#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
Coaches:
Kirk is Kirk. We all know what we are going to get there. Pretty much the same with the assistants, but I'm excited to see if the offensive wrinkles we saw versus USC carry over. Brian is really starting to put his stamp on the offense. Also, word is that we are going to see some substantive changes in the run-game, perhaps mixing in some power schemes. That's long overdue.
Quarterback:
Petras has a complete skill set. My gut says he'll be even better than we expect but time will tell. By far the biggest issue is depth. Padilla is accurate and more of a game manager. He kind of reminds me of NW's Dan Persa. I don't think he would lose a lot of games if forced into action, but would he be able to carry the team?
Running Back:
Solid and experienced throughout. I doubt Foster is losing much sleep. Iowa is breaking in new FBs, but, by all accounts, the coaches are high on Pottebaum. We shouldn't underestimate the importance of FB in this offense. Development at that position impacts the entire offense.
Wide Receiver:
Also, solid and experienced. The next step for this group is consistency. Smith, ISM, Tracy and Ragaini need to bring it every week, as all four are prone to lapses. If they do, watch out. By report, Charlie Jones has been opening eyes a lot.
Tight End:
LaPorta looks like the next NFL addition for TE U. Beyer has been a bit of a frustration. The question is whether he finally puts it all together his senior season. After that? Youth and inexperience but plenty of talent.
Offensive Line:
This unit has the potential to be one of the best Kirk has had, barring injuries. Jackson by all accounts has worked hard on his body, and Cronk was a great addition. Linderbaum is an AA candidate. There's enough talent and experience at the guards that it should shake out fine. Assuming Cronk works out, this is as high as I've been on the OL in years.
Defensive Line:
Hard to get a read here. Golston is experienced and has a solid overall game, but he's not an explosive twitchy athlete. His production will be affected a lot by how much others step up. VanValkenburg struggled to get off blocks and was out of position a fair amount last season, but he'll have more experience now. Nixon has loads of potential. The question is whether or not he taps into it. Schulte is stout but not flashy. I'm very intrigued by Heflin. I also think Waggoner and/or Lee could surprise. Evans is an X-factor. If he steps up his game, he could be a real disrupter.
Linebacker:
Despite the losses of Doyle and Colbert, I'm actually high on this group. Niemann has plenty of experience, and I'm really high on Campbell and Jacobs, and Benson has a solid game. Also, my prediction is that Wade will really step up this year.
Safeties:
Koerner, Belton and Merriweather all have experience, and I'm high on Castro as a guy who could emerge. Merriweather is the key here. If he realizes his potential, this group will be solid. The question is, where is Craddieth? You would think he would be squarely in the mix, but we are not hearing much.
Corner:
Hankins and Moss are experienced and solid. Brents is probably more talented than either one and should push. The staff is high on Roberts. All he really lacks is size. Depth is a big question mark here.
Kicker:
Obviously solid here.
Punter:
Well, we'll see if the Aussie can pull it off. Gersonde remains an unknown quantity despite being on a full scholly.
Kirk is Kirk. We all know what we are going to get there. Pretty much the same with the assistants, but I'm excited to see if the offensive wrinkles we saw versus USC carry over. Brian is really starting to put his stamp on the offense. Also, word is that we are going to see some substantive changes in the run-game, perhaps mixing in some power schemes. That's long overdue.
Quarterback:
Petras has a complete skill set. My gut says he'll be even better than we expect but time will tell. By far the biggest issue is depth. Padilla is accurate and more of a game manager. He kind of reminds me of NW's Dan Persa. I don't think he would lose a lot of games if forced into action, but would he be able to carry the team?
Running Back:
Solid and experienced throughout. I doubt Foster is losing much sleep. Iowa is breaking in new FBs, but, by all accounts, the coaches are high on Pottebaum. We shouldn't underestimate the importance of FB in this offense. Development at that position impacts the entire offense.
Wide Receiver:
Also, solid and experienced. The next step for this group is consistency. Smith, ISM, Tracy and Ragaini need to bring it every week, as all four are prone to lapses. If they do, watch out. By report, Charlie Jones has been opening eyes a lot.
Tight End:
LaPorta looks like the next NFL addition for TE U. Beyer has been a bit of a frustration. The question is whether he finally puts it all together his senior season. After that? Youth and inexperience but plenty of talent.
Offensive Line:
This unit has the potential to be one of the best Kirk has had, barring injuries. Jackson by all accounts has worked hard on his body, and Cronk was a great addition. Linderbaum is an AA candidate. There's enough talent and experience at the guards that it should shake out fine. Assuming Cronk works out, this is as high as I've been on the OL in years.
Defensive Line:
Hard to get a read here. Golston is experienced and has a solid overall game, but he's not an explosive twitchy athlete. His production will be affected a lot by how much others step up. VanValkenburg struggled to get off blocks and was out of position a fair amount last season, but he'll have more experience now. Nixon has loads of potential. The question is whether or not he taps into it. Schulte is stout but not flashy. I'm very intrigued by Heflin. I also think Waggoner and/or Lee could surprise. Evans is an X-factor. If he steps up his game, he could be a real disrupter.
Linebacker:
Despite the losses of Doyle and Colbert, I'm actually high on this group. Niemann has plenty of experience, and I'm really high on Campbell and Jacobs, and Benson has a solid game. Also, my prediction is that Wade will really step up this year.
Safeties:
Koerner, Belton and Merriweather all have experience, and I'm high on Castro as a guy who could emerge. Merriweather is the key here. If he realizes his potential, this group will be solid. The question is, where is Craddieth? You would think he would be squarely in the mix, but we are not hearing much.
Corner:
Hankins and Moss are experienced and solid. Brents is probably more talented than either one and should push. The staff is high on Roberts. All he really lacks is size. Depth is a big question mark here.
Kicker:
Obviously solid here.
Punter:
Well, we'll see if the Aussie can pull it off. Gersonde remains an unknown quantity despite being on a full scholly.