UA QB Battle

[Dane96]

Interesting stuff.

 

Seems like Harding could be a great coach one day, with the cerebral side.

 

That pass that Brunson makes was a thing of beauty (#7). Once he grows into his body...he will be a good one. He's really thin for this level and his height...but the strength staff will take care of that part.

 

[jimbo]

http://www.troyrecord.com/sports/20150416/spring-football-ualbany-offensive-line-looks-for-better-production

 

Not really on topic, but these are the guys that will go a long way to deciding how well the QBs do. I was thinking before that the O-Line was going to be a team

strength and this reaffirms that. And big thanks to Laura Amato at the Troy Record!

[UAalum72]

A TU+ article by Singelais http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-sports/article/UAlbany-loses-tight-end-Nic-Ketter-6205341.php

 

Ketter's injury "could keep him out for the entire season in the fall.

 

"Yeah, he probably will be," Gattuso said. "We're hoping for a speedy recovery, but he'll be out for a while ... He's got to get surgery and everything."

Ketter had his left leg in a brace and leaned on a crutch during Thursday's practice. Gattuso said the injury happened without contact when Ketter was making a cut.

As a result, Anthony Palello and Lukas Repetti will have a chance to show what they can do at tight end in Saturday's intrasquad game.

Gattuso moved Repetti from defensive end to make up for the loss of Ketter. "(Repetti) looks like Brian Parker running out of there, so that's a good thing," Gattuso said. "It gives us a chance to experiment a bit and see where guys fit in. We need them to adapt at the tight end position because it's a big part of what we do."

 

the spring game will consist of 90 to 100 plays. He said sophomore Penn State transfer D.J. Crook will work with the first-team offense, incoming freshman Will Brunson will play with the second-stringers and senior Dan Harding will be the No. 3 quarterback.

The Great Danes are using sophomore wide receiver Josh Gontarek, the Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Rookie of the Year, more often as an outside threat after employing him in the slot as a freshman. "We think we've got more speed there (at receiver) as a group and we're hoping that'll show up," Gattuso said.

 

Gattuso said he's happier with a defense that's playing more man-to-man pass coverage than it did a year ago.

[Eli]

I can't wait to see the team tomorrow. Should be a GORGEOUS day too.

[DanesRGood]

Please provide updates from the football game!

[Eli]

Well, here is my take. I wasn't 100% focused as it was just too gorgeous out and I was enjoying the environment in general (wish I could always watch football in 70* weather).

Receivers looked pretty good. #1, Roberson, looks long so he should be a good threat in the red zone at minimum. Gontarek is Gontarek, nuff said. The QB's were a bit hard to keep track of, as there were so many, but my overall impression is that none of them were worse than Fiacchi, but at the same time I didn't see anything truly amazing out of anyone. They all seem to have good arms, and although it was CRAZY windy, they weren't that bad with their accuracy. A couple of them seemed to have some decent wheels once they tucked the ball and ran up the middle, etc.

 

Secondary seemed to be kind of weak today, as it was most of last year. Lots of penalties and also they didn't look for the ball for much of the day; just covered their guy and tried to get in his way. That might be fine in Spring ball, but in a CAA game, teams will destroy us.

 

I think we're also going to miss Osbourne. We got lucky with having Smith and Osbourne the last few years...I think Andre Martin is a significant step back from either of those guys. I have a feeling, if one of the QB's can really show some stuff, we'll be more of a passing offense this year because I don't think Martin can be that go to workhorse guy like Osbourne was.

[jimbo]

I was at the Spring game and here's the takeaways for me: We have the best group of wideouts for UA ever. Gontarek, Harris, Crockett, Roberson and Neverdon. At RB Martin and Croskey could get it done (and there's 2 great Frosh we haven't seen). At QB, it looks like it's Crook and Brunson. None of the others showed too much but they were playing with 2nd and 3rd teams, plus the wind got be pretty bad after a bit. Crook looks polished and has great feet. Brunson looks to be a threat to run and has a rocket arm. If he can get some pounds on and retain his quickness….look out! On defense, it's going to be fun watching Traore and Griffen for the next 4 years. Great day at BFF.

Edited April 19, 2015 by jimbo

[Phoenix]

Brunson looks to be something special..but I'm guessing Crook will still start..mainly due to size and experience. Excited by Zee Roberson at WR.

[Clickclack]

Brunson looked like the best QB out there IMO. None of them were spectacular and Brunson needs to put on some weight/strength.

[dslyank]

#s on defense seem suspect. There was barely enough defensive players dressed to provide a two deep scrimmage; while the O easily could field four mostly different teams (especially at the skill positions). i.e.. Depth on D could be a big problem, unless a lot of freshman coming this summer play ready (i.e. not red shirting).

 

I pretty much agree with what has been said about QB's--Crook looked poised and physically bigger than Brunson who actually may have a better arm and more run speed than Crook. Hard to tell on running backs; expect Martin and Crosby to share duties with at least one of the freshman coming this summer. Unless you have a stud like Smith or Osborne, having a stable of reliable backs can prove effective.

[jimbo]

Just a few more things from the Spring Game before I forget them. DJ Crook was playing with a brace on his left knee. Nic Ketter appeared to be hobbling about the side line in street clothes. Kalief Joyner

was listed on the O-Line when previously they showed him as a TE. The defense was hitting very hard and there was even a personal foul for a late hit out of bounds. The receivers for the most part held on after

crunching hits over the middle. The QBs all had a pretty quick step up when trying to run, but since they were playing "one hand touch" to tackle the QB there were some potential runs that never happened.

[UAalum72]

Any guess as to attendance? IIRC last year there were a couple of hundred, wondering if the "Spring Stomp" brought more people over. Not that we'll challenge Ohio State for a while.

[jimbo]

It was hard to tell but I don't imagine there were more than a few hundred. Julie Forster and family were sitting in front of us cheering on her brother. Coach G plopped down in a seat about 8' from us and chatted with an

acquaintance for a good bit of the first half. The OC and DC were apparently running the show until the end when they gave the QBs a crack at a 2 minute (1:45 actually) drill.

[Ruler]

The offense appears to be a pass first and run second offense or a more finesse type of offense if you will. Not sure if that is by design or they are light on RB's this year. They are still a bit smaller than most CAA teams upfront so that may have something to do with it as well. Albany has always been "bigger" in the NEC and had a 3 yards and a cloud of dust type offense. I imagine Coach G is just playing to his talent. An offense like that could struggle in the rain and wind that comes every fall. It always effects the passing game.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Ruler