A little breakdown of what we've learned, where we are and what we need to see going forward the rest of the season (and beyond).
Offense
QB
What we know: Nassib can play. He's still not an AA but the kid can play and can certainly do enough to help us win games. What you're seeing is not strictly Nassib's improvement (we'll get to pace of game, offensive style, surrounding talent) but it's clear he's taken strides, hitting on a couple deeper throws and even shown an ability to do enough with his feet to keep defenses honest (22 carries for 74 yds, 1 TD). What we need to see: I hope the combination of Hackett/Nassib/DM continue to attack the intermediate area (12-20 yards-ish) where I think Nassib is at his best. Hope Nassib can continue to smooth out his game (read: consistency) and show a bit more touch.
RB
What we know: We have pretty decent backs and Gulley's emergence has rejuvenated the pass to the RB. I'm not sure this stable has an elite guy, but they are fine and Gulley will make big plays. The downside is no run longer than 22 yards and still a bit spotty on the OL, part of why we're at 154 yds/game instead. What we need to see: I don't know -- they've been solid and i think will continue to be solid. A big play from Broyld/Gulley now and then would be great.
OL
What we know: Hickey's been solid as has Chibane and we haven't had a Macky thread in a while, so it's safe to assume he's settled in as well. Foy/Trudo are a work in progress and Alexander is probably better as depth than starting. A group that doesn't blow many off the ball, but has allowed just three sacks in 147 pass attempts. What we need to see: If this group improves and becomes more physical, this team will be better at finishing off drives. As great as it is to see we've put up huge yardage numbers, OL consistency is the biggest key to red zone efficiency.
WR/TE
What we know: There's a lot to like here. I don't know what Sales real issues were, but I'm glad he's back. Hopefully Lemon rounds into form soon as well. West looks great, Kobena has made a couple plays, Flemming may help as well. At TE, Wales has been OK and we're still waiting for an impact from Stevens/Thompson. What we need to see: Consistency with fewer drops but ultimately the WRs just need to continue producing. TEs will have an opportunity to produce with all the attention to the WRs and Gulley in the passing game. Hope Stevens and/or Thompson can take advantage.
Overall Offense
What we know: This new offense -- and let's call a spade a spade, this is a new offense -- has been very productive in terms of yardage. We've seen more big plays and, frankly, just a more dangerous offense in every way. Nice to see. What we need to see: Consistency is the key. You're never going to score on every drive or score a bunch of 80-yard TDs, but being ready to play early and consistently being aggressive on fourth-and-short in plus territory is important. Also like to see more production out of the running game. But overall this has been fun to watch.
Defense
DL
What we know: MPB has added something to a pass rush that is still not quite as good as you'd like it. There is real depth -- MPB, Sharpe, Goggins, Bromley, Robinson -- all five have at least 7 tackles and have been in on at least one TFL. Jones/Welsh/Crume have been worked in and will likely see a bit more run as we run into more run-first teams. What we need to see: More consistency vs. the run (allowing 200 ypg on 5.4 ypc is simply way too much) and a better pass rush. DL has just three sacks through three games despite opponents averaging 27 pass attempts per contest.
LB
What we know: Still an undersized group and still lacking the dynamic All-BE type guy ... so far. I still actually really like both Spruill and Davis and think they will end up having very good numbers. Davis, to me, is a year away from being a really good one. I'm lukewarm on Lynch/Diabate/Vaughan, but believe all three can contribute. Overall decent group. What we need to see: Better tackling and how well do we hold up vs. more physical teams? Rutgers is going to want to run the football, UConn is going to want to avoid throwing as much as possible. L'ville, Cincy and Mizzou are more balanced but have dangerous RBs. Regardless, obviously need to be better against the run.
DB
What we know: Reddish is a good one and Shamarko makes a bunch of plays. I still like Lyn and think he makes a good pair with Reddish. Anderson looks like a safety playing corner, IMO. Eskridge and Wilkes have had some nice moments, but Wilkes in particular needs to wrap up. What we need to see: This group has been pretty good, all things considered but fewer big plays will be one area to focus on.
Overall Defense
What we know: Shafer plays an aggressive defense (which I admittedly love, in the interest of full disclosure) so there are times where they will yield some yardage and give up a big play or two. As such, I think this group has actually played better than the numbers suggest. They have a ton of tackles for loss, held opponents to a pretty solid 35% on third downs and 16% on fourth (1-for-6) and really have yielded very few sustained scoring drives (SBU had one, USC had one, NW had two (both second half TDs). Now sustained drives is cherry-picking b/c you're weeding out big plays allowed and suggesting that if a drive had started at the opponent's 25 instead of midfield, that no score would have been allowed. But the fact remains, this is a defense that has allowed some big plays but otherwise played pretty good (or at least better than 2011) football through three games. What we need to see: Better tackling and pass rush. Big plays are quite often the result of missed tackles -- simply have to clean that up. A better pass rush helps our secondary. Both are big keys. The third is seeing how this group responds against more physical playing styles, though I hope teams like UConn and RU aren't going to run over us. Should be interesting to watch.
Special teams
What we know: We stink. What we need to see: Improvement. Soon. In almost any aspect. Preferably every aspect. It's got to be embarrassing for DM at this point.
Coaching
What we know: We all hate being under .500 and the NW loss was a painful continuation of an ugly losing streak. We hate moral victories like the one vs. USC. We get it. But DM and company have put together a very competitive team this year and it only looks to get better. What we need to see: Wins, better in-game decisions.
Offense
QB
What we know: Nassib can play. He's still not an AA but the kid can play and can certainly do enough to help us win games. What you're seeing is not strictly Nassib's improvement (we'll get to pace of game, offensive style, surrounding talent) but it's clear he's taken strides, hitting on a couple deeper throws and even shown an ability to do enough with his feet to keep defenses honest (22 carries for 74 yds, 1 TD). What we need to see: I hope the combination of Hackett/Nassib/DM continue to attack the intermediate area (12-20 yards-ish) where I think Nassib is at his best. Hope Nassib can continue to smooth out his game (read: consistency) and show a bit more touch.
RB
What we know: We have pretty decent backs and Gulley's emergence has rejuvenated the pass to the RB. I'm not sure this stable has an elite guy, but they are fine and Gulley will make big plays. The downside is no run longer than 22 yards and still a bit spotty on the OL, part of why we're at 154 yds/game instead. What we need to see: I don't know -- they've been solid and i think will continue to be solid. A big play from Broyld/Gulley now and then would be great.
OL
What we know: Hickey's been solid as has Chibane and we haven't had a Macky thread in a while, so it's safe to assume he's settled in as well. Foy/Trudo are a work in progress and Alexander is probably better as depth than starting. A group that doesn't blow many off the ball, but has allowed just three sacks in 147 pass attempts. What we need to see: If this group improves and becomes more physical, this team will be better at finishing off drives. As great as it is to see we've put up huge yardage numbers, OL consistency is the biggest key to red zone efficiency.
WR/TE
What we know: There's a lot to like here. I don't know what Sales real issues were, but I'm glad he's back. Hopefully Lemon rounds into form soon as well. West looks great, Kobena has made a couple plays, Flemming may help as well. At TE, Wales has been OK and we're still waiting for an impact from Stevens/Thompson. What we need to see: Consistency with fewer drops but ultimately the WRs just need to continue producing. TEs will have an opportunity to produce with all the attention to the WRs and Gulley in the passing game. Hope Stevens and/or Thompson can take advantage.
Overall Offense
What we know: This new offense -- and let's call a spade a spade, this is a new offense -- has been very productive in terms of yardage. We've seen more big plays and, frankly, just a more dangerous offense in every way. Nice to see. What we need to see: Consistency is the key. You're never going to score on every drive or score a bunch of 80-yard TDs, but being ready to play early and consistently being aggressive on fourth-and-short in plus territory is important. Also like to see more production out of the running game. But overall this has been fun to watch.
Defense
DL
What we know: MPB has added something to a pass rush that is still not quite as good as you'd like it. There is real depth -- MPB, Sharpe, Goggins, Bromley, Robinson -- all five have at least 7 tackles and have been in on at least one TFL. Jones/Welsh/Crume have been worked in and will likely see a bit more run as we run into more run-first teams. What we need to see: More consistency vs. the run (allowing 200 ypg on 5.4 ypc is simply way too much) and a better pass rush. DL has just three sacks through three games despite opponents averaging 27 pass attempts per contest.
LB
What we know: Still an undersized group and still lacking the dynamic All-BE type guy ... so far. I still actually really like both Spruill and Davis and think they will end up having very good numbers. Davis, to me, is a year away from being a really good one. I'm lukewarm on Lynch/Diabate/Vaughan, but believe all three can contribute. Overall decent group. What we need to see: Better tackling and how well do we hold up vs. more physical teams? Rutgers is going to want to run the football, UConn is going to want to avoid throwing as much as possible. L'ville, Cincy and Mizzou are more balanced but have dangerous RBs. Regardless, obviously need to be better against the run.
DB
What we know: Reddish is a good one and Shamarko makes a bunch of plays. I still like Lyn and think he makes a good pair with Reddish. Anderson looks like a safety playing corner, IMO. Eskridge and Wilkes have had some nice moments, but Wilkes in particular needs to wrap up. What we need to see: This group has been pretty good, all things considered but fewer big plays will be one area to focus on.
Overall Defense
What we know: Shafer plays an aggressive defense (which I admittedly love, in the interest of full disclosure) so there are times where they will yield some yardage and give up a big play or two. As such, I think this group has actually played better than the numbers suggest. They have a ton of tackles for loss, held opponents to a pretty solid 35% on third downs and 16% on fourth (1-for-6) and really have yielded very few sustained scoring drives (SBU had one, USC had one, NW had two (both second half TDs). Now sustained drives is cherry-picking b/c you're weeding out big plays allowed and suggesting that if a drive had started at the opponent's 25 instead of midfield, that no score would have been allowed. But the fact remains, this is a defense that has allowed some big plays but otherwise played pretty good (or at least better than 2011) football through three games. What we need to see: Better tackling and pass rush. Big plays are quite often the result of missed tackles -- simply have to clean that up. A better pass rush helps our secondary. Both are big keys. The third is seeing how this group responds against more physical playing styles, though I hope teams like UConn and RU aren't going to run over us. Should be interesting to watch.
Special teams
What we know: We stink. What we need to see: Improvement. Soon. In almost any aspect. Preferably every aspect. It's got to be embarrassing for DM at this point.
Coaching
What we know: We all hate being under .500 and the NW loss was a painful continuation of an ugly losing streak. We hate moral victories like the one vs. USC. We get it. But DM and company have put together a very competitive team this year and it only looks to get better. What we need to see: Wins, better in-game decisions.
