Spring practice, back on the wagon

How's everyone's Saturday going? It's nice to be back here and back at practice. Nice to be back blogging too, finally getting a chance to breathe (high school spring sports makes sports writers want to quit).

That said, there were some nuggets out do today's practice. The first is Mike Osiecki is no longer practicing with the team. It would appear that $2 Power Bar he lifted from the co-op was enough to send him packing for the spring. He isn't off the team, he will be back this summer.

When asked about Osiecki, Edsall was vague:

"He won't be our here and won't be for the rest of the spring. He will be taking care of some things that I want him to take care of and we'll let the legal process run its course. He and I have talked and will continue to talk and support him. He does not deserve to be out here at this point in time."

Now, Osiecki practiced on Tuesday. When asked if he knew if Osiecki had been arrested for shoplifting Edsall dodged the question.

"I explained the situation what we are doing with Mike and that is that needs to be said and all the comments i have on the situation."

Did Edsall know that Osiecki was arrested or not? What changed from Tuesday to Wednesday besides it being reported?

More importantly, what the heck is Osiecki doing? A $2 Power Bar? Adjusted for inflation, this is a cheaper crime than the Brian Fair video splitter episode. You can get Power Bars at the cafeteria less than a 1/4 mile away. I can't really explain it. Perhaps Mr. Osiecki has a sweet tooth.

Also, the fact he was arrested and it is going to cost something to get him through the court system to me is ridiculous. Ban him from the co-op and give him a public fine. Did they really have to finger print him? $2? Most expensive candy bar ever.

The entire episode is ridiculous.

This speaks to another problem that is happening this spring. There isn't anything major, though the intelligence of lifting a candy bar from a store would give me some concern, but there are some little things that are creeping up on the team. Today, Erik Kuraczea wasn't at practice because he overslept. Edsall sent him home and said get more sleep.

Add to that Jordan Todman's little academic problem "something about using technology during class" and Lawrence Wilson's academic problems and there are some cracks. There isn't anything major going on, but there is some lack of focus with the players. All of it is forgivable, but for the team's sake I would hope it's just some random happenings. Edsall does run a tight ship so he is not too pleased.

Now let's go on the field (thankfully):

I like the way the Huskies are looking. On Saturday I thought Mike Smith had a terrific day. He has great hands and is a god route runner, but he is playing with a lot more confidence. Smith made a couple of people miss on slant for some big yardage and got behind the defense for a touchdown. He also collided with Jerome Junior and laid the sophomore safety out. I asked Smith after and he smiled "He didn't move."

Junior is loking a little better. Another receiver that I am loving, but still raw, is Malik Generett. At 6-4 he is such a large target. On consecutive plays he took a fade to the sideline and beat Gilbert Stlouis. And on a running TD by Martin Hypolite, wiped out Stlouis on the block down the field. It's just a question of hands and precise route running, the physical package is unmatched.

Another player I can't keep my eyes off is Leon Kinnard. Maybe it's because he is small, but he is a superior athlete who has a surprisingly good arm. Kinnard is going to remain at QB despite being 5-9 (generous), and the staff isn't sure what to do with him. I can envision a wildcat type package of 10-15 plays a game that would work well with this kid. He is such a different changeup than the rest of the team.

Now, will they use a Kinnard package? They are going to wait until the summer and there is a lot to sort out. But, the kid can play the position. The problem is can they use the athleticism somewhere else sooner (slot?, DB?). That's the problem with players like Kinnard. Do you want to wait 3 years to see if they can be a QB Or get on the field sooner? Right now, he has played well enough t be given a shot at QB.

As far as the other QBs. Zach Frazer is NO. 1 and Cody Endres is NO. 2 by a mile. One thing Edsall has liked this spring is that the QBs are "live." No red shirts and that has really made them get better. Most coaches don't allow QB contact during the spring, but Edsall was angry at the offense through the first two practices and decided to lift it. He has liked what he has seen.

It's a controversial move. Frazer has had two concussions in the last 18 months and Endres is coming off shoulder surgery.

"It has helped our quarterbacks and helped our offensive line about how precious that quarterback is."

"We have worked where guys haven't been live and they have been live. There was a situation watching the first couple of practices and tings that were going on, the only way I can get the timing and everything we want is to go live.

"Zach has played, Cody has played and one games for us. How are they going to get better? Make them live."

When did Edsall make this decision? Surely it was after a long talk with his assistants weighing the benefits and the risks.

"I got p***** off one day and decided this is what we are going to do," Edsall laughed. "If we are going to get better, this is what we are doing, I told the coaches.

"If you ask them, they will tell you it made them better this spring. I can see the difference. I see the difference in the offensive line."

Going live has helped the offensive line. Kevin Friend and Adam Masters were thought of as placeholders for injured tackles Jimmy Bennett and Mike Ryan, but that's far from the case. Edsall is impressed by the tackles.

Other housekeeping notes, Edsall challenged Twyon Martin after practice. Martin is now behind Shamar Stephen and Ryan Wirth at DT. Martin started all last year and at the end of his freshman season. Edsall said that Martin has to stop being lazy.