Official Spring Game Thread

[TroyD92]

Hey, im going to the spring game this saturday with my uncle and dad and I was wondering what is there to do before the game any help would be apreciated.

[ahagen87]

You can take a walk on state street there is plenty to see there...or if your over 21 theres plenty of bars on the way to the stadium that a lot of people are usually at on game day don't know if they will be like that for this but its worth a shot.

[Heavystarch]

State street is definitely worth a visit, and Breeze/Lathrop should have a lot of drinking

[Bernini]

I'm almost positive Troy is in high school. Traveling with his family should have been a tip-off.

That limits about 90 percent of the possibilities.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Bernini

I'm almost positive Troy is in high school. Traveling with his family should have been a tip-off.

That limits about 90 percent of the possibilities.

Yea, im only in high school

[Bernini]

I guess this discussion can be converted into the official spring game thread.

If people didn't know, the spring game is typically streamed live yearly on the Official Badgers' website, although this year the Big Ten Network will carry it for free via their website. Here is a direct link to the video: Spring Game Webcast.

If you can't catch the webcast live, I'm pretty sure it will be archived for later access.

A couple points of interest for me:
1. how will we compensate for our decimated defensive line?
2. how has Evridge's timing on his dropback improve?
3. how will Johnny Clay, Josh Oglesby, and Nick Toon look in their pseudo debuts?
4. how will our replacement corners adapt to having no pass rush help?

Post your observations in this thread.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Bernini

I guess this discussion can be converted into the official spring game thread.

If people didn't know, the spring game is typically streamed live yearly on the Official Badgers' website, although this year the Big Ten Network will carry it for free via their website. Here is a direct link to the video: Spring Game Webcast.

If you can't catch the webcast live, I'm pretty sure it will be archived for later access.

A couple points of interest for me:
1. how will we compensate for our decimated defensive line?
2. how has Evridge's timing on his dropback improve?
3. how will Johnny Clay, Josh Oglesby, and Nick Toon look in their pseudo debuts?
4. how will our replacement corners adapt to having no pass rush help?

Post your observations in this thread.

1.Defensive line is very very thin Nzewgwu(Spelling?) looked great stopping JC and sacking I believe Sherer, that was about the only good things I saw Schofield was getting abused by JO.

2.Josh Ogelsby got beat once by Nzegwou but other than that was dominating everybod he went against by the way I had no clue he was that big he was towering over everybody.

3.Zach Brown got hurt it was a leg but I dont think it was that serious,John Clay looked great carrying the pile alot of the time,Lance is still dancing a bit too much,Hill looked healty.

4.Gilreath looked great as a reciever and caught everything thrown his way,Jones was not that impressive,didnt even see Toon on the field,Issac Anderson looked good but dropped an easy touchdown

5.Corners played well especially Goins and Nettles(Nice Pick), Valai had a great pick off of a tipped ball and Margos also had a pick.

all and all they looked pretty good on a good note I saw Aaron Henry jumping on the sidelines and did not seem to have any limp so I hope that is a good sign.

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by TroyD92

1.Defensive line is very very thin Nzewgwu(Spelling?) looked great stopping JC and sacking I believe Sherer, that was about the only good things I saw Schofield was getting abused by JO.

2.Josh Ogelsby got beat once by Nzegwou but other than that was dominating everybod he went against by the way I had no clue he was that big he was towering over everybody.

3.Zach Brown got hurt it was a leg but I dont think it was that serious,John Clay looked great carrying the pile alot of the time,Lance is still dancing a bit too much,Hill looked healty.

4.Gilreath looked great as a reciever and caught everything thrown his way,Jones was not that impressive,didnt even see Toon on the field,Issac Anderson looked good but dropped an easy touchdown

5.Corners played well especially Goins and Nettles(Nice Pick), Valai had a great pick off of a tipped ball and Margos also had a pick.

all and all they looked pretty good on a good note I saw Aaron Henry jumping on the sidelines and did not seem to have any limp so I hope that is a good sign.

Also did anyone else see Lendell Buckener im not 100% sure, but I believe that I did see him

[Bernini]

Buckner is an Illinois commit, so it would be bizarre if he was actually in attendance.

I concur on Nzegwu. In spite of being a running back at Platteville, he looked very natural as a defensive end for the Badgers. Very quick off the ball, long arms, great strength. Any contributions next year from him as a redshirt frosh would be gravy. He has a future as a starting defensive end.

I don't agree on Oglesby. His performance was a bit uneven. As we had heard when he was a recruit his run blocking is superior to his pass blocking. He pushed the pile for Clay, and those two will make a great duo eventually, but his lateral quickness wasn't there when he was attempting to fend off oncoming pass rushing DE's. Strength will never be an issue for him, but footwork might.

Overall, I'm not overly concerned with our pass defense in 2008. Decremer, Schofield, and Levy are all pretty quick off the line of scrimmage. I was very pleased with the way Levy fought the offensive line to make a few tackles today. He'll spend even more time at rush DE this season because of the attrition, namely Shaughnessy. I may be in the minority, but the cornerback position is a strength. Goins anticipates well and has good hips. I don't know if Merrill will be a major factor this year, but I love his potential more than just about any player in the spring game. Very fluid hips, quick feet, recovery speed. I was even impressed on the pass interference call when he stayed stride for stride with Gilreath, after David juked him pretty well. The call was very borderline. He just needs to work on strength and ball skills a little. Either Henry or Langford should return. Nettles is solid. Cromartie looks like an advanced corner from our recruiting class. And maybe most importantly, Valai is an enormous upgrade at SS against the pass over Aubrey Pleasant. He is ultra quick, and in addition to lighting players up at the line of scrimmage, he was always lurking behind receivers. The adjustment he made on the tipped interception was amazing. He was a stud. Maragos is a ballhawk, reading the QB's eyes for a couple INT's. We'll be solid against the pass next season.

The DT's remain the most pressing question. The replacements for Newkirk, Chapman, and Shaughnessy; were bullied by the interior O-Lineman. We couldn't make tackles in the open field. Converting a big body from the offensive line, allowing our quick linebackers to make plays, might be beneficial.

Offensively, we aren't lacking in weaponry. The only question is how do the coaches utilize these guys and can we get them the ball? I disagree w/ your opinion on Daven Jones. He looks the most natural at receiver. Great athlete and understands how to run routes. Give him a decent QB to work with for once. Gilreath's game was a pleasant surprise. He made a vast improvement in running routes. He still tends to be a guy who runs straight up the field though. You're not going to get away with that against Big Ten corners. And he doesn't really have the strength to beat the jam. Ike Anderson is intriguing. He's built like a spread-option running back. We weren't even able to see Jefferson and Toon. We're loaded at receiving....

and we're loaded at running back too. Zaccheus Brown is the most consistent runner and has the best power/speed/quickness combination. Hill, Smith, and Clay are all similar level running backs. Smith is the most unique, so you know he'll be employed in some fashion. He made huge strides from the previous spring game, where I criticized him, to today. He squared his shoulders finally and lowered the boom. He wasn't giving up yardage on the field anymore. And the wiggle is still present.

Phillips staked his claim as the quarterback of the future. He threw some extremely pretty balls out there. He plays well beyond his years. As far as the established QB's go, I was pretty disappointed. Evridge is still erratic and fires the ball too hard in close range to thrive in the red zone. Footwork was better, so a positive sign there. Stallons is a skeleton, and his footwork is lacking. Sherer....meh.

The offensive line are still a bunch of maulers, who struggle a bit against quicker defenders.

Outside of an individual player here and there....THEY ARE WHO I THOUGHT THEY WERE.

[TroyD92]

I was not exactly that sure about JO actually he played on the opposite side of where I was sitting I tried to watch him but it was difficult I just said that because I did not see anybody really beat him so that was a bit rushed decision.

I also agree on Merril he is very fast and agile that play with Gilreath I thought was a bad call.

Phillips had two runs that also would have been pretty big gains if it were not for the touch rule.He also should have had two more big completions which were both dropped by Kosssoris.

Also I meant Brinkley was playing well not Nettles.

Also what did you think of Everidge?

[Heavystarch]

My take

First, having a name that can be lengthened, if I called Zach Brown Zacchias he would probably light me up, so I'll stick with calling people by their preferred names.

Second, I did not see Toon or Nettles play. I could be wrong, but I thought Nettles was out, and I think the int went to Brinkley. Toon I just didn't see

I thought Tolzien looked the best out of the QB's, altough none looked overly special. Few nice passes out of all, few uggos as well

Gilreath was fine, Anderson dropped a touchdown and Jones looked real awkward down the sideline once or twice. Jones has the talent, its just a matter of him putting it together.

I love Phillips to death, but he needs work. Pocket presence will come with time, but he looked awkward taking snaps. He threw the ball well though, and he did have two would have been nice runs. He also threw a few ill advised passes

Current got beat once or twice, once resulting in a Phillips sack. JO looked pretty solid I thought, I seen him throw guys around when I focused on him.

I thought Schofield looked good cruising around, he seemed active.

OUr biggest problem, IMO, is our special teams. Nortman will have to start, because little DeBauche needs a lot of work. Both our kickers were horrible

Clay looks like he will be ready to start next year. Hill would be foolish not to declare after this season, because he seems the least talented of our backs

[Kingballa12gt]

I was at the game as well and I was very impressed with Gilreaths improvement overall as a reciever, Lance Smith looked good out of the backfield. The corners overall played well and i think it was shane carter that came up with a very nice interception. I was also very impressed with Clay, and i think he can take the load next year if PJ goes to the NFL. I also got a lot of autogrpahs

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Kingballa12gt

I was at the game as well and I was very impressed with Gilreaths improvement overall as a reciever, Lance Smith looked good out of the backfield. The corners overall played well and i think it was shane carter that came up with a very nice interception. I was also very impressed with Clay, and i think he can take the load next year if PJ goes to the NFL. I also got a lot of autogrpahs

Actually it was Valai that got the INT Carter was a non factor

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TroyD92