Written by Cameron Bramham
The University of Louisville (UofL) football team limped towards the finish line in the 2016 season with a less than stellar performance against LSU in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. During the game Quarterback, Lamar Jackson was swarmed by an LSU defense that sacked him eight times. The Tigers never gave the Heisman Trophy winner a chance to get comfortable within the pocket as UofL finished the season with losses in three of their final four games, including the 29-9 defeat by the Tigers.
Many questions were raised heading into Louisville’s off-season with most surrounding how the team can improve around Jackson’s talent as a passer and runner. Seasons then changed from winter to spring and along with it, many changes for the Cardinals coaching staff too. The most notable change was felt on the defensive side with an essential switch of defensive coordinators between Louisville and Mississippi State. Todd Grantham left the Cards for Starkville, while former Bulldogs Defensive Coordinator, Peter Sirmon was tabbed for the vacated spot in Louisville days later.
Although both coaches run a 3-4 style defense, the move affected some of Louisville’s recruiting prospects and saw one of its starting cornerbacks, Shaq Wiggins transfer from the program following the coaching carousel. Another move for the coaching staff was former Florida Assistant Coach, Mike Summers taking over as offensive line coach as many considered the offensive line to be the team’s Achilles heel after Jackson was sacked 46 times last season.
“During the spring, I think we made some really good improvements, “Head Coach, Bobby Petrino said. “We’re still a work in progress. I think Coach Summers has done a really of getting our line’s hands inside on pass protection and I think we’re going to be good in the secondary.”
With many players returning from last year’s team that throttled Florida State 63-20 and nearly pulled out a victory at Clemson, the Louisville Cardinals did not finish the season as the fans, coaches, or players had hoped. Many around the university, city, and nation are eager to see how these changes will affect the team in positive ways moving into the 2017 season. A season which is surely to be Jackson’s last in college as he is predicted to be a high selection in next year’s NFL Draft.
With a total of 15 separate practices held, the team closed out the spring with their final practice and annual spring game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium this past Saturday on April 15. While Jackson, offensive line improvement and defensive changes remained as prominent topics on the practice field during the spring practices, many newcomers began to standout as playmakers and potential difference makers once the season begins in late summer and early fall.
Most notably, true-freshman safety C.J. Avery displayed his versatility and four-star rating by playing multiple safety positions and even spent time with the number one defensive unit at the hybrid-outside linebacker position vacated by Josh Harvey-Clemons. Former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon also had a solid spring practice according to coaches. The senior started multiple games at quarterback during his freshman year but has since transitioned to wide-receiver and saw time at running back during the practices as well.
Other surprise standouts from spring practice included sophomore running back, Trey Smith, sophomore cornerback, Cornelius Sturghill, sophomore safety, Khane Pass, senior tight end, Charles Standberry, and freshmen offensive linemen Cole Bentley and Robbie Bell.
Although there are numerous questions for the entire team Jackson remains the team’s most discussed player. Rightfully so, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was the talk of college football last year and has become a celebrity around campus, the city of Louisville, and beyond. Recently, ESPN staff writer, Andrea Adelson released an article highlighting a seven areas Petrino and the rest of the UofL coaching staff wanted to see Lamar improve on from last season.
“We have a lot of things to work on but what we try to focus on is really understanding the coverages,” Petrino said about Jackson. “Seeing the safeties and seeing them in pre-snap and post-snap. Understanding whether the linebackers are working downhill which tells you its man coverage or dropping into zones.”
Other areas Petrino wants to see Jackson improve on are his sets in the pocket, inside pressure, and throwing the ball away rather than taking a sack. Petrino said Jackson struggled against zone last year especially towards the end of the season in games against Houston, adding that “it’s a lot harder to throw the ball against zone because you have to read (the defense).”
Overall the team has begun to address many concerns that coaches and fans have from last season. It’s evident this UofL team has talent across the field at each position and can compete for an ACC crown and possibly a birth in the coveted College Football Playoff. However, early on it would also appear as they will fly as high as their star quarterback can take them. It will be an interesting year for Jackson, his teammates, and coaches as they figure out ways to help this team improve from last year’s slide and take that next step as a championship level football team.
Many questions were raised heading into Louisville’s off-season with most surrounding how the team can improve around Jackson’s talent as a passer and runner. Seasons then changed from winter to spring and along with it, many changes for the Cardinals coaching staff too. The most notable change was felt on the defensive side with an essential switch of defensive coordinators between Louisville and Mississippi State. Todd Grantham left the Cards for Starkville, while former Bulldogs Defensive Coordinator, Peter Sirmon was tabbed for the vacated spot in Louisville days later.
Although both coaches run a 3-4 style defense, the move affected some of Louisville’s recruiting prospects and saw one of its starting cornerbacks, Shaq Wiggins transfer from the program following the coaching carousel. Another move for the coaching staff was former Florida Assistant Coach, Mike Summers taking over as offensive line coach as many considered the offensive line to be the team’s Achilles heel after Jackson was sacked 46 times last season.
“During the spring, I think we made some really good improvements, “Head Coach, Bobby Petrino said. “We’re still a work in progress. I think Coach Summers has done a really of getting our line’s hands inside on pass protection and I think we’re going to be good in the secondary.”
With many players returning from last year’s team that throttled Florida State 63-20 and nearly pulled out a victory at Clemson, the Louisville Cardinals did not finish the season as the fans, coaches, or players had hoped. Many around the university, city, and nation are eager to see how these changes will affect the team in positive ways moving into the 2017 season. A season which is surely to be Jackson’s last in college as he is predicted to be a high selection in next year’s NFL Draft.
With a total of 15 separate practices held, the team closed out the spring with their final practice and annual spring game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium this past Saturday on April 15. While Jackson, offensive line improvement and defensive changes remained as prominent topics on the practice field during the spring practices, many newcomers began to standout as playmakers and potential difference makers once the season begins in late summer and early fall.
Most notably, true-freshman safety C.J. Avery displayed his versatility and four-star rating by playing multiple safety positions and even spent time with the number one defensive unit at the hybrid-outside linebacker position vacated by Josh Harvey-Clemons. Former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon also had a solid spring practice according to coaches. The senior started multiple games at quarterback during his freshman year but has since transitioned to wide-receiver and saw time at running back during the practices as well.
Other surprise standouts from spring practice included sophomore running back, Trey Smith, sophomore cornerback, Cornelius Sturghill, sophomore safety, Khane Pass, senior tight end, Charles Standberry, and freshmen offensive linemen Cole Bentley and Robbie Bell.
Although there are numerous questions for the entire team Jackson remains the team’s most discussed player. Rightfully so, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was the talk of college football last year and has become a celebrity around campus, the city of Louisville, and beyond. Recently, ESPN staff writer, Andrea Adelson released an article highlighting a seven areas Petrino and the rest of the UofL coaching staff wanted to see Lamar improve on from last season.
“We have a lot of things to work on but what we try to focus on is really understanding the coverages,” Petrino said about Jackson. “Seeing the safeties and seeing them in pre-snap and post-snap. Understanding whether the linebackers are working downhill which tells you its man coverage or dropping into zones.”
Other areas Petrino wants to see Jackson improve on are his sets in the pocket, inside pressure, and throwing the ball away rather than taking a sack. Petrino said Jackson struggled against zone last year especially towards the end of the season in games against Houston, adding that “it’s a lot harder to throw the ball against zone because you have to read (the defense).”
Overall the team has begun to address many concerns that coaches and fans have from last season. It’s evident this UofL team has talent across the field at each position and can compete for an ACC crown and possibly a birth in the coveted College Football Playoff. However, early on it would also appear as they will fly as high as their star quarterback can take them. It will be an interesting year for Jackson, his teammates, and coaches as they figure out ways to help this team improve from last year’s slide and take that next step as a championship level football team.