Effort, intensity top Rodriguez's wish list
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona will feature its second Spring Football
game under Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez on Saturday afternoon at Sancet
Stadium. One thing is certain: They’ll know more than they did last
year, when all parties were still getting to know one another.
The
players and coaching staff are more familiar with each other, and
Rodriguez's system is no longer a mystery. But Rodriguez has kept things
simple for spring drills.
“I don’t have a lot of expectations
from a scoring standpoint,” Rodriguez said. “What I want to see is
effort and executive. I want to see good intensity.”
And, of
course, no injuries. Arizona already has too many to speak of, and in
key positions, no less. But the injuries to some starters have allowed
Rodriguez to more closely evaluate more players.
It’ll put
Rodriguez’s unofficial motto to the test: “Can we win with you?” He’s
said it often enough this spring to alert his players of what’s
important.
Rodriguez said he can ID some of the guys he can win
with – but wouldn’t get specific. After all, it’s more than four months
before they play for real. But there's still plenty to be gleaned from
Saturday's game, which starts at 1 p.m. Admission is free.
Here are a few of the storylines of note:
If
you’re looking to see a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, you’ll
probably only see him on the sidelines. Junior-to-be Ka’Deem Carey is
unlikely to play. Rodriguez already knows what he has in Carey, a
strong, durable runner who has plenty of potential for greatness. The
only thing that could slow him down is, well, himself. Carey has had a
couple of off-the-field problems that have brought negative publicity to
last season’s top rusher. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and
was thrown out of a UA men’s basketball game, only to make it worse by
playing the “do you know who I am? card.”
“Ka’Deem has had a lot
to prove on and off the field and so far this spring (and he’s done
that),” Rodriguez said. “He’s worked very really to prove himself
again.”
In his absence, fans will get a chance to for a closer
look at two players vying to be Carey's backup: Senior Kylan Butler and
sophomore Jared Baker
***
Not many positions will be won
-- or lost -- this spring in part because there is not a full allotment
of healthy bodies to gauge enough of the players. Rodriguez said he’ll
need “all of August to determine a lot positions. It’s not all bad
(though). With the guys who are hurt and the guys coming in, we’re going
to have a lot more competition than we have.”
***
The
great unknown is at quarterback. Who takes over for Matt Scott, and will
he capable of replicating Scott's success. B.J. Denker, last season's
backup, is probably the leader right now. But he can expect renewed
competition in the fall from USC transfer Jesse Scroggins, redshirt
freshman Javelle Allen, Louisiana Tech transfer Nick Isham and incoming
freshman Anu Solomon.
Rodriguez said Scroggins has recently
removed the protective boot he was in and was practicing in a limited
role. “He’s doing a lot of individual work and although we wish he would
have gotten in more live work, the little that he got was beneficial,”
he said.
***
Special teams could take a back seat on
Saturday. The Wildcats haven't worked on it much outside of some extra
points and field goals. The person doing most of the kicks is Jake
Smith, who was John Bonano’s backup last season. One of the reasons
Rodriguez has limited the special teams work is because “the guys making
up special teams aren’t even on campus yet.”
***
Arizona’s
deepest position is undoubtedly wide receiver. Rodriguez has a number
of experienced targets in Austin Hill, Tyler Slavin, Terrence Miller,
David Richards, Garic Wharton and Johnny Jackson. Joining the fray and
looking to carve out a role are a number of freshmen who redshirted last
season, including Trey Griffey. The son of future Hall of Fame baseball
player Ken Griffey, Jr., has plenty of potential. Now would be a good
time to show what he can do, setting himself up for next fall.