Tales from the SunnySide: Darcel McBath
by Emmett Smith on Aug 20, 2009 2:00 PM MDT
in 2009 Season Preview
45 comments
In Texas, football is a religious experience. There are three states - California, Florida and Texas - that lead the country in candidates for the NFL, but Texas has an energy all its own. The fervor of their passion pounds through the veins of fans and young players like the rush of liquor: hot and furious.
High school football games are held on Friday nights. Small towns swell; big towns are flooded with pickups, station wagons and SUVs pull in, loaded with the faithful. The atmosphere is carnival-like, but the mindset of those in the experience is far more serious than that. For Stephen Darcel McBath, it carried with it an initiation into the mysteries of the game that came to McBath at a very early age. He would soon rise to the top of the Texas football pantheon.
McBath wasn't a name that many of the Broncos fans were familiar with before April's draft. Names like Louis Delmas and Patrick Chung were more commonly known and another player in the defensive secondary wasn't exactly what most of the members were looking for when his name was called. A protesting murmur rippled through the posts. What was Josh McDaniels thinking? On Friday night, with Brian Dawkins sidelined by a hand injury that required a simple surgery, we got to find out that Darcel McBath is a solid young player.
Jeff Cordell was McBath's coach in 2003 when the local Gainesville Leopards went undefeated to win the state Class 3A Division I high school football championship. In Texas, that's much akin to winning the World Series, a match that holds somewhat less interest in that state unless a Texas team is in the Series. McBath was a jack of all trades on his team and even then he was getting noticed. Cordell said of McBath:
"I basically got to watch him grow up when I was in Gainesville. He is a good kid with a great work ethic. We knew back then he had a lot of talent...I was talking with (former GHS defensive coordinator) Patrick Harvell the other day and we were talking about Darcel and how gifted he was even back then," Cordell said. "It’s a pretty proud moment for us."
The win came over rival Burnet, a team that featured Cowboys draftee, quarterback Stephen McGee and Texas Longhorns receiver Jordan Shipley. McBath also played on the Leopards' state championship basketball team. Sports were always his life.
On the day McBath was drafted, he had gone back to his roots, spending the day with family and friends in Gainesville. He had played with many of them at the Boys and Girls Club in Gainesville, a place he would later return to to sign autographs.
We were all thrilled," said Tricia West, the executive director of the facility. "I’ve never listened to the draft before in my life, but I was listening Saturday. He (McBath) has worked so hard to get to this point and he always has that smile."
McBath went on to college and became a Texas Tech Red Raider. He spent one year at cornerback before starting for the past three seasons at free safety, taking over for Chinedum Ndukwe. Darcel finished his college career with 218 tackles and 12 interceptions. McBath went up against WR Michael Crabtree daily in practice and feels that the level of competition sharpened his game. During his senior year he had seven interceptions, which tied for the NCAA lead (with 5 other players) and was an All-Big 12 selection. One of the players he was tied with for the NCAA lead was new Denver Broncos teammate Alphonso Smith. Both of them have reputations as ball-hawks. They will be integral parts of the next generation Denver Broncos.
That's essential to a Broncos defense that was porous, to put it gently, against the pass last year. Whether from lack of rush, pressure or scheme, Denver managed only 9 forced fumbles and 6 interceptions last season. That year, both Smith and McBath caught more than the entire 2008 Denver secondary. It's not a coincidence. The Broncos are looking to get much tougher in the defensive backfield, and Smith fits the mold described by head coach Josh McDaniels.
"He’s a playmaker, and I think that’s what they’re looking for," McBath said of Alphonso Smith. "They’re looking for guys to make plays on the ball and Alphonso is one of those guys." So is McBath. While the Broncos notched 4 sacks in Friday's game, a few of them were referred to as 'coverage sacks'. The secondary has stepped up already. McBath was thrilled to see his first NFL action.
"My mom would probably say that I came out of the womb wanting to be an NFL player," laughed McBath. "It has been a dream of mine since forever. As far back as I can remember I have wanted to play in the NFL." Now he will.
Denver brought in Renaldo Hill from the Miami Dolphins, a player who pulled down 3 INTs of his own in 2008, as did former Philadelphia Eagles mainstay Brian Dawkins. Dawkins added 6 forced fumbles, a fact that can be traced to his hammering style of tackling, his opportunistic style of stripping the ball when coming up to assist on a tackle and his pulse-pounding level of physicality at safety. Both 4th-round pick David Bruton out of Notre Dame and second-year player Josh Barrett are also fighting for a slot at safety, as is veteran holdover Vernon Fox. After the forgettable crews that manned the defensive backfield for Denver in 2008 some veteran leadership matched with talented youth are a welcome change. As is true for most of the Broncos' draft picks in 2009, McBath was a defensive captain for a Texas Tech Red Raiders team that was ranked as high as #2 in the nation last season. McBath is eager to learn from players like Dawkins and All-Everything cornerback Champ Bailey.
"They have some of the best players in the secondary in the league right now in Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey and I’m just eager to get up there and learn from them," he said. "I feel good, man, real good."
McBath had visited the Broncos in the time before the draft.
"The visit went very well," he said. "They wanted to know my football knowledge and I think I did very well. I think they like me as a person and it kind of showed when they drafted me in the second round. Denver is one of the teams that I really wanted to go to."
Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan has made no bones about how he feels about McBath.
"Anyone faces adversity," Nolan said. "They get through it, and they get through it positively. Obviously, it builds character in everybody. I would suggest the same about (Darcel). He seems to have his head screwed on right. He has got a good work ethic. When you face adversity, it forces you to do that."
How does he feel about the media attention that's been visited on the Broncos and 1st-year head coach McDaniels?
"Every team is under the microscope," McBath said. "If you’re doing the right things it doesn’t matter if you’re under the microscope or not. I just want them to know that I’ll give them 110 percent every time I’m on the field."
Nolan added,
"You have to have a person like Darcel who respects the older player and respects what they stand for, because there are some that don't," the 12th-year NFL defensive coordinator said. "They are just too young to really know what it is supposed to look like. Darcel knows what it looks like.
"We do have some good veteran players. The starting four (in our) secondary is very experienced, and they are all very good pros. They take their jobs seriously and they work at it. If a young guy recognizes that, which not all of them do, they latch on to the right thing, and they could become a better pro themselves, but that is not always the case."
On his part, Head Coach McDaniels said,
"He has started a lot of games. Not only productive in the passing game, but also a tackler, smart kid, very versatile, can play in the kicking game -- which as I've mentioned all spring, we're not trying to just improve one phase or the other."
From what he's shown to the coaches and fans alike in training camp, McBath has every possibility of making the team glad that they took him in the second round. "I think they like me as a person and it kind of showed when they drafted me in the second round," said Darcel, "Denver is one of the teams that I really wanted to go to."
Denver needs a next generation of secondary players who can learn from the likes of Dawkins, Bailey, Andre' Goodman and Hill and hopefully take over as starters in a few years. For many, McBath is an excellent example of that kind of player. A 6'1", 198 lb. true free safety with 9.5 inch hands, solid coverage skills and a 38-inch vertical leap, McBath may be our next starter at the position.
cfn.scout.com had this to say of McBath:
He’s just a nice all-around football player with good size, decent athleticism, and good ball skills. He’s not going to blow anyone up and he’s a competent tackler, if not a great one, but he’s great when the ball is in the air and will find a spot immediately on special teams. A former corner, he moves like one and could put up big-time interception numbers in the right package. A self-starter and a hard worker, he’ll make himself a long-time pro.
Post-Combine Skinny: He's the type of player that everyone wants. He wants to be a top player, he'll work for it, and he ran well with a 4.57. He was quick enough in the drills and did them effortlessly.
Positives: A leader. He took charge of the back seven … A great combination of speed and size … A playmaker both against the run and against the pass.
Rivals.com added:The Good: An aggressive, downhill type of safety who takes good angles in coverage and has the power to create collisions on contact. Is a strong tackler in all areas of the field and breaks down well in space. Reads and reacts quickly to plays and has a nose for the ball down the field. Has an impressive closing burst toward the ball with the physicality to work his way through receivers and break up plays. Possesses good hands in coverage.
The Bad: Struggles when asked to transition out of his back-pedal and run down the field. Gets a bit high
SI.com made an interesting point:
"McBath has been very productive in college, and he would do well in a zone system at the next level that reduces his area responsibilities and puts him in a position where he can consistently face the action." That makes McBath the third defensive back chosen by McDaniels whose scouting reports indicated that their best use would be in zone coverage. That's worth watching in the 2009 season.
McBath's only history of injury was a broken arm suffered in camp in 2005 that cost him part of the season. Since then, his health has been excellent. For those who can access it, The War Room has some interesting perspectives on him. Summed up, they say that he's not a huge hitter and doesn't hammer the run like Dawkins will. He's a safety with cornerback coverage skills. He used to have problems reading the play quickly, and that shows up in some of his scouting reports, but evaluated his senior year, others said,
"Has the top-level footwork, athleticism and speed to cover any tight end well in man coverage. Reads the quarterback fast in deep coverage and consistently reacts quickly. Plants, drives and closes fast on passes in front of him and gets there in time to either make a play on the ball or to hit the receiver right after ball arrives to break up the pass. Flashes the ability to cut in front of the receiver to make the very tough interception."
McDaniels and Brian Xanders have brought in a big, run-stuffing hitter in David Bruton and a coverage safety in Darcel McBath. It could just be me, but it looks like Denver has plans for these young men that don't include sitting on the bench. Said McBath of his situation,
""I'm blessed because I get to come into a system that has two future Hall of Famers -- those guys are great," McBath said. "My eyes are going to be wide open and I'm going to be trying to learn from those two guys. Those two guys alone, if I can pick up anything from them, I'll be a better player.""
It looks like he's a fast learner. Given the good work that he gave us in Friday night's preseason game, it looks like the Denver Broncos have a lot to look forward to in this young man. One thing that's certain is that McBath knows the right things to say.
"My goal is just try to be the best player that I can be, to work on my craft, get better at the little things in my game that I need to get better at and help this team win football games in any way that I need to, whatever it is," McBath said. "We are blessed. You have got to give it all you have got every day. You have got to try to be the best you can be, because there are guys out there busting their tails trying to be the best they can be so they can beat me. I am going to do the same. I am going to approach it like that every day and hopefully get better."
I'd hate to bet against him.
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Thanks broncobear
McBath will continue to improve as the season goes on. I think by the second half he’s going to be real playmaker and help solidify our defensive backfield. If injuries make him play full time earlier, he’ll be even more seasoned for 2010. Another solid acquisition by McD and Xanders.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein
by Ponderosa on Aug 20, 2009 2:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Question:
Seems like he’s described as a stereotypical strong safety rather than free. I’m not remembering where he played at SF, but I’m guessing it was at free. Any chance this guy can take Hill’s spot at some point this year? Apologies if this has already been covered. Many thanks for the write-up Bear!
It's "just" football
by Donkhead on Aug 20, 2009 2:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting thought, DH
Any chance this guy can take Hill’s spot at some point this year?
I wouldn’t bet against McBath – he seems like a very good young player. However, I’d be more likely to use him at FS. His run-tackling isn’t his best strength, and he’s a great coverage guy who is best with the play in fro\nt of him. He takes good angles and is very smart – I’ll always bow to HT’s wisdom, but personally, I’d expect him to stay at FS.
In that same vein – I do think that down the road, Bruton may take over for Hill. Probably not this season, barring injury, but eventually. He’s raw, more so than McBath, but he’s very talented. Unlike McBath, he isn’t as strong in coverage. Also unlike McBath, he loves to hit and is great in run support. Both take good angles. Both could probably do either position. Together, they’re a great young team. I’m very happy with the depth we now have at safety. I hope that Barrett makes the squad as well – I know that most teams don’t keep 5 safeties, but in this case, it’s worth considering.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Aug 20, 2009 2:37 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Perhaps I'm opening myself to ridicule
or have just flunked HT’s university courses on NFL safety play, but wouldn’t it make more sense to put your better cover guy/poorer run tackler (McBath) on the TE/RB coverage duty (strong) while putting your more raw, big hitter, run-support candidate (Bruton) at free? I too hope that Barret can take that next step, even if it’s at RILB on passing downs. Many thanks for the response! Go Broncs!
It's "just" football
by Donkhead on Aug 20, 2009 3:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good question - HT?
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Aug 20, 2009 3:50 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
…the idea is that you don’t want to burn your ‘better’ cover guy on a TE. You want him free to deal with an extra wide-out or to play over-the-top in zone. Your SS is typical bigger and better equiped to deal with the TE in running situations and to be closer to the anticipated action (to the strong side) in the running game.
That’s how I’ve always understood it.
by PredominantlyOrange on Aug 20, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Free is more of the coverage safety
If I am thinking right. And Strong is more along the lines of run support.
Of course, I am basing this off a Mike Klis article
Hill is really a free safety who roams in coverage while Dawkins is an in-the-box striker, which defines a strong safety.
Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon
Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw
by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 21, 2009 12:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem, definition wise...
…is that the Broncos apparantly have the paradigm reversed. Dawkins, the striker, is playing FS and Hill, the converted corner, is playing SS.
I think its clear that the beauty of a Nolan scheme is that it is not bound by convention. They constanly seek mismatches. The best analogy is War. Back in the old days, you just put force against force and slugged it out in big columns. Now, you manuver, probe, find weakness, and then overwhelm it with superior firepower.
by PredominantlyOrange on Aug 21, 2009 8:30 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Safety definitions are kind of out-of-date
There is so much 2 deep zone played in the NFL these days, that I generally don’t worry about “strong” vs. “free” safety distinctions anymore. Safetys need to be basically interchangeable.
ChooChoo is right in his summary of the SS vs FS historically, and this was more true also in the horrible defenses we rolled out the past few years, where there was more of a distinction because we often had one safety coming down into the box for run support (Lynch, etc).
The problem is that in the current NFL, playing 1-deep is a sure fire way to hang your CBs out to dry on longer passes, or if you play the CBs soft and go 3-deep, you get torn apart on slants, quick hits, comebacks, etc. Basically, f you don’t have 2 “free” safetys, you’re toast.
Now in regards to our current folks, Dawk is a HOFer who has made a career of hitting like a SS from the FS position. Bruton and Barrett are the rare physical specimens with the speed of a FS, in the body of a big physical SS… the big question on them is whether they’ll have the agility and instincts to cover the over-top role….
by cjfarls on Aug 21, 2009 1:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great profile, bear
Thanks for the insight. I look forward to watching this kid develop.
"Talk about the Broncos and I'm gonna 'put my dukes up'. I'm gonna hit you with these rings." -- Rod Smith's rebuttal to Jamie Dukes
by broncosmontana on Aug 20, 2009 2:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff, Doc
The zone-coverage angle is interesting. Maybe this kind of systematic approach was evident in previous Broncos drafts, and I just wasn’t obsessive enough to see it. But I doubt that.
One quibble, re: the lede. California, Florida and Texas are the three biggest states in the union, so it’s no surprise they generate the most football players. What makes them unique, I’ll wager, is that they most likely generate the most football players per-capita. Well, Texas and Florida, anyway
by Chibronx on Aug 20, 2009 2:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
4th
Ahh, but Florida is 4th, behind New York for population. But, a valid point, nonetheless.
by BroncosBassist on Aug 20, 2009 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m surprised. I’ve been reading about the hollowing out of upstate New York for so long, I thought it had fallen behind years ago. Factor in the census undercount, and it might be bigger.
Next-door-neighbor New Jersey is pretty germane to this conversation, though. That place mints a lot of football players for its 8.5mm residents.
by Chibronx on Aug 20, 2009 3:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not just population
Another big factor is the weather. Cali, Texas, & Florida all [roduce large amounts of pros because of their size, as well as year round good weather.
People can use statistics to prove anything, 87% of all people know that.
by c_style on Aug 20, 2009 3:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points.
Just to nerd it up some more, about 40% of New York’s population is in New York City; we could really look at it as more like a state with 12 million folks. Many of whom like Hockey. For reasons of funding (football is expensive and requires lots of equipment, right?), space, and New York’s historical obsession with the sports, kids focus on basketball and baseball.
Also, New York has no real college football tradition. The City’s only Division I team is, um, er, a joke, a farce, a tragedy, and a laughingstock of spectacular proportions. But I understate the case.
by Chibronx on Aug 20, 2009 3:52 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little research shows (drum roll please)...
I thought that my second home state, Georgia (after Colorado), might be well represented, and here’s what I found. This is based on the last 20 years of the NFL draft and 2000 census figures.
Six states (by high school attended) had over 200 players drafted:
- California (745)
- Texas (624)
- Florida (583)
So no surprises yet…
- Georgia (306 – I think I’m on to something)
- Ohio (258)
- Louisiana (251 – ?!? I didn’t see that one coming)
Now, taking the state populations for a per capita ranking, you get:
1. Louisiana (5.6 draftees per 100K residents!)
2. Georgia (3.7)
3. Florida (3.6)
4. Texas (3.0)
5. Ohio (2.3)
6. California (2.2)
Knowing how many Georgia guys we’ve had come through Denver, I felt pretty good that it would rank highly. Anyone who’s been to an LSU game can’t really be surprised by Louisiana’s showing, but it wasn’t one that came to mind.
Click here to see the cool source I found where some folks took the time to count this stuff up.
Also, note this is draftees, not players. And the chart notes it covers Div 1A colleges only (though that may be only when querying by college). Still, I imagine it’s pretty indicative. By the way, New York rings in at about 0.65, though if you use the 12M number Chibronx suggests (to exclude NYC), it only comes up to around 1. Jersey fares better, as I would expect. After all, Knowshon went to UGA, but came from NJ. Still, with 149 Jersey draftees, they come in at a rate of 1.8 – close to California, but about half that of Georgia.
by MakeCents on Aug 20, 2009 5:14 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
And thank you!
I enjoyed reading your article, and I will focus a little more McBath Saturday in light of the info you’ve shared with me here!
by MakeCents on Aug 20, 2009 5:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for doing the legwork
I’m speechless, too. Louisiana? My money says it’s all the protestants in the North of the state who play football. And oh, man, they must play football. But I’m totally baffled and powerless to explain why the Bayou State would rank so high.
Not a criticism, but since this is the kind of thing I know something about, I’ll dish. I personally would have used the 2008 intercensal population projections. If you look at the wildfire population growth in California since 2000 (something like 3.3 million) and the virtual flat-lining of population in Ohio, California would have come even further down. I’m actually curious to see who’s number 6. My money says that if we plug in 2008 estimates, California will be even further down the list.
by Chibronx on Aug 20, 2009 7:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmm....
California, Florida and Texas are the three biggest states in the union, so it’s no surprise they generate the most football players
Don’t forget about us! And we produced Stinky and Kuper, so that is a lot of football palyer right there….
Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 21, 2009 11:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points, ChiBronx
I’m actually taking this statement right from Tom Lemming, the guy who essentially pioneered HS scouting. It’s his feeling that there is a culture of HS football in those three that is beyond the straightforward issues of population. Still – it might just be numbers and he sees it differently due to the demographics.
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Aug 20, 2009 2:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting Profile of Lemming
For anyone who’s interested in the man with all the power, this is a nice, New Yorker-ish study of him. He used to be a mailman.
by Chibronx on Aug 20, 2009 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff BBear
I really look forward to seeing the new revamped secondary in action this season and am especially rooting for McBath and Smith. They seem like great young guys to have on the team and am excited about the future.
by underdog on Aug 20, 2009 2:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Off topic but Lindsay Jones on Prater
Is it just me or does it feel like she’s trying to create a story where there probably isn’t one? With Prater updates today, he’s not in camp, it’s all very mysterious, etc etc. Now this:
There has been a Matt Prater sighting: He just walked from weight room through parking lot and into cafteria.
by underdog on Aug 20, 2009 2:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
another sighting!
Prater just wandered into the john, but I didn’t get to count how many shakes he used, or if he limped while doing them!
:)
by BroncosBassist on Aug 20, 2009 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recall
scratching my head with all the defensive backs taken with our obvious need on the line. Apprently, McD knew he and Nolan could scheme to stop the run, but our secondary needed some long term answers. Long term? What is that anyway? I am not used to this word….long term….hmmm….
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
by Tim Lynch on Aug 20, 2009 3:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I Did Enjoy
Nolan’s interview where he said they wanted a good secondary because if the line screws up you can still stop it but if the secondary screws up it is a touchdown.
You don’t hear that take too often.
Tis better not to throw it to the deep receiver but the open receiver.
by Kfustud on Aug 20, 2009 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
I keep telling people...
This was a good draft. Maybe soon someone outside this website will believe me. LOL
by TheMastermind on Aug 20, 2009 3:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Chinedum Ndukwe
Unless I misinterpreting the sentence… “He spent one year at cornerback before starting for the past three seasons at free safety, taking over for Chinedum Ndukwe.”…Ndukwe played his college football at Notre Dame, not Texas Tech.
"Some guys got drafted and they ain't played football in 15 years and I'm still waiting to get drafted. I'm still waiting to hear my name." -Rod Smith
by The Heat on Aug 20, 2009 3:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
One further question:
If McBath played HS football against Jordan Shipley, wouldn’t he also have therefore played against Colt McCoy? – I thought McCoy and Shipley have been both HS and college teammates?
It's "just" football
by Donkhead on Aug 20, 2009 3:49 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I’m a Texas Tech fan and a huge Darcel Mc"Blood"Bath fan also. But I’m also familiar with the McCoy/Shipley story you’re talking about.
McCoy and Shipley grew up near each other in West Texas, but went to different high schools when Shipley’s dad got a new job as a HS football coach a couple hours away. They both played in state championships, but in different divisions. McCoy went to a 2A school, which is tiny, and Shipley went to a 3A school (which is still pretty small). 5A schools are the big full size schools that are usually considered the “real” state champions. Shipley played high school ball with Texas A&M’s former QB Stephen McGee who was drafted by the Cowboys this past spring.
Shipley and McCoy are now roomates and best friends, but I think ESPN and others like to play up the whole “childhood buddies” story because they are ESPN and like to do that kind of thing.
Anyhow, just thought I’d chime in here. By the way, it was a great story on McBath. He’s a helluva player and hope he meets expectations in Denver.
by pcrawttu on Aug 21, 2009 10:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, now that's just mean
You’ve got a great story but you’re not telling? C’mon, share!
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Aug 21, 2009 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, i’m telling you it’s really a non-story. They were a couple kid friends a long time ago who got to college and became friends again (not to mention a great qb/receiver combo). It’s interesting to a degree, but I saw an espn story about them that made it sound like they grew up connected at the hip and they always knew it was their destiny to play at ut. sorry to disappoint you.
by pcrawttu on Aug 21, 2009 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks - the article I referenced must have been wrong
Hillis/Moreno in '09
by Emmett Smith on Aug 20, 2009 3:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Not necessarily
I seem to recall that Shipley’s red-shirted at least one year, so they may have been part of two different HS graduating classes and therefore, McBath may have played against one without seeing the other depending on schedules/conferences, etc. Thanks again!
It's "just" football
by Donkhead on Aug 20, 2009 4:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I just told Donkhead that it was a great story but realized you were the one that wrote it! I need to be more careful.
by pcrawttu on Aug 21, 2009 10:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Bear
..for another great background post on our new players. The recurring theme: Quality People! As Zappa commented, some long-term planning is a new concept.
Rec’d of course!
" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "
by hairybear on Aug 20, 2009 4:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
TEs
Sounds like he’ll be a great guy to cover tight ends, like Gates in particular.
by NagaSadow on Aug 20, 2009 4:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I like our secondary
After seeing our front 7 perform reasonably well, at least compared to the past 2 years, in the first pre-season game I’m liking the moves we made in the secondary a lot more. I am a little worried about the large amount of mis-assignments happening against vanilla offenses, but realize patience is necessary when the whole defense is learning a new system. The depth and quality in the secondary really excites me though.
by gOOn on Aug 20, 2009 5:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Good research all.
Thanks Bear. This article just reinforces the excellent vibes that I get when looking forward at our Team’s future. I too, see promise in the youth in our defensive back field.
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
by KaptainKirk on Aug 21, 2009 10:16 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I was somewhat blind sides by the McBath pick especially in the 2nd rd.
I was thinking for sure McDaniels would pick Sean Smith or Patrick Chung, my bad I guess and I won’t heap accolades all over this kid until he deserves them. I hope he succeeds.
by bfree2bronc on Aug 21, 2009 1:43 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
One thing that I noted from Camp
The coaches wanted him to get used to calling the “D” signals, and they were vocal about it. They are priming him from the get go, to be able to contribute this year.
"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."
by KaptainKirk on Aug 21, 2009 6:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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