I wonder what positions are solid for the coming season. You would assume Meyer, but he'll get pushed by Arnad. Blythe is a solid receiver with a chance at the pros. I wonder who is the "sure thing?" Any thoughts?
What positions are solid for next year?
- Thread starter letsgostate
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All but one or two linebackers are going to be back last year, which is nice. RJ and Moses are coming back at WR (in addition to Blythe), too, so that is a skill position where we at least have some depth with guys who got on the field this year. I'd have to think they'd put Parker back in starting at DL?
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Anybody else worried about the RB position? I'm thinking we may need to draw from a JUCO for this. Scales hasn't shown anything - makes you wonder what he lost due to injury. Maybe he just needs the chance to be the #1 guy?
Who is this parker you talk of? the only one that I know is the freshman DE. Do we have a Parker in the Defensive backfield?
He's telling the truth!! I'm on muscle relaxants this week - if anyone goes to the game on Sunday, just look for the blond girl who can't lift her arms much to clap!! :rolleyes5cz:
I really like our DL guys, too - I know they pulled Parker back off this year after the Texas game, but the guy showed a ton of promise!! He was in on every play - and getting hurt almost as often.
Braksma is another on the line.
Singleton is a lock.
Scales is #1 right now, but all could change. I dont see it, but who knows.
Singleton is a lock.
Scales is #1 right now, but all could change. I dont see it, but who knows.
Bowen and McKenzie are locks at WLB and MLB. SLB who knows. I've heard rumors that that Banks move was more due to Carper's problems at SLB more than Banks' problems at S. It'll be interesting to see which of those two wins out or if Fred Garrin or Kris Means comes up in the 2 deeps.
It's All or Nothing by Position
It seems like each area of the team is either a huge ? or a strength:
Strong
It seems like each area of the team is either a huge ? or a strength:
Strong
- P & K - Both guys return & should be solid.
- WR- Again strong with Blythe, Sumral, Moses, Hamilton & Messiah(?). I like Moses & Messiah's potential as quicker recievers if the new OC spreads things out.
- QB- Meyer
- LB - Bowen, McKenzie, Carper, Banks, Smith & Garin
- TE - Barkema
- Running Back - I haven't seen anything from Scales or Johnson to indicate they are a 1200 yard rusher.
- DL- Parker & Braaksma have good motors, but each needs to put on 20lbs and get stronger. The potential might be there among Frere or Rubin, but neither showed Curvey type explosiveness. Taylor was scheduled to start at DE before his injury, but who knows how good he was going to be. We do not need average players at DE. We need guys who can dominate the line of scrimmage.
- DB - We have a ton of young guys returning, but who knows what we have back there. We allowed opposing Qb's to complete 70%+ of their passes. Either the schemes were bad or the players stunk.
The biggest hole we need to patch is the O-line obviously. I am somewhat optimistic that it will not be much worse than this year's line, given it's dismal play. A couple key jucos will mean the diffence between an average unit and a bad one.
As some have mentioned, I think we are also very thin at RB. Scales can't block and will get hurt. Kock will be sorely missed in short yardage. Hopefully someone can step up.
We may see some competition at QB since Brett will not have the "experience running the offense" advantage over Arnaud. Recievers should be solid for another year. We saw that these players can't do much without an O-line though. Our offense will depend on how well we can rebuild the line.
Defensively, I am not as optimistic about our D-line as some people. We lose the two best players on it in "Big Play" Curvey and the school's career sack leader in Moorehead. Tuba lacks some speed and endurance and Frere got pushed all over the place when I watched him last year (which is why Tuba played so much more later in the year).
Our linebacking core should hopefully be the bright spot we had hoped they would be this year. Bowen and McKenzie clearly have a lot of potential, and should improve under the guidance of the new coaching staff. Carper, Banks, and Garrin will all also be in the mix. There is a lot to work with in this group.
Our secondary will also improve next year. The loss of Jackson is big, but we have a lot of guys with experience coming back. Singleton should improve and we just picked up that juco recruit who should compete for a starting spot. James Smith should be healthy again next year and be able to compete for the starting spot at free safety. Who knows who will be at strong safety. We could see Harris stay there or Banks move back there given the talent at LB. If we play the Tampa 2 style everyone has been talking about that should also help take some pressure off of our corners, but could expose our safeties more. This group's performance will depend on whether the D-line can get any pressure.
Special teams wise we will see Shaggy and Brantner again, and both are quality players.
As some have mentioned, I think we are also very thin at RB. Scales can't block and will get hurt. Kock will be sorely missed in short yardage. Hopefully someone can step up.
We may see some competition at QB since Brett will not have the "experience running the offense" advantage over Arnaud. Recievers should be solid for another year. We saw that these players can't do much without an O-line though. Our offense will depend on how well we can rebuild the line.
Defensively, I am not as optimistic about our D-line as some people. We lose the two best players on it in "Big Play" Curvey and the school's career sack leader in Moorehead. Tuba lacks some speed and endurance and Frere got pushed all over the place when I watched him last year (which is why Tuba played so much more later in the year).
Our linebacking core should hopefully be the bright spot we had hoped they would be this year. Bowen and McKenzie clearly have a lot of potential, and should improve under the guidance of the new coaching staff. Carper, Banks, and Garrin will all also be in the mix. There is a lot to work with in this group.
Our secondary will also improve next year. The loss of Jackson is big, but we have a lot of guys with experience coming back. Singleton should improve and we just picked up that juco recruit who should compete for a starting spot. James Smith should be healthy again next year and be able to compete for the starting spot at free safety. Who knows who will be at strong safety. We could see Harris stay there or Banks move back there given the talent at LB. If we play the Tampa 2 style everyone has been talking about that should also help take some pressure off of our corners, but could expose our safeties more. This group's performance will depend on whether the D-line can get any pressure.
Special teams wise we will see Shaggy and Brantner again, and both are quality players.
I really don't see the defensive line as a weakness. I'm sure it could be better, but one player (like Berryman) could make the difference. I think we need another end to play on the other side from Parker.
I was not real happy with the schemes that were ran this year....it's pretty easy to complete 70% when db's are laying back 10 yards. Hopefully that wasn't designed to cover up a speed problem.
Who could really say how the running backs are with the offensive line they were running behind.
I was not real happy with the schemes that were ran this year....it's pretty easy to complete 70% when db's are laying back 10 yards. Hopefully that wasn't designed to cover up a speed problem.
Who could really say how the running backs are with the offensive line they were running behind.
Completely Agree on Our DL
If Chizik uses a Tampa 2 deep defense the key is the d-line. They need to put a tremendous pass rush on the QB. IMO Parker & Braaksma show potential but I don't see it from other kids.
It may be interesting to see if Tuba moves back to the o-line next year. He seemed OK along the d-line, but just doesn't seem to have much burst.
I might be wrong, but didn't Skladany go to a Tampa 2 defense after the Bucs won the super bowl? The problem was we were one of the weaker teams at getting to the QB the last 2 seasons.
If Chizik uses a Tampa 2 deep defense the key is the d-line. They need to put a tremendous pass rush on the QB. IMO Parker & Braaksma show potential but I don't see it from other kids.
It may be interesting to see if Tuba moves back to the o-line next year. He seemed OK along the d-line, but just doesn't seem to have much burst.
I might be wrong, but didn't Skladany go to a Tampa 2 defense after the Bucs won the super bowl? The problem was we were one of the weaker teams at getting to the QB the last 2 seasons.