09-23-2008, 10:24 PM
We have an exciting offense that should continue to improve if Webb stays healthy. I thought it would be interesting to look at the structure of this year’s team, from an experience perspective – and to see what we’re building for late season and next year.
QUARTERBACK rotation (1 Jr. 1 Sr.)
Webb, Jr.
Bivens, Sr.
Webb is the center of this offense – and if he stays healthy we’ll continue to improve in the passing game. Webb should be much improved in his ability to read defenses and make the right throws by next season. He could be an All C-USA by next year.
RUNNING BACK (1 So, 2 Jrs.)
Johns, Sr. (injured)
Slaughter, Jr.
Michell, Jr.
Brooks, So.
This position is improved over last year, but still far from a strength. Losing Johns at TN hurt our ability to run. Slaughter is playing hard, but isn’t the answer. Brooks looks like our best bet against SC, but he’ll probably get no more than 5 carries. If Johns can come back by next week, we should get decent production from this position the remainder of the year. We really need a serious running back for 2009, to take the pressure off Webb.
WIDE RECEIVER (5 So, 2 Jr.)
Forrest, So.
Wright, So.
Jones, So.
Johnson, So.
Carter, So.
Ferrell, Jr.
Harris, Jr.
Forrest has been outstanding so far this year. Everyone else has seemed mediocre at best. I’m disappointed that Carter hasn’t really emerged yet, nor has Jones or Johnson caught any deep balls yet. Webb seems to look for Forrest first and foremost from this group – and when he’s not open he often eventually forces to another receiver (see TN). Ferrell has shown nice hands. We’re still very young here, so this group should continue to improve – and will also benefit from Webb’s increasing experience. Next year this group should be terrifying to opposing defenses, due to size, speed and experience. We need a speed guy, a Willie Quinnie type, in this year’s recruiting class.
TIGHT END (2 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Lankford, Sr.
Anderson, Jr.
Waller, Jr.
Outstanding! These guys have been spectacular in catching and running. Anderson is turning out to be a huge weapon for us – and I hope we wear him out against Carolina. Next to QB, TE is the strength of our offense. We need to recruit about five in this year’s class, and keep the two with the best hands on offense, and turn the other three into defensive end projects.
TACKLE (2 So., 3 Jr.)
Edge, So.
Thompson, Jr.
Seahorn, Jr.
Koechner, Jr.
Bulls, So.
Solid group. They seem to be playing well together. Getting McCants back next year – a year older and stronger – will be a huge boost. This group should continue to improve throughout the season and into next year. Add 2 solid freshmen this year and we'll be in good shape for next year.
GUARD (1 Fr., 2 So., 1 Jr.)
Hollifield, RFr.
Bulls, So.
Thomas, So.
Seahorn, Jr.
Solid but young group. Roget was a big loss. This group should continue to improve throughout the season and into next year. Bulls was a great late addition. Add 2 solid freshmen this year to redshirt and we'll be in good shape for next year.
CENTER (1 Fr., 1 Jr.)
Seitz, Jr.
Dailey, RFr.
Seitz is a beast. Center continues to be a strength for this team.
OVERALL
We are good in this offense right now because Webb is a strong guy who can scramble like few quarterbacks I've seen. We'll become more consistent when Webb can read the defense quicker and release the ball to the right receiver sooner. We'll also be better when there is a running back the defense respects enough to take some attention off Webb. We need a second WR to emerge as a big threat alongside Forrest. We should continue to run play action to the tight end all season long.
For teams that contain Webb (see TN), then we will struggle. South Carolina will focus on Webb. This is the game where we need a consistent running back (Brooks?) to emerge.
I predict we'll score 17 points on South Carolina. That may be about a touchdown short of a win - but a win is within reason if tour defense doesn't fall apart, and if Webb can make some plays.
QUARTERBACK rotation (1 Jr. 1 Sr.)
Webb, Jr.
Bivens, Sr.
Webb is the center of this offense – and if he stays healthy we’ll continue to improve in the passing game. Webb should be much improved in his ability to read defenses and make the right throws by next season. He could be an All C-USA by next year.
RUNNING BACK (1 So, 2 Jrs.)
Johns, Sr. (injured)
Slaughter, Jr.
Michell, Jr.
Brooks, So.
This position is improved over last year, but still far from a strength. Losing Johns at TN hurt our ability to run. Slaughter is playing hard, but isn’t the answer. Brooks looks like our best bet against SC, but he’ll probably get no more than 5 carries. If Johns can come back by next week, we should get decent production from this position the remainder of the year. We really need a serious running back for 2009, to take the pressure off Webb.
WIDE RECEIVER (5 So, 2 Jr.)
Forrest, So.
Wright, So.
Jones, So.
Johnson, So.
Carter, So.
Ferrell, Jr.
Harris, Jr.
Forrest has been outstanding so far this year. Everyone else has seemed mediocre at best. I’m disappointed that Carter hasn’t really emerged yet, nor has Jones or Johnson caught any deep balls yet. Webb seems to look for Forrest first and foremost from this group – and when he’s not open he often eventually forces to another receiver (see TN). Ferrell has shown nice hands. We’re still very young here, so this group should continue to improve – and will also benefit from Webb’s increasing experience. Next year this group should be terrifying to opposing defenses, due to size, speed and experience. We need a speed guy, a Willie Quinnie type, in this year’s recruiting class.
TIGHT END (2 Jr., 1 Sr.)
Lankford, Sr.
Anderson, Jr.
Waller, Jr.
Outstanding! These guys have been spectacular in catching and running. Anderson is turning out to be a huge weapon for us – and I hope we wear him out against Carolina. Next to QB, TE is the strength of our offense. We need to recruit about five in this year’s class, and keep the two with the best hands on offense, and turn the other three into defensive end projects.
TACKLE (2 So., 3 Jr.)
Edge, So.
Thompson, Jr.
Seahorn, Jr.
Koechner, Jr.
Bulls, So.
Solid group. They seem to be playing well together. Getting McCants back next year – a year older and stronger – will be a huge boost. This group should continue to improve throughout the season and into next year. Add 2 solid freshmen this year and we'll be in good shape for next year.
GUARD (1 Fr., 2 So., 1 Jr.)
Hollifield, RFr.
Bulls, So.
Thomas, So.
Seahorn, Jr.
Solid but young group. Roget was a big loss. This group should continue to improve throughout the season and into next year. Bulls was a great late addition. Add 2 solid freshmen this year to redshirt and we'll be in good shape for next year.
CENTER (1 Fr., 1 Jr.)
Seitz, Jr.
Dailey, RFr.
Seitz is a beast. Center continues to be a strength for this team.
OVERALL
We are good in this offense right now because Webb is a strong guy who can scramble like few quarterbacks I've seen. We'll become more consistent when Webb can read the defense quicker and release the ball to the right receiver sooner. We'll also be better when there is a running back the defense respects enough to take some attention off Webb. We need a second WR to emerge as a big threat alongside Forrest. We should continue to run play action to the tight end all season long.
For teams that contain Webb (see TN), then we will struggle. South Carolina will focus on Webb. This is the game where we need a consistent running back (Brooks?) to emerge.
I predict we'll score 17 points on South Carolina. That may be about a touchdown short of a win - but a win is within reason if tour defense doesn't fall apart, and if Webb can make some plays.
. It didn't last long.
![[Image: awlife09.jpg]](http://www.artistshadow.com/tuts/awlife09.jpg)