it hat on hat or will we be pulling tackles and guards a lot or zone blocking?

If we're airing the ball out and don't have a very experienced line look for a 3 step drop - I've noticed that in past years our QBs have been using 5 and (ugh) 7 step drops. How many steps does it look like their dropping in their QB drills with dummy defenses or no defense?

My recollection of last year was a revolving door at O-line, due to injuries and just plain trying to get some consistent play out of the line. I think the QB Question is question 1, but the O-line is 1(a), and I hope the new coordinator has the answers to both. The sooner the better, I might add.

[showcase]

Can I just take a moment to note that all of our questions seem to be about the offense? It's nice to know that no one seems particularly worried about the D, which seems pretty safe in the hands of Ono, Buzbee, Hassan & Paulus.

[LBPop]

showcase said:

It's nice to know that no one seems particularly worried about the D, which seems pretty safe in the hands of Ono, Buzbee, Hassan & Paulus.

Agreed and there are, of course, others like Jason Carter, et. al. who help make that a first class defense. Having said that, if the offense has trouble maintaining possession as it did last season, depth on the defense will be very important as well. Those guys you mentioned simply cannot be expected to play 40 minutes a game and be effective in the fourth quarter.