Interesting Shrader data point

[RMH44]

Sean was special, especially when healthy. No one guy will replace him. We need much better balance than we had last year. A couple more pass recieving threats will open up space for our running backs.

I think LA will be a versatile option in backfield. IMO, he will surprise with his effectiveness as a runner, receiver and an occasional passer. I think he has a higher ceiling than ST.

 

[sufandu]

I think LA will be a versatile option in backfield. IMO, he will surprise with his effectiveness as a runner, receiver and an occasional passer. I think he has a higher ceiling than ST.

I think he's a better receiver, but I'll be surprised if he's as strong and balanced. I know he had limited touches last year, but I didn't see some of what I saw in Tucker his freshman year. It was clear as soon as ST touched the ball he had rare balance and strength. We'll find out though.

 

[zjscuse]

I'm excited about Beck being the OC. Really want to see what he comes up with.

Starting WRs look good, the RB can run the ball, but is even more dangerous catching passes. I think the OL will surprise. Shrader's legs make a huge difference too. I think the offense will be pretty dangerous this year.

What I don't know is what it will look like when the key pieces start going down with injury. No sense pretending it won't happen, because it does every year.

He called a great game against Minnesota, stupid mistakes cost us that game.

 

[David321]

Agree and that was pretty early on, you could see he wasn’t the same after the Louisville game

Totally agree, that’s when he got hurt. Dirty Louisville.

 

[SmilinBob]

If Beck can lower the hits Shrader and Allen can take while still moving the markers and scoring a lot of points the better. Allen is the second best receiver on this team and if the other receivers and RB's step up Shrader will have less mileage on his body while still being able to take off and get good yardage due to having multiple weapons.

One of my biggest peeves against Dino is his love of numbers like the 100 yard game thing. I'd be thrilled with Allen having a 15 carry 85 yard 5 catches day while other WR's and RB's pick up the slack. I realize it'll be hard keeping Allen off the field but I really want the wear and tear thing to be of the past. If the other WR's don't step up put him in the slot or the like at times and give another RB some snaps...as long as they are stepping up as well of course,

Adams always seems open so I'm hoping he stretches the field for more open guys across the field.

A healthy all year Shrader would be a fantastic thing. This and all of the above also means the OL did their job which is a win win.

 

[SoBristol]

Much as I applaud Tomcat’s homework on the strength of the defenses on the schedule, our 2023 success on offense depends more on Shrader’s health, our new OTs, potentially a new C in Reed, Allen vs Tucker at RB, and Jones vs Cooper at WR. And improvement in the back up QBs. Things that relate to what we bring to the table. ]

Yes it might help if the opposing defenses are a bit less stellar.

 

[BKCuse]

I have this nagging concern that we will miss Sean Tucker on offense, far more than what we think. Top priority for every defense we played against the last couple of years, was to shut down #34; that made everyone's job a lot easier. With the unknown quality of our running game, Shrader and OG are going to face the full teeth of opposing defenses this season.

I have a feeling we won’t miss Tucker all that much. He wasn’t all that effective last year. LQA can step up and be a star.

 

[Cuse'91]

I have a feeling we won’t miss Tucker all that much. He wasn’t all that effective last year. LQA can step up and be a star.

That's probably true. But, I think that was a combination of an nagging injury, and defenses still keying on Sean. Pick a number; did Sean command 10%, or 30%, or 50% of the opposing defenses attention? That still keep a lot of heat off the other guys.

 

[XC Cuse]

Shrader is going to put up big numbers. He will be Dungey 2018.

 

[BKCuse]

That's probably true. But, I think that was a combination of an nagging injury, and defenses still keying on Sean. Pick a number; did Sean command 10%, or 30%, or 50% of the opposing defenses attention? That still keep a lot of heat off the other guys.

No doubt DC’s had to pay attention to 34 but they will need to pay plenty attention to LQA who can run, catch or throw out of the backfield.
I think we’ll be fine at RB. I’m more worried about who will step up at WR after OG.

 

[shu 49]

My thing for big improvement is GS throwing guys open. He can do it in a crunch as we have seen a few late game heroics but to do it more than that is his next step I believe. Og should get ball but I expect more spreading and GS less forcing or only looking at OG. Let’s in go SU.

 

[sufandu]

No doubt DC’s had to pay attention to 34 but they will need to pay plenty attention to LQA who can run, catch or throw out of the backfield.
I think we’ll be fine at RB. I’m more worried about who will step up at WR after OG.

I think LA will be a bit more versatile, but I think we may be taking for granted the number of times ST broke/slipped tackles and made yardage out of nothing. He didn't do it as much last year being hurt, but he did it a lot his first two years. I didn't see that in LA's limited carries. Maybe he'll show that more this year as the main guy, but I won't put that expectation on him. ST was the first guy to do it like for us since Reyes. Those guys are rare.

 

[All4SU]

That's probably true. But, I think that was a combination of a nagging injury, and defenses still keying on Sean. Pick a number; did Sean command 10%, or 30%, or 50% of the opposing defenses attention? That still keep a lot of heat off the other guys.

Tucker drew a dedicated defender every play. Now that player will be on Shrader or maybe Gadsden.

 

[cusefan88]

I think LA will be a bit more versatile, but I think we may be taking for granted the number of times ST broke/slipped tackles and made yardage out of nothing. He didn't do it as much last year being hurt, but he did it a lot his first two years. I didn't see that in LA's limited carries. Maybe he'll show that more this year as the main guy, but I won't put that expectation on him. ST was the first guy to do it like for us since Reyes. Those guys are rare.

I thought Allen looked good on a crap field vs a stout Minnesota defense. He'll be more than fine as the featured guy this year in the backfield.

 

[TheCusian]

Much as I applaud Tomcat’s homework on the strength of the defenses on the schedule, our 2023 success on offense depends more on Shrader’s health, our new OTs, potentially a new C in Reed, Allen vs Tucker at RB, and Jones vs Cooper at WR. And improvement in the back up QBs. Things that relate to what we bring to the table. ]

Yes it might help if the opposing defenses are a bit less stellar.

It’s both.

The transfer portal makes roster movement a huge X factor in figuring out how good the teams we play are. It’s easier to focus on one team that we love vs all of the teams we play. Any effort to put some context on the season is welcome to these ears.

Lots of new coaches and systems on our schedule too. That we are basically the same w a veteran QB should be a very helpful edge.

 

[sufandu]

I thought Allen looked good on a crap field vs a stout Minnesota defense. He'll be more than fine as the featured guy this year in the backfield.

I'm not saying he's not good or that he won't be fine. I'm saying Tucker was special, special enough that we tend to see a guy like him every decade or so. Thinking Allen may not be as impactful is not an insult to him.

 

[JKinPhilly]

I'm not saying he's not good or that he won't be fine. I'm saying Tucker was special, special enough that we tend to see a guy like him every decade or so. Thinking Allen may not be as impactful is not an insult to him.

healthy Allen > banged up Tucker

 

[sufandu]

healthy Allen > banged up Tucker

Sure. But banged up Tucker was a huge decoy before other teams realized he was banged up. That changed how defenses game planned, at least at first. It gave other guys more space. That won't be the case this year, which is why we need balanced productivity. If Allen is good and Shrader and OG are what we saw last year, that by itself won't be enough.