Pre-Season Projected Starters

iceeater1969

Helluva Engineer
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9,668
A couple of comments (not a depth chart):
  • Reportedly, Long likes running 12 personnel sets. If he does, it'll be interesting to see who the second TE is--and whether they're in to block more than they're in to catch.
  • I don't want to see the 3rd or 4th QB unless we're up by 50. BUT, I've seen the third-string QB in close games in the last decade or so--it happens.
  • I would expect us to pull out something weird for the Clemson game. 13 personnel, H-back, split backs and using one back as a receiver. To get to 6 or 7 wins, we need an upset, and we get more practice time and planning time for Clemson than for anyone.
If Collins successfully or unsuccessfully brings Mayhem on defense, the board will over heat.


I think we will see Knight at lb on short yardage
 

okiemon

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1,783
So…a question relative to the subject of this thread: is CGC going to have a depth chart this year, or is it going to be more of “above the line”?
 

Jacket05

Ramblin' Wreck
Messages
686
So Key referred to a two deep in an AJC interview. So he is either committing blasphemy or we are now really looking like a big boy football team.
The coaches have always had a two deep and all the players know what it is.
I don't understand why people have an issue with the "Above the Line" list. Collins is required to have a player list but is not required to list starters so he just puts out the ATL chart. There are 2 main reasons I see for this. First off, there are different personnel groupings on both offense and defense that change play to play depending on what scheme is being used that play. Therefore, if they list 11 "starters" on offense and 11 on defense it doesn't mean they will be out there to "start" the game so why list them. Secondly, by only giving the minimum amount of information publicly, it can possibly make it more difficult for the other team to game plan. Neither Collins nor the team get any benefits for publicly putting out a two deep over the ATL chart so why would they?
 

iceeater1969

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9,668
Watching ACCN - Clemson 1981.
That was defensive mayhem.
6-5 year before.
Big game against UGA H Walker - gain tackles all around..
 

bobongo

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7,576
The coaches have always had a two deep and all the players know what it is.
I don't understand why people have an issue with the "Above the Line" list. Collins is required to have a player list but is not required to list starters so he just puts out the ATL chart. There are 2 main reasons I see for this. First off, there are different personnel groupings on both offense and defense that change play to play depending on what scheme is being used that play. Therefore, if they list 11 "starters" on offense and 11 on defense it doesn't mean they will be out there to "start" the game so why list them. Secondly, by only giving the minimum amount of information publicly, it can possibly make it more difficult for the other team to game plan. Neither Collins nor the team get any benefits for publicly putting out a two deep over the ATL chart so why would they?
Makes sense.
 

WreckinGT

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3,159
The coaches have always had a two deep and all the players know what it is.
I don't understand why people have an issue with the "Above the Line" list. Collins is required to have a player list but is not required to list starters so he just puts out the ATL chart. There are 2 main reasons I see for this. First off, there are different personnel groupings on both offense and defense that change play to play depending on what scheme is being used that play. Therefore, if they list 11 "starters" on offense and 11 on defense it doesn't mean they will be out there to "start" the game so why list them. Secondly, by only giving the minimum amount of information publicly, it can possibly make it more difficult for the other team to game plan. Neither Collins nor the team get any benefits for publicly putting out a two deep over the ATL chart so why would they?
Collins has publicly discussed why he doesn't have a real depth chart:
"I don’t believe in naming starters, I don’t believe in naming backups. The second you get labeled as a backup you start preparing as a backup, you start practicing like a backup. But if you know you’re going to play and get meaningful reps because of your preparation and how well you do in practice, you’re going to practice like a starter, you’re going to prepare like a starter.”
He thinks players will get their feelings hurt and not prepare as well if they are named backups. It has nothing to do with deception. If that was actually seen as providing some kind of competitive advantage then we wouldn't be the only ones doing it.
 

Billygoat91

Jolly Good Fellow
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483
Collins has publicly discussed why he doesn't have a real depth chart:

He thinks players will get their feelings hurt and not prepare as well if they are named backups. It has nothing to do with deception. If that was actually seen as providing some kind of competitive advantage then we wouldn't be the only ones doing it.
I can't believe I am about to defens CGC, but plenty of other teams don't release depth charts. Oregon is not even allowing media availability to practice because they don't want certain things going public. Above the Line is definitely a smokescreen for not giving other teams additional info. Just because CGC put a spin on it to make it something for all of his players to strive for doesn't mean he doesn't want to hurt emotions. Over the past 3 years, we have definitely seen some players get more snaps than others. There is a hierarchy on the roster that exists (and the players definitely know it exists) and just because there isn't a list for us to scrutinize doesn't mean he is going soft on them.

Personally, I haven't been a fan of the AtL from a coach speak stand point, but not releasing depth charts is an advantage we need to keep on our side
 

WreckinGT

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3,159
I can't believe I am about to defens CGC, but plenty of other teams don't release depth charts. Oregon is not even allowing media availability to practice because they don't want certain things going public. Above the Line is definitely a smokescreen for not giving other teams additional info. Just because CGC put a spin on it to make it something for all of his players to strive for doesn't mean he doesn't want to hurt emotions. Over the past 3 years, we have definitely seen some players get more snaps than others. There is a hierarchy on the roster that exists (and the players definitely know it exists) and just because there isn't a list for us to scrutinize doesn't mean he is going soft on them.

Personally, I haven't been a fan of the AtL from a coach speak stand point, but not releasing depth charts is an advantage we need to keep on our side
If you are using an advantage that the other team could easily do as well and they choose not to then it's probably not really an advantage. To think that Nick Saban and Kirby Smart and their squad of 50 or so coaches and analysts are just too dumb to figure this out is a bit unrealistic. They know putting this out there does nothing but provides a small bit of entertainment for fans and media so why not. They aren't doing it because they are too stupid not to.
 

JacketOff

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2,953
If you are using an advantage that the other team could easily do as well and they choose not to then it's probably not really an advantage. To think that Nick Saban and Kirby Smart and their squad of 50 or so coaches and analysts are just too dumb to figure this out is a bit unrealistic. They know putting this out there does nothing but provides a small bit of entertainment for fans and media so why not. They aren't doing it because they are too stupid not to.
Because Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are running out 4 NFL draft picks on both sides of the ball. It doesn’t matter who the other team is preparing for in that case. Odds are the guys they have are just flat out better.

On the contrary, the Patriots and Bill Belichick listed Tom Brady as “questionable” on the injured list every week. Why? Just to put some doubt in the opponents mind he might not suit up that week.

There’s literally no reason to even list a depth chart. The only benefit is for people looking back at old games to see who actually started. Everybody who needs to know who the starters are (aka the team) already knows. The fans have a good enough idea. The other team doesn’t need to know sh*t. It’s a small advantage. A lot of people always talk about how Tech has to find small advantages. Well we’re using one, and people still b*tch about it.

Do you think Collins would just come out and say, “yeah we’re trying to mess with the other team’s gameplan by not doing a traditional depth chart.” No. That’s just free information for no reason. Plus, his spin about guys preparing like backups makes sense. If the #1 guy goes down on the first play of the game, it doesn’t matter if he started or not. The #2 guy is going to run all the plays.

The ATL chart should literally be the very last item on the list of reasonable gripes with CGC. Right next to what kind of pants he wears, and whether or not he wears socks. If anything it’s something more people should embrace, because of the small advantage it provides.
 

slugboy

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11,499
So……..

Who gets the most carries at RB?

Do we think Long will run any 2 RB sets?

Sims seems like the solid pick for QB starter. Who is the #1 and #2 TE?

Who starts in Slot? Do we put one of our RBs there? (Long apparently likes to get a second RB on the field in the slot)

Keion White seems to be one edge. Who starts at our two DT positions?

Charlie Thomas seems like he’s going to be one of the LB—probably our SAM (Strongside LB). Any changes there?

Who plays Nickel?

Do we stay mainly in the 4-2-5? If we run a 3-3-5, who is the extra LB?
 

JacketFan137

Banned
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2,536
So……..

Who gets the most carries at RB?

Do we think Long will run any 2 RB sets?

Sims seems like the solid pick for QB starter. Who is the #1 and #2 TE?

Who starts in Slot? Do we put one of our RBs there? (Long apparently likes to get a second RB on the field in the slot)

Keion White seems to be one edge. Who starts at our two DT positions?

Charlie Thomas seems like he’s going to be one of the LB—probably our SAM (Strongside LB). Any changes there?

Who plays Nickel?

Do we stay mainly in the 4-2-5? If we run a 3-3-5, who is the extra LB?
I would imagine that dontae gets the slight lean with the carries since he has been here and is definitely a guy that collins talks up. I think mcduffie will still see a lot cause we have made a pretty conscious effort to use our RBs like a committee. 2 RB sets just aren't used a whole lot so i'm not sure that it will be a prominent part of our offense but i can see hassan hall being used as a motion guy since hes more like an offensive weapon sort of player.

benson i think is for sure a starter as i have seen a few clips from camp with the 1s. guys will rotate but he seems like the most athletic and thats something long likes. EJ seems more like an inside the 20s specialist to me and could really thrive in that role. leonard seems more like an H-Back/ blocking tight end.

nate mccollum seems like a slot candidate to me. blackstrain, blackburn and malachi carter profile as outside guys. I think this will begin as a rotation and by midseason we may have a better idea what the starters look like.
 

TwinTownTony

Jolly Good Fellow
Messages
101
But aren’t we supposed to have a new-age culture that won’t hurt a non-starter’s feelings and, in fact, will make the backup feel happy on the sidelines with dancing and iconography and the PA system blasting “It’s money down” in preparation for the opposition cashing in, all while we are getting humiliated?
I hope you find something to make you smile today.
 

g0lftime

Helluva Engineer
Messages
5,917
The coaches have always had a two deep and all the players know what it is.
I don't understand why people have an issue with the "Above the Line" list. Collins is required to have a player list but is not required to list starters so he just puts out the ATL chart. There are 2 main reasons I see for this. First off, there are different personnel groupings on both offense and defense that change play to play depending on what scheme is being used that play. Therefore, if they list 11 "starters" on offense and 11 on defense it doesn't mean they will be out there to "start" the game so why list them. Secondly, by only giving the minimum amount of information publicly, it can possibly make it more difficult for the other team to game plan. Neither Collins nor the team get any benefits for publicly putting out a two deep over the ATL chart so why would they?
I always felt Above The Line was a word play on ATL. It was a reasonable incentive for kids to work hard in practice to get PT.
 
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