A few things stood out from New Mexico State's spring game the other night.
First off was the punting and kicking from Kyle Hughes. Hughes booted his first kickoff out of the endzone and had some booming punts that had solid hangtime and distance. I promise, just better special teams will ensure another win or two for NMSU this year.
The young receivers exploded and should be immediate contributors. They're all very fast. This offense is based around the play of its receivers. The quarterback gets the receivers the ball and they're asked to turn it upfield. It's simple. This is a deep unit. I just wonder why one of them can't be moved to corner. Seems like that group needs a little help.
Defensively, hard to accurately call it because of their competition. This was not the first-team Aggie offense so there is no need to jump through hoops over this one. Some things that were apparent though? For one, the group will try to be active. They will blitz, they will come to the line and drop off at the last second. They will try to disrupt the timing, rhythm and mindset of the offense. And you do that by disturbing the backfield, namely the offensive line and quarterback. That's going to be their motto. We'll see if it works.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Spence signs on
New Mexico State locked up Darin Spence for another three years and possibly a fourth to coach the women's basketball team.
Spence needed this deal. NMSU improved greatly last year and should be solid again. Spence was not a McKinley Boston hire originally but has payed dividends none-the-less. The women had a great 1-2 punch up front last year in Anikia Jawara and Sherrel Neal. Both of them will be gone but Maddi Spence is back at point guard and other players will fill in around her.
NMSU had to show Spence some sort of loyalty. He has seen the program improve in his time and produced in a season when there was pressure from up top to get some wins. Not bringing him back would have reflected poorly. Frankly, they had not choice. Gotta take care of your people if they're winning you games.
Spence needed this deal. NMSU improved greatly last year and should be solid again. Spence was not a McKinley Boston hire originally but has payed dividends none-the-less. The women had a great 1-2 punch up front last year in Anikia Jawara and Sherrel Neal. Both of them will be gone but Maddi Spence is back at point guard and other players will fill in around her.
NMSU had to show Spence some sort of loyalty. He has seen the program improve in his time and produced in a season when there was pressure from up top to get some wins. Not bringing him back would have reflected poorly. Frankly, they had not choice. Gotta take care of your people if they're winning you games.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Woods injury
NMSU head football coach Hal Mumme said that cornerback Chris Woods will need shoulder surgery and will be out for the start of the 2008 season.
Mumme said he was unsure when Woods would return but it seems doubtful he'll be back for the start of the year.
The loss of Woods is significant, simply because he was a starting player at a position that seems to lack depth. Davon House and Vincent Butler have seen playing time so far this spring and the team has also been working Marvin Betts into the cornerback rotation.
Mumme said he was unsure when Woods would return but it seems doubtful he'll be back for the start of the year.
The loss of Woods is significant, simply because he was a starting player at a position that seems to lack depth. Davon House and Vincent Butler have seen playing time so far this spring and the team has also been working Marvin Betts into the cornerback rotation.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Spring scrimmage
I realize this is way past deadline but I wanted to state some things about NMSU's spring scrimmage the other day.
First off, I mentioned LaVorick Williams on a previous post and he absolutely torched the Aggie secondary on his long catch and run for a touchdown. He looks to be a possible stud in the future at NMSU.
The defense was bad. You hope this ends up being an afterthought and just the first scrimmage of the year. I'm sure that had a hand in it. But the D needs to play well if the Aggies are going to make noise. Forget playing well, just hold the opposition every once in a while. They are learning a new system, sure, but the defense needs to play better if they want to go anywhere.
A few things of note:
The running back position is deep. I'm excited to see Marquell Colston come in as well. I've heard good things about him. They have talent back there and though people think running back is meaningless in the Air Raid, that isn't entirely true. The backs do see the ball often. Holbrook will often do a forward lateral to a runner out of the backfield and they'll call it a pass completion. But it might as well be a handoff. They are deep in the backfield.
I don't think they know who they will trot out on defense yet. Some positions are set in stone, but many are not. It's early and they are learning but it would be nice if some semblance of unity was out there. They have about 20 receivers on this team, can't one or two play defense? Just a question, it seems like the secondary could use some help.
I do think the team can make some noise this year. I said that last year too, maybe I'm just too optimistic. But they were alright last season until players started going down. Again, defense needs to hold other team to under 30 a game. If they do that, I think six wins is possible. A stretch, but certainly possible.
First off, I mentioned LaVorick Williams on a previous post and he absolutely torched the Aggie secondary on his long catch and run for a touchdown. He looks to be a possible stud in the future at NMSU.
The defense was bad. You hope this ends up being an afterthought and just the first scrimmage of the year. I'm sure that had a hand in it. But the D needs to play well if the Aggies are going to make noise. Forget playing well, just hold the opposition every once in a while. They are learning a new system, sure, but the defense needs to play better if they want to go anywhere.
A few things of note:
The running back position is deep. I'm excited to see Marquell Colston come in as well. I've heard good things about him. They have talent back there and though people think running back is meaningless in the Air Raid, that isn't entirely true. The backs do see the ball often. Holbrook will often do a forward lateral to a runner out of the backfield and they'll call it a pass completion. But it might as well be a handoff. They are deep in the backfield.
I don't think they know who they will trot out on defense yet. Some positions are set in stone, but many are not. It's early and they are learning but it would be nice if some semblance of unity was out there. They have about 20 receivers on this team, can't one or two play defense? Just a question, it seems like the secondary could use some help.
I do think the team can make some noise this year. I said that last year too, maybe I'm just too optimistic. But they were alright last season until players started going down. Again, defense needs to hold other team to under 30 a game. If they do that, I think six wins is possible. A stretch, but certainly possible.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Answer to a question
A blogger (GS) on the last Wendell McKines post stated some interesting things he heard regarding the basketball team.
The first had to do with the McKines transfer, the second with Gibson possibly leaving and the third regarding Pope and Young. Here's what I have to offer.
I heard during the year that McKines was possibly going to leave. I didn't believe it. Wendell got solid minutes last year for a freshman and filled a role on the team. His future looked bright. Well, it happened so I should have known better.
I also heard that Gibson would go. Again, I didn't believe it. Jonathan got good minutes too and had a decent year. I for one thought he was an enigmatic player, one who could shoot you into a game or right out of it. I didn't know if playing him as much as they did was the perfect move. He seems like he could use a heavier hand guiding him to being a very good scorer on the college level. But still, for what it was, he had a pretty decent year and it seemed like Menzies gave him the freedom he coveted on the court. Do I think he's going to go? No. But I said the same thing about Wendell and look what happened. Where is Johnathan going to find a better situation than NMSU? Hard to see him winding up in one. Who knows about this kid.
As for Pope and Young, again, I heard they were going to go. I think a lot here has to do with Chris Pompey. If he stays, it increases the chances of these kids staying. If he goes, I think you can kiss Pope, Young and Chris Cole out of town.
Do I think it's smart that these kids go? It really depends on the player. Jonathan Gibson, you're at NMSU. You're going to be a junior. You're going to see major minutes next year. He should stay in my eyes.
Herb Pope? He took a chance on coming to Las Cruces to begin with. And, personally, I think he regretted it. He was highly touted coming out of high school and last year was somewhat of a letdown. Herb has talent. I could see him rising in the future. If he's really not happy, I think he should go.
JY? He can score the ball. I think he should stay as well. He could be a top scorer in the WAC in a few years if all works out. He should stay.
These are just rumors. But again, when I heard Wendell would go, I laughed. And then it happened. Now, I don't count anything out.
The first had to do with the McKines transfer, the second with Gibson possibly leaving and the third regarding Pope and Young. Here's what I have to offer.
I heard during the year that McKines was possibly going to leave. I didn't believe it. Wendell got solid minutes last year for a freshman and filled a role on the team. His future looked bright. Well, it happened so I should have known better.
I also heard that Gibson would go. Again, I didn't believe it. Jonathan got good minutes too and had a decent year. I for one thought he was an enigmatic player, one who could shoot you into a game or right out of it. I didn't know if playing him as much as they did was the perfect move. He seems like he could use a heavier hand guiding him to being a very good scorer on the college level. But still, for what it was, he had a pretty decent year and it seemed like Menzies gave him the freedom he coveted on the court. Do I think he's going to go? No. But I said the same thing about Wendell and look what happened. Where is Johnathan going to find a better situation than NMSU? Hard to see him winding up in one. Who knows about this kid.
As for Pope and Young, again, I heard they were going to go. I think a lot here has to do with Chris Pompey. If he stays, it increases the chances of these kids staying. If he goes, I think you can kiss Pope, Young and Chris Cole out of town.
Do I think it's smart that these kids go? It really depends on the player. Jonathan Gibson, you're at NMSU. You're going to be a junior. You're going to see major minutes next year. He should stay in my eyes.
Herb Pope? He took a chance on coming to Las Cruces to begin with. And, personally, I think he regretted it. He was highly touted coming out of high school and last year was somewhat of a letdown. Herb has talent. I could see him rising in the future. If he's really not happy, I think he should go.
JY? He can score the ball. I think he should stay as well. He could be a top scorer in the WAC in a few years if all works out. He should stay.
These are just rumors. But again, when I heard Wendell would go, I laughed. And then it happened. Now, I don't count anything out.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wendell McKines
When I heard about Wendell McKines leaving NMSU, I was somewhat surprised.
Let's face it, the team seemed somewhat dysfunctional as times last year. Wendell was someone who could be relied on for consistent play and was a bright spot. A freshman, a Menzies guy, who patrolled the court and did the dirty work while providing some ruggedness to the lineup.
Luster, Jones, we expected that. Wendell, not so much. At the end of the year, I said that I wouldn't be surprised if a handful of players left. Wendell was on the lower half of the list. Again, a bright spot last season. Someone that could grow in the Menzies era. Those were things he signified from the 2008 season. Unfortunately, that will be the only season.
Let's face it, the team seemed somewhat dysfunctional as times last year. Wendell was someone who could be relied on for consistent play and was a bright spot. A freshman, a Menzies guy, who patrolled the court and did the dirty work while providing some ruggedness to the lineup.
Luster, Jones, we expected that. Wendell, not so much. At the end of the year, I said that I wouldn't be surprised if a handful of players left. Wendell was on the lower half of the list. Again, a bright spot last season. Someone that could grow in the Menzies era. Those were things he signified from the 2008 season. Unfortunately, that will be the only season.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Man in the middle
Lots of talk of Nick Paden coming in at middle linebacker. Lets look at that position.
Paden is expected to replace Dante Floyd as the team's starter in the middle. Floyd was a leader for the team last season. Although it was a dismal performance by the defense in 07, Floyd was a bright spot. He made over 100 tackles on the year, got in the backfield often and created turnovers.
He was also a ball of fire on the field. He had a motor mouth that didn't stop moving and often got the team fired up even in the most trying of circumstances.
Will Paden be Floyd? Obviously not identical. He will have to bring certain intangibles to the lineup however. He will have to play tough against the run. Floyd was a bit undersized last season and we all know how NMSU defended the ground game. Paden will have to step in and bring a certain toughness to the middle and be stout against the point of attack and blocking. He will also have to be adequate in coverage assignments. Will Paden be asked to blitz a lot this year. It seems like everyone will. But there will be times he'll be asked to drop back and provide help in the secondary.
Replacing Floyd's leadership and fiery nature will be difficult. Paden will be asked to fill big shoes. No one said playing middle linebacker was easy.
Paden is expected to replace Dante Floyd as the team's starter in the middle. Floyd was a leader for the team last season. Although it was a dismal performance by the defense in 07, Floyd was a bright spot. He made over 100 tackles on the year, got in the backfield often and created turnovers.
He was also a ball of fire on the field. He had a motor mouth that didn't stop moving and often got the team fired up even in the most trying of circumstances.
Will Paden be Floyd? Obviously not identical. He will have to bring certain intangibles to the lineup however. He will have to play tough against the run. Floyd was a bit undersized last season and we all know how NMSU defended the ground game. Paden will have to step in and bring a certain toughness to the middle and be stout against the point of attack and blocking. He will also have to be adequate in coverage assignments. Will Paden be asked to blitz a lot this year. It seems like everyone will. But there will be times he'll be asked to drop back and provide help in the secondary.
Replacing Floyd's leadership and fiery nature will be difficult. Paden will be asked to fill big shoes. No one said playing middle linebacker was easy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
