Do you guys think we’re more talented this year than last year? I think so for defense but not offense.
I think our talent could be as good, but it’s far less proven. That’s why I struggle to assume we will be as good or better. With Hooker, Wright, Hyatt, Fant, Tillman all gone… that leaves some big shoes to fill. Hooker was a General. Wright was an anchor. Fant had more experience. Hyatt was untouchable and Tillman was a his own kind of star. His junior year that was playing at a level I have yet to seem matched other than Hyatt. Keyton and McCoy all had numerous clutch catches in big games last year. Thornton is supposed to be really good and White is no slouch. We certainly have the capability there. I think Warren has flashed enough to show he has the potential to be really good. We shall see. Not sure anyone will replace Wright. We also lost Carvin. Andrej Karic is said to be a big get and plenty to fill Carvin’s position.
Mincey apparently will be moving over to fill his shoes from Left Tackle. Apparently Campbell will provide and upgrade at left, but I would be surprised to see a 3* guy groomed to play left slide over and fill Wright’s shoes. With our centers, right guards and running backs returning, I think right tackle is our biggest question and QB is next, followed by receiver.
Good news is our coaches can coach and we have a ton of experience and talent filling all of those shoes. If Mincey can fill the shoes of Wright, everyone else takes a step forward, Milton should have plenty of time to throw for most games and have plenty of guys who can get open, catch the ball, make clutch plays and gain long yardage.
I wouldn’t sleep on this year’s offense, but I would expect it to be as good as last year either. I think if they can come close and our defense shows significant improvements, we will enjoy our season and end up no less than 10-3 after bowl season.
Part of my confidence comes in FL, Bama and Georgia all breaking in new QBs. That said we will have our hands full with KY, SC and A&M this year. A lot of people are scoffing at Kentucky, but that QB and OC are proven. Beamer seemed to have a formula for our offense last year and Rattler seemed to find himself at the end of last year. Hopefully we will rattle him in Knoxville and the drop offs in their defense will hurt them. A&M with all that talent and Patrino is a recipe we can’t ignore. I hate we have Florida and Bama on the road. I think it’s good our team goes to Virginia on the road, so they can play a decent program in a road game environment. They don’t look to be too good this year, but you never know. Still we need that road environment under Milton’s belt before going to Florida. Georgia at home is a slight advantage, but maybe a much bigger advantage with a new QB who has not played in an environment like Neyland before.
