Hurricanes Shine for Great Fan turnout in Naples

It turned out to be a nice, cool night in Naples, Fl. as the Hurricanes scrimmaged one last time before their spring game on April 13^th. Defense in my opinion held their own against Stephen Morris and the high-powered offense. Here are some notes and opinions from Friday night's scrimmage that was highlighted by play from Anthony Chickillo, Dallas Crawford, and Rashawn Scott:

• The scrimmage started at the goal line. Offense punched it in a couple time, both runs outside the tackle. One by Duke Johnson and the other by Stephen Morris on a roll out after he couldn't find anyone open in the end zone.
• The run defense in the middle is much improved now it seems with a healthy Olsen Pierre and Curtis Porter. Offense struggled all day to run between the tackles.
• That being said 1^st team D-line needs to improve its pass rush, outside of Chickillos 3 sacks I never saw any real pressure from Shayon Green on the outside.
• Rashawn Scott had a big day. Very impressive plays. Multiple big plays: a catch over Howard for 32 yds. And a great catch 30 yd. TD from R. Williams in which Scott caught it for about 15 and made a couple players miss as he ran it in for the last half. I came away really impressed with the way he attacks the ball at its highest point.
• Alex Figueroa is a man-child. Is it normal to have a man crush on a kid that just graduated from high school? (No one answer that) After a small ankle injury during the Goal line stands Fig Daddy (his twitter name) never missed a step. He always seemed to be around the ball and had a nice bat down of a Stephen Morris that ended up back Morris's face.
• Dallas Crawford shined Friday night as well. Was used a lot in the slot showing good hand catching a 12 yd. TD pass from Gray Crow in the back of the end zone. He looks like he could be a nice difference maker and having him in the slot with Duke in the back is kind of getting me excited.
• The tight end position is kind of a question mark to me. No one seems to REALLY be separating himself from the group. Beau was invisible last night, Asante had 1 catch that I noted, Standish actually made a couple catches and always needed multiple players to always bring him down so that is definitely a positive. O'Donnell's only highlights were his 2 false start penalties within the first 4 plays of the scrimmage.
• Duke Johnson still looks quick and elusive even after the added muscle. His highlight came on a dump pass where he left Denzel Perryman on all 4's after a quick juke move back inside.
• I really, really hope our starting Safeties for the season are Deon Bush and Rayshawn Jenkins. I love Highsmith, seems like a great kid but I rarely see him around the ball or he's always a couple steps to slow on the help.
• Ryan William and Gray Crow are currently in a heated battle for the back up spot behind Stephen Morris. Crow moved the ball just a bit better Friday than RW11 but I think Crow would need to show he is significantly better for him to surpass Williams as the 2nd QB on depth chart.

Quick Notables:

Alex Irastorza came up with an INT on QB Lassiter but, was then leveled by Hagans after his 30 yd. return. Nate Dortch with an INT as well. Kelvin Cain recorded 2 "sacks" and an INT he definitely had a solid day. Tyriq McCord also recorded a sack and had a bat down. Last but not least Jordan Tolson can hit. Tolson had big hits on Dillard, Hagans, and J. Carter. I really liked the intensity that the junior brought.

I would like to thank all those that began following me on twitter during the scrimmage. For any info or questions you can contact me on twitter as @Just_Twigs. Until next time Canes Fam. Go Canes!