The Bright Side (2015)

[Crusty]

Great post, coach.
I have great faith in stats and markets. Stats help to reduce emotional decisions and markets remind us that nothing ever stays the same. Things are either getting better or getting worse and if you think they are staying the same, they are probably getting worse! Everything I see indicates that things are not getting better. But sometimes stats can be skewed and markets get oversold because everyone expects the worst and the markets price in disaster. I put five kids through college avoiding the tops and bottoms of markets and my instincts tell me now is such a time.

After a season like this, it is easy to look at only the bad things and forget or overlook the good. We have an IPC that will open shortly, we are in the ACC, we are in the black and recruiting is on the upswing as a result. These are not insignificant things and will pay long-term dividends. In the short-term we will get healthy and the kids coming in are very promising..

I do have my areas of concern/questions, including the staff. I am all in on HC SS (although I wish he would have better self-control) and I think Bullough has done a very good job. As a matter of fact, I think CB provides a good lesson on patience. Last year, he installed his system, which is similar but not identical to Shafer's, and it took a year for the guys to get comfortable. This year, we had fewer blow coverages and a boatload of forced turnovers.

Where I have concerns are with Fred Reed, Joe Adam and Bobby Acosta. Reed will have his work cut out for him and he has yet to develop one of his guys into a reliable performer. Adam is coaching out of position and while everyone says the O Line was fine this year, it was a very experienced unit. It remains to be seen what he can do with a new group. Acosta seems to have talent but his unit has under performed noticeably this season.

I haven't a clue about Lester. We'll just have to wait and see.

So, I agree with most of your assessments. We will be fine on the D Line as Daoust will have them ready and the line backers will be a strong unit for the next few years.

QB - A great deal is riding on one of the QB's stepping up. Hunt doesn't have much upside in my mind. He is like a golfer with a swing flaw that he can't seem to fix. Works in practice, but under pressure shows up again. Unless Lester changes the philosophy of the offense, Wilson will be third guy. Long is the one that is most interesting. While he is a mite, he is a gamer. He has an accurate arm, if not big - accurate is good enough. He was a turnover machine, but that is to be expected under the circumstances. He has big upside. Time will tell.

RB - with all the RB's we have, we really did not excel. Pitt and BC seem to accomplish more with one feature back. I don't like this committee deal at all. I am pretty sure that is why Smith left. I think they were honest with him and he got while the getting was good. I thought we missed him.

WR - Broyld and Estiime being healthy will certainly help.

ST - thankfully, kicking will be strong for the next few years. We desperately need a return man and he is not on the team at the moment.

I guess I will postpone the cryogenic suspension for another season. At least the tailgates are getting better and better!

 

[Finwad32]

Great post, coach.
I have great faith in stats and markets. Stats help to reduce emotional decisions and markets remind us that nothing ever stays the same. Things are either getting better or getting worse and if you think they are staying the same, they are probably getting worse! Everything I see indicates that things are not getting better. But sometimes stats can be skewed and markets get oversold because everyone expects the worst and the markets price in disaster. I put five kids through college avoiding the tops and bottoms of markets and my instincts tell me now is such a time.

After a season like this, it is easy to look at only the bad things and forget or overlook the good. We have an IPC that will open shortly, we are in the ACC, we are in the black and recruiting is on the upswing as a result. These are not insignificant things and will pay long-term dividends. In the short-term we will get healthy and the kids coming in are very promising..

I do have my areas of concern/questions, including the staff. I am all in on HC SS (although I wish he would have better self-control) and I think Bullough has done a very good job. As a matter of fact, I think CB provides a good lesson on patience. Last year, he installed his system, which is similar but not identical to Shafer's, and it took a year for the guys to get comfortable. This year, we had fewer blow coverages and a boatload of forced turnovers.

Where I have concerns are with Fred Reed, Joe Adam and Bobby Acosta. Reed will have his work cut out for him and he has yet to develop one of his guys into a reliable performer. Adam is coaching out of position and while everyone says the O Line was fine this year, it was a very experienced unit. It remains to be seen what he can do with a new group. Acosta seems to have talent but his unit has under performed noticeably this season.

I haven't a clue about Lester. We'll just have to wait and see.

So, I agree with most of your assessments. We will be fine on the D Line as Daoust will have them ready and the line backers will be a strong unit for the next few years.

QB - A great deal is riding on one of the QB's stepping up. Hunt doesn't have much upside in my mind. He is like a golfer with a swing flaw that he can't seem to fix. Works in practice, but under pressure shows up again. Unless Lester changes the philosophy of the offense, Wilson will be third guy. Long is the one that is most interesting. While he is a mite, he is a gamer. He has an accurate arm, if not big - accurate is good enough. He was a turnover machine, but that is to be expected under the circumstances. He has big upside. Time will tell.

RB - with all the RB's we have, we really did not excel. Pitt and BC seem to accomplish more with one feature back. I don't like this committee deal at all. I am pretty sure that is why Smith left. I think they were honest with him and he got while the getting was good. I thought we missed him.

WR - Broyld and Estiime being healthy will certainly help.

ST - thankfully, kicking will be strong for the next few years. We desperately need a return man and he is not on the team at the moment.

I guess I will postpone the cryogenic suspension for another season. At least the tailgates are getting better and better!

Solid stuff there, good breakdown.

 

[CuseOnly]

Perkins?

Oh, the kid who shredded his knee last month. Wouldn't count on him seeing the field in 2015.

We seemed to make it through this season with 5 RB's on the roster. Lose 2 and add 3. I don't expect Perkins to contribute much his first year but CuseLegacy did have an update on him below.

Had surgery (Oct.17) and started rehab (Oct. 22). As of now is supposedly ahead of schedule with everything and the Doctors have said the way things are looking now it should be within a few weeks or a month that he can start jogging again.

What we will be missing is the battering ram RB type which I think we will miss without Smith and Moore gone. We also don't have an RB that can block in the passing game like Gulley next year. That scares me more than anything.

 

[TheCusian]

I agree with your point we have those 5-7 really good players that you listed, but we need 50-60 really good players to compete at this level. One good recruiting class, wishing we will back that up with another one. I don't think we have.

Good to see you've come around on the recruiting class...

 

[Chris02M]

I don't see 7 wins next year. They will be lucky to win six. We have four losses before the season even starts(FSU, LSU, Cemson, Louisville), which means SU will have to go 7-1 against everyone else. Not going to happen. We were a made field goal from going 0-6 at the Dome this year. Not much of a home field advantage.

you keep saying this but nothing is a guaranteed loss except LSU next year. fsu will be without Winston and greene. Clemson and Louisville will be tough but not unwinnable

 

[JoeSU]

It's actually kind of funny that our best punter and Kicker (by far) are the walkons. Doesn't say much for the staff's ability to judge talent there.

... or the staffs of the countless other programs who didn't offer them, not to mention the "experts" at the various recruiting sites .

 

[Noexcuse]

Wish I could be more optimistic about Hunt, but he was struggling before he got hurt, and missed out on the rest of the season and the opportunity to get real in game experience.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

I realize there are 2 games left, and I expect a spirited performance in them; with all the frustration I'd like to take a minute and focus on the positives.

QB - Hunt is back, with booth experience that may have given him a different perspective. At the very least our most experienced QB will be back and healthy.
Long - has some real experience against the toughest competition the ACC has to offer. A year more in the S&C program and an offseason with an OC who has the time to fully install his system.
Wilson, Kimble - Safe to say they each have their own strengths. I think the consensus is that they're behind Hunt & Long, but, I think both of them have attributes that can be effective.
Eduoard - a lot of people seem to like him, but, he's still going to be a true freshman with just a Soring to prepare. He's obviously talented, how much remains to be seen.

RB - DMC excites me. A hard runner with one cut ability and speed. I think he'll be número uno next year, and, I'm excited to see what he can do with 15+ carries a game.
Erv - we got a taste of him this year. Safe to say he's dynamic and adds multiple dimensions to our offense. Catching or running he's a serious threat.
GMII - he was lauded by the previous staff as an SEC caliber talent. I hope he reaches that level, the opportunity is there for him.
Strickland - more of a prototypical RB from Jersey. If we do get him in here I think he's in the mix for carries as a true FR.

WR - lot of players here. Ishmael, Lewis, Broyld & Estime will probably be on the field the most. All of them have their strengths. I think they're more than capable. We'll see how the depth chart shakes out behind them, but, the majority of these players have more time in front of them than behind. They will develop. Health is the key.

TE - Where have Parris, Moore and Custis gone? The talent is there, it has to be utilized though. I think they'll have a bigger role cumulatively next year.

OL - we lose some guys this year that we'll have to replace. Honestly, I don't think it's that daunting of a task though as we were forced to see a lot of the guys who'll be doing it next year. Furthermore, 5 FR are coming in. We will have significant depth, viable or not, suited up, moreso than at anytime in recent memory.

DL - the most important area IMO for sure. Lot of youth is going to have to step in and up to take on the challenge. Exciting time as we'll see a lot of fresh faces, but, nerve wracking as well. The guys this year did a really good job this year. I have no donut with Daoust's technical expertise that the next group will be ready.

LB - although we're losing two stalwarts in Lynch & Davis, I think this will be the most talented position group on the roster. Franklin is a future star, his play yesterday was tremendous IMO. Thomas, Bennett, Moskal, Hodge and the rest fill out a group with a very high ceiling.

DB - going to be a big transition here with us depending on a lot of youth. Expect some growing pains. A lot of growing pains. How good your Secondary is depends a lot in the front 4. I expect the Defense to take a step back next year. I hope the offense develops accordingly.

ST - Dixon has a RSr. Year available to him, will he use it? NFL Caliber, I'm told from people around him that that's not his focus though. Undoubtedly will be successful in whatever he chooses. I hope he returns, bc like when Rob Long left, you don't realize how good you had it until the next guys' time comes.
Cole Murphy - we found a gem here. Big leg with accuracy. We're in good hands for the next three years presumably.

Return Man - please find one. Estime's not the answer if he can't stay healthy. A dangerous Return Man changes a game in a heart beat. Something we really haven't seen consistently on our side since Kevin Johnson and Spotwood really.

Coaching - HCSS I stills faith and trust in his players. I like guys who are so competitive. I want him around and believe he will be for awhile. I'm expecting him to keep adjusting and improving. I'm bullish on HCSS.

DCCB - took a lot of flack last year. Deserves a lot of credit this year. I think everybody feels somewhat comfortable in this area.

OCTL - give him a fair shot. Hackett was garbage until he tripped on the offense that Doug Marrone forced him to move to. He thought he was getting fired until Ryan/Alec and the lot saved his arse. Tim deserves at the very least a full season preceded by a Spring to install and rep it.

I still think the future is bright. Our best days are in front of us.

Agreed.

I love how hard this team plays. They never take a play off.

The injuries were awful but we still were in every game and a ton of guys got PT.

 

[anomander]

I realize there are 2 games left, and I expect a spirited performance in them; with all the frustration I'd like to take a minute and focus on the positives.

QB - Hunt is back, with booth experience that may have given him a different perspective. At the very least our most experienced QB will be back and healthy.
Long - has some real experience against the toughest competition the ACC has to offer. A year more in the S&C program and an offseason with an OC who has the time to fully install his system.
Wilson, Kimble - Safe to say they each have their own strengths. I think the consensus is that they're behind Hunt & Long, but, I think both of them have attributes that can be effective.
Eduoard - a lot of people seem to like him, but, he's still going to be a true freshman with just a Soring to prepare. He's obviously talented, how much remains to be seen.

RB - DMC excites me. A hard runner with one cut ability and speed. I think he'll be número uno next year, and, I'm excited to see what he can do with 15+ carries a game.
Erv - we got a taste of him this year. Safe to say he's dynamic and adds multiple dimensions to our offense. Catching or running he's a serious threat.
GMII - he was lauded by the previous staff as an SEC caliber talent. I hope he reaches that level, the opportunity is there for him.
Strickland - more of a prototypical RB from Jersey. If we do get him in here I think he's in the mix for carries as a true FR.

WR - lot of players here. Ishmael, Lewis, Broyld & Estime will probably be on the field the most. All of them have their strengths. I think they're more than capable. We'll see how the depth chart shakes out behind them, but, the majority of these players have more time in front of them than behind. They will develop. Health is the key.

TE - Where have Parris, Moore and Custis gone? The talent is there, it has to be utilized though. I think they'll have a bigger role cumulatively next year.

OL - we lose some guys this year that we'll have to replace. Honestly, I don't think it's that daunting of a task though as we were forced to see a lot of the guys who'll be doing it next year. Furthermore, 5 FR are coming in. We will have significant depth, viable or not, suited up, moreso than at anytime in recent memory.

DL - the most important area IMO for sure. Lot of youth is going to have to step in and up to take on the challenge. Exciting time as we'll see a lot of fresh faces, but, nerve wracking as well. The guys this year did a really good job this year. I have no donut with Daoust's technical expertise that the next group will be ready.

LB - although we're losing two stalwarts in Lynch & Davis, I think this will be the most talented position group on the roster. Franklin is a future star, his play yesterday was tremendous IMO. Thomas, Bennett, Moskal, Hodge and the rest fill out a group with a very high ceiling.

DB - going to be a big transition here with us depending on a lot of youth. Expect some growing pains. A lot of growing pains. How good your Secondary is depends a lot in the front 4. I expect the Defense to take a step back next year. I hope the offense develops accordingly.

ST - Dixon has a RSr. Year available to him, will he use it? NFL Caliber, I'm told from people around him that that's not his focus though. Undoubtedly will be successful in whatever he chooses. I hope he returns, bc like when Rob Long left, you don't realize how good you had it until the next guys' time comes.
Cole Murphy - we found a gem here. Big leg with accuracy. We're in good hands for the next three years presumably.

Return Man - please find one. Estime's not the answer if he can't stay healthy. A dangerous Return Man changes a game in a heart beat. Something we really haven't seen consistently on our side since Kevin Johnson and Spotwood really.

Coaching - HCSS I stills faith and trust in his players. I like guys who are so competitive. I want him around and believe he will be for awhile. I'm expecting him to keep adjusting and improving. I'm bullish on HCSS.

DCCB - took a lot of flack last year. Deserves a lot of credit this year. I think everybody feels somewhat comfortable in this area.

OCTL - give him a fair shot. Hackett was garbage until he tripped on the offense that Doug Marrone forced him to move to. He thought he was getting fired until Ryan/Alec and the lot saved his arse. Tim deserves at the very least a full season preceded by a Spring to install and rep it.

I still think the future is bright. Our best days are in front of us.

I was actually pretty impressed with what I saw from Alexander Hayes. I thought they were grooming him as a center? That would be great if he can step in and take that over. I really haven't been that impressed with Miller this year, so i don't think we will miss anything with our interior OL.

I have always been high on Foy as well. He will hold down one tackle position, but we really don't have any other options for the opposite tackle, let alone depth. I am sure our hopes are that Denzel Ward can step in and take over the other tackle position for the next 4 years, but he has some work to do. Apparently he should up to campus at 373lbs. Haven't heard any updates since then, but he is going to have to stay in shape first and foremost.

I also wouldn't mind seeing Erv take over the slot next year. The position looks natural to him. Not even sure if Lester keeps it the same, but I think Erv could be special in the slot. I'd take him over Ashton and Estime for the position, but i'd also like to see Erv and Estime on the field at the same time, but not with Erv at rb. imo he just seems like a better fit when he can get the ball in space, and not have to run between the tackles.

Donte Strickland reminds me a lot of Erv, but a little bigger. I expect him to get more carries next year, then Erv did this year. McFarland, Morris, and Strickland would be fine with me. I actually think it would give us a little more big play potential.

Defensively it will be tough to match this years production, but I think we will be much more athletic. imo Thompson, and Johnson could be a significant upgrade at DE, not only in athleticism, but in terms of rushing the passer. Thompson could be in store for a break out year.

We lose a ton of experience at LB, but we should get an overall upgrade in quickness. Franklin has the makings of a star. The only question is does he stay at the MIKE, or move to SAM? I think they were grooming Moskal for the MIKE, but he has to show he can play the position.

The whole secondary will be a big question mark. It will be impossible to replace Reddish. He is having one of the best seasons any of our corners have had since I can remember. Whigham and Morgan are going to need to make some significant improvements, and the young kids behind them are vertically challenged.

Rodney Williams and Scissum seem like they are very capable of replacing Esk, and Kelly, but we lose a ton of experience.

As for kickers we might actually have 2 reliable kickers. That's finally a relief.

 

[CusefanATL]

TE - Where have Parris, Moore and Custis gone? The talent is there, it has to be utilized though. I think they'll have a bigger role cumulatively next year.

Seriously. I was wondering this on Saturday. They are non existent in our offense all of a sudden.

 

[CusefanATL]

I don't see 7 wins next year. They will be lucky to win six. We have four losses before the season even starts(FSU, LSU, Cemson, Louisville), which means SU will have to go 7-1 against everyone else. Not going to happen. We were a made field goal from going 0-6 at the Dome this year. Not much of a home field advantage.

Why are any of those guaranteed losses?

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Coaches invite walk-ons.

He will be back.

 

[jr4750]

Why are any of those guaranteed losses?

Agreed, I honestly don't even see LSU as a guaranteed loss, and I know how crazy that sounds. They will be traveling a long way to play a patsy and where will their heads be? Dome will be loud for that one. Who knows, at some point in history we will get a signature win. Gotta happen sometime!

 

[Moontan]

It's actually kind of funny that our best punter and Kicker (by far) are the walkons. Doesn't say much for the staff's ability to judge talent there.

To be fair, the starting kicker had a career ending injury.