Can I get some love for the passing game, too? Seriously, welcome back Seth. Ox-or any X men-any idea on the candidates for the 5 starting OL besides Gahm and Smith?( and Harvey!!)

 

Sorry that I haven't talked much about the passing game, but it's been a sore spot with me for years. I do believe that both Zoeller and Brutscher are capable of being more than adequate passers. Combine this with a speed receiver like Simmons, a sure-handed WR like Brinkman, and two excellent TE's in Brown and Naiser and the elements seem to be there to run a balanced pass/run offense. Much to my chagrin, however, the x's and o's are just not in the playbook. The Tigers will continue to basically rely on three pass plays, as they have done for decades:

 

1. The hitch pass to the WR, which is normally good for -1 to +3 yards.

2. The 7-yard curl pattern, which we religiously run even when it's 3rd and 8.

3. The 30-yard flag pattern (we never challenge a safety in the middle of the field).

 

Each of these are designated for just one single receiver. We never look for the next alternate, even if we have 3-4 running patterns. If the single designated receiver is not open, then the QB runs for his life. :irked:

 

In regards to your second question, with Seth Harvey returning, both he and Josh Gahm will be fixtures on the OL. Before I heard about Seth returning, I thought for sure that Matt Smith would be going fulltime both ways. Now he may still play some OL, in addition to his normal DL position, but the frequency will be much less. Looking over the roster, it looks like the remaining positions will be up for grabs mainly amongst Oliver Ray, Alex Oliva, Cort Muller, Charles O'Bryan, Hunter Barrett, Corey Cundiff, Justin Weiger, David Casale, and Tony Stone. In addition, there possibly could be some surprise maturity improvements off of last years JV's and Freshmen. I'm sure it will be a couple weeks into August before the fog over the OL lifts.

Sorry that I haven't talked much about the passing game, but it's been a sore spot with me for years. I do believe that both Zoeller and Brutscher are capable of being more than adequate passers. Combine this with a speed receiver like Simmons, a sure-handed WR like Brinkman, and two excellent TE's in Brown and Naiser and the elements seem to be there to run a balanced pass/run offense. Much to my chagrin, however, the x's and o's are just not in the playbook. The Tigers will continue to basically rely on three pass plays, as they have done for decades:

 

1. The hitch pass to the WR, which is normally good for -1 to +3 yards.

2. The 7-yard curl pattern, which we religiously run even when it's 3rd and 8.

3. The 30-yard flag pattern (we never challenge a safety in the middle of the field).

 

Each of these are designated for just one single receiver. We never look for the next alternate, even if we have 3-4 running patterns. If the single designated receiver is not open, then the QB runs for his life. :irked:

 

In regards to your second question, with Seth Harvey returning, both he and Josh Gahm will be fixtures on the OL. Before I heard about Seth returning, I thought for sure that Matt Smith would be going fulltime both ways. Now he may still play some OL, in addition to his normal DL position, but the frequency will be much less. Looking over the roster, it looks like the remaining positions will be up for grabs mainly amongst Oliver Ray, Alex Oliva, Cort Muller, Charles O'Bryan, Hunter Barrett, Corey Cundiff, Justin Weiger, David Casale, and Tony Stone. In addition, there possibly could be some surprise maturity improvements off of last years JV's and Freshmen. I'm sure it will be a couple weeks into August before the fog over the OL lifts.

 

 

I thought Will Simmons was moving back to RB...his natural position. With his speed he needs to see the ball at least 10 times a game. With teams focusing on Duece, Simmons could do some real damage.

I thought Will Simmons was moving back to RB...his natural position. With his speed he needs to see the ball at least 10 times a game. With teams focusing on Duece, Simmons could do some real damage.

 

You are very right about Will's speed! In the Mason-Dixon games this year Will finished 2nd in the short sprint. He can fly, and is a very shifty runner. However, much like Tim Phillips of Trinity, he is extremely small iin the weight department. If teamed with Deuce in the backfield, he would have a hard time blocking in pass protection for Zoeller, and would not be much of a lead blocker for Deuce in isolation or sweep plays.

 

His long term collegiate future lies in developing as a slot pass receiver. He could still be used as a runner when placed in motion cutting through the backfield. As a pass receiver, he runs excellent patterns and has the speed to keep the defensive secondary honest due to his field-stretching speed. His major problem as a receiver is his inconsistency with his hand positioning in catching the ball. If sufficient coaching time is spent on correcting this deficiency, Will Simmons can become a major weapon, and prevent the defense from loading the box on Deuce Finch. Ideally, he would be used in a fashion very similar to that developed for Rocket Ishmail when he was playing for Holtz at ND.

 

It will be very interesting to see how this situation develops.

Sorry that I haven't talked much about the passing game, but it's been a sore spot with me for years. I do believe that both Zoeller and Brutscher are capable of being more than adequate passers. Combine this with a speed receiver like Simmons, a sure-handed WR like Brinkman, and two excellent TE's in Brown and Naiser and the elements seem to be there to run a balanced pass/run offense. Much to my chagrin, however, the x's and o's are just not in the playbook. The Tigers will continue to basically rely on three pass plays, as they have done for decades:

 

1. The hitch pass to the WR, which is normally good for -1 to +3 yards.

2. The 7-yard curl pattern, which we religiously run even when it's 3rd and 8.

3. The 30-yard flag pattern (we never challenge a safety in the middle of the field).

 

Each of these are designated for just one single receiver. We never look for the next alternate, even if we have 3-4 running patterns. If the single designated receiver is not open, then the QB runs for his life. :irked:

 

In regards to your second question, with Seth Harvey returning, both he and Josh Gahm will be fixtures on the OL. Before I heard about Seth returning, I thought for sure that Matt Smith would be going fulltime both ways. Now he may still play some OL, in addition to his normal DL position, but the frequency will be much less. Looking over the roster, it looks like the remaining positions will be up for grabs mainly amongst Oliver Ray, Alex Oliva, Cort Muller, Charles O'Bryan, Hunter Barrett, Corey Cundiff, Justin Weiger, David Casale, and Tony Stone. In addition, there possibly could be some surprise maturity improvements off of last years JV's and Freshmen. I'm sure it will be a couple weeks into August before the fog over the OL lifts.

FYI- I did some research myself and it looks like O-Ray at Center, and Cundiff, Gahm, Stone, and possibly Harvey gives a pretty good size with Smith alternating in also. Cundiff, Stone and Harvey are all larger than 275 or more Gahm is the best and O Ray is the strongest. It looks better now with the possibility of Gahm, Smith, and TE Ben Brown clearing the way on one side.

 

As to my beloved passing game, it makes us easy to scout. The TD pass to Deuce out of the backfield down the middle against Male (regular season) was a play they used alot in 7 on 7 and were successful. We need to throw to the TE to exploit the middle deep. They tried it last year and didn't get it over Weitlauf from Trinity at PJS and Heyman from Male in the playoff loss.

Backside posts to sure-handed WR's would be my preference!!

Sorry that I haven't talked much about the passing game, but it's been a sore spot with me for years. I do believe that both Zoeller and Brutscher are capable of being more than adequate passers. Combine this with a speed receiver like Simmons, a sure-handed WR like Brinkman, and two excellent TE's in Brown and Naiser and the elements seem to be there to run a balanced pass/run offense. Much to my chagrin, however, the x's and o's are just not in the playbook. The Tigers will continue to basically rely on three pass plays, as they have done for decades:

 

1. The hitch pass to the WR, which is normally good for -1 to +3 yards.

2. The 7-yard curl pattern, which we religiously run even when it's 3rd and 8.

3. The 30-yard flag pattern (we never challenge a safety in the middle of the field).

 

Each of these are designated for just one single receiver. We never look for the next alternate, even if we have 3-4 running patterns. If the single designated receiver is not open, then the QB runs for his life. :irked:

 

In regards to your second question, with Seth Harvey returning, both he and Josh Gahm will be fixtures on the OL. Before I heard about Seth returning, I thought for sure that Matt Smith would be going fulltime both ways. Now he may still play some OL, in addition to his normal DL position, but the frequency will be much less. Looking over the roster, it looks like the remaining positions will be up for grabs mainly amongst Oliver Ray, Alex Oliva, Cort Muller, Charles O'Bryan, Hunter Barrett, Corey Cundiff, Justin Weiger, David Casale, and Tony Stone. In addition, there possibly could be some surprise maturity improvements off of last years JV's and Freshmen. I'm sure it will be a couple weeks into August before the fog over the OL lifts.

 

It's my understanding that Naiser has decided to focus on the round ball and won't be playing football his Senior year. Anyone else heard this?

Much like you, I am really concerned about finding help for Gahm on the OL. Matt Smith may be one busy young man this season. Where have all the BIG BOYS gone?

 

Well, I'll tell you where one of them went. He went to Russell :fire: HS in Russell, KY. Ole' Seth Harvey, went to St X 1/2 his freshman year and then moved back to Russell. He help lead Russell to a state runner-up to Mercer Co. last year as a sophomore (he was 4th on the team in tackles). Now, he is moving back to St X. He'll be going there his Jr & Sr year. So you now have a 6'6" 300lb lineman to plug in where ever Glaser decides. :dancingpa

Great news for St X bad news for Russell.

 

Big Seth will be missed.

 

I think St X has picked up a few fans from the Northeastern part of the state. Best of Luck.

Great news for St X bad news for Russell.

 

Big Seth will be missed.

 

I think St X has picked up a few fans from the Northeastern part of the state. Best of Luck.

 

In a like manner, Russell picked up a lot of support from St. X. fans when the BIG GUY moved to Eastern Kentucky from Tigertown last year. Continued best of luck to the Red Devils in 2007. :thumb:

C Oliva

rg Stone

rt (Cundiff/Harvey)

lg Gahm

rt Barrett

te Brown

C Oliva

rg Stone

rt (Cundiff/Harvey)

lg Gahm

rt Barrett

te Brown

 

If Gahm is at left guard, I see a lot of trap and sweep plays being run to the right side. That young man will flat smack you (like his uncle Walter)! :fight:

Wow, I leave town for a week and it's good news for St.X. I better schedule another trip soon. Go Tigers!

C Oliva

rg Stone

rt (Cundiff/Harvey)

lg Gahm

rt Barrett

te Brown

 

Harvey will start.

Harvey will start.

 

I saw him this weekend at the baseball games. He's a BOB! ( big ol' boy) or better said- Big ol' man among boys!( the BOMB!)

OL just got better very quickly. It is going to be tough for teams to play 190 pound DE's against us. Actually OX had a good point- how about running the counter trey that Male ran so successfully last year pulling the tackle and guard to the right. Bam! 3 yards and a cloud of rubber (we play on sport turf!)

Xmen,

 

I don't want to get off on a tangent and am happy to start a thread about this, but what type of lineman do you prefer at X? Obviously, one would wish for big kids that can move, but we know that doesn't happen often. Would you rather have a line with 280-300 pounders (2004-2006) who are strong, but maybe a little slow and lazy or 205-250 pounders (1996, ???) who are tough and quick, but not overly strong?

Xmen,

 

I don't want to get off on a tangent and am happy to start a thread about this, but what type of lineman do you prefer at X? Obviously, one would wish for big kids that can move, but we know that doesn't happen often. Would you rather have a line with 280-300 pounders (2004-2006) who are strong, but maybe a little slow and lazy or 205-250 pounders (1996, ???) who are tough and quick, but not overly strong?

 

Give me the happy middle ground where the linemen are in the 250 - 280 range and are strong, tough, quick, and nasty.

Be sure to catch former St.X Tiger & UL Card Will Rabatin this evening on ESPN2 at 7:30pm. He starts at center for the Columbus Destroyers and has already established himself as one of the best linemen in the league and has been offered a multi year contract.