FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

I'm not that concerned about anything on the offensive side of the ball.  I think we're in great shape there.  I am concerned about the defensive backfield.  That area is a bit more unknown. 

[emma17]

I'm not that concerned about anything on the offensive side of the ball.  I think we're in great shape there.  I am concerned about the defensive backfield.  That area is a bit more unknown.

I'll do the worrying for you on the offensive side of the ball- regarding receivers.
As important as QB, RB and O Line are, I think a pattern is pretty clear for UWW's offensive performance in relation to at least two standout receivers. Amongst other issues in 2012, UWW was without standout receivers. In 2011 there was only one- Huber, and you could see the lower production despite Blanchard and Coppage.

I'm hoping Finco is a standout, but I'm not sure Worth is the complementary standout. Brandes and Rusch and then Kumerow and Howard- very similar tandems. Height and Hops mixed w sharp routes and quickness.
Who will tandem w Finco?

[bleedpurple]

I'm not that concerned about anything on the offensive side of the ball.  I think we're in great shape there.  I am concerned about the defensive backfield.  That area is a bit more unknown.

I'll do the worrying for you on the offensive side of the ball- regarding receivers.
As important as QB, RB and O Line are, I think a pattern is pretty clear for UWW's offensive performance in relation to at least two standout receivers. Amongst other issues in 2012, UWW was without standout receivers. In 2011 there was only one- Huber, and you could see the lower production despite Blanchard and Coppage.

I'm hoping Finco is a standout, but I'm not sure Worth is the complementary standout. Brandes and Rusch and then Kumerow and Howard- very similar tandems. Height and Hops mixed w sharp routes and quickness.
Who will tandem w Finco?

You are right in that if someone doesn't emerge, it is likely to mean less offensive production.

One possibility is that some of the extra production needed could come from tight end. Coach Smith had Joe Sommers the last couple of years.  Sommers was UW-O's leading receiver last year. Without a doubt he is a superior talent, but I'm sure that his presence gave Coach Smith plenty of incentive to find creative ways to get him the ball.  We've got some athletes at the position. Not suggesting tight won't be a block-first position. UW-W will always look to set a hard edge. But, I could also picture the tight end being a little earlier in the progression more often than in the past. And when is the last time we saw UW-W send a tight end deep down the seam? If we add that threat, it will make the wide receivers better.

[OzJohnnie]

From deep in the Wisonsin backwoods comes the UWW great hope for WR.  Four years of eligibility remaining.



I'm particularly impressed by the nipple modesty.  Good pick up, guys.

[BDB]

From deep in the Wisonsin backwoods comes the UWW great hope for WR.  Four years of eligibility remaining.



I'm particularly impressed by the nipple modesty.  Good pick up, guys.

The chin strap on that "helmet" looks like fishing line, which I guess is appropriate. I think he's got a Zebco 202 in his left hand.

[WarhawkDad]

Marcus Hudson get a fair amount of playing time early in the 2014 season (as a freshman).  Ricky Finco's playing time increased during the season, whether it was a health issue or him just developing.  Worth is solid, and Ryan Storto also was in the mix.  Would be nice if one or two of those guys took a big step-up to become the feature, but they should be fairly solid.  They usually manage to bring in a couple of intriguing kids to round things out.  I think WR will be OK.

Add to that the FOUR tight ends that Bleed talked about.   We have not really utilized two tight end formations in the passing game as much as we could done, but if these guys are athletic enough, it would be an interesting change of pace.   Most defenses would be looking for a run with a double tight end look.  Imagine passing out of that formation or screens.    Hmmmm.....when does the season start?   

[WarhawkDad]

I'm not that concerned about anything on the offensive side of the ball.  I think we're in great shape there.  I am concerned about the defensive backfield.  That area is a bit more unknown.

Badgerwarhawk

I decided several years ago to leave the concerns and worrying to 02 Warhawk.   He does enough for all of the UWW posters!   

[MasterJedi]

I don't know if it has been mentioned on here officially yet but UWW landed QB Cole Wilber from Dana Point, CA. Found this out back in February but was told to keep it out of the public but he has now made MANY public posts about it on his twitter account so the cat is long out of the bag. Got D2 offers, guess he's head and shoulders above anyone else UWW tried to commit so he should be a steal!

[BoBo]

I don't know if it has been mentioned on here officially yet but UWW landed QB Cole Wilber from Dana Point, CA. Found this out back in February but was told to keep it out of the public but he has now made MANY public posts about it on his twitter account so the cat is long out of the bag. Got D2 offers, guess he's head and shoulders above anyone else UWW tried to commit so he should be a steal!

jedi,

When you said "...he's head and shoulders above anyone else..." I thought he was going to be about a 6'8" QB or something like that.

Turns out he's a 6'4" 205 lbs. pro-style QB according to 247sports. In his own words, "I'm a mobile quarterback with a very strong and accurate arm.  My goal is to attend a university that will challenge me both on the field and in the classroom." 

A quick search of some recruiting sites show that his only scholarship "offer" reported was by Northern Arizona, and he committed to the Lumberjacks on August 20, 2014. Something obvously happened to alter that commitment, I mean committing to a FCS scholarship school but later changing to UWW with no scholarship. Rivals.com indicates Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Wyoming were other schools showing interest in him (but no offers). Rivals rated him as a 2* prospect. A lot of 7v7  video on youtube in case you are interested in viewing and a hudl highlight reel. Seems to be a pass first, pocket QB but has mobility and throws well on the run, but it is a small, highlight only sample size. As you said, it appears to be true from some of the entries on his twitter. Looks excited to be coming to Wisconsin. Good for him. It looks like a solid get for the new coaching staff.  Hope he doesn't get homesick. Danny Jones had a tweet on there too, so could it be that he's somehow connected to this recruitment story? That would be great. Any insight on that, bleedpurple? 

I fully expect Chris Nelson to be the starter, but this certainly does make things interesting. Welcome to the Purple Nation Cole!!

[BoBo]

Marcus Hudson get a fair amount of playing time early in the 2014 season (as a freshman).  Ricky Finco's playing time increased during the season, whether it was a health issue or him just developing.  Worth is solid, and Ryan Storto also was in the mix.  Would be nice if one or two of those guys took a big step-up to become the feature, but they should be fairly solid.  They usually manage to bring in a couple of intriguing kids to round things out.  I think WR will be OK.

Add to that the FOUR tight ends that Bleed talked about.   We have not really utilized two tight end formations in the passing game as much as we could done, but if these guys are athletic enough, it would be an interesting change of pace.   Most defenses would be looking for a run with a double tight end look.  Imagine passing out of that formation or screens.    Hmmmm.....when does the season start?   

As a DB, Vince Mason got a lot of playing time off the bench so returns with a lot of experience. Plus at WR, Coleton Hrgich should also be in the mix - actually saw more game action than Marcus Hudson. Hudson got no PT in the playoffs.

[BoBo]

The LB's inexperience was obvious especially in the playoff run.

LB'ers were dominating in the Stagg Bowl. Matt Sietz played like a veteran as a freshman. His pass coverage was outstanding. There were growing pains earlier in the season, for sure, but they were great when it mattered most. When it's all said and done, he will be an all time great, I believe.

[emma17]

The LB's inexperience was obvious especially in the playoff run.

LB'ers were dominating in the Stagg Bowl. Matt Sietz played like a veteran as a freshman. His pass coverage was outstanding. There were growing pains earlier in the season, for sure, but they were great when it mattered most. When it's all said and done, he will be an all time great, I believe.

Come on man. That was the least dominating "dominating" performance ever witnessed.
Dominating:
2013:  Burke 12 carries for -10 yards. Mt avg per carry- 1.2 yards.
2014:  Burke 10 carries for +79 yards. Mt avg per carry- 6.9 yards.
Coverage was decent.
Reaction slow.
Open field tackling mediocre.

[BoBo]

The LB's inexperience was obvious especially in the playoff run.

LB'ers were dominating in the Stagg Bowl. Matt Sietz played like a veteran as a freshman. His pass coverage was outstanding. There were growing pains earlier in the season, for sure, but they were great when it mattered most. When it's all said and done, he will be an all time great, I believe.

Come on man. That was the least dominating "dominating" performance ever witnessed.
Dominating:
2013:  Burke 12 carries for -10 yards. Mt avg per carry- 1.2 yards.
2014:  Burke 10 carries for +79 yards. Mt avg per carry- 6.9 yards.
Coverage was decent.
Reaction slow.
Open field tackling mediocre.

You're comparing a senior, veteran unit (4 guys gaining all conference notice I think) in '13 with a completely young, inexperienced unit in '14. However, over half of Burke's running yards (50 of 79 net) in last years Stagg Bowl came on 2 plays, two of 28 running plays in that game. I think you've been overly hyper-critical of the LB position group since the beginning of last year. Now you've started this year the same way - at least you're consistant. I get it, you don't like UWW's LB'ers. I thought they made a lot of improvements during the year and at the Stagg Bowl they were at their best.

[bulk19]

On June 14, BoBo wrote to me:
I'm surprised you didn't notice the glaring error related to your new BFF, Griffin Moe, at the same time...or did you? Challenge to bulk19 or anybody - see if you're smart enough to find it and report back. I doubt you'll find it or report back. So, I'll post the correct numbers in a couple days after I email the LaCrosse SID with the heads up.

Still waiting, BoBo.
All woof woof and no bite, I guess...

[OzJohnnie]