Which position group competition will be...

[Orangesmokey]

IMHO, Dobbs or Worley can win if WR play improves to a credible level. I didn't mention Ferguson because we've never actually seen him against SEC competition... or Peterman because we have.

Nothing against Nate but it is difficult to imagine him getting back into that competition.

If your first impulse was QB.... you should have answered WR.

While I agree that the WR have to be able to run good routes and create space between themselves and the DB's it's not going to do much good if they do if we do not have a QB who can get the ball to them in stride. There were several times this passed year that a WR was running a step or two a head of a DB and had to come back to the ball because it was under thrown. IMO good QB play can cover up mistakes by WR.

 

[KBVol]

IDK about this because Downs tried to play while injured all year. Need a super stud at H back or blocking TE to turn loose for Hurd.

I saw him whiff, literally not lay a hand on the DE lined up directly over him on more than one occasion this year. Just isn't nearly athletic enough to be the TE we need. Not even gonna mention his pass catching ability .... help is on the way in the form of the #1 TE recruit in the country, Daniel Helm. At least I hope so.

 

[KBVol]

Agreed. I marked DL though because of all the new faces.... and the quality of the JUCO's currently committed.

It can't get worse... hopefully.

Agree. Honestly, can't disagree with virtually any position someone may have chosen. Every single position group has to get dramatically better. I can only think of 1, maybe 2 PLAYERS that played at a high level throughout the year and met or came close to meeting the standard we need met. Sutton and maybe Randolph. Couldn't say AJ because he was asked to play outside of his abilities in 3rd down pass coverage....really bad.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

I saw him whiff, literally not lay a hand on the DE lined up directly over him on more than one occasion this year. Just isn't nearly athletic enough to be the TE we need. Not even gonna mention his pass catching ability .... help is on the way in the form of the #1 TE recruit in the country, Daniel Helm. At least I hope so.

What makes me think that downs will still play a lot is that Helms is viewed by many as more of a receiving TE than a blocker.

That also adds intrigue, because Wolfe is a good enough blocker that some have speculated a move to tackle in his future.

Either way, we stand to see improvement at this position as a result of competition. I'll just be excited to see us finally be able to line up in 2 and 3 TE sets when we want to.

 

[Grand Vol]

the most fun to watch this spring?

QB- 4 guys competing (maybe 5 if they get one this class or a transfer)

Only three really as I don't see Peterman anywhere near the starting lineup. And this is also giving Worley the benefit of the doubt for rehab from his surgery.

And there is a chance that they Redshirt Dobbs next year since they burned it this year.

RB- Lane and Hurd

I can see the same style next year as this year. Lane gets the brunt of work like Neal did this year with Hurd coming in from time to time.

outside WR- Croom, North, Malone, Pearson

Take North off your list. He's safe at starter IMO.

Slot- Pig, Young

Potential for both to see significant playing time

TE- Downs, Branisel (most likely out for Spring), Helm, Wolfe

Downs isn't that bad. Hard to replace a Rivera, but he did okay at TE this year.

OL- All 5 positions up for grab.

DL- All positions really up for grabs

LB- Weatherd, JRM, and healthy Maggitt

CB- Sutton is safe, but who steps up?

S- Could be a fun competition going into the summer.

Providing AJ doesn't declare for the draft.

K,P,PK- All positions up for grabs.

I think PK and K is Medley's to lose. That kid has a leg and a half on him.

 

[sjt18]

While I agree that the WR have to be able to run good routes and create space between themselves and the DB's it's not going to do much good if they do if we do not have a QB who can get the ball to them in stride.

I have not counted but very strongly suspect there were far more drops, incorrect routes, and poorly ran routes than errant passes. In fact, I'd suspect it is close to 2 or 3 to one.

There were several times this passed year that a WR was running a step or two a head of a DB and had to come back to the ball because it was under thrown. IMO good QB play can cover up mistakes by WR.

Jones said on some of those that the WR did not run their route correctly or as they had in practice. North did it a few times early in the season. Pig did it once at the goal line in a critical situation.

This is normal developmental stuff and why it isn't good to be this dependent on true Fr and Soph. But it is difficult if not impossible to judge a QB without better WR play.

This is one reason the treatment of Dallas mystified me and to a lesser extent Young. They at least knew where they needed to be and had some familiarity with Worley. IMHO, they made a decision to play for the future and basically decided that Dallas wasn't a significant part of it.

 

[Orangesmokey]

I have not counted but very strongly suspect there were far more drops, incorrect routes, and poorly ran routes than errant passes. In fact, I'd suspect it is close to 2 or 3 to one.



Jones said on some of those that the WR did not run their route correctly or as they had in practice. North did it a few times early in the season. Pig did it once at the goal line in a critical situation.

This is normal developmental stuff and why it isn't good to be this dependent on true Fr and Soph. But it is difficult if not impossible to judge a QB without better WR play.

This is one reason the treatment of Dallas mystified me and to a lesser extent Young. They at least knew where they needed to be and had some familiarity with Worley. IMHO, they made a decision to play for the future and basically decided that Dallas wasn't a significant part of it.

I did not see CBJ say that. So, that would change my mind some. I still feel like even on some incorrect routes there could have been some better throws.

The 2nd bolded part is probably a very true statement.

 

[Grand Vol]

I did not see CBJ say that. So, that would change my mind some. I still feel like even on some incorrect routes there could have been some better throws.

The 2nd bolded part is probably a very true statement.

He did in a roundabout way in a few post game talks.

One thing CBJ is good about is not throwing his players under the bus like other coaches I see. He knows there are mistakes that are and will be made but adheres to the old adage "praise in public, preach in private."

 

[DazzleVol]

I think PK and K is Medley's to lose. That kid has a leg and a half on him.

which leg is the half? the plant leg or the kicking leg? I dont see him getting it done like that.

 

[MSME Vol]

the most fun to watch this spring?

QB- 4 guys competing (maybe 5 if they get one this class or a transfer)

RB- Lane and Hurd

outside WR- Croom, North, Malone, Pearson

Slot- Pig, Young

TE- Downs, Branisel (most likely out for Spring), Helm, Wolfe

OL- All 5 positions up for grab.

DL- All positions really up for grabs

LB- Weatherd, JRM, and healthy Maggitt

CB- Sutton is safe, but who steps up?

S- Could be a fun competition going into the summer.

K,P,PK- All positions up for grabs.

Weathered confirmed he is no longer an early enrollee, so he won't be in for Spring: You have several of the EE's listed but I'll go ahead and list them all here as it pertains to which group ought to be most "fun" to watch.

RB: Hurd
WR: Malone
OL: Blair, Raulerson, Thomas
TE: Helm, Wolf
DL: Williams, Henderson, Lambert, Mixon
LB: Johnson
CB: Moseley, Payne

Could be one or two more, but the general consensus is that this is the 14 Coach jones has alluded to.