Questions Fran and the coaches start answering tomorrow

[OttoinGrotto]

Fran Brown's first season have fans more than they could have asked for, but the path to success (program record breaking one year QB leading a great offense that could overcome shaky defense and historically awful special teams) wasn't a common one or likely to be repeated. There are some questions to be answered.

1, will Fran and co's scouting ability and faith in the returning players and incoming transfers be rewarded? We return very little of our offensive production, and lost a whole lot of the "name" guys from the defense. Did we do enough in the portal and with the last two incoming recruiting classes from highschool to have a roster infused with talent all over the field? A game away from home against an SEC program is a heckuva way to try and find out.

2, was the special teams coach the problem, or is there something to the coaching philosophy that makes special teams vulnerable? We have a new special teams coach, after it became evident early on that last year's guy wasn't going to cut it. I do wonder how much was on him, vs if there's something in the way the staff thinks that might be a problem, and I say that only because of the insistence on the unusual two man up punt formation. Fran's particular, and we do that differently, without much clear advantage. It's curious is all I'm saying.

3, how much does EROB grow from year 1 to year 2 at DC? They say that systems usually take more than a year to fully install, so part of the hope is that with younger faces playing more snaps on defenses, the defense will perform better because the system is familiar. How much has EROB learned about having a semi reliable defense at the level we compete at?

4, can the coaching staff get a line to gel and a new QB installed in basically what amounts to just a few weeks of fall camp? We have a new center who looks to be pretty good, and we're going to see some new faces on the offensive line. To say nothing of dropping in a new QB in Steve Angeli. We need the line and WB to not just be competent right away, but be strengths for the team.

What other questions are you interested in seeing get answered now that we'll be able to see this year's team on the field?

 

[Cuse On 3]

There’s no shot our tackling and defense is as bad as last years. I think it will be a stark difference come noon tomorrow.

 

[wfschrec]

1. Will we attack more downhill on defense and move away from bend don't break? More blitzing and exotic schemes perhaps, while trying to get lock down coverage on the outside.

2. Can Nixon get to 50 receptions out of the backfield? I think if he does we are having a great season, most major programs don't have dynamic pass catchers out of the backfield ala LeQuint or Nixon. It is something that you don't need to prepare for often (usually just a screen game) but its an extra weapon for us.

3. How often will we go to the tight ends? Orande was such a big component there, do we see far less targets with our current group (we don't replace him with Villari by himself)?

4. Especially in week 1 do we line up in 11 or 12 personnel and try to ram it down a teams throat with Willis who has SEC size along with our front 5?

5. Will we have enough speed at linebacker ... don't see it with Sparrow or McDonald. Will Gary and a mix of guys like Heard and David O be enough?

6. Do we have more pass rushing talent overall? Losing Jobity last year hurt but he is back and we have added Reese and maybe David O is ready to take the next step? If we do we won't feel the loss of Diggs nearly as much who was good as a pass rusher situationally but never full time applied to that role.

7. Can Grant breakout? Was it the knee injury that was hampering him from making more plays? What is his ceiling?

8. Will the speed translate? I have heard from the strength and conditioning team some gaudy numbers like DLs exceeding 20 mph on a regular basis. Does this help us take the next step defensively and stretch the field more this year offensively?

 

[23Zone]

In my opinion at the end of the day at all boils down to the trenches. So for me the two big questions are (1) can we control the line of scrimmage on the offensive side and (2) can we stuff the run and apply pressure to the quarterback on passing downs. If those two turn out to be a yes we will have a very good season, better than anticipated by the experts

 

[FasterCuse]

Do we have more pass rushing talent overall? Losing Jobity last year hurt but he is back and we have added Reese and maybe David O is ready to take the next step? If we do we won't feel the loss of Diggs nearly as much who was good as a pass rusher situationally but never full time applied to that role.

I also feel like having Tank Wilson back at full strength is also going to help the pass rush. In addition, I've heard rumors we've installed more blitz packages this year in order to put pressure on the QB. Tomorrow will be a great test.

 

[wfschrec]

I also feel like having Tank Wilson back at full strength is also going to help the pass rush. In addition, I've heard rumors we've installed more blitz packages this year in order to put pressure on the QB. Tomorrow will be a great test.

I like the cut of your jib

 

[CanadianSU]

Zero clue I have no inside information like those on the pay side . But I feel like this team is going to be really good or really bad. I’m talking 8-4 or 4-8. So many questions but that doesn’t mean they won’t be answered in a good way. Roll on tomorrow!

 

[sufandu]

1. What kind of soap does Fran use when he gets washed?
1a. Is it bar soap or bodywash?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

1. D
2. STs
3. Talent

I think Tennessee has way more talent overall than anyone we played last year. Especially teams we played away from the Dome.

 

[rocklloyd]

Special teams coach was problem. No doubt about it.

 

[Irt4su]

My biggest variable in every sport are the injuries to the starters. If your best team stays healthy the most, that’s a good sign for your odds of winning through the year (assuming talent wise they are good of course)