Questions going into the season

[Bigbluediddy63]

Here are some questions I see for this team going into the season. Hopefully these are all answered to our liking!


Questions:

Can Swindle solidify the left tackle position? No more false starts!!!!

Who will our #1 receiver be? I see a lot of talented guys who are all capable of contributing, but who is the stud? I’m not sure if we have a true no. 1 receiver on this team, a guy that demands double teams. Size and Speed (see Keenan Burton). I think Blue will be missed this season as he was a burner.

Depth at linebacker/DE? We have some good starters, but can these redshirt freshman step up and play valuable minutes.

Special Teams? This is something not many people talk about, but Special teams are a 3rd of the game. After a few debacles last year, and Stoops reorganizing the structure in the spring, will this work out? Will our special teams be improved?

QB? Will Patrick Towles continue to improve and finally become more consistent?

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I loved Burton, but was he really a guy that commanded double teams? Also double teaming any receiver in this version of the spread would be lunacy.

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

I loved Burton, but was he really a guy that commanded double teams? Also double teaming any receiver in this version of the spread would be lunacy.

Perhaps not always, but who will be our go to guy?

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I'm not sure. Maybe Johnson. Maybe Baker. Maybe Bone. Maybe even Timmons. Someone will emerge as our number one though.

 

[tdcat]

Believe Badet is faster than Blue.

Look for Baker and Bone to have breakout seasons.

 

[Rhavicc]

Here are some questions I see for this team going into the season. Hopefully these are all answered to our liking!


Questions:

Can Swindle solidify the left tackle position? No more false starts!!!!

Who will our #1 receiver be? I see a lot of talented guys who are all capable of contributing, but who is the stud? I’m not sure if we have a true no. 1 receiver on this team, a guy that demands double teams. Size and Speed (see Keenan Burton). I think Blue will be missed this season as he was a burner.

Depth at linebacker/DE? We have some good starters, but can these redshirt freshman step up and play valuable minutes.

Special Teams? This is something not many people talk about, but Special teams are a 3rd of the game. After a few debacles last year, and Stoops reorganizing the structure in the spring, will this work out? Will our special teams be improved?

QB? Will Patrick Towles continue to improve and finally become more consistent?

1. I think Swindle will be very good for us at left tackle. He has some false starts issues (okay, a bit more than some), but he was still a good blocker. I expect experience to take the wheel and really crank up the ability and attention to detail for not only Swindle, but the entire offensive line. The new depth helps tremendously as well.

2. Depends what you mean #1 receiver. If you asked me who will be the guy that gets the most receptions and has the best year overall, I would say Garrett Johnson. While I don't see a receiver getting double-teamed in this style of offense, if it were to happen, I would guess it would be Dorian Baker because of his strength, size, speed, and just pure athleticism (which is comparable to Kevin White from West Virginia, now in the NFL). If there were another candidate for a breakout season at WR, Baker would also be my second guess.

3. I think this is why we're going to a 3-4 defense in particular. Defensive ends will serve as outside linebackers if I had to take a guess. I see the defensive tackles being Melvin Lewis, Matt Elam, and Cory Johnson for our 3 man front. Each are very big, each are disruptive, each are incredibly hard to move. All of them have the ability to effectively be 2-gap defensive tackles. I would say that Forrest and Flannigan play the two inside linebacker spots while Ware and Hatcher play the two outside linebacker spots. That's a fast, yet pretty stout linebacker corps, which is what we really need for a 3-4 base defense. There has been a lot of talk about the other DE's stepping up in spring, and we heard all season last year that the redshirt linebackers played well throughout the year. We should be just fine in the front 7, which will take a tremendous load off of our DB's and allow them to play back a bit more, and keep the ball in front of them at all times, despite doing a very good job of that already.

4. We got rid of the cancer at least. I fully expect the defensive coaches to get it together and get the special teams playing at a high level. It's only the defensive part of special teams that had issues last season, so I think together, they'll be able to clean things up immensely. As far as field goals, and actually getting punts off goes, we're golden. We may have the best kicker in school history here, and at the very least, the best in the SEC and one of the premier kickers in the country. Containment on the kick return/punt return coverage needs to be fixed, but that's fairly basic. We'll be fine.

5. Yep. Consider these things: First, his mechanical changes in the offseason have been well noted. He's retaining very good velocity on his throws, while speeding up his throwing mechanics noticeably. The offensive line has gained depth, experience, size, strength, and should be well conditioned. Our QB has a proven, elite QB coach to help guide him for the duration of the season, and provides a calming presence to Towles, and allows Towles the freedom to do certain things in the offense that should keep him very calm and efficient. We've added quality depth at WR, returning a lot of very good playmakers, and bringing in tight ends that are a receiving threat, as well as another blocker if needed, which is a big change for us. When Towles was given the ability to go up-tempo, he typically did very well in those conditions, and that's the only tempo that Dawson is going to play at. Also, Towles thrives on deep passes, which is another big part of Dawson's offense. I expect production from our QB to increase quite a bit, to an elite level maybe.

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

1. I think Swindle will be very good for us at left tackle. He has some false starts issues (okay, a bit more than some), but he was still a good blocker. I expect experience to take the wheel and really crank up the ability and attention to detail for not only Swindle, but the entire offensive line. The new depth helps tremendously as well.

2. Depends what you mean #1 receiver. If you asked me who will be the guy that gets the most receptions and has the best year overall, I would say Garrett Johnson. While I don't see a receiver getting double-teamed in this style of offense, if it were to happen, I would guess it would be Dorian Baker because of his strength, size, speed, and just pure athleticism (which is comparable to Kevin White from West Virginia, now in the NFL). If there were another candidate for a breakout season at WR, Baker would also be my second guess.

3. I think this is why we're going to a 3-4 defense in particular. Defensive ends will serve as outside linebackers if I had to take a guess. I see the defensive tackles being Melvin Lewis, Matt Elam, and Cory Johnson for our 3 man front. Each are very big, each are disruptive, each are incredibly hard to move. All of them have the ability to effectively be 2-gap defensive tackles. I would say that Forrest and Flannigan play the two inside linebacker spots while Ware and Hatcher play the two outside linebacker spots. That's a fast, yet pretty stout linebacker corps, which is what we really need for a 3-4 base defense. There has been a lot of talk about the other DE's stepping up in spring, and we heard all season last year that the redshirt linebackers played well throughout the year. We should be just fine in the front 7, which will take a tremendous load off of our DB's and allow them to play back a bit more, and keep the ball in front of them at all times, despite doing a very good job of that already.

4. We got rid of the cancer at least. I fully expect the defensive coaches to get it together and get the special teams playing at a high level. It's only the defensive part of special teams that had issues last season, so I think together, they'll be able to clean things up immensely. As far as field goals, and actually getting punts off goes, we're golden. We may have the best kicker in school history here, and at the very least, the best in the SEC and one of the premier kickers in the country. Containment on the kick return/punt return coverage needs to be fixed, but that's fairly basic. We'll be fine.

5. Yep. Consider these things: First, his mechanical changes in the offseason have been well noted. He's retaining very good velocity on his throws, while speeding up his throwing mechanics noticeably. The offensive line has gained depth, experience, size, strength, and should be well conditioned. Our QB has a proven, elite QB coach to help guide him for the duration of the season, and provides a calming presence to Towles, and allows Towles the freedom to do certain things in the offense that should keep him very calm and efficient. We've added quality depth at WR, returning a lot of very good playmakers, and bringing in tight ends that are a receiving threat, as well as another blocker if needed, which is a big change for us. When Towles was given the ability to go up-tempo, he typically did very well in those conditions, and that's the only tempo that Dawson is going to play at. Also, Towles thrives on deep passes, which is another big part of Dawson's offense. I expect production from our QB to increase quite a bit, to an elite level maybe.

Thanks for your input, I really like our kicker too. I think he's got guts. I see him as a leader on the team or becoming one, and that is very hard for a kicker.

 

[Deeeefense]

I see the defensive tackles being Melvin Lewis, Matt Elam, and Cory Johnson for our 3 man front.

Lewis and Elam are both nose guards. Lewis will start and will be spelled by Elam. Johnson is the most likely starter at tackle and Huguenin at the DE spot (Z. Smith's position).

 

[Blue Decade]

Here are some questions I see for this team going into the season. Hopefully these are all answered to our liking!


Questions:

Can Swindle solidify the left tackle position? No more false starts!!!!

Who will our #1 receiver be? I see a lot of talented guys who are all capable of contributing, but who is the stud? I’m not sure if we have a true no. 1 receiver on this team, a guy that demands double teams. Size and Speed (see Keenan Burton). I think Blue will be missed this season as he was a burner.

Depth at linebacker/DE? We have some good starters, but can these redshirt freshman step up and play valuable minutes.

Special Teams? This is something not many people talk about, but Special teams are a 3rd of the game. After a few debacles last year, and Stoops reorganizing the structure in the spring, will this work out? Will our special teams be improved?

QB? Will Patrick Towles continue to improve and finally become more consistent?

I am skeptical about Swindle, but the other 4 positions on our offensive line should be better than last year. Swindle can be helped in pass blocking by a tight end at times. Coach Dawson will play 10-11 wide receivers a lot. I think Dorian Baker will be our most effective receiver, but Badet, Timmons, Bone, and Johnson should also have a big season. Our tight ends will be improved, too, but probably not as much as the wide receivers. I am not underestimating the tight ends, but I have very high hopes for our wide receivers. In terms of talent, size, and quality depth, this is the best group we have had in my memory. Depth at linebacker/defensive end remains a problem, and a group of inexperienced players will have to learn fast. Special teams should be better across the board. Towles will be 1 of the most improved players on our team, maybe in our conference, and I am expecting him to post 1 of the 5 or 6 most productive seasons we have seen from a Wildcat quarterback in the last 20 years. Which is a really high bar, considering what Couch, Lorenzen, Woodson, Hartline accomplished here.

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

Thanks for your input, I really like our kicker too. I think he's got guts. I see him as a leader on the team or becoming one, and that is very hard for a kicker.

If Johnson gets healthy I think he has a huge year.

 

[Rhavicc]

Lewis and Elam are both nose guards. Lewis will start and will be spelled by Elam. Johnson is the most likely starter at tackle and Huguenin at the DE spot (Z. Smith's position).

Elam is probably better as a nose tackle because of his explosiveness for his size, but Elam is better than Huguenin, and clogs up more holes/takes more to stop than Huguenin. I'm going to have Elam starting next season, with Huguenin backing him up. Melvin Lewis will start at nose tackle, and Johnson will start at the side opposite of Elam. Better for stopping the run inside, and big/long enough to bat down passes.

 

[CATFANFOLIFE87]

Elam is probably better as a nose tackle because of his explosiveness for his size, but Elam is better than Huguenin, and clogs up more holes/takes more to stop than Huguenin. I'm going to have Elam starting next season, with Huguenin backing him up. Melvin Lewis will start at nose tackle, and Johnson will start at the side opposite of Elam. Better for stopping the run inside, and big/long enough to bat down passes.

The coaches have raved about Huguenin he's going to start there's no way he's coming off the bench

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

The coaches have raved about Huguenin he's going to start there's no way he's coming off the bench

Yes, he has been a solid backup and really developed into a damn good ball player. I think it's Huguenin's time to shine. I think i'll start calling him "Huge" just easier to say. LOL

 

[Rhavicc]

The coaches also raved about Nico Firios, but he's not going to start over Forrest or Flannigan lol. Huguenin is good. Elam seems like a more productive pick though.

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

The coaches also raved about Nico Firios, but he's not going to start over Forrest or Flannigan lol. Huguenin is good. Elam seems like a more productive pick though.

Huguenin will start, Elam doesn't play that same position.

 

[CATFANFOLIFE87]

The coaches also raved about Nico Firios, but he's not going to start over Forrest or Flannigan lol. Huguenin is good. Elam seems like a more productive pick though.

Even with the lost weight I think Elam has work to do before we can expect him to shoulder a large workload. A guy that massive tires easily so the staff will have to use him sparingly to make sure he's not gassed at the end of the game if we need him. I think it'll be his junior season before we see Elam truly explode onto the scene as the dominate force that he's capable of being

 

[UKSanders]

Elam is probably better as a nose tackle because of his explosiveness for his size, but Elam is better than Huguenin, and clogs up more holes/takes more to stop than Huguenin. I'm going to have Elam starting next season, with Huguenin backing him up. Melvin Lewis will start at nose tackle, and Johnson will start at the side opposite of Elam. Better for stopping the run inside, and big/long enough to bat down passes.

Rhavicc,

I can see Lewis/Elam in together in short & goal situations, but, other than that, I would think both of them lack the quickness to play the DT/DE positions.

Does it not concern you that you essentially destroy any DL depth by playing both Elam & Lewis side-by-side? There are probably only 3 guys big/strong enough to take on 2 blockers....Elam, Lewis, Hyde.

OTOH, Hugeunin, Dubose, Cory Johnson, Middleton, Meant, can all man the other 2 spots. Obviously Dubose/Middleton are total unknowns due to their RSing, but Meant, Johnson & Hugeunin have played decently in limited snaps.

 

[Rhavicc]

Like I said, maybe you're right, but I think Elam is the better player, even at that defensive tackle position, as opposed to the nose tackle position.

Even with the lost weight I think Elam has work to do before we can expect him to shoulder a large workload. A guy that massive tires easily so the staff will have to use him sparingly to make sure he's not gassed at the end of the game if we need him. I think it'll be his junior season before we see Elam truly explode onto the scene as the dominate force that he's capable of being

But it's also essential that he sees a lot of reps, otherwise it will hinder his progression.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Elam is the better player; at his position. Elam will never play anything other than nose.

 

[Deeeefense]

Elam is probably better as a nose tackle because of his explosiveness for his size, but Elam is better than Huguenin, and clogs up more holes/takes more to stop than Huguenin. I'm going to have Elam starting next season, with Huguenin backing him up. Melvin Lewis will start at nose tackle, and Johnson will start at the side opposite of Elam. Better for stopping the run inside, and big/long enough to bat down passes.

won't happen, Elam has the wrong body type for DE in a 3/4 - he's a 0 tech all the way.

 

[BigBoyBlueMMA]

I'm not sure. Maybe Johnson. Maybe Baker. Maybe Bone. Maybe even Timmons. Someone will emerge as our number one though.

I think our WR core will be very talented and not need a true #1 as we will have so many weapons offering up different attack looks and different attack looks against different D's with different strengths...As Stephen king once said - "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." - And I believe Mainord and the staff will deliver in this Receivers Dept.

 

[Rhavicc]

I think our WR core will be very talented and not need a true #1 as we will have so many weapons offering up different attack looks and different attack looks against different D's with different strengths...As Stephen king once said - "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." - And I believe Mainord and the staff will deliver in this Receivers Dept.

Agreed. A ton of depth at the receiver position. We have big, physical receivers, we have big, athletic receivers, we have small, very fast receivers, sure handed receivers, so on and so forth. I think there will be at least one star receiver though that can offer a bit of everything at a pretty high level. If Garrett Johnson can consistently play the way he did against Vernon Hargreaves (which some believe may be the best CB in the country), he'll be special. I think he can, and the experience will help. Dorian Baker's physical tools allow him to be that guy as well.