1. Tommy is learning from his mistakes, getting better every game and figuring out what he can and cannot do within this offense’s limitations. Given his distinct abilities, I would expect his improvement to accelerate.
2. A clear set of reliable weapons has emerged, if not the ones everyone expected ... Jackson, Taj, Hackett, Benson, along with Moe and Adams. Howard is the perfect change of pace back. I fully expect Riley to get going, as well. That’s plenty of ammunition for a quarterback the caliber of TD, if he gets even a modicum of time to operate.
3. Amid the disappointments on the offensive line, it’s worth noting that Dakota and Carlos in back to back weeks have topped the PFF ACC grades. Both these guys are going to be outstanding. Their improvement should accelerate, which will have the compounding affect of letting Servais and Adams play their games, without dealing with a jailbreak on every play. Alexander should get better, too, and Pat Davis and Bergeron look promising.
4. Our defensive ends are as good as advertised. If we can get even a small uptick of pressure from the inside, Coleman and Robinson will create the kind of havoc that changes games. They have been close to doing it already, even with constant double teams. Need more from our DTs, and maybe Rhino will help bring it. Kingsley is a really good player.
5. This board loves to rag on Armstrong, but there’s a reason he almost never comes out of the game. Smart, solid player who is showing more every week. Reminds me of Guthrie last season. Williams is stout and active, and Jones is a nice addition. Would love to see Richards turned loose more; he’s a heat-seeking missile.
6. Secondary should be the strength of the team, but the uneven coverage and poor tackling have been disappointing. Coming off the bye, however, we are healthy and at full strength. Trill, Iffy and Cisco are superb athletes who need to be aggressive and make plays. Hate to see them in cushion schemes. It doesn’t fit their games.
7. Special teams remain the best in the ACC, if not the nation. Sterling is an extraordinary weapon. Lustig is coaching the hell out of this group.
8. Dino Babers is an outstanding coach who has been around a long time. It’s hard for me to believe, given his experience, that he would badly misjudge a team’s capability. He’s been effusive about this team’s talent and potential, saying he expects it to gel by Week 6. I’d rather we start hitting our stride now, heading into seven straight ACC games, than be like Maryland and peak in Week 2.
2. A clear set of reliable weapons has emerged, if not the ones everyone expected ... Jackson, Taj, Hackett, Benson, along with Moe and Adams. Howard is the perfect change of pace back. I fully expect Riley to get going, as well. That’s plenty of ammunition for a quarterback the caliber of TD, if he gets even a modicum of time to operate.
3. Amid the disappointments on the offensive line, it’s worth noting that Dakota and Carlos in back to back weeks have topped the PFF ACC grades. Both these guys are going to be outstanding. Their improvement should accelerate, which will have the compounding affect of letting Servais and Adams play their games, without dealing with a jailbreak on every play. Alexander should get better, too, and Pat Davis and Bergeron look promising.
4. Our defensive ends are as good as advertised. If we can get even a small uptick of pressure from the inside, Coleman and Robinson will create the kind of havoc that changes games. They have been close to doing it already, even with constant double teams. Need more from our DTs, and maybe Rhino will help bring it. Kingsley is a really good player.
5. This board loves to rag on Armstrong, but there’s a reason he almost never comes out of the game. Smart, solid player who is showing more every week. Reminds me of Guthrie last season. Williams is stout and active, and Jones is a nice addition. Would love to see Richards turned loose more; he’s a heat-seeking missile.
6. Secondary should be the strength of the team, but the uneven coverage and poor tackling have been disappointing. Coming off the bye, however, we are healthy and at full strength. Trill, Iffy and Cisco are superb athletes who need to be aggressive and make plays. Hate to see them in cushion schemes. It doesn’t fit their games.
7. Special teams remain the best in the ACC, if not the nation. Sterling is an extraordinary weapon. Lustig is coaching the hell out of this group.
8. Dino Babers is an outstanding coach who has been around a long time. It’s hard for me to believe, given his experience, that he would badly misjudge a team’s capability. He’s been effusive about this team’s talent and potential, saying he expects it to gel by Week 6. I’d rather we start hitting our stride now, heading into seven straight ACC games, than be like Maryland and peak in Week 2.
