Camp Rantoul - Practice #3

[Dan]

Had another great practice but need to keep improving. Orange team POP Players are O-Knight & D-Quintana. Go #Illini !!!

http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[256ILLINI]

Anybody find any pictures other than those from the first day?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by 256ILLINI

Anybody find any pictures other than those from the first day?

Photos: Camp Rantoul Day 1
Photos: Camp Rantoul Day 2
Photos: Camp Rantoul Day 3

[Dan]

Rantoul2012 XXI: Coach Gonzales After Practice - http://tinyurl.com/9sb5dtz - #Illini #FB

http://twitter.com/ALionEye

Players taking a break to show some support for the US Olympic athletes! #Illini #USA http://pic.twitter.com/MCIajXUk



http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[Dan]

Rantoul XXII: Coach Banks After Practice - http://tinyurl.com/8cxyuak - #Illini #FB

http://twitter.com/ALionEye

[Dan]

[Lake Camelot]

D-Quintana.

Has anyone even heard of him? He is totally unfamiliar to me. I see this, I guess a walk-on?

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports..._daniel00.html

[AHSIllini32]

Anyone else think that Coach Beckman looks like he's wearing one of those visors with the spiked fake hair sewn into it in that video??:laugh:

[CaptainHindsight]

Has anyone heard any practice tid bits on Hawthorne or Green? Are they practicing with the WRs? I listened to the Gonzo post practice bit where he talks about no WRs really standing out and I wonder if those two are included in that group.

[256ILLINI]

I'd bet they wait til practices aren't open to the public before they start using Green and Hawthorne at WR.

[CaptainHindsight]

That's kinda what I thought also. Seems like the reason for the possible media blackout.

[Dan]

Camp Rantoul report Day 3: 'Dynamic Duo' healthy

Hard to believe they are the "veterans" at their position. Neither has turned 20 yet. One is a sophomore, the other a medical redshirt freshman. They have 101 college carries between them.

Still, they are getting the questions from the trio of anxious freshmen.

A year ago, DONOVONN YOUNG and JOSH FERGUSON could turn to seniors JASON FORD and TROY POLLARD for help. Now, they are the leaders.

"We learned a lot from the older guys last year," Ferguson said. "We're definitely receptive (to questions)."

Asmussen

Plan B at QB is A-OK for Illini

If for any reason Nathan Scheelhaase does not take snaps this football season, it projects as a psychological body blow to a fragile Illini offense.

He's a two-year starter and the face of the program. He is smart and mature, an established leader who guided two bowl wins. He fits the spread system and led the team in rushing last year with 624 yards.

So, yes, his absence would be a blow. But not a knockout blow.

Tate

[Dan]

Catch of the day from Camp Rantoul: #Illini TE Jon Davis http://t.co/FqLCMct4

http://twitter.com/AaronB_WCIA

[Dan]

Miles Osei makinga case at QB

Rather, it's more like 2a and 2b, said co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chris Beatty. Less than a week into Camp Rantoul, Osei is no longer lost in the shuffle behind Scheelhaase and sophomore Reilly O'Toole. According to Beatty, Osei made quite an impression.

"He's probably got the most live arm out of all the guys," Beatty said. "He's been so underrated as a passer. People look at him and say he's an athlete. When the ball comes off his hands, it looks like a Big Ten quarterback. People don’t always see that."

Supinie

[Dan]

Rantoul XXIII: Wednesday Afternoon's Rain-Interrupted Practice

"Robert", you ask, "what is the thing at this Camp Rantoul that will haunt your dreams the next three weeks?" Easy. Dropped passes.

At one point this afternoon, there were three dropped passes on three consecutive plays. One tight end, one scholarship wide receiver, one walkon wide receiver. O'Toole put all three passes on the money, and drop drop drop.

It's been a consistent theme for both squads. Passes that are there but aren't being hauled in. It's still early, and many of the drops are from third string guys, but it's a concern. We MUST find a rotation of 4 or 5 receivers who will gain separation and catch the ball.

http://alioneye.com/2012/08/08/ranto...pted-practice/

[blmillini]

Is it just me or does there seem to be less sugar coating this year?

[doubled]

Originally Posted by blmillini

Is it just me or does there seem to be less sugar coating this year?

It's you.

[AHSIllini32]

Sounds like Jon Davis may be turning into our go-to stud WR for this upcoming year.

[IlliniRunIn07]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Sounds like Jon Davis may be turning into our go-to stud WR for this upcoming year.

Sorry if this is an ignorant question as I don't follow depth charts and all that very closely...but do you think they are planning on moving him from TE to WR? Or are you just saying he will be more of a focal point in our passing game due to his performance so far?

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Sorry if this is an ignorant question as I don't follow depth charts and all that very closely...but do you think they are planning on moving him from TE to WR? Or are you just saying he will be more of a focal point in our passing game due to his performance so far?

This isn't really an answer to your question so I apologize but I think he'll be a TE/WR/H-back if that makes sense. I think, from what it sounds like, they are going to do whatever they can to get the ball in this guys hands. He's clearly shown he has great hands and he's a helluva matchup. Too fast for a LB and too big for a DB.

He'll be split out wide; he'll be lined up tight; he'll be lined up in the backfield. It sounds like they may even give him some carries.

I'm excited to see Davis get more involved because dude's so talented.

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by blmillini

Is it just me or does there seem to be less sugar coating this year?

Originally Posted by doubled

It's you.

I don't think it's just him at all. I haven't exactly seen a lot of sugar-coating from anyone this year. It's mostly been what we've all said. The defense will (probably) be our strong suit and if the offense can find a groove, which people are in a wait-and-see approach in because of the finish to last year, then this team can be pretty good. If the offense struggles as much as they did to finish last year then we are going to need a HUGE uptick in ST and a defense on par if not better than last year to make a bowl game.

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

I don't think it's just him at all. I haven't exactly seen a lot of sugar-coating from anyone this year. It's mostly been what we've all said. The defense will (probably) be our strong suit and if the offense can find a groove, which people are in a wait-and-see approach in because of the finish to last year, then this team can be pretty good. If the offense struggles as much as they did to finish last year then we are going to need a HUGE uptick in ST and a defense on par if not better than last year to make a bowl game.

I'm with AHS on this one.

[Clemens]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

I'm with AHS on this one.

+1

I like this a lot better too. Be honest with me about what to expect rather than glossing over everything. I've had more than enough of unrealistic expectations only to have them unmasked in a few weeks.

Having said that, I feel better about our O-line than I did last year. That should definitely help the RB's even if they are inexperienced. The passing game is what worries me.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by blmillini

Is it just me or does there seem to be less sugar coating this year?

Less coach speak

[doubled]

Originally Posted by Clemens

+1

I like this a lot better too. Be honest with me about what to expect rather than glossing over everything. I've had more than enough of unrealistic expectations only to have them unmasked in a few weeks.

Having said that, I feel better about our O-line than I did last year. That should definitely help the RB's even if they are inexperienced. The passing game is what worries me.

Are we talking coaches or fans who are doing the sugar coating?