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Message: [QUOTE="vegasnick, post: 5475037, member: 9983"] Took a hiatus over the summer, but man am I glad to be back! Really enjoyed reading the latest comments and many good points made. Here's my take. OFFENSE: Let's start with the boys up front. It's clearly noticeable that this team focused on two things this off season- adding SIZE AND SPEED. The OL is significantly bigger than last year and most importantly deeper. There's a minimum of 10 guys who can play at a high level. Adding Zach Rice who was the #1 OT in the class of 22 and a 5star recruit out of high school will help. Obviously he didn't convert to that level at the college level yet, but the move to guard is smart. Austin Collins is an upgrade at center. If Cam Pringle can replace Savion I think overall this unit is upgraded over last year. WR - Arguably the deepest room on the team (or Secondary) and is full of talent. Yes, Trebor put up fantastic numbers but was that a result of good QB play and the system? Johntay Cook is a far.ore athletic and talented player and has the potential of being a sizeable upgrade over Pena. Justus Ross Simmons is the "guy" who can break out to replace much of the production by Meeks. Now I'm sure you're thinking what about Darrell Gill, he was the fifth option on last year's team with over 500 yds- all he has to do is play his game and he's good for 800+ yards. The WR group is faster, bigger, and more talented as a whole. Can we get adequate enough QB play to get them the ball? RB - a position by committee, led by Willis and Nixon. Behind them there's some extremely young and raw talent and some of the fastest speedsters in the country. By committee they can definitely put up numbers similar to Lequint. Again back to QB. We do t have Mccord or anyone that will be him, but we do have 2 solid options with talent, players who could benefit from the system more than any other group. OVERALL- The pieces around the QB are better and the potential for this offense to be as good as last year is definitely on the table. Oh- and we didn't even mention Villari! Don't expect a huge step back like most media persons suggest! DEFENSE- Again let's start with the DL. Fadill Diggs is a major loss in the locker room. However, on the field he was asked to do so much in the absence of Marlowe, that it took away from his ability to focus on being a pure pass rusher. Had he had that opportunity I think he would have had double digit sacks and would have been drafted higher. That said, David Reese had 11.5 sacks over the last 2 seasons at Cal. I think he will be good for at least 8 this season (.5 sack more than Fadill). The other remaining edge rushers are back from last year with another off season of strength and conditioning. David O and Jacquez both show improve their production from last year. Inside you lose Watson. That's a tough loss. But last years team played without "Tank" for over half the season. Getting g Tank back is an improvement over Watson. Kevin Jobity, Chris Thomas and George Rooks will all play significant time and the rotation is deeper and more talented then last year. They are also much bigger!! LB- Another position that was hindered by injury and people playing out of position. Marlowe no doubt was the heart and soul of the D but he missed half the season. JB played out of position and did a great job filling in. But he was still out of position. Gary Bryant Jr would have been the second best LB on last years team. Anyone with over 100 tackles will transition well. He is the best LB on the team and will lead this defense. McDo ald is another one who has a ton of game experience and will benefit from a other year in the system. Antoine Deslauriers is a freak physically and he is more than holding his own in camp. James heard is another one who will have a great year. The LB group is much better than most give credit. The Secondary is deep. Chris Peal was a major add. Demetres Samuel is as advertised. He is CB1. I'm interested to see how playing time is divided up especially with Kerr and Buxton. Overall this D will be more physical and better tacklers. I thi k they will be a better unit in general. This team is loaded with talent and a deep roster- it's biggest nemesis is the schedule. That said the most overrated team they play will be the Vols! I'm on the bandwagon of an 8-4 season despite the schedule but one thing for sure- it's going to be a phenomenal season. Let's end on the most important thing to come from this season, the need to extend Fran Brown. [/QUOTE]

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