Calm before the storm

[DuxburyO]

We definitely need a center. I miss Mackey.

 

[SU68]

Does anyone know how much NIL money we have to throw in the portal?

 

[AngryOtto]

Does anyone know how much NIL money we have to throw in the portal?

As Fran said more than some less than others. Probably spent a good amount on retention and higher end recruits. Hopefully some of the big donors did not get put off from last season.
Willis and Singleton probably freed up some money.

 

[SUbear]

Three of our starting offensive linemen from last year graduated, so there’s already going to be a lack of cohesion anyway.

So you think a new line unfamiliar with the offense will somehow be more cohesive than the 8 to 10 underclassmen and returning starters and rotation players who have been learning the system, okay then. I do not.

 

[Cusefan69]

I think the big guy we got from CBA last year will make some noise in the spring. Pretty sure someone had indicated he had gotten hurt in practice but had been flashing some talent.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

We definitely need a center. I miss Mackey.

Mackey was too small for you to miss him.

 

[23Zone]

Let me see if I can do this right, in the portal Fran needs two running backs, whole new defensive line, a linebacker, safeties, two back up qb’s, a pass catching TE, and a whole new starting offensive line

 

[Qbobby]

 

[Ttk.gman2]

So you think a new line unfamiliar with the offense will somehow be more cohesive than the 8 to 10 underclassmen and returning starters and rotation players who have been learning the system, okay then. I do not.

What system? We have a new OL coach?

 

[TexanMark]

If Fran brings in a whole new OL, we will stink again. The line we had was big enough, but not strong enough. Their unit cohesion was not good, a whole new line would not be able to develop that cohesion by next season. Our best hope is to hit S&C hard, coach these players to develope as a unit, and fill in at position as needed with portals.

We had an idiotic OL coach run off our best or 2nd best OL last year. Let's not do that again.

 

[CuseMan4]

I figure most deals are being worked out now. Portal opens the 2nd. Fran expects all players to begin workouts the 10th and classes start the 12th. No real time to visit multiple schools. Seems like once the portal opens we will see very quick commitments.

Yes a lot of deals being worked out with Agents right now. We’ll have a few commits within the first week. Wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of them were within the first couple of days either tbh

 

[23Zone]

The portal has made college sports like Scrabble. Just throw your letters in and start over next turn/season

 

[CuseMan4]

We had an idiotic OL coach run off our best or 2nd best OL last year. Let's not do that again.

We have a strong O-line coach now. Fran and him know we need to revamp the line. Washington, Mack and Cruz. Are pretty much pencil in starters. They’ll likely be looking to bring 3-4 o-lineman. 2 of them they’ll want to be competing for starting spots right away. They LOVE Hawn and Stewart. So from players already on the roster you’ll have Washington, Mack, Cruz, Hawn and Stewart competing for starting spots. But they want a couple guys that can compete for a starting spot right away. Specifically center. Also have Pringle who should be competing for a spot next year as well

 

[Cusefan69]

We have a strong O-line coach now. Fran and him know we need to revamp the line. Washington, Mack and Cruz. Are pretty much pencil in starters. They’ll likely be looking to bring 3-4 o-lineman. 2 of them they’ll want to be competing for starting spots right away. They LOVE Hawn and Stewart. So from players already on the roster you’ll have Washington, Mack, Cruz, Hawn and Stewart competing for starting spots. But they want a couple guys that can compete for a starting spot right away. Specifically center. Also have Pringle who should be competing for a spot next year as well

Glad to hear about Hawn and Stewart. Hawn has that physique you want your big tackles to have. Had mentioned in another thread I had read somewhere that "the big CBA guy" had turned heads but had an injury or something. Love that Stewart showed well in practice also. Center is just critical. You gotta be able to home grow some of your own oline in this portal age.

 

[orangemass]

I think the big guy we got from CBA last year will make some noise in the spring. Pretty sure someone had indicated he had gotten hurt in practice but had been flashing some talent.

Flashing some talent sweet.

 

[Entropic]

Mackey was too small for you to miss him.

Yup same thing with Pughs trex arms.

 

[Consigliere]

We had an idiotic OL coach run off our best or 2nd best OL last year. Let's not do that again.

May need to plan one more SyraCRUZ tailgate at an NFL preseason game in August. We can invite Dale. I doubt he’ll be busy!

 

[BKCuse]

We had an idiotic OL coach run off our best or 2nd best OL last year. Let's not do that again.

Care to elaborate?

 

[wfschrec]

Care to elaborate?

Williams ran off Cruz who played well at Kansas.

 

[Biaxtar]

When the portal opens it is going to be Christmas part 2. As I will be out the country.

When I wake up I will get the good and possibly bad news.

 

[qdawgg]

Mackey was too small for you to miss him.

His arms were so short he couldn’t grab a phone even if Fran called him to come back.

 

[Orangefizz]

If Fran brings in a whole new OL, we will stink again. The line we had was big enough, but not strong enough. Their unit cohesion was not good, a whole new line would not be able to develop that cohesion by next season. Our best hope is to hit S&C hard, coach these players to develope as a unit, and fill in at position as needed with portals.

A great common sense response. I love it. I hope our new offensive line coach can turn them into a strong unit. Pair that with a great running back and our offense will suddenly have more balance.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Glad to hear about Hawn and Stewart. Hawn has that physique you want your big tackles to have. Had mentioned in another thread I had read somewhere that "the big CBA guy" had turned heads but had an injury or something. Love that Stewart showed well in practice also. Center is just critical. You gotta be able to home grow some of your own oline in this portal age.

Hawn has a chance to be a center too.

 

[HyattsCuse]

Does anyone know how much NIL money we have to throw in the portal?

 

[Ozone!]

IMO, it’s not just NIL money, it’s how we choose to spend it coupled with player evaluation regarding who best fits into our system, on both sides of the ball.