Maybe.
Actually, I expect the team to suck in every area you have mentioned all through spring. You have to remember that we are installing new systems on both O and D. I'll be surprised - and pleased - if the coaches can get the guys on the same page half the time. There are two things that might make the transition easier.
First, the shotgun spread is a much easier O to call plays for and to block for. Most of the run plays are straight iso or dive plays or double options. All easy, peasy for most skill players. I expect that the QBs will come around first; all of them played in shotgun spreads in high school and very successfully to boot. The blocking is easier too; no more brush blocks, less pulling, not anywhere near as much emphasis on getting second level blocks. I expect the problem here will be breaking old habits rather then talent limits. But when you need new muscle memory and have to learn new plays things can get pesky.
Second, we were just in a 4 - 3 a couple of years ago so most of the D players have played in one in college. We don't know what kinds of players Coach is looking for over there and that's where I think a lot of his emphasis will be. He's a D specialist and knows what's doing. But … we don't know who will move where yet and it is likely that we'll have players in new positions early on in spring. Also, there's 4 - 3s and 4 - 3s; I expect that Coach has some pretty strong opinions about how he wants the D to work and that will require resets for the players with the inevitable screw-ups accompanying same.
But, imho, the sessions that will make or break the team going forward will be in the fall, not this spring. Everybody is about to be thrown into the pool without any swimming lessons. By fall, they might know a little better what they are doing.
