My optimism for this season is going way up. Maybe I'm drinking gold koolaid by the pitcherful. It's a tough schedule, we're not going to win every game. But I do believe we're going to compete in some games no one is expecting us to be in.
It sounds like Eley and Quez are answers at LB and Tatum is getting a lot of buzz. The secondary is deep. The DL has a mix of experience and talent that just needs to gel. But most importantly IMHO: Everything that's coming out about the OL seems very positive. We have size, experience and depth on the OL we haven't had since I can remember.
Evidently, Kenny Cooper has won the starting left guard spot. He's been bitten by the injury bug the last couple seasons. But recall, he was a guy who started games as a True Fr back in 2016. Started every game the next two years. He's always played hard and smart. Now he's bulked up some and is fully healthy. He could be Shaq 2.0.
Which, Cooper holding down that spot lets Jordan Williams stay at right guard. He was good enough last year, as a true freshman, to start every game. (Granted: Part of that was need and lack of depth, but he was the one who earned that opportunity.) Now he has a full year of S&C, CBK's coaching and experience under his belt. He's apparently held off two highly experienced and talented transfers in Kirby and Pendley. Which gives us solid backups. Barring catastrophe, we won't be needing to play true freshmen or walk-ons this season.
So, imagine a good OL. Doesn't have to be great, just solidly good. Something we haven't had since... 2014? A good OL: Opening holes for Mason and Gibbs. Giving Sims time in the pocket and the WRs time to run their routes.
Now, go watch Sims' highlight reel from last year. Forget the lowlights. He was a true freshman, not even an early enrollee. He supplanted a returning starter in fall camp. Covid precautions had the team split up. So, he didn't even get a normal fall camp to run with the 1s and establish rapport. So, watch, and remember what Sims can do when he has time to throw and make his reads. He'll have a lot more of those opportunities this year. Watch the throws he can make on the run when he gets flushed out of the pocket or how he can scramble when the D does get through. He won't have to do that as much, but he can make magic out of nothing when we need him to. This team can be good, I believe.
(Another thing I was struck by is how many of the highlights were throws to Malachi Carter. He hasn't been the top guy previously, Camp and Brown were. But he makes tough catches and makes plays with the ball. I'm very excited to see what he brings this year.)
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