Speaking of tight ends…

[Rick]

I attended the first hour of Saturday’s scrimmage. Many of you probably read the coverage which summarized what I saw well but did not emphasize the tight end play enough. Dampier was throwing all over the yard to the tight ends – short, intermediate and even long routes. Bentley had the catch of the day – reaching around both sides of a defensive back’s body and catching a sideline pass 30+ yards downfield. King looked both good and bad – he caught a touchdown pass and a few others, but he dropped four balls from Wilson. Three of them were simple drops, one would have been quite a catch. He was hit hard down low simultaneously.

For me, the play of the day was a touchdown to Hunter Andrews. The local reporter covered it but did not do it justice. First of all, Dampier threw a bullet that I was shocked Andrews caught; but then Andrews proceeded to outrun three or four players near him for a 50-yard touchdown. His speed is real. It was impressive to see him run north-south like he did. And he got to top speed seemingly in a couple of strides.

Dampier was a lot of fun to watch. The arm strength is there and he threw with some touch, although he definitely prefers throwing with heat. He missed on a couple of throws and should have thrown one interception, except he threw the ball so hard there was no way Elijah Davis was going to pick it.

Passing was an emphasis in the scrimmage so I cannot comment much on the running backs, except that Parker and Rogers look big and strong. Bray’s speed is immediately noticeable and he won’t go down easy like past speed backs. They pass the eye test, but again, not a lot to go on from the scrimmage.

Williams and Whittemore looked good at wideout. I don’t know how fast they are but they run good routes and they’re strong. Nate Johnson lined up at receiver several times but I don’t remember him catching a ball. He did not impress at quarterback, but he was only given three downs consecutively early in the scrimmage. Nate looks strong. I’ve never thought he had much shake to him so I hope they’ll get him in space or give him the ball on the run. I think he’s a north-south guy and not nearly the east-west athlete I sometimes envisioned him to be. I may be wrong there. I’m not saying he doesn’t have a move or two in him, but I don’t think it’s his strength.

Conversely, Dampier has both east-west and north-south. I think he’ll be special.

The offense is fun and the line is giving him a clean pocket. Saturday was a lot of fun.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Thanks for the update Rick. Great information.

[Ute Dub]

Did you get to see Byrd Ficklin

[Author]

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