Things I am looking for: Boone should start the first series. We need to acknowledge that he is our best back.

Strong look at all defensive positions. This should be our best defense in the past 3+ years. Linebackers should be strong, Defensive line and Defensive Backs should be serviceable.

Will Pickney be an every down corner back. Good height and strong run support, but will he get lost in the passing game.

How will the oline look. How many legitimate players do we have.

Will Gunnar look hands down better than other qb candidates like he did two years ago.

Do we scale back our passing game or are we reloading with our current crop of receivers. Cole has been clutch and I know the others are talented, but experience is very important.

The special teams should be good.

Overall, short of shooting ourselves in the foot, we should have a top notch team this year.

The spring game is next Saturday, right? April 2.

(03-24-2016 09:42 PM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  The spring game is next Saturday, right? April 2.

Correct

If someone not wearing a helmet is calling plays for the defense, we should relish in that small victory.

I'm really worried about the OL, but sounds like Grimes will be capable of putting something together.

My mistake. I thought the game was tomorrow.

FYI

(shrug)

Sorry, but I'm feeling pretty apathetic about UC sports in general.

(03-24-2016 09:22 PM)rosewater Wrote:  Things I am looking for: Boone should start the first series. We need to acknowledge that he is our best back.

Strong look at all defensive positions. This should be our best defense in the past 3+ years. Linebackers should be strong, Defensive line and Defensive Backs should be serviceable.

Will Pickney be an every down corner back. Good height and strong run support, but will he get lost in the passing game.

How will the oline look. How many legitimate players do we have.

Will Gunnar look hands down better than other qb candidates like he did two years ago.

Do we scale back our passing game or are we reloading with our current crop of receivers. Cole has been clutch and I know the others are talented, but experience is very important.

The special teams should be good.

Overall, short of shooting ourselves in the foot, we should have a top notch team this year.

You are addressing the same questions I have for this season. I have a feeling this team will be much more balanced than what we have seen the past two seasons-- we might even be more like 55/45 run. I think this offense we finally showcase both Boone and Tion Green. Tion is more of a down hill runner and this will suit him well.

Am expecting to see a lot more usage out of the tight ends. Expect to see DJ Dowdy to have a break out season.

Last year the defense was just ate up with injuries. The good news is that we have back a lot of young pups who got significant minutes last year. Have to think we will not be so misfortunate on the injury front this year.

I am contemplating making the trip into Cincy for the tour and the game. I just want to watch our guys play football...and win.

(03-28-2016 01:32 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  I am contemplating making the trip into Cincy for the tour and the game. I just want to watch our guys play football...and win.

The tour of the West Pavilion is worth it in itself . At least the one I took in December we had access to all levels to snoop around. There's a UC Baseball game at 6pm as well . Knowing UC's luck it will be raining and 40 degrees

(03-28-2016 01:27 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(03-24-2016 09:22 PM)rosewater Wrote:  Things I am looking for: Boone should start the first series. We need to acknowledge that he is our best back.

Strong look at all defensive positions. This should be our best defense in the past 3+ years. Linebackers should be strong, Defensive line and Defensive Backs should be serviceable.

Will Pickney be an every down corner back. Good height and strong run support, but will he get lost in the passing game.

How will the oline look. How many legitimate players do we have.

Will Gunnar look hands down better than other qb candidates like he did two years ago.

Do we scale back our passing game or are we reloading with our current crop of receivers. Cole has been clutch and I know the others are talented, but experience is very important.

The special teams should be good.

Overall, short of shooting ourselves in the foot, we should have a top notch team this year.

You are addressing the same questions I have for this season. I have a feeling this team will be much more balanced than what we have seen the past two seasons-- we might even be more like 55/45 run. I think this offense we finally showcase both Boone and Tion Green. Tion is more of a down hill runner and this will suit him well.

Am expecting to see a lot more usage out of the tight ends. Expect to see DJ Dowdy to have a break out season.

Last year the defense was just ate up with injuries. The good news is that we have back a lot of young pups who got significant minutes last year. Have to think we will not be so misfortunate on the injury front this year.

I agree. The defense will be much better. My breakout player this year is Jaylin Minor. My last two predictions have been abysmal (Mike Tyson/Pickney). I thought he ran and had better instincts than the freshman linebacker, last year. Among Brown, Pickney, Stevens, and the dude from Arkansas, we should be better at corner. Safeties and defensive line should also be slightly better with Silverberry as the only significant loss. Season is gonna turn on offensive line play and coaching. My question is, can the football operation run w/o a fully participating head coach. My hope is that the assistant coaches can reenergize this team in spite of the head coach. I like all the current hires and they seem to be molding the team around its abilities(a good thing not a bunch of idealists).

Looks like Tubs is doing some hands on work. Not being a jerk. I just didn't think he did much of the sausage making.

(03-29-2016 12:53 PM)AeroCat Wrote:  Looks like Tubs is doing some hands on work. Not being a jerk. I just didn't think he did much of the sausage making.

Well, he is pretty much the DC right now.

(03-29-2016 01:36 PM)subflea Wrote:  

(03-29-2016 12:53 PM)AeroCat Wrote:  Looks like Tubs is doing some hands on work. Not being a jerk. I just didn't think he did much of the sausage making.

Well, he is pretty much the DC right now.

I watched "The U Part II" on 30 for 30 recently and saw his defense in action. He was the s#it back then.

(03-29-2016 01:51 PM)Crewdogz Wrote:  I watched "The U Part II" on 30 for 30 recently and saw his defense in action. He was the s#it back then.

.

Are there any head coaches out there or in the past who have been the DC for their team? Maybe like some NFL head coaches have an OC, but the HC calls all of the plays.

(03-29-2016 12:53 PM)AeroCat Wrote:  Looks like Tubs is doing some hands on work. Not being a jerk. I just didn't think he did much of the sausage making.

That's what happens when you see season tickets down due to another crap season. It's called the hot seat.

(03-28-2016 04:23 PM)rosewater Wrote:  I agree. The defense will be much better. My breakout player this year is Jaylin Minor. My last two predictions have been abysmal (Mike Tyson/Pickney). I thought he ran and had better instincts than the freshman linebacker, last year. Among Brown, Pickney, Stevens, and the dude from Arkansas, we should be better at corner. Safeties and defensive line should also be slightly better with Silverberry as the only significant loss. Season is gonna turn on offensive line play and coaching. My question is, can the football operation run w/o a fully participating head coach. My hope is that the assistant coaches can reenergize this team in spite of the head coach. I like all the current hires and they seem to be molding the team around its abilities(a good thing not a bunch of idealists).

As far as on field impact goes, we lost Silverberry a season and a half ago.

the good news is, I have heard nothing but good things about the new coaches...from players and observers alike. So we got that going for us.

(03-29-2016 06:07 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  the good news is, I have heard nothing but good things about the new coaches...from players and observers alike. So we got that going for us.