Blogger So Dear - Wake Forest spring football updatesThe Wake Forest Demon Deacon sports blog where Charlie Brown is still trying to kick that football...https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47639/blogger-fave.png2013-04-25T11:05:22-04:00http://www.bloggersodear.com/rss/stream/39092932013-04-25T11:05:22-04:002013-04-25T11:05:22-04:00Video: Wake Forest DBs having fun again on field
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<img alt="Bud Noel grabs an errant pass in the 2011 Music City Bowl" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XhMeeueb1PXfXofGSYzJEPPNiwI=/0x2:1000x669/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12123781/136280094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bud Noel grabs an errant pass in the 2011 Music City Bowl | Grant Halverson</figcaption>
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<p>Blogger So Dear had an opportunity to speak with many Deacon players and coaches after the annual Spring Game at BB&T Field. Perhaps the most entertaining group was the secondary, both on and off the field.</p> <p>Anyone not grousing about the poor offensive showing in last Saturday's Spring Game was most likely pleased with what they saw in the Wake Forest defensive unit. What's old is new again for the Deacs, as they work to once again be an opportunistic unit that creates turnovers and generally pesters opposing offenses.</p>
<p>Perhaps the brightest starts of the Spring season were the defensive backs, who seem to have responded well to new coach Derrick Jackson. To a man, Jackson is described as a an energetic, detail-oriented coach who allows no room for complacency in his defensive unit. Here's an example:</p>
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<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L_t2f-_toL0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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<p>As a result, the DBs seem to be playing with a renewed energy that certainly stood out during each of the three scrimmage sessions at BB&T Field. </p>
<p>Don't just take my word for it, though:</p>
<p><b>Ryan Janvion</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7-MuxstH77o" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p>
<p><b>Kevin Johnson:</b></p>
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<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EXMvqQMjxDc" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p>
<p><b>A.J. Marshall</b> :</p>
<p> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XEzZ2orUZjE" frameborder="0"></iframe> </p>
<p><b>Bud Noel (who will probably have to run, but it's funny):</b></p>
<p><b></b> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vp1D5GJ-PcU" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/25/4264948/video-wake-forest-dbs-show-renewed-spark-under-jacksonJ.P. Mundy2013-04-22T17:55:59-04:002013-04-22T17:55:59-04:00Wake Forest defense dominates spring game
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<img alt="A.J. Marshall and Bud Noel" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CHrQvPvg9YHEYr6iHJbCbMb_1pU=/0x24:977x675/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11967825/136282307.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>A.J. Marshall and Bud Noel | Grant Halverson</figcaption>
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<p>The Demon Deacon defense intercepted Wake Forest passers 4 times and recovered 1 fumble in a defensive affair that yielded a 3-0 score in the annual spring game.</p> <p>Casual Wake Forest fans could be forgiven for bemoaning the lack of offensive prowess shown in Saturday's annual spring game at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem. After all, the Deacon offense managed just 8 first downs and turned the ball over 5 times as Wake Forest Black (offense) defeated Wake Forest White (defense) by a score of 3-0. The lone points on the afternoon were provided by the foot of placekicker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134531/chad-hedlund" class="sbn-auto-link">Chad Hedlund</a>, who booted a 39-yard field goal on his only attempt.</p>
<p>One explanation for the anemic Deacon offense was that, well, it wasn't really the Wake Forest offense. The faces and numbers were largely familiar to fans, as were the play calls (and their results), but there was a good reason.</p>
<p>Jim Grobe <a href="http://www.journalnow.com/sports/wfu/football/article_85b22ecc-9cb0-11e2-80c2-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">announced earlier this year</a> that the Demon Deacons would be returning to more of an option-based attack after running a pass-heavy attack for the past few seasons. The decision to make use of an athletic quarterback corps should take some pressure off of Deacon receivers like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76727/michael-campanaro" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Campanaro</a>, who routinely saw double-teams from opposing defenses. Offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke expounded on transitioning to a ground attack:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L8CaGPpsuoY" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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<p>While some in attendance surely expected to see a taste of the new-look offense, the Wake Forest coaching staff is probably (and rightfully) reluctant to give Presbyterian and Boston College (their first two opponents this Fall) any film to study. So, in it's place the assembled masses got...something else.</p>
<p>Lost in the grumbling surrounding the lack offense was the play of a defense that seems to have a new-found excitement and chemistry. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159693/ryan-janvion" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Janvion</a> continued where he left off after the second spring scrimmage, picking off one errant pass and recovering a fumble forced by fellow DB Kevin Johnson. Four Deacs joined Janvion in Saturday's interception-fest, including <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134537/hunter-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Hunter Williams</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114778/merrill-noel" class="sbn-auto-link">Merrill Noel</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114781/a-j-marshall" class="sbn-auto-link">A.J. Marshall</a>. Asked about the defense's play this spring, senior nose guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76739/nikita-whitlock" class="sbn-auto-link">Nikita Whitlock</a> was blunt in his assessment:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0TfamaeVI7g" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
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<p>In all, occupants of the Wake Forest football offices should be pleased with what the gridiron Deacs were able to accomplish this spring. The nervous buzz surrounding the departure of key position coaches was replaced by an excitement surrounding the hiring of Taylor Stubblefield, Warren Belin and Derrick Jackson's move to the secondary. To a man, the Deacs I talked to on Saturday attributed a lot of the team's energy to their new coaches (some funnier than others- more on that this week).</p>
<p>Perhaps the best thing gleaned from this year's spring practice was no major injuries. The Deacons' challenge to create depth, year in and year out, is a very real one. Injuries are obvious stumbling blocks to all programs. A rash of injuries to a school the size of Wake Forest is a disaster (see: season, 2012).</p>
<p>Blogger So Dear will be posting more video obtained post-game throughout the week. Follow @bloggersodear and @jp_mundy to make sure you get the latest updates.</p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/22/4253928/wake-forest-defense-closes-out-spring-football-with-dominatingJ.P. Mundy2013-04-17T11:28:14-04:002013-04-17T11:28:14-04:00Video: Campanaro, Jackson speak on Golden Corral
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<img alt="Michael Campanaro" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vQhHgc_9djjiVy_snphfZulotoA=/0x1112:2666x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11680867/201210125_kdl_bb4_006.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Michael Campanaro | Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>When I saw on Twitter last Friday that Wake Forest planned to take their team to the Golden Corral buffet before their Bowling Night event, I knew that I didn't care what happened on the field on Saturday. I wanted to know if the restaurant was still standing. Videos credited to Jim Warrer.</p> <p>I brought ye olde video camera with me to last Saturday's scrimmage, along with ye olde cameraman Jim Warrer. Among other pressing news items, I took the time to get Michael Campanaro and coach Derrick Jackson's respective takes on the puzzling decision to take a horde of large mammals to Golden Corral without weighing the possible repercussions of their actions.</p>
<p><strong>Michael Campanaro:</strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jWrHUQrUdMM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></p>
<p><strong>Coach Derrick Jackson:</strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UsT9xOx_HTM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/17/4234682/video-spring-scrimmage-wake-forest-campanaro-jackson-buffet-footballJ.P. Mundy2013-04-17T10:57:23-04:002013-04-17T10:57:23-04:00Jackson pleased with progress of Deacon DBs
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<img alt="Wake Forest defensive backs coach Derrick Jackson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lIJzeSHT2fILq9UZAbO_7c7q5-M=/0x22:559x395/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11678529/djackson.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wake Forest defensive backs coach Derrick Jackson | Jim Warrer</figcaption>
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<p>Blogger So Dear caught up with defensive backs coach Derrick Jackson following an impressive showing during Wake Forest's second spring scrimmage.</p> <p>One of Jim Grobe's biggest talking points so far this spring has been the renewed energy and aggression shown by the Demon Deacon defensive unit. The Wake Forest coaching staff is insistent on a return to the opportunistic defenses of days past, where Deacon defenders swarmed to the football and created turnovers. One of the ways the Deacs hope to accomplish this is the recent decision to move coach Derrick Jackson over to coach the defensive backs, the position he played in college. Blogger So Dear caught up with coach Jackson following the second scrimmage of the spring season.</p>
<p><b>Overall thoughts on how the DBs played during the scrimmage:</b></p>
<p>"I'm real, real happy with how we tackled today. One of the things we challenged our guys about was to eliminate any big plays in the run game...I didn't see any explosive run plays. That's really been the point of emphasis with us, to eliminate big plays in that back end, whether it be in the run game or the throw game. I think they got the one big play on the third to last play of the scrimmage. It was great coverage by Bud (Noel), and then the guy (Brandon Terry) went up and made a play."</p>
<p><b>On his transition from coaching linebackers to coaching the secondary:</b></p>
<p>"Very, very exciting and fun. It's a new experience, learning guys' personalities, getting a chance to get a feel for a different vantage point of looking at the defense has been fun and exciting."</p>
<p><b>On the talent level of his young players:</b></p>
<p>"We've got a lot of talent back there. I said to coach that it's easy to make the transition when you've got players and I think we've got some really good players. Between James Ward, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159693/ryan-janvion" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Janvion</a> and even having a chance to look at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134529/allen-ramsey" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Ramsey</a> out there- three guys who haven't played a lot of football and in the case of Ryan Janvion ANY football, this spring has been invaluable because we've had a chance to watch these guys compete."</p>
<p><b>On redshirt freshman Ryan Janvion (credited with 9 tackles) his performance this spring:</b></p>
<p>"The thing that you love to see is, the first scrimmage he made some plays here and there, missed some plays where I think there was some confusion in terms of what his role was in the scheme. But he's getting more comfortable, and what you start seeing is that the more comfortable they get in the scheme they keep playing faster, they keep playing more aggressive...that's what I saw today- a guy that really looks comfortable playing the safety position. He didn't look like a redshirt freshman, he looked like a guy that can go out there and play football for us."</p>
<p>Wake Forest will hold its annual spring game on Saturday, April 20 at BB&T Field. The scrimmage will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is free to the public.</p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/17/4234384/derrick-jackson-wake-forest-deacons-football-spring-defensJ.P. Mundy2013-04-14T22:15:30-04:002013-04-14T22:15:30-04:00Deacons gain ground in second spring scrimmage
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<img alt="Josh Harris runs against Army during a 2012 game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_ZVO_OnVQXyAkU2hD4ZhH5nWegc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11537415/20120922_ter_bb4_238.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Josh Harris runs against Army during a 2012 game | Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Wake Forest rushed rushers run for 236 yards in the second scrimmage of spring practice. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114779/tanner-price">Tanner Price</a> and <a href="http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/josh_harris_435912.html" target="_blank">Joshua Harris</a> each scored touchdowns and the Demon Deacon offense rushed for 236 yards during a steamy second scrimmage of 2013 spring practice. Deacon passers got few chances to showcase their arms, as the Wake Forest offensive plan called for 57 runs out of 69 total plays. Harris led all rushers with 67 yards on 14 carries, including a touchdown from 4 yards out on the final drive of the scrimmage.</p>
<p>Following the scrimmage, head coach Jim Grobe sounded pleased with what he saw out of his young team.</p>
<p>"I thought we competed good," Grobe said. "I thought we competed really good. I think offensively we got more done today. I thought we improved quite a bit. I thought our running backs got better today. I thought Josh was more comfortable, I thought Deandre (Martin) was more comfortable. I think we've got some talent in the two young running backs. So, that was a good thing to see."</p>
<p>The scrimmage featured its share of botched snaps and broken plays, but Grobe attributed that to youth and lack of depth (redshirt freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134549/cody-preble">Cody Preble</a> played a number of snaps at center).</p>
<p>"Right now, our guys offensively, are trying to figure out what to do more than realizing the situation but I think we're getting closer," he said. "We're getting closer to where the mechanics are going to be simpler."</p>
<div>Despite the positives he gleaned from Saturday's scrimmage, Grobe expressed some concern about the offensive execution on a few short yardage situations, in which the offense routinely fell short.</div>
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<p>"The one thing I was disappointed in is I think we had about three or four or five fourth and inches," Grobe said. "I'm not talking about fourth and a yard, I'm talking about two or three inches and our guys have to do a better job offensively in realizing the situation and getting that extra few inches so we got first downs to keep drives alive."</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">The defense again played with a high level of intensity, which contributed to a rather physical intrasquad scrimmage. Free safety <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159693/ryan-janvion">Ryan Janvion</a> was all over the field, recording 2 solo tackles and assisting on 7 more. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76751/zach-thompson">Zach Thompson</a> also had a strong scrimmage, assisting on 5 tackles while garnering 2 more on his own.</span></p>
<p>"I thought we had a lot of energy, lot of guys running to the football," Grobe said. "We've got a lot of young guys on the field, again, that aren't real real comfortable with what to do, but when they know what to do they're getting to the football in a hurry. All in all, I was really kind of pleased with the energy. That was a physical scrimmage."</p>
<p>Despite the offensive miscues, Wake Forest did not turn the ball over during the course of the practice. Perhaps most important was the lack of any serious injury, although those in attendance held their collective breath when Preble went down on the last play of the scrimmage. Trainers later determined it to be an ankle sprain. </p>
<p>Wake Forest will conclude the spring season with its annual "spring game" at BB&T Field on Saturday. The scrimmage will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is free to the public. </p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/14/4225122/wake-forest-deacons-football-spring-scrimmageJ.P. Mundy2013-04-10T12:29:07-04:002013-04-10T12:29:07-04:00Stubblefield energizes Deacon receiving corps
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<img alt="BB&T Field" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_6_T3y6P1GSEQ1NDp4gyuA-aLuE=/0x15:4000x2682/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11288519/154762420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>BB&T Field | Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>New Wake Forest receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield brings energy, enthusiasm and an All-American pedigree to BB&T Field this season.</p> <p>Deacon fans, please take a moment to click on the video below. I'll wait.</p>
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<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T03mVFIKF38" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>The gentleman you see catching Kyle Orton's pass is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/taylor_stubblefield_843222.html">Taylor Stubblefield</a>, a former Purdue All-American. Watch closely as he starts celebrating at his own 38 while streaking to the end zone under the watchful (and assuredly displeased) gaze of Touchdown Jesus. Go ahead. Watch it again.</p>
<p>I know many of you are still smarting from<a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=323220087"> last year's 38-0 drubbing</a> in South Bend. Still more of you have unpleasant memories of sitting amongst a throng of Notre Dame "faithful" (read: Triad-area Catholics who own Notre Dame apparel) as the Deacs<a target="_blank" href="http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/football/ncaaf/game/NotreDame_WakeForest/2011/11/5#box-score"> fell just short of the Irish in 2011</a>.</p>
<p>Feel better? Good.</p>
<p>Not only is Stubblefield a highly-decorated former college wideout, he is also the new receivers coach for Wake Forest. Stubblefield took over following Lonnie Galloway's departure to West Virginia in January, and has immediately injected new life into the Demon Deacon offense.</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">"... I think Taylor Stubblefield, with his experience as a receiver, has really caught on with our guys. I think our guys know that he was a great record-setting player in college and I think that naturally makes kids respect you because they know you’ve been there before. He’s added a lot to our passing game just in thoughts of how to run routes and how to beat coverages."</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">- <b>Coach Jim Grobe to Blogger So Dear, March 25 2013</b></span></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I had a chance to catch up with Stubblefield after last Saturday's scrimmage and asked him about his new group of players and how they've responded to their new leader.</p>
<p>"I really enjoy this group," he said. "I really do enjoy this group and I think they want to win. They see the improvements that they need to make in order for us to help our offense out, for us to help our team out. I think they're excited about the end result of them becoming better receivers. At the end of the day, at the end of their four or five years you know it's my job to make them the best receivers that they can be. And I think that they see that potential, they see that possibility and they're ready to work every day."</p>
<p>A native of Yakima, Washington, this isn't Stubblefield's first time in the Carolinas. As a player, he caught 7 passes for 60 yards as Purdue <a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=232560154">snatched a 16-10 victory</a> over the nationally-ranked Demon Deacons. Following his college career, he signed as a free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2005 before eventually retiring as a player in 2007.</p>
<p>"I had a chance to live in Charlotte, and I loved Charlotte- I love North Carolina. My vision of this place has always been great. What's great about this place (BB&T Field) is that it's not so big where it feels empty on Saturday. We're going to get a lot of fans in here. When kids go to play, they want to play in front of people. They want to make sure there's a difference between high school and college. And this right here is a big-time college atmosphere."</p>
<p>Coach Stubblefield's receiving corps will again be on display on Saturday, April 13 at BB&T Field for Wake Forest's second scrimmage of the year. The scrimmage is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wake Forest's annual Spring Game will be on April 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.</p>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/10/4209022/football-purdue-boilermakers-taylor-stubblefield-wake-forest-deaconsJ.P. Mundy2013-04-09T13:01:32-04:002013-04-09T13:01:32-04:00Deacon defense shines in first spring scrimmage
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<img alt="Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lnF5TrTPd8g0uXjGkfoyh9EHXCA=/0x31:4000x2698/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11229449/154759085.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price | Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Johnson's interception highlights a banner day for the Wake Forest defense, as the Deacons focus on creating turnovers.</p> <p>Brandon Terry caught a 44-yard pass from Patrick Thompson for the only touchdown of Wake Forest's first scrimmage of the spring practice season at BB&T Field on Saturday. The real highlight of the late morning session, however, was the play of the defense, which consistently played with energy and swarmed to the ball.</p>
<p>"It's the best day the defense has had since we've been in Spring ball," Coach Jim Grobe said. "I thought our defense showed up with a little bit of an attitude. Honestly, the offense has gotten a little bit of the defense first few practices and I thought today the defense bowed their neck a little bit."</p>
<p>The aggressive play of the defensive was punctuated by Kevin Johnson's leaping interception of a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114779/tanner-price" class="sbn-auto-link">Tanner Price</a> pass. Grobe noted that a point of emphasis during practice has been getting to the ball and creating turnovers.</p>
<p>"If you look at our best football teams, our best football teams have defensively been really good at turning the ball over, forcing turnovers," he said. "Our best defenses have been when we've had 30-plus turnovers in a season.The thing we've tried to stress to the kids is that the best way to get turnovers is to have a lot of guys at the football.</p>
<p>The Wake Forest ground attack was largely stagnant during the scrimmage, due in part to improved defense and a three-day layoff from practice. Grobe has acknowledged in previous interviews that the offense will return to more of an option look in order to take some pressure off Price, who was overwhelmed by blitzing defenses for the bulk of last season.</p>
<p>"I expected the offense to be a little ragged," Grobe said. "The last practice we had was Tuesday. The layoff certainly wasn't good for the execution of the offense, but I thought the fun thing for me was to see the defense start having some success."</p>
<p>Despite the shaky practice, Price was optimistic about the switch to more of an option-based attack.</p>
<p>"I think we'll be really successful with this stuff," Price said. "I think it will open up a lot of the pass plays. It's going to be really tough for the defenses to cover what we're doing in the run game.Last year, defenses were either dropping eight a lot and just protecting the pass, or they were bringing the house. Being able to prevent that is going to be huge for the passing game."</p>
<p>The Deacons are scheduled to scrimmage again at BB&T Field on Saturday morning (approximately 10:00 a.m.). The annual Spring Game will be held April 20 at the stadium with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.</p>
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https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/4/9/4202534/wake-forest-deacon-defense-football-spring-scrimmage-grobe-priceJ.P. Mundy2013-03-25T09:57:14-04:002013-03-25T09:57:14-04:00Wake Forest spring football: Grobe talks new hires
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<img alt="Michael Campanaro" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CWDJyNFPIfo16KRBLL9uaViMjMY=/0x40:2667x1818/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10377109/20120922_ter_bb4_025.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Michael Campanaro | Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Wake Forest began spring football practice on Tuesday, March 19. The annual spring game will be held on April 20 at BB&T Field at 1:00 p.m.</p> <p> </p>
<p>Christmas came early to Deacon fans this week, as a miserable winter on the hardwood gave way to the opening of spring football practice at Wake Forest. Saturday marked the first day in full pads for the Deacs, and the players were out early to work with their position coaches as a horde of high school players enjoyed Junior Day on campus.</p>
<p>The first week of practice was an eventful (and positive) one for the Demon Deacons, at least off the field. News of the <a href="http://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/3/21/4132660/deacon-coaching-warren-belin-change-wake-forest-staff" target="_blank">hiring of former Deac Warren Belin</a> to coach linebackers only added to the excitement created by the arrival of Taylor Stubblefield to coach receivers last month.</p>
<p>I caught up with coach Jim Grobe and asked him about the coaching moves:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Well, I think we helped ourselves. I mean, I hated to lose Lonnie and Tim but I think Taylor Stubblefield, with his experience as a receiver, has really caught on with our guys. I think our guys know that he was a great record-setting player in college and I think that naturally makes kids respect you because they know you’ve been there before. He’s added a lot to our passing game just in thoughts of how to run routes and how to beat coverages."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Hiring Warren Belin’s a real home run for us. Bringing a Wake Forest guy back, and then a guy that’s had NFL experience, has coached at Georgia. One of the best coaches that I know is Bobby Johnson, he was with Bobby for 8 years at Vanderbilt. We’ve hired two really really quality guys. And that’s the nice thing- they’re not only really good coaches but they’re really good guys."</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">One of the significant obstacles for the Deacons last year was a rash of injuries that decimated a team that historically struggles with depth. Those concerns have spilled over into spring practice, as the Deacons wait for wideouts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76727/michael-campanaro">Michael Campanaro</a> and Matt James to fully heal, as well as offensive linemen <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76743/steven-chase">Steven Chase</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114793/colin-summers">Colin Summers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114792/antonio-ford">Antonio Ford</a>. It's no secret that any success on offense in 2013 will depend on a healthy, effective offensive line.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I caught up with Campanaro and found him in a good mood, partially because that's just how he is and also because he had gotten out of his cast the day before. Campanaro told me that the doctors told him he would be 100 percent by the end of the spring, but he is certain that the coaches won't let him near the field in pads.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Watching, he said, is tough:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Just knowing that we’re putting in some new stuff out here, and being the only senior in my position group...Just being the identity of the offense, it’s tough watching .You see the defensive guys out there doing stuff, and you just want to be out there jawing with them. Just playing football, that's what I love to do."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Campanaro's eyes lit up when I mentioned his new position coach, and so far he has nothing but glowing reviews for Stubblefield, if not a little frustration:</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"I was really excited to hear the hire. We’ve already had some good player coach talks. I’ve gone up there and watched film with him a few times on games I had last year where I wasn’t too successful in. I mean, he’s been there, he’s done it. That’s probably the biggest thing I was pretty upset about, not being able to work this spring with him. I’m really excited to work with him."</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, has he looked at his new coach's college stats to compare resume's yet?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Oh, yeah, I have! it’s going to be tough to catch those stats. I’ve been trying to find some film on him, but he’s only got a few clips on YouTube."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>One of the preseason revelations from Grobe is his intent to go back to an option look that was the focus of the Deacon offense before Riley Skinner's arrival. I asked Campanaro about re-installing the option and whether he thought he would see some relief from his frequent double-teams:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Right now, I’m thrilled for the new offense. It’s just going to help all the receivers out as a whole I think. We’re not going to see as many funky coverages and a lot of crazy blitzes because teams are going to have to respect that option. If they mess up an assignment, it could be 90 (yards) for us."</p>
<div><br></div>
</blockquote>
https://www.bloggersodear.com/2013/3/25/4144716/wake-forest-spring-football-grobe-talks-new-hires-campanaro-updateJ.P. Mundy