Zips: Spring Football - Session IV

There’s an old axiom when it comes to football that defenses normally are ahead of offenses early in camps.

For the Zips that’s proving to be the case – at least it was yesterday as the defense looked strong against their offensive counterparts for much of the late practice scrimmage. Here’s a look at who stood out:

Defense: Cornerbacks Emmanuel Lartey and Bill Alexander made it tough on Zips receivers throughout. In practices they look as if they have the ability to play tight man-on-man coverage. But when they play off, they have the speed needed to close quickly and break up passes.
“I think we have some people in the defensive secondary who can play winning football for us. We just don’t want them to have to make all the plays,” coach Terry Bowden said.

Therein lays the problem on defense for the Zips. That front seven. So far in the limited scrimmages that they’ve had, only a couple in that group have stood out. The most noteworthy in that group – Albert Presley, the native of Marietta, Ga., and transfer from Dean College in Boston. He recorded what would have been another sack in Tuesday’s practice. But he also put consistent pressure on the quarterback when he was on the field. He also showed the ability to close from the backside. I saw him use that 4.6 speed in the 40 to catch an unsuspecting receiver who thought he had some daylight.

In addition to Presley on the line, former Firestone standout Cody Grice, who is making the move from fullback, is beginning to show something. Grice possesses a nice spin move and used it to get to the quarterback in drills and in the scrimmage.

Offensively, there was a huge move of note with quarterback Zach D’Orazio moving to wide receiver. There he showed some sticky fingers, hauling in at least four balls for catches. He also showed some speed.

With respect to QBs, it looks as if Clayton Moore is growing more comfortable with the offense as he looked significantly better in it. Although, he still appears to lock on receivers.