anomander
Living Legend
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2012
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-It's obviously pretty clear this team is built for the future. So many Freshman, rsFreshman, and Sophomores either starting or playing significant roles. That could have a lot to do with the up and down play of the defense. I feel it's been better more then it's been worse, and will only improve as the season goes on. The defensive backfield is the weak spot of the team. I know it's not their style, but i'd like to see if Bullough/Shafer can make some adjustments when we run into more pass heavy opponents. I think Antwan Cordy is a perfect example of our youth, and inconsistency. The kid is a hell of a player, and along with Thompson, he's most likely to make a big play on that side of the ball, but there have been at least a few occasions I have seen where he has been out of position, leading to an opposing big play, or TD. Now maybe some of it do to his size, but I think just as much is his youth. As his career goes on he will become a more consistent player. We will still get those big plays, and cut out the bad plays. When that happens the kid will be very very good.
-As for Whigham it's tough to see him struggle so much. I would write off last game since he was going against a future 1st round draft pick, but we have seen this his whole career. Maybe more help over the top?
-Linebacker play has been great as usual. Franklin is special. Great player, great leader, great everything. Happy to have him for 2 more years. Bennett is also a very good player. I don't think this group dropped off one bit from last year. If anything maybe a little bit better against the run.
-Looks like Daoust did it against with the DL. Turned a perceived weakness into a strength. We will miss Raymon, and most likely Thompson (since I don't expect him to stick around another year), but this group has the potential to anchor the program for years to come. Before the season I was convinced Simmons and Thompson would be a huge upgrade over Welsh and Robinson, and I don't think they have disappointed. I haven't seen Bullough rush only 4 this much since he took over. Through in Arciniega and you have 3 DE's who can rush the passer. The next step for the young DT's is developing some pass rush moves, but for now they are doing just fine clogging the middle, and stopping the run. Hopefully they learn as much as they can from Daoust this year because I don't know how much longer we are going to be able to keep him here.
-ED looks like the real deal. He has played better when Lester has taken off the constraints, which is a good sign. I expect his freedom to increase as the season goes on. I guess I got my answer to why Womack was moved from QB so quickly. I will happily say I was wrong with the criticism for moving him so early since ED looks like he will be the starting QB the next 4 years. No pressure Eric, but you carry the hopes and dreams of all the Syracuse Football fans out there.
-Then you have Zac Mahoney. To me he is the clear #2 QB the rest of this year, and next year. What he did against LSU was different then what AJ did against FSU. To me it looked like FSU knew they were going to win the game no matter what they did so they just went out and played a very plain, uninspired defensive gameplan. LSU just seemed different, not to mention there was actual game pressure on the Tigers so they were playing balls to the wall. The kid is never going to be an All-League player, but he is a very serviceable back up, and his play only increased as his confidence went up, and Lester loosened the leash.
-More Fredricks. Wouldn't have a problem at all if he was the focused RB and just got spelled here or there by Morris and McFarlane. Just another true Freshman making major impact.
-Erv is the starting eXB when he comes back, but I want to see more Strickland as the season goes on. Does he have a TD in every game? This kid is breaking off big plays at a clip we haven't seen here in a long long time. I really like Lewis as a player, but imo Strickland just offers a lot more. I'd like to see Ben moved back to WR. imo he'd be the #3 WR on the team.
-Ish and Bris have had very good years. I'd like to see more targets for Ish. If Bris can duplicate his play the rest of the year I will be thrilled. Gives us that big play potential we haven't had at the position in a while.
-OL had their best game of the year vs LSU which was kind of weird? Either way i'll take it. I think the move from Shanley to Emerich should have been made sooner, but it was made so that's all that matters. This groups consistency will be crucial to how our season plays out. I have said it plenty of times; I don't think talent is an issue with this group.
-I have really liked what I have seen from Lester. Seems like a very good game planner, and calls a solid game. Without looking it up it seems our redzone efficiency has increased significantly. I actually think his offense is better when he calls a little bit looser of a game, but can understand why he was so conservative with Dungey, and Mahoney.
-I have obviously had my questions about Shafer, and some of them are still there, but the LSU game has given me hope that hasn't been there in a while. His game management has always been far too conservative for my liking, but if he can duplicate the way he managed the LSU game I will be more then satisfied. I just hope it wasn't a type of what do I have to lose thinking? I think one of Shafer's best attributes is his teams are always ready to lay it all on the line for him. They are always fired up to play, and play a full 60 minutes. It's definitely a talent being able to pull every ounce of effort out of your players.
Area's i'd that I feel we need to address with recruiting:
-Stud RB. That 4star Illinois commit seemed to like what he saw against LSU. If Shafer can pull him that area would be addressed.
-OL. This will be the 1 big question mark after the season. We lose Trudo, Foy, and Robinson who have seemingly started for the past 8 years. Obviously a lot will depend on the development of last years recruiting haul. Really need Conway, and Adams to be the answer at OT, but going to need more quality depth at the position. I think we are getting to the point where the Burton, McGolster, and Ward experiments are coming to an end. Who knows if Ward will even ever play Football again, so Shafer's going to need some quality OT's. I think McGeorge and Heckel could be the answer. 2 very good haul's imo. Just have to hang on.
-Playmaking WR's. Doesn't look like it will be addressed with the 2016 class, but there is huge potential in the 2017 class with Davis (already committed), White, Burgess, and Williams.
-DB's. Blair not getting qualified really hurt. He would be starting right now, and would have given us the size we desperately need at the position. I'd like to see at least 1 big bodied safety, and corner.
The last 8 games are going to be very interesting. There are still some questions, but i'm starting to think a lot of the inconsistencies is the crazy amount of under classmen on the field. I have upped what I think our potential wins could be to 9 (which I don't think we reach). A lot has to do with our opponents not being as good as thought, but some if due to the potential this team has shown. Let's just build off last week and beat USF.
-As for Whigham it's tough to see him struggle so much. I would write off last game since he was going against a future 1st round draft pick, but we have seen this his whole career. Maybe more help over the top?
-Linebacker play has been great as usual. Franklin is special. Great player, great leader, great everything. Happy to have him for 2 more years. Bennett is also a very good player. I don't think this group dropped off one bit from last year. If anything maybe a little bit better against the run.
-Looks like Daoust did it against with the DL. Turned a perceived weakness into a strength. We will miss Raymon, and most likely Thompson (since I don't expect him to stick around another year), but this group has the potential to anchor the program for years to come. Before the season I was convinced Simmons and Thompson would be a huge upgrade over Welsh and Robinson, and I don't think they have disappointed. I haven't seen Bullough rush only 4 this much since he took over. Through in Arciniega and you have 3 DE's who can rush the passer. The next step for the young DT's is developing some pass rush moves, but for now they are doing just fine clogging the middle, and stopping the run. Hopefully they learn as much as they can from Daoust this year because I don't know how much longer we are going to be able to keep him here.
-ED looks like the real deal. He has played better when Lester has taken off the constraints, which is a good sign. I expect his freedom to increase as the season goes on. I guess I got my answer to why Womack was moved from QB so quickly. I will happily say I was wrong with the criticism for moving him so early since ED looks like he will be the starting QB the next 4 years. No pressure Eric, but you carry the hopes and dreams of all the Syracuse Football fans out there.
-Then you have Zac Mahoney. To me he is the clear #2 QB the rest of this year, and next year. What he did against LSU was different then what AJ did against FSU. To me it looked like FSU knew they were going to win the game no matter what they did so they just went out and played a very plain, uninspired defensive gameplan. LSU just seemed different, not to mention there was actual game pressure on the Tigers so they were playing balls to the wall. The kid is never going to be an All-League player, but he is a very serviceable back up, and his play only increased as his confidence went up, and Lester loosened the leash.
-More Fredricks. Wouldn't have a problem at all if he was the focused RB and just got spelled here or there by Morris and McFarlane. Just another true Freshman making major impact.
-Erv is the starting eXB when he comes back, but I want to see more Strickland as the season goes on. Does he have a TD in every game? This kid is breaking off big plays at a clip we haven't seen here in a long long time. I really like Lewis as a player, but imo Strickland just offers a lot more. I'd like to see Ben moved back to WR. imo he'd be the #3 WR on the team.
-Ish and Bris have had very good years. I'd like to see more targets for Ish. If Bris can duplicate his play the rest of the year I will be thrilled. Gives us that big play potential we haven't had at the position in a while.
-OL had their best game of the year vs LSU which was kind of weird? Either way i'll take it. I think the move from Shanley to Emerich should have been made sooner, but it was made so that's all that matters. This groups consistency will be crucial to how our season plays out. I have said it plenty of times; I don't think talent is an issue with this group.
-I have really liked what I have seen from Lester. Seems like a very good game planner, and calls a solid game. Without looking it up it seems our redzone efficiency has increased significantly. I actually think his offense is better when he calls a little bit looser of a game, but can understand why he was so conservative with Dungey, and Mahoney.
-I have obviously had my questions about Shafer, and some of them are still there, but the LSU game has given me hope that hasn't been there in a while. His game management has always been far too conservative for my liking, but if he can duplicate the way he managed the LSU game I will be more then satisfied. I just hope it wasn't a type of what do I have to lose thinking? I think one of Shafer's best attributes is his teams are always ready to lay it all on the line for him. They are always fired up to play, and play a full 60 minutes. It's definitely a talent being able to pull every ounce of effort out of your players.
Area's i'd that I feel we need to address with recruiting:
-Stud RB. That 4star Illinois commit seemed to like what he saw against LSU. If Shafer can pull him that area would be addressed.
-OL. This will be the 1 big question mark after the season. We lose Trudo, Foy, and Robinson who have seemingly started for the past 8 years. Obviously a lot will depend on the development of last years recruiting haul. Really need Conway, and Adams to be the answer at OT, but going to need more quality depth at the position. I think we are getting to the point where the Burton, McGolster, and Ward experiments are coming to an end. Who knows if Ward will even ever play Football again, so Shafer's going to need some quality OT's. I think McGeorge and Heckel could be the answer. 2 very good haul's imo. Just have to hang on.
-Playmaking WR's. Doesn't look like it will be addressed with the 2016 class, but there is huge potential in the 2017 class with Davis (already committed), White, Burgess, and Williams.
-DB's. Blair not getting qualified really hurt. He would be starting right now, and would have given us the size we desperately need at the position. I'd like to see at least 1 big bodied safety, and corner.
The last 8 games are going to be very interesting. There are still some questions, but i'm starting to think a lot of the inconsistencies is the crazy amount of under classmen on the field. I have upped what I think our potential wins could be to 9 (which I don't think we reach). A lot has to do with our opponents not being as good as thought, but some if due to the potential this team has shown. Let's just build off last week and beat USF.
