The only area of this team that I expect to be worse than 2020 is punting. Everything else looks better on paper.
3 major bugaboos last year:
1. turnovers --> expected with true freshman QB and COVID limited practices. Statistically we're likely better off even with simple regression to the mean
2. kicking game --> we have Cimaglia and everyone else, and we aren't hampered by the same personnel grouping/pods/social distancing restrictions during practice
3. penalties --> especially on OL, starting a true freshman and having a center who just learned the position for the first time in a spring will make a big difference. In 2019 we were very good overall in penalties and not so in 2020. If nothing other than regression to the mean, we should be better at this without even having to work on it
OL -
Obviously there were losses and we were fortunate in 2020 from a health standpoint on the line, but the incoming transfers & progression of existing players learning a new system, again especially considering we had a first time center suddenly responsible for identifying the defense and calling out shifts in the protection; all point in the favorable direction, perhaps in a big way
QB -
Obvious reason to expect progress after a true freshman year. Talk about Sims from staff in the off-season validates this. Lose Gleason, gain the Temple transfer and Peery. Likely a net positive in the backup spot as well.
RB -
Lose no one. Healthy Gibbs. Better OL. FEAST
WR -
Lose Camp which is very significant. Lose Brown who was a player although disappeared mid-season and transferred. Gain McGowan, several talented freshman, and another off-season to get better. This one is hard to be definitive about, but on paper we look in better shape to me.
TE -
Lose no one. Top 2 guys are healthy now.
DL -
Some losses, but huge additions and a healthy Clayton. Chimedza returning from injury (uncertain how ready he is, but he was our best DT in 2019). Faced a lot of challenges with keeping personnel on the field in 2020. There is a lot of transition here so more uncertainty, but especially considering how bad it was last year it's almost certain to be a big improvement this year. Also validated by the buzz around the team
LB -
Lose Curry, gain Eley. Meiguez out for season. Knight back to QB (maybe), lose Howard (not a contributor at LB). 4* Tatum joins the fold. Again, more uncertainty from this group. Curry was polarizing. Very good player with some significant limitations which won't be the case with Eley. Eley's role on the team has been made abundantly clear already. We will definitely be more dynamic here, I think a good deal better.
DB -
Too many losses and gains to review. Looking like a healthy Tre and Tariq. All the main starters are back along with a stack of talented guys with opportunity to take a leap forward.
