I have to admit that I am drinking the Kool-aid. It has been a looooooooong time since we had so much coming back of a decent to good season. 2001, maybe. And it appears we have depth, at least in portions we are not use to. Maybe not elite depth, but better than I can remember.
At QB, we have a proven starter in Kempt and a proven backup in Noland.
At RB, we have a proven difference maker in Montgomery, and 2 tested backups (Warren, Croney) and 2 speed merchants in Nwangwu and Lang.
At TE. we have 2 experienced in Soehner and Allen and a physical specimen in Kolar.
At WR we have Butler who I think is a budding super star, Jones a starter who I think bounces back from a slightly disappointing season, and several who are ready for their time.
At Oline, we have returning experience that we haven't had in a long time, and people pushing for positions rather than getting them by default. Still, the position that has to prove it because they haven't done it, yet.
On defense, I am really excited everywhere but safety.
DT's start with Ray Lima. Evidently Tongamoa has stepped up. Johnson was solid last year and I like his attitude. If a 4th steps up I will be giddy.
DE's have budding superstar Juaquin Bailey, solid as stone Spencer Benton and 2 man child types in Ewazurike and Leo. If those two have begun to harness their talent, we have something really special going on the edge. And this doesn't even mention some of the youngsters, RSFR, that have had a year to develop and maybe give 10-12 quality snaps a game.
LB is in so much a better place than a year ago. 2 quality starters, one (Spears) on the verge of very special, a couple with some experience and a ton with special teams experience. And Hummel and Vance ready to contribute. Compared to the starting point a year ago, we are way ahead.
CB have 3 starter, really in the 3 seniors (Peavy, Payne and Ruth). And a number of young guys that have been mentioned, many of them as versatile types who can also play safety. Safety is a concern as all 3 starters graduated. But we did play White in bowl and he did well, Lewis gave us solid minutes, and the coaches have been high on the transfer Eisworth. I think there is talent, but just a lot of inexperience - at a position where a mistake can be 6 points.
We will have to wait and see if Dunn and Narveson replace the departed kickers.
What we also will have to see is if new leaders develop. There were some incredible leaders on last year's team. Some are back. That is probably the intangible that wins close games.
Did I mention that I am excited?
At QB, we have a proven starter in Kempt and a proven backup in Noland.
At RB, we have a proven difference maker in Montgomery, and 2 tested backups (Warren, Croney) and 2 speed merchants in Nwangwu and Lang.
At TE. we have 2 experienced in Soehner and Allen and a physical specimen in Kolar.
At WR we have Butler who I think is a budding super star, Jones a starter who I think bounces back from a slightly disappointing season, and several who are ready for their time.
At Oline, we have returning experience that we haven't had in a long time, and people pushing for positions rather than getting them by default. Still, the position that has to prove it because they haven't done it, yet.
On defense, I am really excited everywhere but safety.
DT's start with Ray Lima. Evidently Tongamoa has stepped up. Johnson was solid last year and I like his attitude. If a 4th steps up I will be giddy.
DE's have budding superstar Juaquin Bailey, solid as stone Spencer Benton and 2 man child types in Ewazurike and Leo. If those two have begun to harness their talent, we have something really special going on the edge. And this doesn't even mention some of the youngsters, RSFR, that have had a year to develop and maybe give 10-12 quality snaps a game.
LB is in so much a better place than a year ago. 2 quality starters, one (Spears) on the verge of very special, a couple with some experience and a ton with special teams experience. And Hummel and Vance ready to contribute. Compared to the starting point a year ago, we are way ahead.
CB have 3 starter, really in the 3 seniors (Peavy, Payne and Ruth). And a number of young guys that have been mentioned, many of them as versatile types who can also play safety. Safety is a concern as all 3 starters graduated. But we did play White in bowl and he did well, Lewis gave us solid minutes, and the coaches have been high on the transfer Eisworth. I think there is talent, but just a lot of inexperience - at a position where a mistake can be 6 points.
We will have to wait and see if Dunn and Narveson replace the departed kickers.
What we also will have to see is if new leaders develop. There were some incredible leaders on last year's team. Some are back. That is probably the intangible that wins close games.
Did I mention that I am excited?
