Good turnout for the Kids Day festivities at Falcon Stadium today. Coach Troy Calhoun said he was pleased to get in so much situational work in the two hours out on the field.
Practice observation No. 1: I don’t know how Air Force is going to spread the wealth in the offense. Through camp, it’s pretty easy to see the talent and depth among the running backs and receivers. Today it was the “Z” receivers who stood out. Jonathan Warzeka had a fantastic run, darting around left end and cutting all the way back across the field for a 63-yard touchdown. Later, Kyle Halderman had a 47-yard touchdown.
In an offense with Asher Clark, Kevin Fogler, Cody Getz (more on him in a second), Darius Jones, Jared Tew and quarterback Tim Jefferson looking like he could be a legitimate passing quarterback this year, the Falcons have a number of players that could have a big day. Keeping them all involved will be a challenge for the coaching staff.
Practice observation No. 2: Clark is still the top tailback, and I figure he will have a good year. But through three weeks of training camp, it appears Getz will make a nice impact this year as a sophomore, and could be very good in his final two seasons as well. He is very shifty and tough to tackle. He would have had a 90-plus yard kickoff return for a touchdown today had the officials not blown the play dead. He’ll make some big plays this season and as a receiver-turned-tailback (he played in eight games as a receiver last year) his long-term ceiling seems high.
Practice observation No. 3: Defensive back P.J. Adeji-Paul is getting a long look from the coaching staff. Ben Cochran was a staple in the nickel defense early in training camp, but Adeji-Paul has been playing more in that package in recent practices. Adeji-Paul started a couple games at cornerback last year, and can offer good range as a fifth defensive back.
“We’re looking at him, possibly,” defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt said. “We’re just trying to get the five best. We do have to continue to evaluate what the best five is.”
Other notes: Receiver Kevin Fogler (knee) participated fully in practice, but fullback Jared Tew (virus) was out. Tew could miss a few days. … Safety Brian Lindsay had a huge hit on a receiver, stopping him dead in his tracks. Lindsay has had an impressive camp. … Calhoun wasn’t happy with some mistakes, especially penalties. He called over offensive linemen Jason Kons, Tyler Schonsheck and Alexander Arndt – the former two had penalties, the latter was late to get on the field when Air Force kicked an extra point – and voiced his displeasure with them. … Jordan Waiwaiole had another good practice, with a few tackles and a nice leaping pass breakup. He and Brady Amack are the clear favorites to start at inside linebacker on opening day. … Patrick Hennessey played outside linebacker with the starting defense, ahead of Alex Means. … Freshman cornerback Chris Miller isn’t huge, but he hits. He had a few nice tackles, and defended much bigger receiver Fogler on a fade route in the end zone, pushing him out of bounds while he was in the air for an incompletion.
Getz reminds me alot of Chad Hall – but isn’t he just a little bit smaller.
I’ve heard Getz is a bit smaller, but never having met Chad Hall, tough for me to say accurately.
hows special teams ” new kicker” this year? Also wondering about where the reid kid will play this year? he was the long snapper last year.
Reid is slated to be the long snapper again. The kicking spot is locked in, that will be Soderberg. Kickoffs might be up in the air still. The punting spot is still taking shape, but I’d assume it’ll be Bartholomew.