The Bears were out at Memorial Stadium to kick off week 2 of Spring Football. It was a day of contact with the team in shells and helmets. Let’s dive into another practice notebook.
A very run game-specific practice. Many of the team periods were centered around different heavy packages and running a variety of plays from different heavy formations.
The receivers and tight ends worked on their double-move routes, with timing from the QBs in normal drop back scenarios and in play-action as well.
When playing 7-on-7 the focus of the day was on longer developing plays.
When in Goal Line in 7-on-7, it was about quick decisive passes right after the snap.
The offense for 7-on-7 in Goal Line passing plays was effective and efficient. They scored on the majority of their opportunities.
The offensive line dominated on run plays.
The offense as a whole was very effective in running the ball, particularly in heavy sets with multiple TEs in the formation.
Zach Angelillo seems to be getting more comfortable with his role at FB. Had some real nice reps in being the lead blocker for the RBs.
The defensive line dominated on pass plays.
Orin Patu had a few flash moments coming off the edge. He seems to be coming into his own.
Two interceptions today. One by ILB Alex Murray and the other by ILB Nick Henderson. Murray just read the route and picked it off cleanly while cutting off the passing lane. Henderson dove full extension to recover it off of a tip.
The STAR position got more work today. Trey Paster and Daniel Scott split individual drills with the DBs and the ILBs. Not that they’ll be playing ILB, but looked to me they were just getting more time with Coach Sirmon and learning good tackling stance/technique to fill the gaps.
That’s it for the notebook today. Make sure to watch the post-practice presser and subscribe to the Write for California YouTube channel.
Heavy packages? Double-move timing routes? Fullback?
/swoon/
Also: "Star"
It is my understanding that the term means hybrid Safety/LB, essentially a safety who can move up post-setup for inside support. Also, didn't DeRuyter use the term "coin", which was essentially a hybrid safety/nickel position - mainly due to available personnel (ie, Traveon Beck) and a counter to pass-happy offenses? But with CBs being veterans, perhaps the emphasis is less on rotating/disguising CB looks, but in rotating/disguising safety looks to create havoc in a less experienced part of the roster. I suspect Sirmon will call for consistent cover-2 pre-snap looks and then pushing forward safeties. Or at least have the flexibility to do cover 1 with the same personnel.
Report on goal line pass plays is encouraging. We've been missing red zone TDs since Kenny Lawler.