TicketsA few questions I answered from the Twitterazzi the last couple of days I figured I would post for those of you who don't have The Twitters. If you do, but don't follow me, shame on you. (@pauldehnerjr)
--- The Bearcats will not be opening any Higher Ground practices to the public as far as myself and the UC sports information staff are currently aware of. They didn't last year, so I doubt it's something Jones has much desire to do. Plus, their practices at Nippert this week are open to anybody that strolls by. Although, be aware, Chick-fil-a for some reason is closing early in the afternoon in the student center next to the stadium. It's absurd. Not that I'm at all bitter about it.
--- Zach Collaros did not change his number to 18, he just happened to be wearing it the first day of practice. He is still listed as 12.
--- Which true freshmen will see playing time? Hard to say right now, but Akise Teague and Jameel Poteat will receive some touches behind Isaiah Pead. Nick Temple and Dwight Jackson will likely be needed to help at a relatively thin linebacker spot. Shaq Washington could contribute at WR. But these guys will be given the opportunity to impress over the next three weeks, if they do, Jones isn't afraid to play them. He made that clear last year with the amount of freshmen he played.
Plenty on the plate, so let's eat...
--- First off, head over the Preseason Central if you haven't yet. Plenty of interviews and practice updates. UC practiced this morning, so expect to see a pile of new stuff up early in the afternoon. Plus, sights and sounds. It does not include people making fun of the size of my drink, which I admit, at 32 oz., was excessive.
--- I talked a little bit yesterday about the enjoyment in talking to Isaiah Pead. Thoughtful, intelligent, mature. Tommy G has another interview with him and you get a firsthand view of that. Good dude.
--- Here's the Q and A the media had with Butch Jones following practice No. 2, courtesy Bearcat Lair with the transcription.
--- Another Blog favorite, Maalik Bomar, also spoke with TG. For me, Bomar has NFL potential written all over him. A breakout season for this defense could mean a breakout projection for Bomar.
--- Speaking of a breakout year for the defense, the never-shy Derek Wolfe believes UC will be the best defense in the Big East. Actually, he guaranteed it to Bill Koch. I'm sure Butch Jones loved that. Coaches always love players making guarantees.
--- Wolfe has a great backstory. Tim Adams at BearcatLair tells it. If you want to know more about one of the real good guys on this team, you will enjoy this.
--- In case you missed it, I posted a story about Butch Jones' family atmosphere and how that has been a key in recruiting, particular with this incoming class of freshmen.
--- Andrea Adelson talking with JK Schaffer at Big East media days.
--- Andrew Force talked about the backup quarterback battle. Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen went at it in the spring. I'd expect more of the same this fall, unless one of the freshmen make a serious impact.
--- Of the Heisman candidates in the Big East, Zach Collaros is on Adelson's list. She puts him in the conversation with Geno Smith (WVU) and Ray Graham (Pitt). As I have said before, UC will go as far as Collaros can take them. If he takes them to a BE championship, he'll be in the conversation at the end of the year.
--- When you are petitioning the West Virginia fan base to show up and play QB3 in practice, you have depth problems. How did this happen, by the way? Aren't you allowed 105 guys? And you have two quarterbacks?
--- Another quick look at Bearcats in the pros: Here's another piece on Jason Kelce's rise in Philly. Also, WR Dominick Goodman has reported to Jets camp. Here's hoping something works out for Goodie, whose been bouncing around Europe and the Arena league the last few years.
--- Quick basketball note: RS Fr. Kelvin Gaines will play in Europe this month with an odd collection of college players. Should be good for him to work on fundamentals against the fundamental-heavy Euro squads.
Some randomness...
--- I know most any woman will look small next to Shaq, but his new girlfriend looks like she must be a different species.
--- Bats on a plane! Somebody alert Samuel L. Jackson.
--- Curtis Granderson fell for the little league fake to third throw to first move to end the game. I just hope this doesn't mean more pitchers will keep trying it.
--- You can always count on the Onion to make wonderful light of an economic collapse.
--- I've always thought, You know what the rap game is missing? 55-year-old casino execs with chest exposed and shirts tucked into their jeans.
--- This date last year was the signature moment of the Reds' race to the NL Central title. Yeah, those were days. Ugh.
--- The Bearcats will not be opening any Higher Ground practices to the public as far as myself and the UC sports information staff are currently aware of. They didn't last year, so I doubt it's something Jones has much desire to do. Plus, their practices at Nippert this week are open to anybody that strolls by. Although, be aware, Chick-fil-a for some reason is closing early in the afternoon in the student center next to the stadium. It's absurd. Not that I'm at all bitter about it.
--- Zach Collaros did not change his number to 18, he just happened to be wearing it the first day of practice. He is still listed as 12.
--- Which true freshmen will see playing time? Hard to say right now, but Akise Teague and Jameel Poteat will receive some touches behind Isaiah Pead. Nick Temple and Dwight Jackson will likely be needed to help at a relatively thin linebacker spot. Shaq Washington could contribute at WR. But these guys will be given the opportunity to impress over the next three weeks, if they do, Jones isn't afraid to play them. He made that clear last year with the amount of freshmen he played.
Plenty on the plate, so let's eat...
--- First off, head over the Preseason Central if you haven't yet. Plenty of interviews and practice updates. UC practiced this morning, so expect to see a pile of new stuff up early in the afternoon. Plus, sights and sounds. It does not include people making fun of the size of my drink, which I admit, at 32 oz., was excessive.
--- I talked a little bit yesterday about the enjoyment in talking to Isaiah Pead. Thoughtful, intelligent, mature. Tommy G has another interview with him and you get a firsthand view of that. Good dude.
--- Here's the Q and A the media had with Butch Jones following practice No. 2, courtesy Bearcat Lair with the transcription.
--- Another Blog favorite, Maalik Bomar, also spoke with TG. For me, Bomar has NFL potential written all over him. A breakout season for this defense could mean a breakout projection for Bomar.
--- Speaking of a breakout year for the defense, the never-shy Derek Wolfe believes UC will be the best defense in the Big East. Actually, he guaranteed it to Bill Koch. I'm sure Butch Jones loved that. Coaches always love players making guarantees.
--- Wolfe has a great backstory. Tim Adams at BearcatLair tells it. If you want to know more about one of the real good guys on this team, you will enjoy this.
--- In case you missed it, I posted a story about Butch Jones' family atmosphere and how that has been a key in recruiting, particular with this incoming class of freshmen.
--- Andrea Adelson talking with JK Schaffer at Big East media days.
--- Andrew Force talked about the backup quarterback battle. Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen went at it in the spring. I'd expect more of the same this fall, unless one of the freshmen make a serious impact.
--- Of the Heisman candidates in the Big East, Zach Collaros is on Adelson's list. She puts him in the conversation with Geno Smith (WVU) and Ray Graham (Pitt). As I have said before, UC will go as far as Collaros can take them. If he takes them to a BE championship, he'll be in the conversation at the end of the year.
--- When you are petitioning the West Virginia fan base to show up and play QB3 in practice, you have depth problems. How did this happen, by the way? Aren't you allowed 105 guys? And you have two quarterbacks?
--- Another quick look at Bearcats in the pros: Here's another piece on Jason Kelce's rise in Philly. Also, WR Dominick Goodman has reported to Jets camp. Here's hoping something works out for Goodie, whose been bouncing around Europe and the Arena league the last few years.
--- Quick basketball note: RS Fr. Kelvin Gaines will play in Europe this month with an odd collection of college players. Should be good for him to work on fundamentals against the fundamental-heavy Euro squads.
Some randomness...
--- I know most any woman will look small next to Shaq, but his new girlfriend looks like she must be a different species.
--- Bats on a plane! Somebody alert Samuel L. Jackson.
--- Curtis Granderson fell for the little league fake to third throw to first move to end the game. I just hope this doesn't mean more pitchers will keep trying it.
--- You can always count on the Onion to make wonderful light of an economic collapse.
--- I've always thought, You know what the rap game is missing? 55-year-old casino execs with chest exposed and shirts tucked into their jeans.
--- This date last year was the signature moment of the Reds' race to the NL Central title. Yeah, those were days. Ugh.