The Illini held a practice in Memorial Stadium on Saturday from 7pm to approximately 9:30. It was a spirited practice in perfect weather conditions, and the players had some fun.
Players who were out for this practice were DT Jamal Milan, LB Ayo Shogbonyo, LB Christian Abercrombie, DB Cameron Watkins, OL Eddie Fish, WR MJ McGriff. Milan had a rap on his right knee. WR Desmond Cain was also wearing the no-contact red jersey.
Back full go after missing a practice this week were RB Reggie Corbin, LB James Crawford, DT Kenyon Jackson, DE Gimel President
Personnel notes: Gabe Megginson looks like he has locked down a guard spot. Caleb Day is now getting most of the first team reps at SS. Chris James is the No. 1 nickel. TE Tyler White is getting more 1st team reps now as he works his way to 100%. Zach Grant is getting 1st team reps in the slot. Sam Mays seems to have hit a bit of a wall. It's a four man rotation at LB with Nickerson, Williams, Crawford, and Watson. Kendrick Foster is now the clear No. 2 at RB. Freshman DT Kenyon Jackson is coming on and could battle Tito Odenigbo for snaps in the rotation.
Special teams notes: A lot of work Saturday night on kickoff team / kick return. They put two deep in KR with Kendrick Foster and Caleb Day the No. 1 unit. Shigashesky had both units doing "fix and freeze" to identify assignments. Good stuff. Coverage teams should be better.
Offense: Lack of depth on the offensive line is probably the No. 1 concern heading into the season. Christian DiLauro sat out the second half of the practice during team, and Adam Solomon replaced him at the quick tackle spot. That didn't go well. Solomon was eaten alive by Dawuane Smoot. I honestly don't see any backup tackles who are ready to play Big Ten football. The offense stretched the field a bit more on Saturday. Lunt went deep down the sideline to Justin Hardee who made a diving catch. The ref called it out of bounds, but he was wrong. Zach Grant had another long TD on a deep route down the middle. Lunt was sharp, as always. The backups Crouch and George are making strides. I'm a bit surprised how well they are throwing the ball. Both makes some bad decisions at times, though, and throw into coverage.
Defense: The Illini pass rush is fierce. If its not Smoot and Phillips coming off the edge, it's Clements and Bain with the bull rush to collapse the pocket. Lunt was under a lot of pressure. DC Nickerson is starting to mix in zone blitzes, especially with Crawford, and the O-line had a touch time picking it up. I'm a bit concerned about the yardage these guys give up on the off-tackle running plays. They're strong up the middle with Nickerson, but the rest of the linebackers are still a work in progress. Another area of concern is pass defense in the middle of the field. They ask a lot of the safeties in half-field coverage, and Illinois receivers have had too much space.
Media Day today at Memorial Stadium. Both John Supinie and I will be there. If you have any questions, I will get to them later tonight.
Players who were out for this practice were DT Jamal Milan, LB Ayo Shogbonyo, LB Christian Abercrombie, DB Cameron Watkins, OL Eddie Fish, WR MJ McGriff. Milan had a rap on his right knee. WR Desmond Cain was also wearing the no-contact red jersey.
Back full go after missing a practice this week were RB Reggie Corbin, LB James Crawford, DT Kenyon Jackson, DE Gimel President
Personnel notes: Gabe Megginson looks like he has locked down a guard spot. Caleb Day is now getting most of the first team reps at SS. Chris James is the No. 1 nickel. TE Tyler White is getting more 1st team reps now as he works his way to 100%. Zach Grant is getting 1st team reps in the slot. Sam Mays seems to have hit a bit of a wall. It's a four man rotation at LB with Nickerson, Williams, Crawford, and Watson. Kendrick Foster is now the clear No. 2 at RB. Freshman DT Kenyon Jackson is coming on and could battle Tito Odenigbo for snaps in the rotation.
Special teams notes: A lot of work Saturday night on kickoff team / kick return. They put two deep in KR with Kendrick Foster and Caleb Day the No. 1 unit. Shigashesky had both units doing "fix and freeze" to identify assignments. Good stuff. Coverage teams should be better.
Offense: Lack of depth on the offensive line is probably the No. 1 concern heading into the season. Christian DiLauro sat out the second half of the practice during team, and Adam Solomon replaced him at the quick tackle spot. That didn't go well. Solomon was eaten alive by Dawuane Smoot. I honestly don't see any backup tackles who are ready to play Big Ten football. The offense stretched the field a bit more on Saturday. Lunt went deep down the sideline to Justin Hardee who made a diving catch. The ref called it out of bounds, but he was wrong. Zach Grant had another long TD on a deep route down the middle. Lunt was sharp, as always. The backups Crouch and George are making strides. I'm a bit surprised how well they are throwing the ball. Both makes some bad decisions at times, though, and throw into coverage.
Defense: The Illini pass rush is fierce. If its not Smoot and Phillips coming off the edge, it's Clements and Bain with the bull rush to collapse the pocket. Lunt was under a lot of pressure. DC Nickerson is starting to mix in zone blitzes, especially with Crawford, and the O-line had a touch time picking it up. I'm a bit concerned about the yardage these guys give up on the off-tackle running plays. They're strong up the middle with Nickerson, but the rest of the linebackers are still a work in progress. Another area of concern is pass defense in the middle of the field. They ask a lot of the safeties in half-field coverage, and Illinois receivers have had too much space.
Media Day today at Memorial Stadium. Both John Supinie and I will be there. If you have any questions, I will get to them later tonight.
