Latu Heimuli steps in for injured limemen, is promptly injured
by JazzyUte on Aug 10, 2011 9:12 PM MDT
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PrintThe injury list has grown a bit larger tonight, as Latu Heimuli, who replaced injured Sam Brenner and Isaac Asiata on the offensive line today, will need thumb surgery.
It's yet another injury for the depleted Utah line and has left the coaches scrambling to plug some holes heading into tomorrow's first scrimmage.
Obviously this news is not ideal. Fortunately, and obviously knocking on wood, none of these are major, season-ending injuries - at least at the moment. Brenner and Heimuli should be good to go at the start of the season.
Where this does become a concern, though, is getting enough practice in so either are ready when the season starts.
Fortunately, the Utes open the season against FCS Montana State. Not to take anything away from their program, but I'm sure even their fans are the first to admit the talent differential between the best FCS schools and a great deal of FBS programs.
But Utah will be able to ease into the schedule and with these batch of injuries, that's looking pretty good right about now.
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Who is lining up on the D-line across from these guys?!
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
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Curly, Moe, and Larry have been sent in to fill the gaps.
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
Vyncent Jones looked to get the majority of snaps at the second practice today. Apparently had a strong showing. I hope the youngs guys step up and get some quality time and experience, as well as SBrenner, IAsiata, and LHeimuli healing quicker than Wolverine…
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Aug 11, 2011 12:19 AM MDT reply actions
Snakebitten?
Not trying to be an alarmist, but it’s starting to feel like this team might be snakebitten a bit this year.
Nah
To my knowledge their are four players from the two-deep that are injured:
- Anthony Denham, WR: hamstring
- Sam Brenner, LG: injured forearm
- Isaac Asiata, LG: ankle sprain
- Latu Heimuli, LG: hand injury
None of these injuries are season-ending. There are no lingering injuries to starters from last year or the spring. While you could say that the left guard position seems to be snakebitten, I think that 4 minor injuries on the entire depth chart is better than many college football teams in the country, and especially teams in the Pac-12 South this year. (Knock on wood.)
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Na', Injuries happen...
We’re lucky they’re not season-ending. A lot of teams have witnessed just that.
It’s not ideal, but you’d rather the injuries be 2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months!
who is left?
Do they move Vyncent Jones to guard? Do they bring back Ron Tonganevai to the o-line? do they switch percy from tackle to guard? I guess they still have a couple options. Maybe im thinking this one over too much
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 11, 2011 9:16 AM MDT reply actions
But USC is Right After Montana St.
Where this does become a concern, though, is getting enough practice in so either are ready when the season starts.
Yeah, they’ll be ok for Mt St, and a little rust won’t lose that game. But I’m worried about how prepared they’ll be for USC the week after. I don’t mind losing a close game in LA, but if Utah gets blown out, it may have serious repercussions for the rest of the season.
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
The fact that USC is right after Montana St is exactly Jazzy's Point
Basically having Montana St right before USC means these guys will get real live practice time. Brenner is expected back in about three weeks. Which means he’ll be back for the game. A High Ankle sprain is probably a 2 to three week thing for Asiata.
The Thumb surgery I’m not so sure, but at least two of the guys will be back in time for Montana State, which will basically be a super practice for USC.
But Will It Be Enough?
Yes, it will be good “live practice” as you call it and I’m sure it will be helpful. I’m just worried it may not be enough for those players.
Then again I’m a QA engineer so I’m paid to find the potential downfalls and prepare for worst case scenarios.
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
A not-so-in-depth analysis of the OL:
Okay, so here’s a list of every OL prospect on the roster (including some DL who could switch) in order of likelihood they’ll play :
Bergstrom, Tony. SR. 3-year starter (plus started one game in 2008).
Cullen, John. SR. 2-year starter. Massive recruiting coup, started all of last year.
Stevens, Tevita. JR. 2-year starter at guard, moved over to center.
Toefeano, Jeremiah. SO. Backup last year, special teams. Set to start at LG.
Brenner, Sam. JR. Played in almost every game last year, has been a good backup but plagued with injuries. Injured again, 2 weeks, should be ready to go by Sept. 1 but not with a ton of reps.
Asiata, Isaac. FR. 3* recruit, high-ankle sprain, likely to keep him out 2-3 weeks, should be ready to go by Sept 1, but not with a ton of reps. Already in the rotation, that’s how he got hurt. Fan favorite because he’s super cool and accessible.
Heimuli, Latu. SO. Massive DT with foot injuries, injured finger keeps him out 2-3 weeks. Not sure why he got put in before Jones or Aiono, but I’m not the coach. Supposedly he’s a terror on the DL but hasn’t played due to past injury issues.
Sai, Kapua. SO. Played a little bit last year in garbage time, slotted as backup tackle right now. Not sure why he and Bot aren’t being plugged in as guards, but they’re tackles now so I guess they’re not getting moved over.
Taumoleau, Percy “Bot”. SO. Was a guard last year, not sure why he’s a backup tackle now instead of putting him back at guard while Brenner and Isaac are injured.
Jones, Vyncent. SO. Played in 4 games as RS FR last year, about 60 snaps. Looked good when recruited (3* recruit) but hasn’t played much, and the fact that they put Heimuli in before him is not a great sign. Likely to be top backup this year.
Aiono, Siosai. FR. 6’2", 290, he’s a prototypical guard. 3* recruit, might get pressed into service, way down the line right now. Honestly not sure if Aiono or Neilson or Kristensen is first of these freshman to step in, after Isaac.
Neilson, Daniel. FR. 3* recruit out of Hurricane. Big body (6’6", 321) could fit in at guard or tackle. Honestly not sure if Aiono or Neilson or Kristensen is first of these freshman to step in, after Isaac.
Kristensen, Daniel. FR. 2* recruit out of Cottonwood. Body-type is a tackle (6’5", 257) but he’s still light and we don’t need tackles right now like we need guards. Honestly not sure if Aiono or Neilson or Kristensen is first of these freshman to step in, after Isaac.
Sitake, Samu. JR. Don’t know anything about him, looks like he’s a guard, JUCO.
Albers, Andrew. FR. Walk-on. If he’s on the field in a game we’re in real trouble.
Cusick, Kalvin. FR. Walk-on. If he’s on the field in a game we’re in real trouble.
Gardner, Jason. FR. Walk-on. If he’s on the field in a game we’re in real trouble.
Those first 10 names I like on the OL (except for Heimuli, because the reports out of camp are that he’s a terror on DL and I would rather have a nasty DT than a guard, especially with Bot and Sai and Jones behind him ready to step in). The freshmen who aren’t Issac looked good too as recruits, but apparently none of them are anywhere near ready to play, and that shouldn’t be a surprise, since most true freshmen aren’t ready to play OL at the college level.
Everyone hates a pink-shirt-wearing communist.
by displacedute on Aug 11, 2011 11:14 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Totally forgot to add Tongaonevai.
Tongaonevai, Ron. Played DL and special teams last year, but has played both OL and DL in HS and JUCO. 6’3", 310 means he’s probably a guard.
Everyone hates a pink-shirt-wearing communist.
by displacedute on Aug 11, 2011 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
O line
Brenner is the nicest guy off the field and just plan nasty on the field. He plays hard every snap that is why he gets beat up with some injuries. He always looks for the second block once his guy is neutralized. He actually played LT, RT, LG, RG all in one game last year. He is that smart and has that much body control. Chow and O Line Coach love him and both say the line is better as a whole with him. He and Wynn played the same offensive scheme in HS on the same team, so he gets it even without a lot of reps. He will be ready for the opener. We want him on the O Line.
agreed.
If he can stay healthy, (and he should be healthy by the opener), the offensive line concerns suddenly go WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY down.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 11, 2011 2:15 PM MDT up reply actions
I saw him at FanFest last year...
and told him that I wished to never meet him in a dark alley. He looked like he would tear off my head and dance in my blood. But he just smiled bashfully and said thanks.
I would hate to see him staring me down on the line of scrimmage!
Are we worried about Scurvy?
Just wondering why the article title talkes about Limemen. ;)
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Larry soon would be there. -Maji Man
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