We know that DJ's ceiling is higher than McH, by simple observation that the second half against Air Force was the best half of QB play we have had since Chase Clement's eligibility expired.

I was one of the guys pounding the drum for DJ for most of last season. I have to admit that his 2013 appearances showed almost nothing in common with the AFB (though I recall he did spark us against Kansas when we were lethargic).

Fingers crossed.

I'd love to hear NightOwl weigh in on German and Stehling--I'm guessing he saw a lot of tape of each in high school. My recollection of the stats suggested Stehling was a game manager in a run first scheme, but I never saw him play live or on film.

(07-08-2014 09:12 AM)MemOwl Wrote:  We know that DJ's ceiling is higher than McH, by simple observation that the second half against Air Force was the best half of QB play we have had since Chase Clement's eligibility expired.

I was one of the guys pounding the drum for DJ for most of last season. I have to admit that his 2013 appearances showed almost nothing in common with the AFB (though I recall he did spark us against Kansas when we were lethargic).

Fingers crossed.

I'd love to hear NightOwl weigh in on German and Stehling--I'm guessing he saw a lot of tape of each in high school. My recollection of the stats suggested Stehling was a game manager in a run first scheme, but I never saw him play live or on film.

The reality is that DJ was hurt virtually all of last year. Obviously, he needs both reps with the full #1 unit (which one presumes he's get during August practices) and some additional game experience, but again, I have a hard time envisioning him being any worse than McHargue was last season (which, in all honesty, was not very good; especially for a guy with 4 years of starting experience).

It's not the offense that we should be concerned about here. Jackson is athletic and there are capable backups if he doesn't work out, the running backs are good and plenty, the OL is experienced and the wide receivers are some of the best we've had. There will be growing pains, but it will be overcome.

It's the defense that will determine what we do. The DL is undersized again and the depth is inexperienced. The linebackers sound good and athletic, but are mostly young and inexperienced as well. Sure, we like to think the new guys will just step in and be great, but no one really knows for sure. Pray that Canady is available so White can play safety and Baker can provide support off the bench.

I hope we are just as good as we were last year as well, but keep it in perspective. I'm not convinced yet that we're at a point where we just reload and keep going. Given what I know, 7 wins is very realistic. If everything falls into place and we stay healthy, we'll win 8 or 9 and take the West.

Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

(07-08-2014 01:22 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

I was afraid that might happen. Lose a talented player who would have had a chance to make an impact. Will have to see if others can step up.

(07-08-2014 01:40 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 01:22 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

I was afraid that might happen. Lose a talented player who would have had a chance to make an impact. Will have to see if others can step up.

Be nice if Pollard/Blasingame/Warren could step up. Or maybe we'll get lucky and Jorian Clark will show some immediate readiness?

(07-08-2014 01:22 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

Blinn says he signed a letter of intent on July 8.

There is a small chance he could return after a year, but this was his critical season to step up into the Gaines void.

I wonder if Darrion Pollard might also get moved back to CB. Was solid vs. A&M to begin 2013.

(07-09-2014 11:27 AM)talon owl Wrote:  There is a small chance he could return after a year, but this was his critical season to step up into the Gaines void.

I wonder if Darrion Pollard might also get moved back to CB. Was solid vs. A&M to begin 2013.

Well, I would hope that Rice is Canady's first choice, but all bets are off once the JUCO route occurs.

As for Pollard, I could see him going back to defense based on what we have on offense. Dillard, Stewart, and either of the Walter twins, provide some options at slot.

(07-08-2014 01:22 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

You see? There's one gone already. Lets hope a couple of the youngsters step up. Here's their opportunity.

(07-09-2014 04:40 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  

(07-08-2014 01:22 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Canady tweeted on Sunday, "Off to Blinn tomorrow", so I don't know if we are going to be seeing much of him come fall.

You see? There's one gone already. Lets hope a couple of the youngsters step up. Here's their opportunity.

Anyone remember how well Blasingame or Warren fared at CB in 2013?

What year are they? How much experience do they have? Any? We will desperately need Hill's size at safety against Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Those guys are going to pound us.

(07-09-2014 04:44 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  Anyone remember how well Blasingame or Warren fared at CB in 2013?

They both redshirted last season. Now RS Sophs.

(07-09-2014 04:57 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  What year are they? How much experience do they have? Any? We will desperately need Hill's size at safety against Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Those guys are going to pound us.

Hill's size? I think you mistake him for Baker. Hill being at CB actually means more size on the field more often. However Baker can be more of a liability in pass coverage.

(07-09-2014 04:57 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  What year are they? How much experience do they have? Any? We will desperately need Hill's size at safety against Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Those guys are going to pound us.

They were freshmen in 2013.

Also, I think you may be confusing Hill with Baker. Hill is 5-11/190. Baker is 6-1/210. With Hill at CB, Baker is starting at Strong Safety. Zach Espinosa (6-2/215) is the backup at Strong Safety.

And as for Notre Dame pounding us, that could happen. But remember the Miami defenses of the 80's? Initially, those guys weren't big, but they were fast. If we were small and slow, I would be extremely worried about the entire season, much less Notre Dame. On the contrary, we have good speed on defense. And if Winship and Covington can eat multiple blocks, we've got guys behind them that can fly to the ball.

We are small on the edges and by small I mean light in the pants. Height isn't the issue as we've got 6-2 to 6-5 guys playing at End. Hopefully, the summer S&C will address this.

Okay good. We need a little more size against ND and A&M. I'm glad to hear that Hill can play corner if he has to and that Baker is big for a safety. We really, really need some underclassmen to develop into solid backups, and I'm optimistic they will. Lets see what happens. I hope the S&C coach is all he's made out to be. I've heard nothing but good things. I like our speed on defense against CUSA competition, but we'll need added size against the first two. We had no defensive penetration against A&M last year and it wore us out.

Oh Man! Football season is almost here!

(07-09-2014 05:35 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  Okay good. We need a little more size against ND and A&M. I'm glad to hear that Hill can play corner if he has to and that Baker is big for a safety. We really, really need some underclassmen to develop into solid backups, and I'm optimistic they will. Lets see what happens. I hope the S&C coach is all he's made out to be. I've heard nothing but good things. I like our speed on defense against CUSA competition, but we'll need added size against the first two. We had no defensive penetration against A&M last year and it wore us out.

Oh Man! Football season is almost here!

Don't we have a couple elite true Freshmen DBs? And while I know Bailiff has shown a penchant for redshirting the vast majority of our incoming Freshmen recruits-- and almost always opts for seniority in his depth charts, isn't there a chance that one of these guys is good enough to earn significant playing time from the get-go?

(07-09-2014 05:42 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Don't we have a couple elite true Freshmen DBs? And while I know Bailiff has shown a penchant for redshirting the vast majority of our incoming Freshmen recruits-- and almost always opts for seniority in his depth charts, isn't there a chance that one of these guys is good enough to earn significant playing time from the get-go?

We signed three likely DBs. 2 who are likely safeties, one likely corner. None were especially heavily recruited.


Jorian Clark is a 5-9 CB that I expect will redshirt. JT Ibe is a 6ft safety that will likely redshirt. The most intriguing one coming in is VJ Banks a 6-1 lanky and fast player that played both ways in HS, and returned kicks. He could maybe contribute at CB in the early years and then grow into safety. But again I expect the redshirting trend to continue.

Callahan and Hill will start at the corners, backed by one or more Pollards and Blasingame/Warren.

Should current commitments hold, help is coming in 2015 with three promising CB prospects in the fold, and they will bring more length than the guys currently on the roster.

IMO, the least likely freshmen to redshirt are the Walter brothers. They were quite dynamic for Crosby last season. I bet he redshirts, but Preston Gordon could supply some size on the D-line in an emergency.

I hope the entire class is redshirted. They'd be undersized and lost out there right now. It would be a good sign if all of them can be held out this season.

(07-10-2014 03:22 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  I hope the entire class is redshirted. They'd be undersized and lost out there right now. It would be a good sign if all of them can be held out this season.

I think that one offensive lineman in particular could play this year: Cory Klinger 6-4/298. As a general rule, Bailiff redshirts freshman offensive. One notable exception was Scott Mitchell. Cory Klinger was listed as a potential center. Given the lack of ideal size we have with two of our candidates, I would think about moving them (Stanley & Martin) to defense and going with a threesome of Simmonette, Klinger, and Godber at center. With the exception of Stanley and/or Simmonette, no one has had any meaningful game reps at center any way so everyone is starting at square one.

Another candidate that I could see playing early is Preston Gordon. Losing Mooch for 2014 hurts our depth. If he can contribute to our depth, there is no sense is redshirting him.