Preseason Depth Chart Thoughts

[UgaBlows]

What position does Bruce Jordan Swilling play next year? He still gonna sit behind 4 other RBs?

Special teams

 

[billga99]

We really need to win 4 of the first 6 since the back half of the schedule is more difficult (especially with ND and GA back to back at the end). To get to 6 and 6 we need to beat UNI and Kennesaw St (which scares me to death when we couldn't stop the Citadel spread offense though we should be better on defense now than then). Also need to be Duke at their house. Lost to Clemson and split with UNC and Pittsburgh. The wins in the second half are tougher to predict. We seem to struggle at VA and got beat by Boston College last year at their place. The remainder are VT, @Miami, @Notre Dame and Georgia. All will be tough.

 

[Coloradojacket]

If we are smart, we incorperate him as a blocker in some 2 back sets (personally would love to see us use the stacked I pistol for some power run stuff to get a big guy (BJS or Mason) in front of gibbs.

Yea, I would love to see variations on the offense incorporating old Veer concepts....but don't hold your breath. We will run what we ran last year. shotgun Spread aka Texas High school Football,

 

[4shotB]

Yea, I would love to see variations on the offense incorporating old Veer concepts....but don't hold your breath. We will run what we ran last year. shotgun Spread aka Texas High school Football,

Apparently, we have moved then from a plain "high school" offense to a "Texas high school offense?" Defensively, I think we have been playing a "Catholic private girls school" defense for the last 15 years. I would be happy with an upgrade to a "Texas high school defense" at minimum this year!

 

[LibertyTurns]

I agree with you. The depth and potential this year is absolutely filthy.

I’m not sure why very few others see this and keep predicting 3-4 wins. We got some more key transfers in. No reason why we shouldn’t win 6 or 7.

 

[Coloradojacket]

I’m not sure why very few others see this and keep predicting 3-4 wins. We got some more key transfers in. No reason why we shouldn’t win 6 or 7.

Yes, defensively we should field a strong group, but can they sustain 15-18 offensive possessions because our offense is not that great and our scheme will cause many 3 and outs. And don't forget, we no longer have the weapon at punter.

 

[LibertyTurns]

Yes, defensively we should field a strong group, but can they sustain 15-18 offensive possessions because our offense is not that great and our scheme will cause many 3 and outs. And don't forget, we no longer have the weapon at punter.

We have the talent at offensive line, a superior OL coach, a 4 star QB with 10 starts under his belt, a future Heisman candidate RB and another that’s all-ACC and other top notch RBs that can’t even sniff out any carries, plus an exceptional RB coach, then there’s tons of excellent WR talent. If we’re a 3 & out machine next year then we know EXACTLY where our problem lies.

 

[MidtownJacket]

We can dream. And while we dream, we will drink beer.

 

[takethepoints]

Kennesaw St (which scares me to death when we couldn't stop the Citadel spread offense though we should be better on defense now than then).

Me too. What I'm afraid of is that we will be "better" on D. The Master of Mayhem is very fond of "flowing to the ball" and "getting up field" and "sowing chaos" (stops behind the line, I think). As you may recall, Paul's teams had a tendency to eat such opponents up. Everything that the spread option is designed to exploit is right there.

But, of course, the D coaches and Collins know that. I expect there will be a lot of time taken this spring to unlearn the D tendencies we normally follow. We'll have to see what wins out: coaching or muscle memory.

 

[Josh H]

Me too. What I'm afraid of is that we will be "better" on D. The Master of Mayhem is very fond of "flowing to the ball" and "getting up field" and "sowing chaos" (stops behind the line, I think). As you may recall, Paul's teams had a tendency to eat such opponents up. Everything that the spread option is designed to exploit is right there.

But, of course, the D coaches and Collins know that. I expect there will be a lot of time taken this spring to unlearn the D tendencies we normally follow. We'll have to see what wins out: coaching or muscle memory.

I don't remember where I read it, but back against citadel they tried to scheme an alignment where it was illegal block the corner backs. Not a football genius, but think that ended up back firing when they got the ball to the perimeter.

With that said...the biggest reason for the loss to the citadel wasn't that they scored 21, but that we didn't score 60. That better not be a problem this fall.

 

[alagold]

I’m not sure why very few others see this and keep predicting 3-4 wins. We got some more key transfers in. No reason why we shouldn’t win 6 or 7.

Here are reasons in order-- 1. unproven defense even with more talent 2. terrible penalties record 3. unproven Off line even with more talent 4. unproven kicking game esp with Harvin gone 4. injury threat ESP to GIbbs or Sims
6 is possible but not likely unless a LOT of things improve

 

[Heisman's Ghost]

Here are reasons in order-- 1. unproven defense even with more talent 2. terrible penalties record 3. unproven Off line even with more talent 4. unproven kicking game esp with Harvin gone 4. injury threat ESP to GIbbs or Sims
6 is possible but not likely unless a LOT of things improve

I would gladly eat crow but after two years of three wins, I am sticking with my preseason prediction of 4 wins.

 

[LibertyTurns]

The OL is unproven but coaching matters for something, correct ?

 

[Coloradojacket]

The OL is unproven but coaching matters for something, correct ?

Um, wouldn't play that coaching card just yet, we have a staff of many unproven coaches including our head coach. And if we gauge from the last two years, I would say coaching is a liability.

 

[SOWEGA Jacket]

Um, wouldn't play that coaching card just yet, we have a staff of many unproven coaches including our head coach. And if we gauge from the last two years, I would say coaching is a liability.

So far the data indicates you are correct. With the offensive weapons we have along with a true dual threat QB we should be like most teams and can score a lot. But, with Patenaude and his vanilla Texas high school offense I’m scared to death. I’ve said many times that this season is all about our coaches. We’ve spent two seasons buying the groceries, now it’s time to see if the chef’s have a clue. I’m rooting for our coaches as Collins and Patenaude have worked to be in this position for years. I hope they succeed. And I really hope has watched what other teams run with a varied approach. Because the simple shotgun snap 8 yards behind the line and then hope Gibbs or Sims can make magic isn’t a legit plan.

 

[InsideLB]

Experience and depth on the OL is a big deal and this year we'll have more of it.

Kenneth Kirby and Devin Cochran have played a ton of football and have been good enough to be legit pro prospects. Kenny Cooper has played a bunch of football. Ryan Johnson has played a bunch. Minihan was playing well last year prior to getting hurt. Jordan Williams played a lot as a tr-fr and is clearly a physical talent who will only get better. Quinney has played a bunch. That's seven guys with a bunch of experience plus Pendley who played in 6 games for Miss St.

Pushing them will be some younger guys like Rankins, A. Smith, Vaipulu, Maye, Kootsouradis, Spiers, & Green. If 1 or 2 of these guys emerge as viable back ups that would further bolster our depth. So feeling the line will take a step up next year, particularly in pass pro.

54	Jordan Williams	OL	6-6	330	Freshman	Gainesville, Ga.	Gainesville HS
55	Kenny Cooper	OL	6-3	325	RS Senior	Calhoun, Ga.	Sonoraville HS
57	Mikey Minihan	OL	6-3	307	RS Junior	Honolulu, Hawai'i	Saint Louis School
58	Will Scissum	OL	6-2	290	RS Freshman	Marietta, Ga.	The Walker School
60	Paula Vaipulu	OL	6-3	305	Freshman	Channelview, Texas	Channelview HS
61	Michael Maye	OL	6-3	320	RS Sophomore	Hoover, Ala.	Hoover HS
62	Cade Kootsouradis	OL	6-4	295	Freshman	Crestview, Fla.	Crestview HS
63	Scotty Fulgham	OL	6-3	303	RS Freshman	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	Tuscaloosa Academy
64	Will Milam	OL	6-4	315	Freshman	Powder Springs, Ga.	Hiram HS
65	Austin Smith	OL	6-3	310	RS Sophomore	McDonough, Ga.	Ola HS
68	Jason Moore	OL	6-2	290	Freshman	Hampton, Ga.	Dutchtown HS
69	Matthew Morgan	OL	6-4	305	RS Sophomore	Woodstock, Ga.	Etowah HS
70	Ryan Johnson	OL	6-6	325	RS Senior	Brentwood, Tenn.	Tennessee
71	Ryan Spiers	OL	6-3	298	Freshman	Biloxi, Miss.	Biloxi HS
73	Zach Quinney	OL	6-6	315	RS Junior	Savannah, Ga.	Savannah Christian Prep
74	Michael Rankins	OL	6-5	295	Freshman	Ruskin, Fla.	Lennard HS
76	Wing Green	OL	6-7	305	Freshman	Leesburg, Ga.	Lee County HS
79	William Lay III	OL	6-2	305	RS Junior	Bowersville, Ga.	Hart County HS
	Devin Cochran	OL	6-7	320	RS Senior	Norcross, Ga.	Vanderbilt
	Weston Franklin	OL	6-4	310	Freshman	Jesup, Ga.	Wayne County HS
	Jakiah Leftwich	OL	6-6	310	Freshman	Atlanta, Ga.	Westlake HS
	Nick Pendley	OL	6-4	310	RS Freshman	Canton, Ga.	Mississippi State

 

[LibertyTurns]

Um, wouldn't play that coaching card just yet, we have a staff of many unproven coaches including our head coach. And if we gauge from the last two years, I would say coaching is a liability.

Maybe we need some polls around here because people post Key is awesome in one thread & turnaround and say “can’t expect much from him because he’s unproven”? He coached for Saban. Last time I checked he wasn’t having issues recruiting coaching talent.

Damn, the staff is loaded with top notch talent with the exception of 2 spots, OC and HC. Those are the only 2 question marks. You can argue which one is the bigger unknown, but I find it odd we’re questioning Key’s bonafides for example.

 

[Coloradojacket]

Maybe we need some polls around here because people post Key is awesome in one thread & turnaround and say “can’t expect much from him because he’s unproven”? He coached for Saban. Last time I checked he wasn’t having issues recruiting coaching talent.

Damn, the staff is loaded with top notch talent with the exception of 2 spots, OC and HC. Those are the only 2 question marks. You can argue which one is the bigger unknown, but I find it odd we’re questioning Key’s bonafides for example.

Burton, Choice, Coleman, they are all relatively inexperienced. Key is a good coach with experience . But my doubts are with Collins and CDP.

 

[TheNaturalScientist]

Maybe we need some polls around here because people post Key is awesome in one thread & turnaround and say “can’t expect much from him because he’s unproven”? He coached for Saban. Last time I checked he wasn’t having issues recruiting coaching talent.

Damn, the staff is loaded with top notch talent with the exception of 2 spots, OC and HC. Those are the only 2 question marks. You can argue which one is the bigger unknown, but I find it odd we’re questioning Key’s bonafides for example.

I think Collins can be a great coach with strong OC and DC. Unfortunately, I think OC and DC are our biggest question marks. I believe that if this season doesn’t go well, we could see a change at both spots. Can’t waste 4 star skill players with bad coaches (especially on offense)

 

[Sheboygan]

Here are reasons in order-- 1. unproven defense even with more talent 2. terrible penalties record 3. unproven Off line even with more talent 4. unproven kicking game esp with Harvin gone 4. injury threat ESP to GIbbs or Sims
6 is possible but not likely unless a LOT of things improve

EXACTLY !!! The only thing we have proven over the last 2 years is that we are unproven. We have not shown consistency in improvement in any part of our team, IMO. Flashes, yes, 2-3 games in row, no. We have LOADS (sic) of potential and apparently so much scary talent and depth that other teams should fear playing us ( our DEs ?). We may very well have that kind of team, but at this point, I would NOT call it FACT. I would call it HOPE. I also have TONS of Hope, but I need to see results.....and next year.