Level of our athlete

[Shaggy]

From watching each of the past two games numerous times. I have come to the conclusion that our players are no longer outmanned, and dare I say we have better athletes on the field against both of our first two opponents. I know many here will disagree, but these kids fly, they were bigger, better and stronger EXCEPT the OFFENSIVE LINE.

 

[RF2044]

From watching each of the past two games numerous times. I have come to the conclusion that our players are no longer outmanned, and dare I say we have better athletes on the field against both of our first two opponents. I know many here will disagree, but these kids fly, they were bigger, better and stronger EXCEPT the OFFENSIVE LINE.

I agree with that, mostly. The previous coaching staff did an outstanding job of replenishing the roster with bigger, stronger, faster, more athletic players in general.

There are still a few trouble spots. QB being one of them. Now, maybe that changes if Hunt delivers, or if frosh Wilson / Kimble emerge, or if AJ Long comes in and is a stud. But right now the level of performance at QB doesn't match up to the level of talent elsewhere at other positional units.

I also think we have issues at OT. Love Hickey, and I think Knapp will be a very good player for us [only a redshirt frosh, who's battling some injuries right now]. After another poor start, Foy was better this past game than he was in game 1. But behind those three [two of whom are unproven], who do we have? Lasker? True frosh?

DE is another weak area, comparatively speaking. I think that both Welsh and Robinson have looked solid so far, and I have high hopes for Thompson. But we aren't as strong here, either, as we need to be.

I'm pretty comfortable with the talent / depth we've amassed at every other positional unit.

 

[rrlbees]

While we are definitely bigger and faster, it sure looked like to me in both games that the other teams were quicker and often ran right by us.


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[OrangeinBoston]

From watching each of the past two games numerous times. I have come to the conclusion that our players are no longer outmanned, and dare I say we have better athletes on the field against both of our first two opponents. I know many here will disagree, but these kids fly, they were bigger, better and stronger EXCEPT the OFFENSIVE LINE.

Disagree. A LOT better than the Grob days. But, PSU is on a par (except they have Robinson) and Northwestern has better personnel hands down.

 

[RF2044]

Disagree. A LOT better than the Grob days. But, PSU is on a par (except they have Robinson) and Northwestern has better personnel hands down.

Reread his post. The OP didn't say that we had better athletes than our opponents, he said that the games demonstrated that OUR athletes were better [than in the recent past]. It was a clunky sentence, though!

 

[OrangeinBoston]

Reread his post. The OP didn't say that we had better athletes than our opponents, he said that the games demonstrated that OUR athletes were better [than in the recent past]. It was a clunky sentence, though!

Ahh, yes, I get it. Clearly better all-round than in the past.

 

[SWC75]

We seem to have several guys with wiggle this year. They don't run right into the arms of the opponent. The first guy isn't really there.

 

[Marsh01]

We are still miles behind where we need to be

 

[RF2044]

We are still miles behind where we need to be

I don't know--I think we're closer than you might think. We need playmakers at WR, and Broyld / Estime seem to fit the bill. The WR recruits we're bringing in--especially Williams and Custis--seem like a step in the right direction to add to that nucleus.

We need better talent at DE and OT. But otherwise, I think we're close. Not quite there yet, but not far off.

 

[Marsh01]

I don't know--I think we're closer than you might think. We need playmakers at WR, and Broyld / Estime seem to fit the bill. The WR recruits we're bringing in--especially Williams and Custis--seem like a step in the right direction to add to that nucleus.

We need better talent at DE and OT. But otherwise, I think we're close. Not quite there yet, but not far off.

To compete as a year in year out top 20 team we are farther away than we think. I agree the gap is shrinking but its not 2 years down the road.

 

[upperdeck]

I think we have decent speed with a couple rcvrs, but not a complete package. we have decent speed at RB but not the first 2 in the game.

we have no elite speed on D but fast enough when they dont take bad angles or mis assignments.

what we dont have is an elite pass rusher. you put a Freeney on this team and the pass rush becomes a nightmare with the blitzes we use..

 

[richard levy]

OL is going to look bleak after this year. It takes 2-3 years to get even the biggest guys strong enough. I don't think we have enough guys that will make a difference. Haven't signed anyone yet for 2014, and I know someone is going say Pugh was only a 2star, but we don't seem to be in the running for much

 

[RF2044]

To compete as a year in year out top 20 team we are farther away than we think. I agree the gap is shrinking but its not 2 years down the road.

Here's the spots I think where we still have a gap:

QB--Allen, Hunt, Wilson, Kimble, Long* -- will one emerge this year, and do we have a difference making playmaker for the future in that group?

OT--Hickey, Foy, Knapp, Lasker, and some frosh. Need to upgrade here. Hickey might not stick around beyond this season.

WR--not going to list them all, but we seem to be infusing this unit with better speed / elusiveness. Have no issue with them recruiting over some of the incumbents.

DE--Welsh, Robinson, Thompson, Trejo, Simmons [out for year], Johnson. Solid but unspectacular group. Need better pass rushing here--no question.


If Hunt, Wilson, Kimble, or Long connect than QB goes from a big question mark to a position of strength. I also really like the direction of the WRs we're bringing in. We'll know we've arrived when we have five guys like Brisly Estime in this unit who can make plays. Need to address deficiencies at OT [interior of the line seems strong, long term] and DE to bring those positional units up to the level of depth / talent as the rest of the roster. If we do that, there is no doubt in my mind that we can be a top 20 caliber team.

 

[Franz69]

We're loaded at LB and WR in the upcoming recruiting class. Wishful thinking on my part that we finish up with Mavety, Roberts, Holley & Sykes.

 

[AZOrange]

We are still miles behind where we need to be

Agreed. Especially at the playmaking positions and line


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[dollarbill44]

what we dont have is an elite pass rusher. you put a Freeney on this team and the pass rush becomes a nightmare with the blitzes we use..

LOL. You put a Dwight Freeney on any team and the pass rush is a nightmare. He was a once every-other-decade kind of guy.

 

[baggerbob]

Give Thompson, and Johnson some time, the play Thompson made on coulter in the 2nd half shows he is athletic enough, just needs reps.

 

[timkay99]

Here's the spots I think where we still have a gap:

QB--Allen, Hunt, Wilson, Kimble, Long* -- will one emerge this year, and do we have a difference making playmaker for the future in that group?

OT--Hickey, Foy, Knapp, Lasker, and some frosh. Need to upgrade here. Hickey might not stick around beyond this season.

WR--not going to list them all, but we seem to be infusing this unit with better speed / elusiveness. Have no issue with them recruiting over some of the incumbents.

DE--Welsh, Robinson, Thompson, Trejo, Simmons [out for year], Johnson. Solid but unspectacular group. Need better pass rushing here--no question.


If Hunt, Wilson, Kimble, or Long connect than QB goes from a big question mark to a position of strength. I also really like the direction of the WRs we're bringing in. We'll know we've arrived when we have five guys like Brisly Estime in this unit who can make plays. Need to address deficiencies at OT [interior of the line seems strong, long term] and DE to bring those positional units up to the level of depth / talent as the rest of the roster. If we do that, there is no doubt in my mind that we can be a top 20 caliber team.

Agree on QB. Kristopher Curtis going down killed us at the OT. I think Hickey will be around due to the injury issues. Will be interested to see if the Juco tackles develop.

The DE group is in trouble and I have been concerned with the philosophy here (more speed over bulk) as it relates to the overall scheme.

I actually like the talent at WR with the known commits.