Training camp - Practice #16 & #17

[Dan]

Immekus getting "iced" by the team. We must thrive on pressure! Go #Illini!!! #football #NCAA #Illinois http://yfrog.us/71ku0zlokssaspjmovuitlrfz

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The crew @scheelhaase2 @playmaka3x4 @themiles8 http://t.co/mLyV9ZTj



http://twitter.com/ReillyOT4

[mkantor]

I notice Coach Gonzalez is not happy with this group of receivers ( Lankford etc. ) I can't wait til Coach G bring in a real group.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by mkantor

I notice Coach Gonzalez is not happy with this group of receivers ( Lankford etc. ) I can't wait til Coach G bring in a real group.

Millines is a pretty good receiver. Lankford (speed) and Harris (size) bring something to the table. The problem is that we have no depth. Ideally Millines would be our No. 2 receiver and we would have a third complete receiver. The other guys in the system apparently haven't progressed as much as hoped (though the jury is still out on the freshmen Church and Hardee).

It sure would be nice if Gonzales/Beatty could bring in an impact receiver, but that hasn't happened yet.

[mkantor]

Will they redshirt church and hardee ?

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by mkantor

Will they redshirt church and hardee ?

I think both will get some PT, so I would guess they do not

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by mkantor

Will they redshirt church and hardee ?

Originally Posted by RyanK

I think both will get some PT, so I would guess they do not

One of the B1G network journalists told us yesterday that Hardee was looking good and would play. Church was one of the better freshmen in camp but has had some injury problems if I'm keeping all this straight. He is also learning to play WR for the first time as he was a RB in high school.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

One of the B1G network journalists told us yesterday that Hardee was looking good and would play. Church was one of the better freshmen in camp but has had some injury problems if I'm keeping all this straight. He is also learning to play WR for the first time as he was a RB in high school.

Yep. I think Church has also impressed the coaches in the return game.

[Dan]

POP players from the AM practice are O-Davis, D-Bentley, ST-Harris, and our "de-striper" is V. Williams. Great job guys! Go #Illini !

http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[Groundhogday]

Good to hear Bentley is making a mark in the secondary. From the ALE archives...

Bentley is my guy in the 2012 class. Not the highest ranked recruit, not the grandest offer list, but my favorite film. OK, fine, I liked TaJarvis Fuller on film a little better, but Bentley was easily #2. Smooth in everything he does on film, from returning punts to taking a handoff to grabbing an interception.

And Bentley comes from a great program, too. Cleveland Glenville, Ted Ginn Sr’s program. I’m a big fan of recruiting from programs like that because they’ve *ahem* already done some recruiting themselves, finding the top athletes in all of Cleveland. Plus, they’ve been trained well in a college-like high school program and are probably more prepared for college football.
http://alioneye.com

Given our lack of depth in the secondary, he might be contributing sooner rather than later.

[Paignt It Orange]

I'm kind of surprised we haven't heard more about Kenny Knight being in the WR rotation. With his size, I would think he would be a nice target for our QBs.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by Paignt It Orange

I'm kind of surprised we haven't heard more about Kenny Knight being in the WR rotation. With his size, I would think he would be a nice target for our QBs.

Apparently neither Knight nor Whitlow (the two leading candidates for the No. 4 and 5 slots) have been able to catch the ball reliably.

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Apparently neither Knight nor Whitlow (the two leading candidates for the No. 4 and 5 slots) have been able to catch the ball reliably.

The problem has been more with their inability to get separation from DBs.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

The problem has been more with their inability to get separation from DBs.

Well actually both are problems per ALE. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if Hardee jumps ahead of these two in the pecking order.

[Juice]

I'm getting really worried about WR. We definitely are in huge need of a playmaker at wide receiver/true WR in the '13 class.

[256ILLINI]

Well, there aren't many WR prospects close enough to visit unofficially, so we'll probably start getting a good idea of who we may end up with once the season starts and players can officially visit

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by Juice

I'm getting really worried about WR. We definitely are in huge need of a playmaker at wide receiver/true WR in the '13 class.

The coaches will make up for it this year with Davis, Wilson, Lacosse, Church, Osei and I'd expect to see Ferguson in the slot at times as well. But we are really lacking depth. Any depth at all at the WR position.

[mkantor]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

The coaches will make up for it this year with Davis, Wilson, Lacosse, Church, Osei and I'd expect to see Ferguson in the slot at times as well. But we are really lacking depth. Any depth at all at the WR position.

I hope so, cuz Lankford & crew are not it