[madmat]

we have practice April 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, spring game 29th.

Suspected times(my guess)3-6pm.....game time anyone?????

[Chris Lang]

Just an FYI ... the "spring game" will be more of a scrimmage, because there aren't enough players to hold a true game. Rocco said there will be some sort of competition, but it won't be a true game.

[Stevev]

Does this mean that a lot of the underclassmen that were recruited by Karcher were told to hit the road?

[PAmedic]

More importantly - who's where in the backfield? Who got moved to the DB?

and somebody better head over their w/ a digital camera! the heck w/ studying. this is important.

[Sly Fox]

I don't know of any school down here in Texas that does a real spring game anymore. They are all nothing more than controlled scrimmages. They usually do special teams first and then run 1s vs. 2s/1s vs. 3s/2s vs. 3s. But at least there will be pads popping and we can get an idea of what we have to work with this fall.

As for pics, hook us up FSN.

[Brokeback Flamer]

Does this mean that a lot of the underclassmen that were recruited by Karcher were told to hit the road?

To spout from ignorance, I think it may be a position by position deal. THere are probably not enough player at key positions, most likely the O and D lines. KK was good at recruiting plenty of QB's and RB's but they usually don't do well in the trenches. I have not heard of any mass exodus. If fact most of them are happy with the new feller.

[TDDance234]

Stevie Ray Llyod may be the most obnoxious guy I've ever seen. It's a good thing the guy can play football.

[SuperJon]

I've got a class with him. He's pretty funny but I can see where you're coming from. I haven't had a problem with him really. Him and Jennings are both in there.

[Guest]

During LU's spring break, I had the opportunity to look at 3 late game films from last year's season, which I could not attend in purpose. We put the tape up on the big screen with the cowboy clicker so we could really look at blocking schemes vs. the various defensive fronts and stunts. Several things stood out to me as I watched. The blocking schemes started out as zone blocking, where by you block through an area, locking up with whomever shows. However, if someone was initially in that zone and then vacated, the O lineman would chase him out, meanwhile that zone was filled by another, usually a linebacker, who would go untouched. The blocking schemes seamed to be taught without the backfield action concepts included, which means that as an OL approached a defender, he had to block the whole man instead of half the man. You block the half of the defender that is nearest the ball carrier, and you can do that when you understand where the heck the ball carrier is going. I realize they ran zone option, where you read the backside edge defender, but OL must block the play as if the edge defender presents a give read. I also noticed that the option plays that were run, whether speed option or the triple off the inside zone play (not sure if this was really read by one of the 3 qbs at the time), were often run into bad numbers or forced into the sideline. I am not sure that all of the participants, HC, OC, OL coach, and Players were always on the same page. Plus you had some upperclassmen fizzle, and you go 1-10. I do think there is adequate talent in the O Line to be much more competitive than what they showed. HOpefully, these issues will be addressed so that the 06 OL can attack defenses with confidence. Also, too much jumbling around of personnel prevents the OL to work as a unit. Keep it simple upfront and kick tail. Just my humble observations.......

[PAmedic]

Stevie Ray Llyod may be the most obnoxious guy I've ever seen. It's a good thing the guy can play football.

you havent met me yet.

Ask SCAR, SMOOTHIE or GMTM.

[Sly Fox]

Zone blocking is not a panacea for all blocking woes. Since it is rarely used on the high school level, any college that employs the scheme the Broncos popularized faces significant challenges teaching the principles. There is a distinct learning curve even at the NFL level. And often much of the reads are not as clear as they would be in standard blocking schemes.

If we are keeping zone blocking this fall then I'm sure the experience of struggling the past fall will actually open some of their eyes to how much there is to learn. To be honest I don't recall hearing Rocco's take on whether we will be using zone blockingunder the new systems.

[PAmedic]

man that was a good post though. I never thought about that and hadn't seen more than one game, but it DID seem like VMI was constantly in our backfield blowing up the running lanes.

Who was it Rocco brought over w/ him that was a former line coach? I gotta look that one up on the old board- but I know ONE of the new coaches specialized in that area. The guy from the DC area maybe?

[bigsmooth]

i would not say you are obnoxious, you are just from philly...that brings a certain dynamic to the picture.

[PAmedic]

technically the Philly suburbs but, yeah- thanks!

[bigsmooth]

yeah the burbs...so you really should not be obnoxious then...keep it real my man!

[BJWilliams]

Zone blocking is not a panacea for all blocking woes. Since it is rarely used on the high school level, any college that employs the scheme the Broncos popularized faces significant challenges teaching the principles. There is a distinct learning curve even at the NFL level. And often much of the reads are not as clear as they would be in standard blocking schemes.

If we are keeping zone blocking this fall then I'm sure the experience of struggling the past fall will actually open some of their eyes to how much there is to learn. To be honest I don't recall hearing Rocco's take on whether we will be using zone blockingunder the new systems.

That I think may depend on if the new OC and the O-line coaches had a chance to talk about it. Im sure they also have looked at film of last year and seen many of the same shortcomings that our guest here described

[PAmedic]

Flames Football Set To Kick Off Spring Practice Schedule On Monday

March 29, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

Although the Danny Rocco era of football will officially start when the Flames welcome St. Paul’s to Williams Stadium on August 31, preparation for the upcoming season will begin on Monday as the Liberty University football program begins its spring practice schedule.

The spring practice season is slated to include 15 practice dates, starting on Monday and will culminate with the Flames Spring Game on April 29 at Williams Stadium at 1 p.m.

All but three of the spring practices will be held on the football practice field behind the Hancock Athletic Center with the exceptions being two Thursday evening practices (April 13 and April 27) and the Flames Spring Game which will be held at Williams Stadium.

All practice sessions are open to the public and free of charge, including the Flames Spring Game. Below is a full practice schedule for the 2006 spring practice season:

Listed below is the 2006 Liberty University Spring Football Practice Schedule:

Apr. 3 Mon. Practice #1 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
5 Wed. Practice #2 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
7 Fri. Practice #3 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
8 Sat. Practice #4 Hancock Practice Field 11 a.m.
10 Mon. Practice #5 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
12 Wed. Practice #6 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
13 Thurs. Practice #7 Williams Stadium 7:15 p.m.
19 Wed. Practice #8 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
21 Fri. Practice #9 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
22 Sat. Practice #10 Hancock Practice Field 11 a.m.
24 Mon. Practice #11 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
26 Wed. Practice #12 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
27 Thurs. Practice #13 Williams Stadium 7:15 p.m.
28 Fri. Practice #14 Hancock Practice Field 4:15 p.m.
29 Sat. Flames Spring Game Williams Stadium 1 p.m.
All Times are EST and are subject to change

[Sly Fox]

all practice sessions are open to the public

That my friends is an open invititation to get over there and take pics of the action. Count me as someone requesting pics of the new guys (coaches & I-A transfers) in LU gear.

[PAmedic]

make that 2 of us. SJ- you know you're not doing anything. You could make it a covert scouting mission for your boys at CCU!

[Stevev]

I hope that the webmaster will take the time to post some reports and give spring game stats on the website. It would be a step in the right direction reporting wise.

[PAmedic]

I assume you're referring LU-SI and the official website? Anyone know if they track that stuff in the spring? You're right though, its a good idea.

[SuperJon]

make that 2 of us. SJ- you know you're not doing anything. You could make it a covert scouting mission for your boys at CCU!

My classes are in the afternoon on MWF so I can't get over there.

[madmat79]

Alright, 5 days from ball, lets identify key battles for key spots with current and incoming personnel. This way our "scouts" on campus can watch for specific battles in practice for those of us unable to attend. To me, this is the interesting stuff, because major decisions for '06 will be made in the upcoming month. And seriously, lets hope there is not a real need to break in freshmen this year if we don't have to.

Okay, I'll start
QB's
7 Zach Terrell QB/RB FR 6-0 185 Manassas Park, Va.
14 Brock Smith QB FR 6-3 240 Hershey, Pa.
19 Tavarus Dove QB RSO 5-9 160 Newport News, Va.

Are these the guys? I know that Terrell is probable elsewhere, and Smith is the incumbent.....any thoughts?
Any august freshmen competing for snaps with the varsity?

[Stevev]

My take on the QB situation if the job would be Brock Smith's unless proven otherwise. The backup would be Terrell moving from Tailback if Brock got hurt or is not producing. I would think one of the five freshmen would be on standby if need be but only as a last resort. Don't know a thing about T Dove. At least Brock has some significant game time experience and that would help even though we started for a lousy team. If we get a late transfere from JUCO or 1A then all of that would change but I don't know of the posibility of that happening right now.

[Sly Fox]

I don't believe any of our incoming freshmen enrolled early for the spring semester so they'll have to wait til training camp this summer to get in the mix.

So its my guess that Brock will likely further cement himself into the starting position.

Zach will likely be utilized at RB or outside.