The Bulldogs finished up week two of the spring session. I have to say, many players look bigger and stronger: Copache Tyler, Grant Wallace, Victor Egu, the list goes on. Tony Reno seems pleased with the progress so far.
“We’re making progress in a lot of areas,” he said. “The young guys are understanding the schemes better. Guys are getting a lot of opportunities.”
STANDING OUT
Some players who have really made some strides in the offseason? WRs Myles Gaines and Blake Rowlinson, TE Jackson Stallings, DT Jeff Schmittgens, LB Will Vaughan, along with DBs Spencer Rymiszewski and Dale Harris.
KEEP AN EYE ON…
DE Marty Moesta. He played in all 10 games and finished with 15 tackles last season. OL Khalid Cannon has been impressed with him.
“He’s really been stepping up,” Cannon said. “He’s like the QB on the DL right now, he’s making all the calls.”
FILLING THE SHOES
John Oppenheimer was as solid as a center could be last season. Moving over from RG, Luke Longinotti has done well stepping in. Fellow OL Mason Friedline said he’s much stronger, his snaps are solid and he’s making the right calls.
He’s a technician out there,” Friedline said. “He has the mental aspect, which is a huge part.”
SOME OTHER NOTES…
Tyler Varga and Brian Sykes were both wearing a walking boot and very limited on Friday…Everett Johnson had a solid run late in Friday’s practice…Logan Scott connected with Gaines, who made a diving catch for about a 20-yd TD… Keith Bloom has not yet been cleared to play (concussion), but is taking classes, Reno said…TE Blake Thomson is out for the spring with an injury…Avery Lewis is back for the spring and is gradually making his way back from his knee injury…
RECRUITING NEWS
Stepinac (N.Y.) Jr. QB Brandon Coleman has a Yale visit scheduled on Wednesday, according to Lohud.com. The 5-10, 160-pound Coleman also has visits scheduled with Harvard and Davidson. He threw for 1,144 yards and 12 TDs, while rushing for 715 yards and eight TDs last season. He also runs a 4.5 40.
Chris: Many thanks for the update. What gives with Tyler Varga? Has he reinjured himself? Same injury as last season? Has he been able to push himself over the winter? What's the prognosis? It will be terrible if he isn't able to strut his stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe this is Varga's last year -
ReplyDeletehe has played so little because of repeated injuries.
One reason Harvard and Princeton were so successful last year was that they have so few crippling injuries to starting players. I wonder how they do that? Over the past dozen years Harvard has had phenomenal depth, which may be their answer, but still no team has had the physical losses Yale has experienced in the last two years. Another such year is going to have an effect upon recruiting.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get excited abut an outstanding incoming class, when the best players might miss three, four or even five games due to injury.
It's pretty clear that whatever his talent, Tyler Varga is just one of those snakebitten kids who is never going to be healthy
ReplyDeleteThe curse of being a horse is that you are used like one. Very little planning or consideration goes in to how to appropriately use and protect your prized possessions. That would be basic coaching to some. You would not drive your Ferrari in an endurance off-road race. The result would be less than 100% utilization of potential and greater risk of mechanical breakdown. The problem with college sports is that the coaches view the players like a four year lease. Who cares if the Ferrari has no wheels at the end of the lease!
ReplyDeleteI overheard Morris talking to someone regarding his game planning for one of the games last season. He was asked why he didn't put in certain plays or do certain things on offense that seemed pretty obvious. His response was "We have Tyler Varga"! Any question as to the outcome of that plan?
Chris; Any thoughts on Quaterback race. What does the starting offense look like?
ReplyDeleteI was told with Varga it's just precautionary.
ReplyDeleteAs for QB race, in my opinion, it's Roberts' job to lose.
Chris, thank you for such a quick response to my 3 questions.
ReplyDeleteCheers Jon Harris
Mike McLeod NEVER missed a game!
ReplyDelete49 TDs, 3,672 rushing yards, 817 attempts, three 200-plus yard games and 19 games over 100 yards are all Yale career records... 12 of his TDs have put the Bulldogs ahead for good (game-winners)... Ivy record 18 straight games with TD (ended 11/17/07)... Played last five games of 2007 season with broken bone in his toe.
And where is he now? He did not have to play for Morris and he actually had blockers. Put some blockers in front of this Varga kid so he doesn't have to break 6 tackles on every play and he will break every record, I guarantee it.
ReplyDelete3:28 you are so right! We haven't had a runner like him in ages. Let's hope he's given the chance and given some holes.
ReplyDelete3:38 haha he sits atop the all-time list in rushing history of the Ivy League! Oh by the way he weighed under 200lbs.
ReplyDeleteHe's all time at Yale. Clifton Dawson from Harvard is all time in Ivy League.
ReplyDeleteMcLeod was a rock solid 200 pounder.
To 1:10 - You could not be more wrong. Varga has barely ever practiced without a red pinney on since he has been there. This spring is more of the same. Yes, he's big and strong, but he is injury-prone, partly because he seeks contact when he runs. We all saw that the first time we ever saw him run a few years ago in the Brown scrimmage and he's been that way ever since. It's just the way some guys are. To 2:05 - In the spring it is going to look like Morgan Roberts' job. But remember, the freshmen aren't there until August.
ReplyDeleteTo1:10,
ReplyDeleteYou're an idiot.
Such eloquence, 8:25. You have to be one of three people.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on the incoming freshman QB's and what type of impact they should make? In addition what makes one think they are better than a seasoned Roberts?
ReplyDeleteA good question - and a hard one to answer. They all look sensational in their video tapes, but against questionable high school opponents. I thought Eric Williams was the next Brian Dowling (even went to the same HS)until he started throwing those interceptions...
ReplyDeleteI always like the most competitive guy in the bunch. He'll win the games.
The style of offense dictates the probability of positional injuries. If your back has more blockers he will be less likely to get gang tackled. If you throw a lot of short routes through the middle your receivers will take a beating. It's not friggin rocket science. Varga is big and strong but he is not Superman. If you give him the ball 30 times per game and not enough blockers he will get injured. Anyone will! Just look at the way defenses defend against him. Load the box and outnumber the blockers. Lots of congestion and nowhere to run. The OC has to wake up not keep running in to a wall!
ReplyDeleteI have heard TE Blake Thomson is no longer on the team. Somebody is falsifying information.
ReplyDeleteChris:
ReplyDeleteWill you be taking a look at Friday's practice, and, if so, please ask someone on the staff if there will be a roster for the blue-white game. Thanks
I attended practice this morning. Morgan Roberts threw the ball very well. He was hitting his receivers quickly and accurately. Matthew Rubino, WR, was very good- catching and running for yardage after his catches. He displayed very good speed and did score a touchdown after a long run. Robert Reis had a breakup and an interception.
ReplyDeleteThe offensive line was:
Cannon-LT; Friedline-LG; Longinatti-C; Chism-RG; Killian-RT; & Buric T/E; Gerson appears to have been moved to T/E. LaTesta made a nice diving catch for a TD. Tyler Copache and Jack Rushin were paired along the D-line.F Oluokin made some hard hits.
Ray; Is la Testa playing defense or offense? Who are the running backs? Gerson has been moved to tight end?
ReplyDeleteAs a new comer to the Yale football scene can someone tell me what the deal is with the sub-varsity level games? When are they played? Where can I find a schedule? When do they generally designate the squads?
ReplyDeleteLatesta, this A.M., was playing on the offense. It appeared that Gerson will be playing at WR. Also, Eric Williams was playing at the WR position this morning.
ReplyDeleteRay; What is the reason for the change. Did the players reaquest it or do the coaches feel there is a need at that position. Also was Manora playing running back or linebacker? Thanks
ReplyDeleteManora is likely playing LB at this time. I have no idea who decided the positional changes concerning some of the players.
ReplyDeleteI will get info on position changes and spring rosters when I attend practice on Friday.
ReplyDeleteChris; Carter and Conklin both Tight ends have switched to defense? Strange since Conklin started at Tight end last year.
ReplyDeleteTo 2:06 Players being converted to defense maybe because the coaches are looking for someone who can tackle.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen Carter, but Conklin is the best blocking TE on the roster. Moving him is evidence that Yale is not going to run the ball. We're going 5 OLs and a TE that can't block against everyone else's front 7. A mismatch that we cannot win. I haven't seen anything like this in all my years of following Yale football.
ReplyDeleteThis is not football. I don't know what it is, but definitely not football. Who hired this crew?
ReplyDeleteI think the position changes are simply a sign of the talent of the young people we are bringing in. They can do many things, so let the staff move them to wherever they can bring the most benefit. You all are going to sit at your computers and decide there is someplace better for them?
ReplyDelete11:53 You are the best,let the cards fall and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI believe Yale is just going to improve and better.
See ya on Saturday Jon Harris