* Spring games always promise more than they deliver. I can't imagine making a long trip for something like that
* Where were the rosters? Last year they were handing out rosters to everyone who entered. Today I saw one guy with one, and he had to print it before he arrived
* Golden's attire may have been appropriate for the weather forecast 2 hours before game time, but it stood out as ridiculous, given the conditions during the first half. Lots of wisecracks in the stands
* It's amazing how much spring games vary from year to year. Zero offense last year then today there were touchdowns galore in the first quarter. Obviously Morris was out there this time. The gimmick plays to Malcolm Lewis, and Torretta-Johnson, were well done and the highlights of the afternoon, but I thought they set a tone that was too soft and relaxed. The defense was lounging out there, for the most part. Last time I remember a spring game like that was the year we played at Ohio State. I knew we wouldn't be prepared to match their intensity and physicality. At least this year we host Florida instead of a road game, but those teams aren't goofing around. I attended one Virginia Tech fall scrimmage at Lane Stadium a few years ago and was astonished at how physical it was, unlike anything I've ever seen from the Canes.
* I was too low on Morris the other day, when I estimated 4th to 5th round. Today was a reminder of sheer ability. I'll bump it to 3rd/4th and that might be too low. Fantastic raw arm.
* It was funny that the defense just stood around on the play prior to Lewis' touchdown, and you could sense something was going on. Morris apparently threw it to the wrong guy, then they invented an excuse to bring it back and allow Morris to try again, finding the proper target in Lewis
* Our linemen and linebackers are noticeably larger than recent seasons. I thought they were sluggish as a group. Not necessarily the ideal weight for each person, but simply larger. Chickillo really stood out as bigger and stronger. We'll see how it translates
* I don't understand the praise for Scott. He took the wrong angle more than once and badly mistimed his jump another time. Not the most instinctive player. The guy next to me was ripping him all day
* Carter is a great looking athlete. He seems to have hit and miss inevitability, like Dorsett
* Every time our kicker #46 was out there I could hear the "I Love Lucy" theme song, and Desi saying, "Little Ricky." That guy barely budges 5 feet tall
* I appreciated that Golden arranged a couple of long field goal attempts. In fact, he took more interest in one 48 yard attempt than any play all day, making sure everybody was positioned to his specifications
* Williams looked moderately improved in the first half. Then all the weaknesses popped up during the second half
* First impression of the Coley offense is positive. Lots of seam routes and slants, attacking plays. Back shoulder has obviously been a priority and we executed them surprisingly well. Some nice basic run formations also
* Herb Waters jumped out at me, before he was injured. Loads of athletic arrogance and instincts within tight quarters. I could tell he hurt his right elbow or shoulder immediately when he went down, while blocking on that long run by Duke. Others in the stands were startled to see his right arm in a sling, when presented with one of the spring awards at halftime
* I agree with others...first glance at Sandland wasn't encouraging. I wasn't looking for polish. I hoped for more athletic ability than he displayed
* Defense didn't try hard enough for me to evaluate with confidence
* It was hilarious when they played a public relations video of the stadium renovations, urging a Vote Yes. That might play well when you are elsewhere, without immediate reference points. But trudging through that drab aging facility and then witnessing a severely airbrushed version on a big screen was too much for my group to take. The guy behind me couldn't stop laughing. The two of us had just talked about the proposal, that the roof is going to be an awkward slap on. He said the same thing I've emphasized, that it makes no sense to waste hundreds of millions on a contrived fix instead of starting over on a new venue in the parking lot. That stadium looks terrible everywhere when you walk through it, and compare to recent NFL stadiums.
