As I sit here at work on a Friday afternoon, I can't help look forward to the season and wonder if this is FINALLY the season the tides change and we come out of this 10+ year funk. I am not expecting a 9-4 season or anything, but reading all the material, watching the videos and looking at the pictures have me drinking large batches of kool-aid and wondering, what am I most excited to see this year. I have put a short list together, but I am sure it is far from exhaustive. I am just curious to see what other's think.
Defensive Line - With the 3-4, the recruitment of the some of the JCs, the return of Kafovalu and the body type change / growth in Lopez and Frank, it looks like we may have a full two to three rotations for the first time in a long time. Losing Tupou does put a damper on things here, but Solis and Lopez seem ready to step in a fill the gap. Comparing this group to last year is a night and day difference.
WR Depth - Last year, we were wondering if we had one receiver that would be able to replace Paul Richardson. Not only did Spruce do that, but we saw the emergence of Shay Fields as well. Adding to him, we have Walker, Lee, MacIntyre, Bobo and Ross to give what appears to be seven very strong options. If you are a defense, who do you cover and who are you OK leaving open?
3-4 Defense - Maybe it is just me, but I always equate 3-4s with the Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Tough, hard-nosed defenses that take the game to you instead of sitting back and reacting. San Francisco had an element of that too. K-State had an element of that. Leavitt and the potential to bring pressure from anywhere with a more experienced defense on the whole has me excited for what could be.
Offensive Line - The continued growth of Nembot, Kelly and Irwin coupled with the mauler reputation of Kough and the battle we see between Huckins and Callahan has me salivating at the potential for a very strong run game this year. This, almost by itself, can change our season. Run the ball better, control the clock and keep the defense rested, so that when it is out there, it can attack attack attack! Of course, that doesn't account for what it would do for Sefo either and how it could put the opposing defense back on their heals as Lindgren, in my opinion, has proven to be a rather adept play caller. All in all, as Maximus would say, we are finally rotating in 3 year RS-Sophomores and Junior to reload rather than retool.
Sefo's Improvement - Bigger. Faster. Continued to study even more. Throws better to his left now. I will have all those WR weapons, the improved (hopefully) offensive line, a few TE weapons with Irwin and Keeney and we haven't even talked about the RBs yet. I have been in the camp that he was asked to do a lot as a Sophomore QB and that experience will only payoff more this year and next. I am looking forward to a big step forward - which may be hard to do given all the records he already has - but at least in the ball control category, I have high expectations.
Addison Gilliam - When healthy is Freshman year, he was unstoppable. Look back at some of those games and tell me how he made some of those tackles. Now, he has experienced and stronger KO next too him as well and one of the best LB coaches in the world helping to reinforce his already natural instincts even further and watch out! If / when he stays healthy, this defense can really take a large step forward.
I know I left a lot out - the RB Depth, Carr potentially, the DBs across the board, etc. So with this little list, what makes you most excited for the turn around this year?
Defensive Line - With the 3-4, the recruitment of the some of the JCs, the return of Kafovalu and the body type change / growth in Lopez and Frank, it looks like we may have a full two to three rotations for the first time in a long time. Losing Tupou does put a damper on things here, but Solis and Lopez seem ready to step in a fill the gap. Comparing this group to last year is a night and day difference.
WR Depth - Last year, we were wondering if we had one receiver that would be able to replace Paul Richardson. Not only did Spruce do that, but we saw the emergence of Shay Fields as well. Adding to him, we have Walker, Lee, MacIntyre, Bobo and Ross to give what appears to be seven very strong options. If you are a defense, who do you cover and who are you OK leaving open?
3-4 Defense - Maybe it is just me, but I always equate 3-4s with the Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Tough, hard-nosed defenses that take the game to you instead of sitting back and reacting. San Francisco had an element of that too. K-State had an element of that. Leavitt and the potential to bring pressure from anywhere with a more experienced defense on the whole has me excited for what could be.
Offensive Line - The continued growth of Nembot, Kelly and Irwin coupled with the mauler reputation of Kough and the battle we see between Huckins and Callahan has me salivating at the potential for a very strong run game this year. This, almost by itself, can change our season. Run the ball better, control the clock and keep the defense rested, so that when it is out there, it can attack attack attack! Of course, that doesn't account for what it would do for Sefo either and how it could put the opposing defense back on their heals as Lindgren, in my opinion, has proven to be a rather adept play caller. All in all, as Maximus would say, we are finally rotating in 3 year RS-Sophomores and Junior to reload rather than retool.
Sefo's Improvement - Bigger. Faster. Continued to study even more. Throws better to his left now. I will have all those WR weapons, the improved (hopefully) offensive line, a few TE weapons with Irwin and Keeney and we haven't even talked about the RBs yet. I have been in the camp that he was asked to do a lot as a Sophomore QB and that experience will only payoff more this year and next. I am looking forward to a big step forward - which may be hard to do given all the records he already has - but at least in the ball control category, I have high expectations.
Addison Gilliam - When healthy is Freshman year, he was unstoppable. Look back at some of those games and tell me how he made some of those tackles. Now, he has experienced and stronger KO next too him as well and one of the best LB coaches in the world helping to reinforce his already natural instincts even further and watch out! If / when he stays healthy, this defense can really take a large step forward.
I know I left a lot out - the RB Depth, Carr potentially, the DBs across the board, etc. So with this little list, what makes you most excited for the turn around this year?
