I know the Spring game is this weekend but for those of you plugged into the inner sanctum has this camp made you more or less optimistic about the Fall? I know Tulane, UGA, Liberty, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2020 just like us, but maybe we had some surprises stepping into starting roles? For instance, I’ll just lean on the coaches’ judgement that moving Moll was a good thing.
(04-08-2021 09:01 AM)blazr Wrote: [ -> ]I know the Spring game is this weekend but for those of you plugged into the inner sanctum has this camp made you more or less optimistic about the Fall? I know Tulane, UGA, Liberty, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2020 just like us, but maybe we had some surprises stepping into starting roles? For instance, I’ll just lean on the coaches’ judgement that moving Moll was a good thing.
Definitely more optimistic.
(04-08-2021 10:42 AM)busch Wrote: [ -> ] (04-08-2021 09:01 AM)blazr Wrote: [ -> ]I know the Spring game is this weekend but for those of you plugged into the inner sanctum has this camp made you more or less optimistic about the Fall? I know Tulane, UGA, Liberty, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2020 just like us, but maybe we had some surprises stepping into starting roles? For instance, I’ll just lean on the coaches’ judgement that moving Moll was a good thing.
Definitely more optimistic.
Can you be more specific please?
I have no particular insight from spring practice, but I have high expectations. Everything still hinges on the health and development of our quarterbacks.
But one thing I think fans need to temper is their excitement over all the returning starters. EVERYONE will have just about all of their starters coming back, except for the ones who are NFL bound--which is more of the exception than the rule for the teams in our conference.
From what I have seen it is very rare for a graduating senior who got the extra year of eligibility because of Covid--who was a starter or major contributor--to not come back. So everyone will be on the same playing field with that.
Except in UAB's case we lose Smith, Watkins, Harris, Brown, Mitchell and Fuqua--which is more than a lot of our conference opponents are loosing. However, I feel good that we have replacements waiting in the wings.
(04-08-2021 11:04 AM)The Answer UAB Wrote: [ -> ] (04-08-2021 10:42 AM)busch Wrote: [ -> ] (04-08-2021 09:01 AM)blazr Wrote: [ -> ]I know the Spring game is this weekend but for those of you plugged into the inner sanctum has this camp made you more or less optimistic about the Fall? I know Tulane, UGA, Liberty, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2020 just like us, but maybe we had some surprises stepping into starting roles? For instance, I’ll just lean on the coaches’ judgement that moving Moll was a good thing.
Definitely more optimistic.
Can you be more specific please?
Obviously, it's hard to get a good grasp with closed practices and nearly non-existent coverage by the local internet outlet. My optimism goes deeper than this but it's encouraging that Dylan Hopkins is back competing for the backup quarterback spot - and maybe winning that backup spot. The competition between all three will make that position better. Jermaine Brown's move to the slot shows perhaps that the offense could be evolving. Brown, Rudolph and Ryan Davis can do a variety of things from the slot. I like that Witherspoon gives UAB a home run threat and, yet, the running game still revolves around McBride. I like that Justin Thomas and Kelle Sanders are apparently playing at a level that approaches what Jordan Smith gave the defense the past two years. I think Moll's move means that guys like Charlie Benton, DeShaun Oliver and Will Conner will help provide more than just depth alongside Noah Wilder. Really excited to see what Benton - who I've heard is really fast - can do. Moll will be great wherever he lines up on the field. I think the lines on both sides of the ball are strong and deep. That's exciting. I'm excited to see Troy Young at cornerback. I expect Saturday will be pretty basic on both sides of the ball but we all should be looking forward to seeing this group in person.