JP: Don't you think that Phillips has laid claim to the backup DE spot given his showing this offseason? And do you expect Martin to be ready by game 1?
Yeah, good questions. On Phillips (as well as Kendrick vs. Jones at OLine), I think you see the older guys starting
because it is the first game of the year, and because it is an easier opponent. Butch will honor their commitment to the team by giving them the first start. I think Phillips and Jones may very well take over the starting spots the following week, for Oklahoma. Could be wrong about that, but I could see Butch doing it that way.
As for Martin, idk if he'll be ready, but sometimes you just gotta make the fella drink as much water from the fire hose as he possibly can before you have to crank the water up to full force. So (contrary to what I said above about older guys getting the ceremonial nod), I think Butch gives Martin every single snap he possibly can, from the very beginning, and the coaches are pulling him out to teach him throughout the game, then throw him back in for more experience. Need him to grow up fast. Trial by fire might be the best way, at this point.
Again, I could be wrong about a lot of this, I'm just going with my gut based on what little we know from the outside looking in. Some of it is based on performance and potential, some is based on leadership and group dynamics, and some of it is sheer guesswork.