FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sju56321]

What I was told last year when my son was looking to play at SJU was that the JV games were for the freshman and sophomores first, to get a look at who could contribute in the future, so I wouldn't think it would be used for the #3 qb.

[sjusection105]

So let that give me an opportunity to complain one more time about SJU not getting Gunnar Anderson or any other potential QB for 2016 any meaningful PT this year.  Gunnar's only played in 2 games, in a 7-1 season, where the average score is SJU 41 other guys 16.  I have no problem giving your senior backup some PT, Benson has earned it.  But I worry about next year, with basically no one with meaningful playing time having to take over.  Guess Alex Kofoed came in that way and it all worked out!

The lack of playing time for Gunnar has been a concern of mine as well. There is an outside possiblity that has isn't "the guy" for next year, but is "the guy for #3" this year. He's the emergency QB, if Martin & Benson would go down in the same game he is enough of a game manager to make it through. I'm just playing devil's advocate here,who really knows. A funny thing seems to happen when you have 12 QB's on the roster,suddenly you only really have one you'd want out there when the game is on the line.
I would be interested if,with add'l coaches on the recruiting trail under Gary,there have been eyes peeled outside of the Lake Conference (or whatever the western suburban schools are called now) and the Greater St. Cloud area for a QB? Orange county has been fruitful for DBs, maybe they have some brother's,cousins or buddies who can play QB and want to come to MN?

[AO]

I would be interested if,with add'l coaches on the recruiting trail under Gary,there have been eyes peeled outside of the Lake Conference (or whatever the western suburban schools are called now) and the Greater St. Cloud area for a QB?

The new football district for big schools on the Westside is just called "West Metro".  If you're looking for smaller schools on the Westside, they're confusingly named the "Suburban" district.

[OzJohnnie]

What I was told last year when my son was looking to play at SJU was that the JV games were for the freshman and sophomores first, to get a look at who could contribute in the future, so I wouldn't think it would be used for the #3 qb.

Well, I reckon that's a shame. I thought the JV squad would be a good way for development. Learn the system. Get some reps. Deal with pressure. Etc.  Gunnar is now a junior and has gone three years basically practicing and watching. I would think having him takes snaps against live competition would be more useful (but then I also recognise I'm no coach).

I would personally prefer to take JV snaps if I'm not seeing game time in the senior side. A year of JV would have to be way more beneficial than a year of sidelines when it comes to the next spring's tryouts.

But I have been very influenced by the Aussie football method where, it being such a cardio intensive sport, you need a game every week to maintain match fitness. Players with a long term injury (muscle pull, for example) will almost always come back into the senior aide by playing a couple games in the juniors to build fitness and demonstrate recovery from the injury.  And if you miss senior selection any week, for the guys on the selection bubble anyways, then a week in the juniors is there to prove skill, readiness, etc.

I know it's different in gridiron because so many players are required for a game, multiple lines deep, and footy is more like hockey where you play if you're picked, but I would still be repping future starters in JV rather than having them languish in the third string in the senior side.

If anyone is looking to hire me as a coach or player management strategist please feel free to PM.

[sjusection105]

If anyone is looking to hire me as a coach or player management strategist please feel free to PM.

The online ad could look something like this:
Father of 3 looking to make extra Holiday $$ willing to extol the athletic accomplishments of tween girls gymnastics prospects and middle aged weekend golfers ability to never miss his 4th putt. Fee negotiable,but don't insult my intelligence by offering a cup of coffee & a doughnut.

[OzJohnnie]

Ouch!  The truth is the best blade.

[OldAuggie]

Hey OZ I have a question for you. I watched the punter for Michigan on Saturday Blake O'Neill kick vs the Gophers and wondered if he was considered a good example of an Aussie Rules kicker. The ball did some strange things in the air and as a former punt returner it sort of gave me the willies thinking of fielding that knuckle ball punt he has. Some of the kicks were end over end too. Just a very different movement on the ball compared to what we consider a "normal" punt.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Hey OZ I have a question for you. I watched the punter for Michigan on Saturday Blake O'Neill kick vs the Gophers and wondered if he was considered a good example of an Aussie Rules kicker. The ball did some strange things in the air and as a former punt returner it sort of gave me the willies thinking of fielding that knuckle ball punt he has. Some of the kicks were end over end too. Just a very different movement on the ball compared to what we consider a "normal" punt.

Not precluding Oz's answer (since I have no idea how to answer your specific question), but against MSU he did have an EIGHTY yard kick, and (unfortunately) he never played American football until last year or he would have just fallen on the fumbled snap and Michigan would have still won.

[OzJohnnie]

Hey OZ I have a question for you. I watched the punter for Michigan on Saturday Blake O'Neill kick vs the Gophers and wondered if he was considered a good example of an Aussie Rules kicker. The ball did some strange things in the air and as a former punt returner it sort of gave me the willies thinking of fielding that knuckle ball punt he has. Some of the kicks were end over end too. Just a very different movement on the ball compared to what we consider a "normal" punt.

End over end, actually spinning backwards, is called a 'drop punt' in Aussie rules. It's the most common and most accurate kick (less side to side drift, players usually kick a slight draw or fade). It usually tumbles forward on a reverse swing (a right footer kicking a hard fade rather than a draw) or 'banana'. You'll also get a forward tumbling ball on a snap kick (which is hard across the body like a soccer kick) and this usually has a very hard draw, used when someone is kicking from hard on the boundary or kicking around a defender and needs to bring the ball back. And the spiral is called a 'torpedo' here and is used when someone really needs distance. Far less accurate, though, so rarely used unless someone is trying to kick from way out and after the siren.

I hadn't heard of O'Neil. It seems a lot of Melbourne boys are getting DI kicking scholarships these days.

[SJUrube]

We, SJU fans, must be feeling good about the direction of the program. Exhibit A? Discussions on the playing time of our 3rd string QB. I agree it would be nice to have a "proven" player on the bench for 2016 but QB is going to be one of many big holes to fill next season - RB, WR, defensive backfield, to name a few.

I imagine part of the reason Benson has received the majority of in-game snaps is becaue of injury concerns w/ Martin. He's avoided any big ones so far but Id imagine the coaches want a prepared backup ready in 2015 before they worry about 2016.

With a huge roster and what I expect will be a manageable non conference sched, the coaching staff should have time to identify their guy next season.

[hazzben]

If anyone is looking to hire me as a coach or player management strategist please feel free to PM.

The online ad could look something like this:
Father of 3 looking to make extra Holiday $$ willing to extol the athletic accomplishments of tween girls gymnastics prospects and middle aged weekend golfers ability to never miss his 4th putt. Fee negotiable,but don't insult my intelligence by offering a cup of coffee & a doughnut.

As the old saying goes: Faithful are the wounds of a friend, profuse are the kisses of an enemy

To that end, Oz, you'd be an incredible head coach. At the very least Gary should hire you as an assistant HC. And given the incredible quality of stretch broadcasts, you should probably float the idea of watching the games from down under and just typing your play calls onto the MIAC in Game Updates board. 

[Boys of Fall]

We, SJU fans, must be feeling good about the direction of the program. Exhibit A? Discussions on the playing time of our 3rd string QB. I agree it would be nice to have a "proven" player on the bench for 2016 but QB is going to be one of many big holes to fill next season - RB, WR, defensive backfield, to name a few.

I imagine part of the reason Benson has received the majority of in-game snaps is becaue of injury concerns w/ Martin. He's avoided any big ones so far but Id imagine the coaches want a prepared backup ready in 2015 before they worry about 2016.

With a huge roster and what I expect will be a manageable non conference sched, the coaching staff should have time to identify their guy next season.

Even though the Johnnies have the one loss and most likely won't win the conference, they are still playing for a post season bid.  Like any other team in this position, they are playing to win this year, not build for next year.  They obviously feel Benson will give the best shot at winning games this year should anything happen to Martin.  With practices this year, off-season workouts, spring practices, a spring trip, and two non-conference games there is time to determine who the #1 will be next year.

Another interesting point when this season is over will be the transition from Gagliardi's players to Gary's players.  Most playmakers on both sides of the ball this year (Sura, Bungum, Matuska, Bjorkland, etc.) are Gagliardi's last class. Next year the entire roster will be guys Gary and his coaches brought in.

[RoyalsFan]

Offensively, it was probably UST's worst game. I think about 3 trips to the redzone they came up empty. Penalties, penalties and more penalties. 13 for 157 yards. So many plays negated by a holding. Also, I think there were 3 penalties by UST on kickoffs that went out of the back of the endzone, I honestly have no idea how or why you'd get a penalty in that situation, the ball is clearly not going to be returned.

You get a penalty because it's against the rules. The rule book doesn't say it's only a penalty if the kickoff is returned, it's a penalty regardless, same as on a fair catch on a punt return. If blockers thought they wouldn't be flagged in that situation, that could lead to a dangerous condition such as clipping or personal fouls. It's similar to a holding call that is completely away from the play, it's still holding and a penalty.

[Boys of Fall]

Offensively, it was probably UST's worst game. I think about 3 trips to the redzone they came up empty. Penalties, penalties and more penalties. 13 for 157 yards. So many plays negated by a holding. Also, I think there were 3 penalties by UST on kickoffs that went out of the back of the endzone, I honestly have no idea how or why you'd get a penalty in that situation, the ball is clearly not going to be returned.

You get a penalty because it's against the rules. The rule book doesn't say it's only a penalty if the kickoff is returned, it's a penalty regardless, same as on a fair catch on a punt return. If blockers thought they wouldn't be flagged in that situation, that could lead to a dangerous condition such as clipping or personal fouls. It's similar to a holding call that is completely away from the play, it's still holding and a penalty.

If I'm out in the woods by myself and my wife isn't around am I still wrong?

[wartknight]

Offensively, it was probably UST's worst game. I think about 3 trips to the redzone they came up empty. Penalties, penalties and more penalties. 13 for 157 yards. So many plays negated by a holding. Also, I think there were 3 penalties by UST on kickoffs that went out of the back of the endzone, I honestly have no idea how or why you'd get a penalty in that situation, the ball is clearly not going to be returned.

You get a penalty because it's against the rules. The rule book doesn't say it's only a penalty if the kickoff is returned, it's a penalty regardless, same as on a fair catch on a punt return. If blockers thought they wouldn't be flagged in that situation, that could lead to a dangerous condition such as clipping or personal fouls. It's similar to a holding call that is completely away from the play, it's still holding and a penalty.

Not trying to speak for USTB, but I took the comment as bonehead penalties rather than no calls.