Well I returned in Dallas tonight at just the right time...in time to see the Stars punch in 2 early 3rd period goals and finish with a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks that sends them to the Western Conference Semifinals vs either San Jose or Calgary later this week. Now...onto the spring game.
First off, here are the posts that I made from the Jones on Saturday. I'm going to break my review down into PROs and CONs.
- The defense recorded 9 sacks lead by Brandon Jones with 3, Daniel Howard with 2, and McKinner Dixon with 2.
- The defense only had 1 TFL (Tackle For a Loss) on 47 rushing plays.
- Michael Crabtree had 6 catches for 54 yards and 1 TD.
- Michael Crabtree had 2 drops on VERY catchable balls.
- Blake Kelley and Adam James likely played themselves into the WR rotation in 2008.
- Todd Walker went from the most talked about WR in spring practice to a virtual afterthought on Saturday. He had 1 catch for 3 yards in "bonus time" on Saturday.
- The offensive line was without 3 of it's Top 7 on Saturday. Rylan Reed, Louis Vasquez, and Lonnie Edwards all sat out with injuries.
- The perceived depth at OL might not be exactly what we once thought. The OL looked very average for most of the spring game.
- Sam Fehoko was an absolute stud on Saturday. He flew around the field making play after play.
- He's likely to be 2nd on the depth chart at MLB but should earn significant playing time in Ruffin's defensive rotation of 22-26 guys.
- McKinner Dixon continued to show his exceptional athletic ability in his return to the Hub City.
- Jake Ratliff who??? He was a total non-factor on Saturday just as he has been all spring. Look for Daniel Howard and/or Brandon Sesay to move ahead of him in the fall.
- Aaron Crawford and Baron Batch ran very well at times.
- Baron Batch lost 8 yards in his last 3 carries, Crawford was shutdown except for a 19 yd burst followed by a 12 yd run 2 plays later.
- Shannon Woods showed why he lead the Big 12 in all purpose yards gained in 2007 and is a 2 year starter at RB.
- Shannon Woods continued to show his tendency to not hit the hole and take what the defense gives him. Instead, he kept trying to bounce it outside but was only able to turn the corner 1 time for a nice 18 yard gain.
Ok. That about sums up my thoughts on the spring game. If anything else comes to me tomorrow I'll add it to this list.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thoughts from the Spring Game
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Unofficial Stats for today...
They're still playing even though the clock is at 00:00...but here are my unofficial spring game stats:
Finishing up the day...
The backups are in now to finish out the game.
Black 26
Red 17
5:30 left in 4th and counting...
I'll be back tomorrow with a full report as my fiancee and I are celebrating our birthdays together this evening.
Crawford with a TD, Harrell finding a rhythm
Graham completes 4 of 5 on the drive (3 of them to Detron Lewis) and Aaron Crawford has runs of 7 and 20 before punching it in from 6 yards out.
Black 20
Red 17
:26 left in 3rd quarter
NOTE: They're using a running clock in the 3rd quarter.
And it's halftime
The defense has been the story of the day so far. The crowd has been treated to a very impressive defensive performance with 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an INT. Some of the stats I have:
Harrell...11 of 23 for 135...1 TD 1 INT 1 Fumble
Potts...19 of 28 for 139...sacked 5 times
Batch 11 for 44 yds and a fumble
Crabtree 5 catches for 53 yds, 1 TD and 2 drops
Detron Lewis 4 catches for 50 yards
Adam James 3 catches for 45 yards
Defensively...Colby Whitlock, Chris Perry, Daniel Howard, Richard Jones, and McKinner Dixon all have sacks on Taylor Potts.
Sam Fehoko has an interception and a fumble recovery.
David Neill recovered a fumble by Batch that was caused Sam Fehoko and somebody else.
Defense with ANOTHER big stop
With the offense starting on their own 7...they go backwards on 1st down and then Harrell can't find an open man after that.
Black 17
Red 7
3:41 left in 2nd quarter
2nd string moves the ball...
but the defense gets a big stop on 3rd and goal at the 1 and then Baron Batch is hit in the backfield by Fehoko and somebody else on 4th down and fumbles...recovered by DT David Neill.
Black 15
Red 7
4:20 left in 2nd quarter
Defense with another hold
Harrell leads the offense down to the 10 (with a few nice runs from Shannon Woods) but 2 incompletes and a dropped ball by Blake Kelley on 3rd down ends in a missed 27 yd FG attempt from Cory Fowler.
Black 12
Red 7
11:44 left in 2nd
Fehoko with an INT
Sam Fehoko steps in front of a Graham Harrell pass for a very nice INT. No worries as TPotts comes back in and throws a few wild balls to lead to a turnover on downs.
Black 12
Red 7
13:28 left in 2nd quarter
Crabtree makes quick work of the defense
It takes 2 plays for the 1st team offense to find the endzone...
Defense with 2 more sacks
Taylor Potts was sacked by Chris Perry on 1st down and Daniel Howard on 3rd down...another 3 and out.
Lewis can't hold on
4th and 6 at the Black 27 yd line...but Detron Lewis drops a great pass from GH across the middle to turn the ball over. The play before, Pete Richardson had a great pass breakup on a pass intended for Todd Walker.
Neill getting pressure
Backup DT David Neill makes a nice move to get up the gut and force Taylor Potts to throw a ball that falls helplessly incomplete in the flats.
Fehoko recovers a fumble
GH was leading the offense down the field...but a fumbled snap at the 21 was recovered by Sam Fehoko
Whitlock with a sack
Colby Whitlock blew right up the middle on 3rd and 10 for an 8 yard "sack" (there's no tackling of the QB) of Taylor Potts to force a 3 and out.
Waiting on the game to start
and we've got a few minutes of bull in the ring at midfield to get the guys warmed up for today...
