The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Still looking for a comprehensive recap of Saturday’s semi-scrimmage? Only one exists. True, Dana Holgorsen and Jeff Casteel spoke to the media, but their takes are biased and typically trend toward the darker side. The players had things to say, but it’s hard for them to dabble in too many specifics right after it happened. Truth is, the details are rather rare, which was the plan when it was decided the scrimmage would be inside the stadium — as opposed to the more visibly accessible field next to the indoor practice facility — and gates would be locked and guarded.

Yet inside were a lot of people who were neither media nor prohibited from attending. Hundreds, I’d say, which made it somewhat simple for one wise man to pull another aside and get the valuable insight.

If Japan had been as secretive as Holgorsen during World War II, we’d all be eating sushi now.

Fortunately, a grizzled veteran of a thousand locked locker rooms with whom I make acquaintance every morning in the mirror had his own secret correspondent among the non-threatening boosters, friends, family and whoever else showed up not in possession of a notepad or recorder that observed the practice.

His report explained the defensive sweat and apparent comfort of the offense.

“The offense looked great,” he said, “and they are so smooth, they seem to do everything so easily. Last year they would be pounding hard to gain a yard. This offense, it’s 10, 12 yards at a crack.”

Geno Smith was hitting open receivers most of the day, right on target, accurate. Stedman Bailey had a big day, Austin, Ivan McCartney.

But could they run?

“They looked great running the ball,” was the report.

It didn’t matter who, any of the four running backs were gaining big chunks of yards, according to our Mata Hari. Trey Johnson, Dustin Garrison, Andrew Buie and Vernard Roberts, he said all the running backs looked excellent and were doing it effortlessly.