My impressions.`

by JRT, Island of Misfit Toys, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 17:22 (6248 days ago) @ BPH

1. We look the part. Just about every position features guys who can pass the eyeball test. Specifically, I was pleased with the size of our defensive tackles (Ian Williams, Hafis Williams, Brandon Newman all look around 300 pounds. Tyler Stockton, from a distance, looks to be physically in the same class.)

2. Our secondary looks very solid. Our starters (and Walls) look like NFL players to me.

3. Sam Young's first move still tends to be trying to absorb his man, even on run plays. He didn't push around Ryan/Richardson the way I had hoped.

4. Olson looks like our best run blocker to me.

5. One big personnel hole is a fullback or blocking tight end. Ragone and Fauria looked solid, but they appear to be the same type of player as Rudolph-tall, lanky, fast, mostly valuable in the passing game. None of them look to be the type to serve as a third tackle. My impression is that we won't be using Paskorz much this fall.

6. With the blue and gold colored glasses on, it's possible to imagine us having a very good defense this year. I'm pretty confident our secondary will be good. At linebacker, I have a lot of confidence in B. Smith and Fleming, and one more solid linebacker would make a solid corps. Defensive line is a question mark, but a healthy Johnson and productive Ian Williams could lead the way. There are enough additional intriguing possibilities to think about being a very good defense. Having said that, an injury to B. Smith, Johnson or I. Williams could be disasterous.

7. My initial impression out of Saturday was disappointment with Clausen's performance. In the Weis offense, the quarterback's ability to run the offense, especially making quick reads, is of paramount importance. Think Brady Quinn-a QB able to shoulder the great majority of the offensive load, even under an intense pass rush. My impression of the game was that Clausen's strenghths align more with Matt Leinart or Chris Simms (excellent college quarterbacks, by the way): tremendous passer when he has time in the pocket and can become confortable (Hawaii game).