Just got in from practice..

[57stratdawg]

Sorry, nothing earth shaking to add..

Relf looks like hes gonna be the starter IMO. He looked better throwing the ball than Russell did.
Bumpis had a nice catch and run.
We're using motion a good bit more than I seem to remeber.
Robert Elliot has added 10-15 lbs of muscle. I think the starting RB spot is his.

Finally I heard Nick Brassell was at practice today, but I didn't see him. Anyone confirm or deny? He'd be a HUGE get for MSU this year..

 

[57stratdawg]

Sorry, nothing earth shaking to add..

Relf looks like hes gonna be the starter IMO. He looked better throwing the ball than Russell did.
Bumpis had a nice catch and run.
We're using motion a good bit more than I seem to remeber.
Robert Elliot has added 10-15 lbs of muscle. I think the starting RB spot is his.

Finally I heard Nick Brassell was at practice today, but I didn't see him. Anyone confirm or deny? He'd be a HUGE get for MSU this year..

 

[Todd4State]

I think using a lot of motion is a good way to go with our offense because we are really thin at WR and Relf is never going to be Drew Brees. Motion is another way we can get the ball into our WR's hands and utilize guys like Bumphis better. Plus, we don't have AD to just line up and run over people straight up.

 

[sack07]

I saw Kendrick Market on the sidelines. I can't confirm brassell was there but I did see 2 other guys by Market.

 

[LAMSUFAN]

I don't really buy that yet. The reports of him turning the ball over makes me nervous plus we're only a handful of practices into the spring. It's still a tossup.

 

[zerocooldog]

I did hear you were thinking about transferring though</p>

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

Relf has been the best passer overall. Russell has struggled heavily with his throwing. All our quarterbacks have some obvious problems but overall Russel just hasn't impressed me yet.

My biggest fear with our quarterbacks right now is how long it is taking them to make a read. They wait to long to pass and it will be costly this year. It is hard on them though when the amount of time they have to throw is cut in half because our offensive line is getting thrashed by possiblyone of the best defensive lines they will see all season just on the otherside of the ballduring live scrimmages.

 

[ckDOG]

I know QBs can improve. But, I'm doubtful Relf is going to be wowing anyone with his passing abilities in the fall. The more reports I hear about Relf being the better passer, looking improved, etc., the more worried I get. TR vs Relf in regards to passing abilities was supposed to be a 17-ing no contest.

I'd be okay if Relf looked better in Spring practice because of his athletic abilities. That's fine by me and is the beauty of our offense. But, I did NOT want to be hearing reports of TR looking worse than Relf throwing the ball. That's the last thing I wanted to hear this Spring.

 

[lawdawg7]

is after countless times hearing of how well chris relf is doing in practice, that people still come on here and talk about how terrible he is or that they get worried that he will be our starter. Maybe you would be ok with tyson lee coming back for another year...

 

[ckDOG]

My memory of Relf goes back further than the Ole Miss game. Legs he has. An arm, he does not. I'll be glad if I look like an *** for voicing my worries about Chris Relf. But, I think alot of people got a little too comfortable with the guy based solely on 1 game last year.

 

[57stratdawg]

Russell is still a freshman and it's 5 months until the season starts (though I wish it was much less).

I think Relf has improved. You can tell he really has a strong arm. I agree on the reads taking a while, but again theyve got some time.

I dont think there is any question the QB play this year will be improved over last year.

 

[FlabLoser]

Russell is still a freshman and it's 5 months until the season starts (though I wish it was much less).

I think Relf has improved. You can tell he really has a strong arm. I agree on the reads taking a while, but again theyve got some time.

I dont think there is any question the QB play this year will be improved over last year.

Eli Manning was thoroughly outplayed by Kevin Fant in their first Egg Bowl.

So I agree, sure I'd like to see TR look a lot better right now. But I'm not gonna be all worried that he isn't real sharp right now.

 

[BoDawg.sixpack]

Hasn't there been three seperate reports that Relf threw an INT in scrimmage? Surely I am not going crazy.I understand Relf may have a stronger arm than
Tyler...hell he's 20 lbs heavier and is entering his fourth year. But I was expecting more competition from Tyler in the passing game. I understand a player can improve a lot between April and September but I must say this has caught me off guard.

 

[LAMSUFAN]

About Relf's ints. While he may be an upgrade over the midget I'm not comfortable with him starting. And I think it's premature to give him the job...hell spring isn't even over yet let alone fall camp. There is plenty of time for Russell to win the starting job...and I think with our group of RBs and the defense we could have all Russell has to do is take care of the football and make a few plays a game.

 

[Coach34]

Makes it obvious Relf is going to start...Relf is far and away the better runner, and that's where our bread and butter us. We are not going to sling the ball around. We are going to be a running team that makes some plays in the passing game.

 

[maroonmania]

about not signing Cam Newton. I mean what happened to all the reports about how great Russell looked toward the end of last fall and Matt Wyatt saying that Russell would be the starter no matter what happened with Newton. I' am very fearful that if we end up with no SEC caliber QB again this season that we will be staying home for the holidays yet once again.

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

KV is reporting the interceptions but he is leaving out the fact our receivers can't hold on to a ball to save their lives. I would say at least 80% of the interceptions are not because the quarterback wiffed that bad. It is because it was either tipped at the line or the receiver couldn't hang on to it and the ball bounced into a defensive backs hand.
We have plenty of reason to be worried but its not as bad as it seems. From personal perspective Chris Relf is the go to guy right now. There is plenty of time for change in the rotation between now and August but it is clear Relf is our starter at this point in time. Russel has a lot of upside but he has been very inconsistent with his throws. I believe he will improve maybe its just the fact he is rusty I don't know but he needs to get more control over his passes than he has right now.

 

[SnakePlissken]

The more reports I hear about Relf being the better passer, looking improved, etc., the more worried I get.

Are you worried that people are lying because it is simply too hard to believe, and to possible accept, that a player has actually gotten better under Mullen?

 

[Coach34]

About members of our own coaching staff calling Newton a "program changer" I meant it. Now we have 2 QB's that we have to coach up and make them better.

But it's still simple- Relf is going to be the starter because of his running ability. We are a team that is committed to the run. All we want is our QB's to make a few throws to keep defenses honest and for some big plays. Also, make as few turnovers as possible. I look for Russell to play and get experience. But our offense is going to be based off what Relf, Elliot, Ballard, and Conner get done in the ground game

 

[SLUdog]

of my life...(more running than passing.) I just hope we have a good D and special teams.

 

[Todd4State]

How many TD passes do you think that we will get from Relf this year? I just want an opinion.

Do you think 15 is a possibility?

 

[57stratdawg]

Next years team will be built around running the ball, but so is every other spread offense.

West Virginia, Florida, even Auburn are built around running the ball. That shouldn't be a big suprised to anyone.

I think we're gonna see Bumpis in the backfield some this year too..

 

[Coach34]

I think both QB's are going to be able to make some big plays in the passing game because of our ability to run the ball. Tyson simply couldn't take advantage of it last year like Relf can if he can get on target...haven't seen Russell throw a deep ball yet so it remains to be seen

there is no doubt we will have more big plays in the passing game in 2010...I'd say we may have 8-10 pass plays of 40+ yards this year...teams are going to have to load up for the run- they have no choice...

Can they get to Taite's 15? Should be close

 

[patdog]

Yes, it's run heavy. But it's nothing at all like the Bellard, Felker, Sherrill, Crxxm offenses.

 

[Todd4State]

It would be fun to have a wide open passing offense for even a little while. I'm sure that asking for an aggressive blitzing defense to go along with that would be asking a little much.

But imagine if we had in the late 90's:

June Jones or Hal Mumme as OC
Joe Lee Dunn as DC
Jackie Sherrill as HC/ST coach

That would've been badass.

 

[Coach34]

Regardless of how good or how bad our QB's are

 

[LTblows]

But if he miraculously became a decent passer, I'll be thrilled. I just haven't seen him throw since the Egg Bowl, and won't until September.

 

[Todd4State]

Regardless of how good or how bad our QB's are

I just think it would be cool to do that one day- not next year. Under the assumption that we do have the personnel to do that, of course.

 

[ckDOG]

I'm simply skeptical that Relf is that much better for two reasons: 1) Relf looked like absolute **** last year throwing the ball and 2) We are MSU, where QBs go to die. If he's looking better than Russell (again, I'm just talking passing here), then that gives me reservations about how good of an arm TR actually has. We have all been hearing about how damn good of a passer Russell is over the past year and a half. It's more than mildly disappointing to hear that Russell isn't blowing Relf out of the water in the pure passing department having listened to so many folks hype up Russell's passing abilities. I just find it very unlikely that Relf would have improved that much in an offseason. Hopefully, I'm wrong and Relf comes out and shocks people. If Mullen turns Relf into a solid QB, we all better start opening up the check books to keep that MF'er around for awhile.

 

[Coach34]

we spanked the Cotton Bowl champions *** with Relf at QB. Why? Because he ran over them and was able to make a couple of throws for big plays. Thats all we need out of our QB- defenses have to be worried about being burnt in the passing game. If they load the run- we burn their *** with a big pass, if they keep a safety deep- we run over them because we outnumber them in the box...

The beauty of the spread

All we need is Relf to be able to hit a few intermediates and unleash the deep ball a couple times a game...and we will rush for about 250 every Saturday

 

[War Machine Dawg]

These toolsheds bashing Relf need to shut the hell up. Russell has thrown just as many, if not more, INTs so far than Relf. And as you point out, most of the INTs by both of them seem to come from tipped passes, whether it be by our DLs or WRs. I don't understand the idea that Relf can't pass. Who gives a damn if he throws like **** in practice? To quote Allen Iverson: "It's practice. We're talkin' 'bout practice. Not a game. Not a game. PRACTICE!" When the lights were on and it actually counted, I saw Relf making plays both throwing and running to help us win. Plus, both of them are going to play a lot anyway. Why the hell does it really matter who gets the "start" each week?

 

[Todd4State]

Next years team will be built around running the ball, but so is every other spread offense.

West Virginia, Florida, even Auburn are built around running the ball. That shouldn't be a big suprised to anyone.

I think we're gonna see Bumpis in the backfield some this year too..

As would June Jones and most of the other Big 12 coaches.

 

[Todd4State]

is that when he makes that deep pass that's intended for someone, can we always count on Bumphis to be there and bail him out? At this time, the defenses have to like their odds on that with Relf.

But you are right- IF he does improve his passing, and let's face it, he doesn't have to be Peyton Manning, just learn a few basic throws to keep the defense honest and improve the accuracy on his deep ball and he should be very serviceable. I really don't think that's asking too much of him either, really.

 

[SLUdog]

hence the (.......). But, I will say the run-oriented version of the spread is pretty similar to the option. The fact that MSU has almost never had an effective pass-oriented offense in almost 40 years boggles my mind. I guess Rockey had a few pass happy teams and Taite throwing deep to Moulds looked a like a passing offense. I don't care if we ever pass if we win 8 or more games.

 

[Coach34]

for him to get better and continue to work on his throwing- hell, everybody knows he can run the option and the zone read...

Relf threw 5 TD's in only 41 passes last year...you have to think he is going to throw at least 150 passes this year...alot of big plays to be had when the defense knows they have to stop the running game

Alot of people are just freaking out because of all the Russell hype and not seeing the big picture...plus, there are a few out there that hope like hell Russell starts just because I've said all along that he probably wouldnt

 

[57stratdawg]

Next years team will be built around running the ball, but so is every other spread offense.

West Virginia, Florida, even Auburn are built around running the ball. That shouldn't be a big suprised to anyone.

I think we're gonna see Bumpis in the backfield some this year too..

As would June Jones and most of the other Big 12 coaches.

I guess I should have been more specific.. Any other "spread option" team.. The Big 12 teams (and June Jones) run different versions of the Spread than we do.

Who Runs The Spread?

 

[War Machine Dawg]

for him to get better and continue to work on his throwing- hell, everybody knows he can run the option and the zone read...

Relf threw 5 TD's in only 41 passes last year...you have to think he is going to throw at least 150 passes this year...alot of big plays to be had when the defense knows they have to stop the running game

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Alot of people are just freaking out because of all the Russell hype and not seeing the big picture...plus, there are a few out there that hope like hell Russell starts just because I've said all along that he probably wouldnt</span>

Nail on the head, Coach. And lest we forget, the deep ball wasn't exactly Relf's problem last year. He made several really nice throws on the deep ball. The problem was his <span style="text-decoration: underline;">intermediate</span> passing game. And all indications thus far are that he has improved tremendously in that area over the offseason. If that's the case, I don't understand why everyone is freaking out. No one denies Relf has all the physical tools to be a very good QB in this league. He was just so raw coming out of HS (he ran the 17ing 'bone!) then had 2 years of Crxxms & Wxxdy coaching him down, as if he didn't have enough handicaps to overcome to develop as a passer. Further, it's not like the guy is lazy and doesn't work hard to improve his game. He busted his *** to improve last summer, and was singled out by Mullen for the work he put in on his passing game. Why is it such a stretch to think the guy busted his *** aGAIN during the winter, when more was on the line for him than last summer?

 

[ckDOG]

Combo a big powerful QB that can run in the the system we have and Relf can be more than effective. I'm not doubting the "edge" Chris Relf may have because of his physical attributes. I'm just speaking to the pure passing side. Relf has never been regarded for his passing abilities. As you stated, he just needs to beat the defense with big plays because of the system we employ. I get that and I think it's great.

However, it would feel better if the reports out of practice were summarized as "Relf has more upside due to his running abilities, Russell can provide a change of pace as the 2nd QB because he can sling the damn football".

I think Relf can be effective - largely because of the running threat. I'm just going to be VERY disappointed when we don't see Russell playing in, at least, a complementary role because Chris "can't hit the 17-ing broad side of a barn" Relf is regarded as the better passer. That is what has me worried - nothing else.

 

[Todd4State]

Don't assume someone will improve until you have seen it yourself in game action against another opponent.

I'm not worried so much about Relf or anyone else as much as I am being cautious. Now, in Sept after we play Memphis if Relf looks really good throwing the ball, I'll feel better then.

I think Relf will improve, but as I have said, I'm going to be cautious and just be optomistic about it.

 

[Paperdawg]

[No message]