**** OFFICIAL 2012 Kansas Football Repository Thread ****

[ArrowheadHawk]

New Coach, New year, new thread.

Sat, Sept. 1 SDSU at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS at 6:00p.m. CT Jayhawk IMG TV Network

Sat, Sept. 8 Rice at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS FSN at 2:30p.m. CT Fox Sports Net

Sat, Sept. 15 TCU at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS at 11:00a.m. CT FX

Sat, Sept. 22 Kansas at No. Illinois
DeKalb, Illinois

Sat, Oct. 6 Kansas at Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Stadium
Manhattan, KS

Sat, Oct. 13 Okla. St. at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS

Sat, Oct. 20 Kansas at Oklahoma Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Norman, OK

Sat, Oct. 27 Texas at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS

Sat, Nov. 3 Kansas at Baylor Floyd Casey Stadium
Waco, TX

Sat, Nov. 10 Kansas at TT Jones AT&T Stadium
Lubbock, TX

Sat, Nov. 17 Iowa State at Kansas Memorial Stadium
Lawrence, KS

Sat, Dec. 1 Kansas at West Virginia
Morgantown, W.V.

[HolyHandgernade]

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tal...-of-fall-prac/

It began with conditioning tests at 6 a.m. this morning and was followed by team and position meetings not long after.

But now, in the 100-plus degree heat on a sunny August afternoon, the 2012 Jayhawks are on the field.

The first official practice of the season began around 2:30 p.m. today, and will continue until the temperatures finally start to climb down.

As has been the case during the past few seasons, the media was invited out to the first 20 minutes of practice, and, although that’s not long enough to make solid conclusions about anything we see, it’s plenty long enough to snag a couple of first impressions.

Here are mine:

• Juco offensive lineman Aslam Sterling was at practice, though not participating because he just arrived today. Didn’t matter. Seeing him out of pads gave me a chance to see just how big this guy is. He’s huge. In fact, at one point during the practice, KU coach Charlie Weis strolled my way and said, ‘Did I tell ya he was a big boy or what?’ He is. In terms of upper body, Sterling has the typical look of an offensive lineman Where he stands out, however, is closer to the ground. His legs are build like tree trunks, from the floor to his waist. This guy’s going to be a huge factor in the KU offense.

• It may seem silly, and maybe it’s a little unnecessary to point out, but even in the warm-up session, where the team does something between a sprint and a job for 10-20 yards, the players looked leaner and lighter on their feet. We’ve heard over and over that the offseason conditioning program went well, but I now can confirm it with my own eyes.

• Keep an eye on freshman offensive lineman Sean Connolly. He’s a big kid, but he’s way more athletic looking than I expected him to be. Impressive.

• As we mentioned during spring drills, the Jayhawks now begin their practices to music. Different mixes of rap and rock n’ roll fill the air and add to the envirnoment. But what we saw in the spring was like a cello concert compared to what was out there today. Somewhere along the line, a brand new — and rather enormous — sound system was placed on the practice fields and watching these guys go through warm-ups was like being at a live concert. I literally had to shout so the guy next to me could hear what I was saying.

• Short and sweet: Nebraska transfer Josh Williams looks like the real deal. He’s much taller than I expected and thick, too. He’ll be a force.

• The first string offense and defense were reflective of the depth chart that was released yesterday. No surprise there, but you never know, you know?

• Rookie safety Tevin Shaw looks pretty well put together, but he’s a little smaller than I expected. He kind of looks like KU running back Tony Pierson, except he has braids popping out of the back of his helmet. Makes sense considering Pierson is listed at 5-10.5, 170 and Shaw at 5-11, 185.

• Junior linebacker Huldon Tharp led most of the linebacker drills. Senior transfer Mike Ragone led most of the tight end drills. Speaking of linebackers, Schyler Miles looks like he belongs, Anthony McDonald looks exactly the way you would expect a fifth-year senior transfer from Notre Dame to look and freshman Courtney Arnick, who is known for his wheels, looks a little smaller than the rest and probably is a pretty safe red-shirt candidate.

I’ll be out there for the first 20 minutes of most of the next couple of weeks worth of practices, so keep an eye out for this feature in my blog.

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tal...-of-fall-prac/

It began with conditioning tests at 6 a.m. this morning and was followed by team and position meetings not long after.

But now, in the 100-plus degree heat on a sunny August afternoon, the 2012 Jayhawks are on the field.

The first official practice of the season began around 2:30 p.m. today, and will continue until the temperatures finally start to climb down.

As has been the case during the past few seasons, the media was invited out to the first 20 minutes of practice, and, although that’s not long enough to make solid conclusions about anything we see, it’s plenty long enough to snag a couple of first impressions.

Here are mine:

• Juco offensive lineman Aslam Sterling was at practice, though not participating because he just arrived today. Didn’t matter. Seeing him out of pads gave me a chance to see just how big this guy is. He’s huge. In fact, at one point during the practice, KU coach Charlie Weis strolled my way and said, ‘Did I tell ya he was a big boy or what?’ He is. In terms of upper body, Sterling has the typical look of an offensive lineman Where he stands out, however, is closer to the ground. His legs are build like tree trunks, from the floor to his waist. This guy’s going to be a huge factor in the KU offense.

• It may seem silly, and maybe it’s a little unnecessary to point out, but even in the warm-up session, where the team does something between a sprint and a job for 10-20 yards, the players looked leaner and lighter on their feet. We’ve heard over and over that the offseason conditioning program went well, but I now can confirm it with my own eyes.

• Keep an eye on freshman offensive lineman Sean Connolly. He’s a big kid, but he’s way more athletic looking than I expected him to be. Impressive.

• As we mentioned during spring drills, the Jayhawks now begin their practices to music. Different mixes of rap and rock n’ roll fill the air and add to the envirnoment. But what we saw in the spring was like a cello concert compared to what was out there today. Somewhere along the line, a brand new — and rather enormous — sound system was placed on the practice fields and watching these guys go through warm-ups was like being at a live concert. I literally had to shout so the guy next to me could hear what I was saying.

• Short and sweet: Nebraska transfer Josh Williams looks like the real deal. He’s much taller than I expected and thick, too. He’ll be a force.

• The first string offense and defense were reflective of the depth chart that was released yesterday. No surprise there, but you never know, you know?

• Rookie safety Tevin Shaw looks pretty well put together, but he’s a little smaller than I expected. He kind of looks like KU running back Tony Pierson, except he has braids popping out of the back of his helmet. Makes sense considering Pierson is listed at 5-10.5, 170 and Shaw at 5-11, 185.

• Junior linebacker Huldon Tharp led most of the linebacker drills. Senior transfer Mike Ragone led most of the tight end drills. Speaking of linebackers, Schyler Miles looks like he belongs, Anthony McDonald looks exactly the way you would expect a fifth-year senior transfer from Notre Dame to look and freshman Courtney Arnick, who is known for his wheels, looks a little smaller than the rest and probably is a pretty safe red-shirt candidate.

I’ll be out there for the first 20 minutes of most of the next couple of weeks worth of practices, so keep an eye out for this feature in my blog.

Love it. Tait can be a homer but just the fact that the team seems to be operating under a coaching staff that actually knows what they're doing makes for a nice level of excitement.

They'll have to prove it though. Going to be a tough season... real tough

[RockChalk]

Originally Posted by Wickedson

but just the fact that the team seems to be operating under a coaching staff that actually knows what they're doing makes for a nice level of excitement.

They'll have to prove it though. Going to be a tough season... real tough

This is what I want the product to reflect on the field every game. I know this has been said many times about the upcoming season...wins will be nice, but I just want to see us look like we belong on the same field as our opponent.

Got my tickets in the mail the other day. Can't wait for Sept 1 to get here.

[Mr. Plow]

Just some preseason nonsense.....

Where do you guys think we'd be right now if we hadn't fired Mangino and the Gill "era" never happened?

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Just some preseason nonsense.....

Where do you guys think we'd be right now if we hadn't fired Mangino and the Gill "era" never happened?

Ahead.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Ahead.

Think we'd be a solid 7/8 win team right now each & every year?

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Just some preseason nonsense.....

Where do you guys think we'd be right now if we hadn't fired Mangino and the Gill "era" never happened?

Better, but not great. Mangino had burnt his bridges with everyone in town and simply wasn't able to survive any kind of adversity. The fact that he still to this day isn't coaching anywhere else is really all the evidence you need.

By the looks of it Gill was able to bring in some decent players but it was an absolute shitshow once they got to town. Go back and watch some of the GridIron videos and just watch Gill coach... He had no plan, no knowledge of the opponent, and no sense of discipline. He would let guys do whatever they wanted simply because their talent said "starter".

Although I think Weis gives more talented players a leg up when they first come in (what school doesn't), he has the background and respect to really get into the players' heads. Just look at the Brock Berglund situation. The guy probably had some talent that KU could have used one way or another but he dropped the ball and Weis simply had no interest in dealing with it....gone

[Bambi]

Talk about practice is that the offensive line looks big and talented. Probably the strongest unit on the team. That and quarterback which if I were starting a team those are the two areas I'd try and put together first.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Think we'd be a solid 7/8 win team right now each & every year?

Didn't they lose their last seven games under Mangino? I think their floor would have been a little higher, but there's no way you could pencil them in for 7-8 wins per season.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Didn't they lose their last seven games under Mangino? I think their floor would have been a little higher, but there's no way you could pencil them in for 7-8 wins per season.

I consider that season - and probably incorrectly - kind of a "distracted" season. There was all sorts of shit going on that year. Not that's an excuse, but I think that team was better than what they showed.

But, you are probably right. 7/8 wins is probably a bit high.

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Didn't they lose their last seven games under Mangino? I think their floor would have been a little higher, but there's no way you could pencil them in for 7-8 wins per season.

Many distractions in the second half of that year after a 5-0 start. One or two kids complaining because coaches were yelling at them when in fact they sucked tore the whole team apart.

Mangino had no problem getting to 8 wins the years previous so he would easily be at that level. Probably a couple lower and a couple higher. That's the kind of coach he was.

Problem was that he had no support system in Lawrence because he was an asshole. He couldn't survive much of anything. Most were waiting to get rid of him. A few losses in a row did it. Imagine what would have happened to him if he actually did something illegal such as drunk driving.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tal...-of-fall-prac/

It began with conditioning tests at 6 a.m. this morning and was followed by team and position meetings not long after.

But now, in the 100-plus degree heat on a sunny August afternoon, the 2012 Jayhawks are on the field.

The first official practice of the season began around 2:30 p.m. today, and will continue until the temperatures finally start to climb down.

As has been the case during the past few seasons, the media was invited out to the first 20 minutes of practice, and, although that’s not long enough to make solid conclusions about anything we see, it’s plenty long enough to snag a couple of first impressions.

Here are mine:

• Juco offensive lineman Aslam Sterling was at practice, though not participating because he just arrived today. Didn’t matter. Seeing him out of pads gave me a chance to see just how big this guy is. He’s huge. In fact, at one point during the practice, KU coach Charlie Weis strolled my way and said, ‘Did I tell ya he was a big boy or what?’ He is. In terms of upper body, Sterling has the typical look of an offensive lineman Where he stands out, however, is closer to the ground. His legs are build like tree trunks, from the floor to his waist. This guy’s going to be a huge factor in the KU offense.

• It may seem silly, and maybe it’s a little unnecessary to point out, but even in the warm-up session, where the team does something between a sprint and a job for 10-20 yards, the players looked leaner and lighter on their feet. We’ve heard over and over that the offseason conditioning program went well, but I now can confirm it with my own eyes.

• Keep an eye on freshman offensive lineman Sean Connolly. He’s a big kid, but he’s way more athletic looking than I expected him to be. Impressive.

• As we mentioned during spring drills, the Jayhawks now begin their practices to music. Different mixes of rap and rock n’ roll fill the air and add to the envirnoment. But what we saw in the spring was like a cello concert compared to what was out there today. Somewhere along the line, a brand new — and rather enormous — sound system was placed on the practice fields and watching these guys go through warm-ups was like being at a live concert. I literally had to shout so the guy next to me could hear what I was saying.

• Short and sweet: Nebraska transfer Josh Williams looks like the real deal. He’s much taller than I expected and thick, too. He’ll be a force.

• The first string offense and defense were reflective of the depth chart that was released yesterday. No surprise there, but you never know, you know?

• Rookie safety Tevin Shaw looks pretty well put together, but he’s a little smaller than I expected. He kind of looks like KU running back Tony Pierson, except he has braids popping out of the back of his helmet. Makes sense considering Pierson is listed at 5-10.5, 170 and Shaw at 5-11, 185.

• Junior linebacker Huldon Tharp led most of the linebacker drills. Senior transfer Mike Ragone led most of the tight end drills. Speaking of linebackers, Schyler Miles looks like he belongs, Anthony McDonald looks exactly the way you would expect a fifth-year senior transfer from Notre Dame to look and freshman Courtney Arnick, who is known for his wheels, looks a little smaller than the rest and probably is a pretty safe red-shirt candidate.

I’ll be out there for the first 20 minutes of most of the next couple of weeks worth of practices, so keep an eye out for this feature in my blog.

This article is hilarious. I have no idea what to expect from Kansas this season. They may well surprise some people. That said, this guy might as well say the team is going to be great because their new shoes are really shiny and will help them run faster.

This guy is big. He'll be a force. That guy is tall. He'll be a force. The other guy has braids. He'll be a force. That dude warmed up while listening to music. He'll be a force.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

I consider that season - and probably incorrectly - kind of a "distracted" season. There was all sorts of shit going on that year. Not that's an excuse, but I think that team was better than what they showed.

But, you are probably right. 7/8 wins is probably a bit high.

I will say that they at least looked like a football team that year. Their wins were against Northern Colorado, UTEP, Duke, Southern Miss, and Iowa State. Things unraveled at the end, but it's not like the 5-0 start was against real competition.

That said, I was glad to see him go. He was a good coach. 50-48 as a head coach at Kansas is pretty damned good. It's just not good enough to expect 7-8 to be the norm.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I will say that they at least looked like a football team that year. Their wins were against Northern Colorado, UTEP, Duke, Southern Miss, and Iowa State. Things unraveled at the end, but it's not like the 5-0 start was against real competition.

That said, I was glad to see him go. He was a good coach. 50-48 as a head coach at Kansas is pretty damned good. It's just not good enough to expect 7-8 to be the norm.

I don't think 6 wins would have been out of reach though. That's 3-4 non conference cream puffs like everyone schedules plus a couple of conference wins a year. I don't think that is a huge reach.

But, I think the landscape of KU football has changed. I'm not sure that people really REALLY cared about the football program. Since the firing & the Gill "era", they've seemingly decided that it would be wise to put some effort into the football program. Hopefully it pays off.

[Ceej]

Seeing as I'm 25 minutes away now -- I'd love to catch a football game.

Anyone else going to do so?