Pre-season camp plug-and-post comments from coaches, players, analysts, etc since forever. The years (decades?) change, but the quotes remain the same...
Wrote this up a few days ago in anticipation of preseason camp and the incredible/awesome quotes that flow during it... but got sidetracked and did not post it before Friday's start.
Use this for good ol' fashioned church-style BINGO, or for a drinking game with your friends. Or anything else in between. You decide.
The Offense:
QB "room"...
QB x has really gotten into the playbook and film room this offseason.
QB x is great at running and throws a good ball, just needs to go thru passing progressions better.
QB x really stepping up and becoming a team leader.
QB y can manage a game this year if needed, while QB z is redshirted and gets time to develop.
QB3 looks amazing in one drive of a Saturday open practice/scrimmage and fans are predicting numerous Heisman trophies, ignoring the polite reminders that QB3 faced 3rd-string defense and walk-ons in that one drive.
OL "room"...
OL has no depth, can't afford injuries.
OL are all being cross-trained. Starters at multiple spots still not determined - x or y or z might slide over to the left or right or vice versa.
OL transfer x will report to camp in August and is expected/needed as a day 1 starter (even tho he never started at previous school).
OL depth is weak bc of career-ending injuries to guys we were counting on (even tho they were not starters before the career-ending injuries).
Really hurting because OL z quit football 2-3 years ago to pursue a career in [insert bizarre career here]. This would have been his junior/senior year when he was expected to make a difference.
WR "room"...
WR x has great hands but can't get separation.
WR y has great speed/separation but unreliable hands.
WR z could be the next great GT WR with NFL future if we can get him the ball (see QB and OL notes above).
WR w has never played a down of college football, but he might be the next Smelter.
Slot WRs have incredible speed, but can they block in the run game at 5'7 and 160?
Might see OC x move a big/tall wideout (who has never produced before at wideout) into the slot to create mismatch opportunities.
RB "room"...
Loaded at RB: returnees, transfers, highly-recruited frosh, even walk-ons who would get PT at other FBS schools. Jesus, if we could only play these guys at other positions (or not, see prior attempts in previous years).
Lost a stud RB from last year due to transfer/grades/drugs/injury/etc. No worries tho, still have numerous weapons at RB.
RB x is more of a power north/south "type". RB y is more of a speed "type". RB z is more of a shifty-in-space "type". RB w added 15 pounds of muscle. RB v lost 15 pounds to get quicker and more shifty. RB whatever is 5th on the depth chart and would start at several SEC/ACC schools.
TE/A-back "room"...
TE/A-back passing game is gonna be a bigger factor this year. Had to keep 'em in blocking previously to help the OL, but this is the year we are gonna unleash 'em as downfield threats.
The Defense:
Guys are really "flying around" out there. (Important Note: if you are playing the drinking game version, cut in half the number of shots for this quote. This game is not designed to cause bodily harm or permanent damage.)
Communication is much improved.
Players x and y are really emerging as leaders.
Gonna “roll” more guys on defense this year to keep 'em fresh.
Transition 1/2/3 years ago from a 4-3 to a 3-4 (or from a 3-4 to a 4-3, or from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5) was slowing us down, but now we have the pieces and knowledge of the playbook.
Gonna simplify the defense this year so guys can "play fast". Less pre-snap reads. Less confusion. More instincts and aggression. Go get the ball.
However, we are also gonna give opponents more looks and blitz from everywhere. Less predictable. More disruptive. More confusion. Keep 'em guessing. Don't let 'em get into a rhythm. Don't let 'em get comfortable.
DB "room"...
DBs are being cross-trained to play 17 different DB positions.
DB x lost weight to get quicker.
DB y gained muscle weight to be more physical.
DB w x y and z are all cross-training at the wolf fox coyote nickel dime quarter penny and silver dollar positions/packages.
We have 37 former 4-star DBs on the roster this year. 35 of them we are switching to a new DB position (CB to S, S to CB, wolf to fox, fox to coyote, etc etc).
We have at least 3 CBs that are 6’1 and were 4-star recruits. None have ever played a real game at GT but they are "competing" and one might miraculously emerge this camp... or not.
Our best DB is 5’9 but listed at 5'11.
LB "room"...
No depth. Hoping a new guy (transfer, true frosh, guy coming back from injury who never played before the injury, former QB, former RB, etc.) is big contributor.
LB x has really been studying film. He has to be more disciplined on pre-snap reads. After ~9 years in the program, this is the year the discipline light bulb turns on.
LB y is great at run support and gap fits but really needs to improve at pass coverage. New position coach is gonna fix it.
LB z is great at pass coverage but really needs to improve at run support and gap fits. New position coach is gonna fix it.
LB w switched from another position 2-3 years ago -- this is gonna be the year it clicks and he contributes on gamedays.
LB v was awesome 3 years ago in HS. Has not played a down of college football yet, but has the measurables, so expect/hope/pray he emerges this year.
DL "room"...
Need more depth and experience at DT. Blame "The Hill" for this.
Top DTs are undersized, or walk-ons, or transfers that never played at prior school. Just need to find 3 guys that are "serviceable".
Losing DT x y and/or z to injury/grades/drugs/transfer/etc a year or two or three ago really hurt the potential of this “room”. x y and/or z would be junior/senior now, so losing 'em way back then really hurts this year.
New transfer DE was dominating in spring camp (vs our OL, see OL notes above). He is gonna bring the QB pressure we’ve been missing since (insert fav GT DE from a previous generation, before current players were born).
DE x has all the measurables and athleticism, but needs to improve motor/fitness/focus/discipline/etc. New position coach is gonna fix that.
DE y has great motor and fitness and is a workout warrior, but he is undersized and a step slow on the edge.
DE z is great at rushing passer but needs to improve at setting the edge to contain vs run. He needs to be more disciplined. New position coach is gonna fix that.
DE w showed "flashes" last year and could be a dominant force this year. He had 1.5 sacks and 2 QB hurries last year in a game vs [insert September FCS opponent] before getting slowed by injuries against the remainder of the (FBS P5) schedule and never replicating those FCS game results.
Special Teams:
Scholarship kicker is injured or sucks or lost his confidence and developed the yips once on campus, but he has 2-3 years left to waste that scholarship spot. Walk-on kickers looking better than the full-ride kid. One of them is far more accurate and consistent but doesn't have range beyond 27 yards out. Other walk-on kicker can boom it from distance but has zero accuracy/consistency. (Disclaimer: see OL notes above before worrying about the kickers.) (Addendum: thousands of GT football posts on social media hyping Harrison Butker's performances for the Chiefs each Sunday, just to remind us how bad we have it now.)
Punter... We are set at this spot. It's either an All-America punter who will be an NFL draft pick, or a walk-on project from another continent (Europe, Australia, etc) who has never played "American Football" but of all the "projects" we take, this one works out great and we are set at this position. [Perhaps the most GT thing ever.]
Kick Returner(s) - the plethora or RBs (see above) and DBs (see above) will all take turns. We will "roll" them in and out to keep 'em fresh. No one will ever actually get and keep the job. [Unless the staff is desperately trying to get one generational talent more touches so that he does not transfer to Alabama.]
Overall camp vibe:
Kids are hungrier this year.
New leaders are emerging.
Guys spent offseason living in the film room.
Guys spent offseason living in the weight room.
New position coach at key problem area x/y/z last year and he has some new ideas.
Communication between players has improved.
Communication between position coaches has improved.
Camp is a grind, gotta push through.
Looking great in "shells" and "thud".
Can't wait to line-up against a different jersey other than our own.
"IIWII"
Wrote this up a few days ago in anticipation of preseason camp and the incredible/awesome quotes that flow during it... but got sidetracked and did not post it before Friday's start.
Use this for good ol' fashioned church-style BINGO, or for a drinking game with your friends. Or anything else in between. You decide.
The Offense:
QB "room"...
QB x has really gotten into the playbook and film room this offseason.
QB x is great at running and throws a good ball, just needs to go thru passing progressions better.
QB x really stepping up and becoming a team leader.
QB y can manage a game this year if needed, while QB z is redshirted and gets time to develop.
QB3 looks amazing in one drive of a Saturday open practice/scrimmage and fans are predicting numerous Heisman trophies, ignoring the polite reminders that QB3 faced 3rd-string defense and walk-ons in that one drive.
OL "room"...
OL has no depth, can't afford injuries.
OL are all being cross-trained. Starters at multiple spots still not determined - x or y or z might slide over to the left or right or vice versa.
OL transfer x will report to camp in August and is expected/needed as a day 1 starter (even tho he never started at previous school).
OL depth is weak bc of career-ending injuries to guys we were counting on (even tho they were not starters before the career-ending injuries).
Really hurting because OL z quit football 2-3 years ago to pursue a career in [insert bizarre career here]. This would have been his junior/senior year when he was expected to make a difference.
WR "room"...
WR x has great hands but can't get separation.
WR y has great speed/separation but unreliable hands.
WR z could be the next great GT WR with NFL future if we can get him the ball (see QB and OL notes above).
WR w has never played a down of college football, but he might be the next Smelter.
Slot WRs have incredible speed, but can they block in the run game at 5'7 and 160?
Might see OC x move a big/tall wideout (who has never produced before at wideout) into the slot to create mismatch opportunities.
RB "room"...
Loaded at RB: returnees, transfers, highly-recruited frosh, even walk-ons who would get PT at other FBS schools. Jesus, if we could only play these guys at other positions (or not, see prior attempts in previous years).
Lost a stud RB from last year due to transfer/grades/drugs/injury/etc. No worries tho, still have numerous weapons at RB.
RB x is more of a power north/south "type". RB y is more of a speed "type". RB z is more of a shifty-in-space "type". RB w added 15 pounds of muscle. RB v lost 15 pounds to get quicker and more shifty. RB whatever is 5th on the depth chart and would start at several SEC/ACC schools.
TE/A-back "room"...
TE/A-back passing game is gonna be a bigger factor this year. Had to keep 'em in blocking previously to help the OL, but this is the year we are gonna unleash 'em as downfield threats.
The Defense:
Guys are really "flying around" out there. (Important Note: if you are playing the drinking game version, cut in half the number of shots for this quote. This game is not designed to cause bodily harm or permanent damage.)
Communication is much improved.
Players x and y are really emerging as leaders.
Gonna “roll” more guys on defense this year to keep 'em fresh.
Transition 1/2/3 years ago from a 4-3 to a 3-4 (or from a 3-4 to a 4-3, or from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5) was slowing us down, but now we have the pieces and knowledge of the playbook.
Gonna simplify the defense this year so guys can "play fast". Less pre-snap reads. Less confusion. More instincts and aggression. Go get the ball.
However, we are also gonna give opponents more looks and blitz from everywhere. Less predictable. More disruptive. More confusion. Keep 'em guessing. Don't let 'em get into a rhythm. Don't let 'em get comfortable.
DB "room"...
DBs are being cross-trained to play 17 different DB positions.
DB x lost weight to get quicker.
DB y gained muscle weight to be more physical.
DB w x y and z are all cross-training at the wolf fox coyote nickel dime quarter penny and silver dollar positions/packages.
We have 37 former 4-star DBs on the roster this year. 35 of them we are switching to a new DB position (CB to S, S to CB, wolf to fox, fox to coyote, etc etc).
We have at least 3 CBs that are 6’1 and were 4-star recruits. None have ever played a real game at GT but they are "competing" and one might miraculously emerge this camp... or not.
Our best DB is 5’9 but listed at 5'11.
LB "room"...
No depth. Hoping a new guy (transfer, true frosh, guy coming back from injury who never played before the injury, former QB, former RB, etc.) is big contributor.
LB x has really been studying film. He has to be more disciplined on pre-snap reads. After ~9 years in the program, this is the year the discipline light bulb turns on.
LB y is great at run support and gap fits but really needs to improve at pass coverage. New position coach is gonna fix it.
LB z is great at pass coverage but really needs to improve at run support and gap fits. New position coach is gonna fix it.
LB w switched from another position 2-3 years ago -- this is gonna be the year it clicks and he contributes on gamedays.
LB v was awesome 3 years ago in HS. Has not played a down of college football yet, but has the measurables, so expect/hope/pray he emerges this year.
DL "room"...
Need more depth and experience at DT. Blame "The Hill" for this.
Top DTs are undersized, or walk-ons, or transfers that never played at prior school. Just need to find 3 guys that are "serviceable".
Losing DT x y and/or z to injury/grades/drugs/transfer/etc a year or two or three ago really hurt the potential of this “room”. x y and/or z would be junior/senior now, so losing 'em way back then really hurts this year.
New transfer DE was dominating in spring camp (vs our OL, see OL notes above). He is gonna bring the QB pressure we’ve been missing since (insert fav GT DE from a previous generation, before current players were born).
DE x has all the measurables and athleticism, but needs to improve motor/fitness/focus/discipline/etc. New position coach is gonna fix that.
DE y has great motor and fitness and is a workout warrior, but he is undersized and a step slow on the edge.
DE z is great at rushing passer but needs to improve at setting the edge to contain vs run. He needs to be more disciplined. New position coach is gonna fix that.
DE w showed "flashes" last year and could be a dominant force this year. He had 1.5 sacks and 2 QB hurries last year in a game vs [insert September FCS opponent] before getting slowed by injuries against the remainder of the (FBS P5) schedule and never replicating those FCS game results.
Special Teams:
Scholarship kicker is injured or sucks or lost his confidence and developed the yips once on campus, but he has 2-3 years left to waste that scholarship spot. Walk-on kickers looking better than the full-ride kid. One of them is far more accurate and consistent but doesn't have range beyond 27 yards out. Other walk-on kicker can boom it from distance but has zero accuracy/consistency. (Disclaimer: see OL notes above before worrying about the kickers.) (Addendum: thousands of GT football posts on social media hyping Harrison Butker's performances for the Chiefs each Sunday, just to remind us how bad we have it now.)
Punter... We are set at this spot. It's either an All-America punter who will be an NFL draft pick, or a walk-on project from another continent (Europe, Australia, etc) who has never played "American Football" but of all the "projects" we take, this one works out great and we are set at this position. [Perhaps the most GT thing ever.]
Kick Returner(s) - the plethora or RBs (see above) and DBs (see above) will all take turns. We will "roll" them in and out to keep 'em fresh. No one will ever actually get and keep the job. [Unless the staff is desperately trying to get one generational talent more touches so that he does not transfer to Alabama.]
Overall camp vibe:
Kids are hungrier this year.
New leaders are emerging.
Guys spent offseason living in the film room.
Guys spent offseason living in the weight room.
New position coach at key problem area x/y/z last year and he has some new ideas.
Communication between players has improved.
Communication between position coaches has improved.
Camp is a grind, gotta push through.
Looking great in "shells" and "thud".
Can't wait to line-up against a different jersey other than our own.
"IIWII"
