@exit4....So based on the stats and observations it seems like the following kids didn't have much of an impact. Maybe the ball just didn't come their way or maybe it's a sign of things. I wouldn't read too much into the spring game stats. I think the staff was trying to get some good film on everyone as they continue to evaluate. I will say this, there was an exciting buzz in the stadium last night. Lashlee's offense moves fast and once guys start to settle in, it's going to be exciting to watch. They are going to spread the ball around and make the defense play the WHOLE field.
-gilmartin and Hahn didn't register much on D for tackles either. Surprisely neither did Britton, although he got hurt. I was very impressed with Hahn. He's big, athletic and nearly picked off a couple slip screens from his safety position. Britton was very disruptive until he left the field. Gilmartin didn't do anything that stood out but he'll be in the mix.
-haven't read anything about shafenacker, Campbell or cespedes making an impression. I'll speak on the OL as a whole (both groups). I thought the pass pro was pretty good. There were a couple sacks but mostly due to coverage. I don't recall, defenders being unblocked in pass pro. Run blocking is still a work in progress. I thought it was better in the second half and allowed Vickers and Hopkins to get into the second level.
-TE position didn't get targeted very much. Not much for Bloom or Myers. Holman? The TEs were targeted a few times, they weren't completed much. On the targets to Myers, he was open and overthrown. The good news....Myers looks healthy and I love the energy he plays with. Bloom was targeted a few times. He dropping two that I recall, but made one sweet one-handed catch and got upfield. I don't recall seeing Holman targeted.
-At Wr looks like Mason Donaldson who had been making his way into spring camp videos didn't have a catch. Same with Tyler Davis. The WR corp has a chance to be very good and very involved in the offense. I was very impressed with their ability to stretch the defense and make plays. Mayala, Beals, and Skanes can all get yards after the catch. McLean and Davis are huge targets and will be involved, along with Coney. I don't believe Donaldson played. To me, it looked like he was the player in a walking boot on the sideline. All the WR were targeted and made plays. Davis looked very comfortable playing WR and had a few nice receptions in the second half.
-Jason Thompson didn't seem to get too many touches. Thompson played a lot and saw quit a few plays with the first offense. He was the first RB in after Newsome to start the game. He was involved in both the run and pass game. It was pretty clear that the staff likes Hopkins in goal line situations. He and Vickers had some nice runs in the second half. Newsome probably saw the least game action of the RBs. But, he did has a nice blitz pickup on a pass play in the second half. RE got on him about keeping his head up, but he stopped the blitzer from getting to the QB (I believe it was Stapleton blitzing off the edge). When Williams arrives, there will be a lot of competition among this group for playing time.
A few final thoughts....
I liked what I saw from Sherriffs and Bisack. This team can win with Sherriffs. He looked very comfortable running the uptempo system. He made progression reads in the pass game and because the pass pro was pretty good, stayed in the pocket, as well. There were a few nice plays where he avoided a defender to extend plays, as well. The deep ball (although he did lay one in perfectly to Mayala on the 80-yd TD) is still his Achilles heel. I also felt that some of the sacks that were blown dead (red jersey), he would have avoided if play was live. Bisack runs the offense well, but I don't think he wins the job. He's not as athletic as Sherriffs, but he can sling it. He forced a few balls into coverage and missed a few opportunities deep, but he competes. He did have a bad fumble at the mesh point (w/ Hopkins) that the defense recovered for a TD. Sherriffs heads into fall as the QB, in my opinion. Pindell, Washington, and McAfee will all come in and try to take it. I think all three will make a strong push.
If the OL continues to develop and improve, this team will make huge strides this year.
I was also very impressed with Will Rishell (QB/K) on XPs and FGs. Great to see a kid who was never really given the opportunity under the last staff to have an impact as a RS SR. He pushed a 47-yd FG left, but it had the distance. He has big shoes to fill, but seems to have the leg and stones to do it. Kicking may be a position the staff looks to add depth, via transfer or walk-on.