The Utah 2011 Football Thread

[LA Ute]

Ted Miller on who he thinks will be 1000-yard rushers in the PAC12, 2011.

He thinks Palamo might be one of them.

[wally]

Ted Miller on who he thinks will be 1000-yard rushers in the PAC12, 2011.

He thinks Palamo might be one of them.

I really, really want him to be one.

Actually, I want Palamo and Langi to be 1000 yard rushers next season, and I would settle for White to get >500 yards. That would be great.

[Hot Lunch]

Ted Miller on who he thinks will be 1000-yard rushers in the PAC12, 2011.

He thinks Palamo might be one of them.

I don't. As freakish of an athlete that Palamo is, and this kid is a beast, he is still learning the game. I think he is a year away. I would say Langi has a better chance than he does at getting 1,000 yards. Palamo will make a big impact next year but it is going to be on special teams. Covering punts and kicks, with his size and speed, lookout when he is running you down. The kid has a ton of potential. I really hope he makes an impact carrying the ball next year but I honestly think he is a year away from that type of impact.

[LA Ute]

I really, really want him to be one.

Actually, I want Palamo and Langi to be 1000 yard rushers next season, and I would settle for White to get >500 yards. That would be great.

You love Palamo because you are a rugby homer. But I hope you are right. In any case, like HL says, the guy is going to be fun to watch.

[Jarid in Cedar]

I don't. As freakish of an athlete that Palamo is, and this kid is a beast, he is still learning the game. I think he is a year away. I would say Langi has a better chance than he does at getting 1,000 yards. Palamo will make a big impact next year but it is going to be on special teams. Covering punts and kicks, with his size and speed, lookout when he is running you down. The kid has a ton of potential. I really hope he makes an impact carrying the ball next year but I honestly think he is a year away from that type of impact.

I agree with this. It is exciting to see that he is picking up the nuances of the game, but he still has a ways to go to understand blocking schemes, blitz pick up, etc.

[wally]

I don't. As freakish of an athlete that Palamo is, and this kid is a beast, he is still learning the game. I think he is a year away. I would say Langi has a better chance than he does at getting 1,000 yards. Palamo will make a big impact next year but it is going to be on special teams. Covering punts and kicks, with his size and speed, lookout when he is running you down. The kid has a ton of potential. I really hope he makes an impact carrying the ball next year but I honestly think he is a year away from that type of impact.

I agree. If Langi and Palamo both live up to potential by next year, and if the OL is solid, and with a healthy Wynn in the backfield, there may be a chance for a great offense next year.

Although in my fondest hopes, I would like everything I just mentioned to occur in this, our inaugural PAC12 year.

You love Palamo because you are a rugby homer. But I hope you are right. In any case, like HL says, the guy is going to be fun to watch.

He adds a lot of fun intrigue.

In HS we had a kid move to Utah from NZ. He was a monster rugby player, and like HL predicts for Palamo, he excelled in special teams when he began playing FB. He never really translated to RB very well, but he didn't possess the talent that Palamo does and he only had one year (maybe two) to play american FB.

[Portland Ute]

I agree with this. It is exciting to see that he is picking up the nuances of the game, but he still has a ways to go to understand blocking schemes, blitz pick up, etc.

I'm also hesitant to get too excited about what this guy will do next season. However, I think he has the physical tools to make an impact in some limited roles. Talented freshman do it all the time. He's apparently got the talent. He's got a better football ready body than most freshman. Probably not as football saavy, but he's much more mature than most college freshmen.

I'm hoping there will be some packages for him which will allow him to showcase his abilities and limit his liabilities in blocking, etc.

I think he'll have an impact on special teams, but I'm also hoping he'll be a threat on offense in a limited role. I'm thinking of something along the lines of Josh Huff at Oregon.

[hostile]

I agree with this. It is exciting to see that he is picking up the nuances of the game, but he still has a ways to go to understand blocking schemes, blitz pick up, etc.

Utah has previous experience with a highly-touted rugby player transitioning to college FB under McBride. I can't remember the name, but I think he played D-line.

I agree that Palamo is a great, but raw talent. There are many aspects of playing RB that just don't translate from rugby. I'm sure we will see some big hits from him this year, whether on special teams or carrying the ball.

[Portland Ute]

Utah has previous experience with a highly-touted rugby player transitioning to college FB under McBride. I can't remember the name, but I think he played D-line.

I agree that Palamo is a great, but raw talent. There are many aspects of playing RB that just don't translate from rugby. I'm sure we will see some big hits from him this year, whether on special teams or carrying the ball.

Blake Burdette?

I believe that it was Burdette that got Palamo interested in playing football for Utah.

[hostile]

Blake Burdette?

I believe that it was Burdette that got Palamo interested in playing football for Utah.

No, this was before Blake played. This guy was from NZ. I know Blake pretty well - he played with Palamo and then encouraged him to come to Utah when he became the rugby coach.

[Hot Lunch]

I saw that Mo Lee was just moved to safety. Count that as another hyped J.C. player that isn't going to do jack for the Utes. I broke my own rule about J.C. kids and got excited about his potential. Now, during the last week of spring ball he is moved to safety. Have fun covering kicks I guess.

[Jarid in Cedar]

I saw that Mo Lee was just moved to safety. Count that as another hyped J.C. player that isn't going to do jack for the Utes. I broke my own rule about J.C. kids and got excited about his potential. Now, during the last week of spring ball he is moved to safety. Have fun covering kicks I guess.

Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott schooled him in camp. With fewer 4 and 5 receiver sets, PT at receiver is going to be hard for him to come by. As I see it now, the top receivers are: Christopher, Matthews, Scott, Anderson, Ransom, and Fitzgerald, along with Denham arriving in the fall(with 2 other freshman). Lee has been dropping the ball all camp. He may get to see the field on defense next year.

[Portland Ute]

Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott schooled him in camp. With fewer 4 and 5 receiver sets, PT at receiver is going to be hard for him to come by. As I see it now, the top receivers are: Christopher, Matthews, Scott, Anderson, Ransom, and Fitzgerald, along with Denham arriving in the fall(with 2 other freshman). Lee has been dropping the ball all camp. He may get to see the field on defense next year.

At safety? It seems like have the roster are guys that have been tried out at safety.

I wonder if this doesn't say as much if not more about the safety position than about the receivers and Lee.

With all the numbers back at safety, you'd think if a couple of them stood out and looked promising, there wouldn't be much reason to move yet another player to the position.

[Hot Lunch]

Dres Anderson and Kenneth Scott schooled him in camp. With fewer 4 and 5 receiver sets, PT at receiver is going to be hard for him to come by. As I see it now, the top receivers are: Christopher, Matthews, Scott, Anderson, Ransom, and Fitzgerald, along with Denham arriving in the fall(with 2 other freshman). Lee has been dropping the ball all camp. He may get to see the field on defense next year.

Don't forget Reggie Dunn. They need to find more ways to get the ball in that kids hands. He is just too fast not to.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Don't forget Reggie Dunn. They need to find more ways to get the ball in that kids hands. He is just too fast not to.

I knew I had missed a name. Dunn will be the homer threat in the offense this year. I wish I felt better about quarterback, because the passing game has some real potential if someone can get this receiving group the ball.