The 5 uproven guys that have to step up immediately

[Domina Nostra]

In my opinion, whether the 2012 season is bad, mediocre, or great will depend on how 5 inexperienced players play:

1) E. Golson. Hendrix just does not have the experience (total playing time as a throwing QB, not just college game time), and Tommy is just not athletic enough to get it done, IMO. If Golson steps up, a lot of our mediocre receivers could look a whole lot better. If he is sporadic, the offense will sputter.

2) Davaris Daniels. We need to replace Floyd, but there is no true go-to receiver on this team. D. Daniels has to go from 0-60 for our offense to truly click. Without Daniels, everyone that is not a TE is either a little slow, a little small, or John Goodman (can he turn it around?). With a formidable Daniels, our other options look more interesting.

3) Jalen Brown. Tee Shephard is going to be great, but he's a freshman and will look like one at times. I am counting on Jackson to keep progressing based on what we saw last year, so I am already considering him to be good. I think Lo is a little small and Atkinson is a year away. Brown needs to be good, not just serviceable, if we are going to compete against USC and OK.

4) Eliar Hardy. I think both Motta and Slaughter project better as SSs. I see Slaughter as the better SS, but I don't really see Motta as a FS, so that would likely mean Slaughter to FS. I think Collinsworth could emerge too, but he has a ton less experience at the position. One of them will have to.

5) RT???. Last and Least, there is going to be someone new starting at RT, and he is not going to have any experience. We need either Lombard, Nichols, N. Martin, Hegarty, or Prestwood. The odds that this happen with the numbers and talent seem good.

 

[NDPhilly]

1. Golson
2. Bennett Jackson
3. D Daniels
4. Zeke Motta
5. Ishaq

 

[Praytorian]

QB any of the 3 non starters.
RB need that 2nd one to come in strong.
WR gotta have someone take MF's spot.
CB these boys gotta be ready (you could say this 2 times )
SS someone has to come in and step up.
PR hopefully someone to run with it after they catch the ball.

No names were mentioned, just positions as 2 where I see the improvement is going to be needed.

 

[NDPhilly]

I expect Theo Riddick be a very effective RB and push Wood.

 

[Irish8248]

"Hendrix just does not have the experience (total playing time as a throwing QB, not just college game time),"

but Golson does?

 

[Domina Nostra]

"Hendrix just does not have the experience (total playing time as a throwing QB, not just college game time),"

but Golson does?

IN an important sense, Golson is one of the most experienced throwers in America. He started his So., Jr., and Sr. years in high school, and threw a ton of passes at a record-setting pace in a prolific, throw-first, spread offense. Hendrix, on the other hand, was QB in a run-heavy high school offense. He just does not have much game experience throwing and making those kind of decisions. It makes a huge difference. This is what catapulted Tommy over Hendrix and even over Crist (who was injured throughout high school and college). So while Hendrix has a ton of tools, he is way, way behind Tommy and Golson in terms of reps.

 

[TerryTate]

1. Golson
2. Daniels
3. Jackson
4. Moore
5. Ishaq

 

[Grahambo]

1. Ishaq
2. J. Brown
3. K. Moore
4. Daniels
5. T. Shepard

 

[woolybug25]

Here are mine:

1) Everett Golson - We need athletic QB play and we need it now. He had an entire year to digest the offense and gel. His time is now.

2) Gunner Kiel - Gunner needs to really embrace the idea of making a run at the starting job. This will not only help him with his development, but keep him sharp. Golson would benefit from having the competition and Gunner can learn what it takes to be the best. It would be great if one of the other QB's could challenge Golson, but I truly feel like they cannot. But Gunner's pedigree alone will be something that Golson has to deal with. It will make both of them better QB's and hopefully give a sustainable, long term stability at the most important position on the field.

3) DaVaris Daniels - Another player that got to sit and learn the system. What is unique in DaVaris' situation, is that he got to learn under one of the best WR's to ever play in SB. I hope he took notes on how to play a physical brand of outside WR, because no one expects him to be Michael Floyd, but we do expect a physical brand of football from him. Floyd was our team's best down field blocker, period. So DaVaris needs to not only become a premier pass catcher, but be humble enough to understand and embrace his role as a downfield blocker.

4) Change of Pace RB - Go look at the tape of this team. We are a significantly better rushing team when we had Jonas Gray as a compliment to Cierre. Not to mention, we have had a RB injury every season for the last few. I personally believe that this player will be GA3, but we have to have someone step up and be a 1B RB, not just a #2 RB. It would be a great story if CamRob could battle back from his injury as well.

5) Lockdown Corner - We need one of our CB's to come in and be someone the other team has to game plan against. I don't care who it is, but this is the position that we can look at as a measuring stick of how well we are developing our players. We need someone to come in and be a playmaker. I really don't care who it ends up being.

Kinda generic, but I think these are all keys to a successful season. Most importantly, WE HAVE TO HAVE GOOD QB PLAY.

 

[irishpat183]

Riddick needs to step up.....

 

[TerryTate]

Would really like for someone who runs like Gray to emerge. Don't see an obvious one on the depth chart. Not sure if Riddick is that much different than Wood.

 

[irishpat183]

Would really like for someone who runs like Gray to emerge. Don't see an obvious one on the depth chart. Not sure if Riddick is that much different than Wood.

Exactly. I think Riddick is better suited to what we all thought we were getting outta him last year. A slot guy that can play all over the field and make plays.

He needs to be THAT guy. Dont' know what happened last year, but we need him to step up to give us that big play.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Does Roberson have a shot to be that guy? I know he is a bigger back, but I think the questions are about his speed and his recovery from his injury. If those two questions are answered in the best possible way, do you see him as potentially filling that void?

 

[Domina Nostra]

Exactly. I think Riddick is better suited to what we all thought we were getting outta him last year. A slot guy that can play all over the field and make plays.

He needs to be THAT guy. Dont' know what happened last year, but we need him to step up to give us that big play.

I thought that Riddick looked like he was prepared to hit the hole hard in the beginning of the FSU game. I think he'll surprise.

3. Jackson
4. Moore

I think Grace may start.

Jackson is certainly going to have to step up, but I think Brown will have to as well for us to be good.

 

[TerryTate]

Does Roberson have a shot to be that guy? I know he is a bigger back, but I think the questions are about his speed and his recovery from his injury. If those two questions are answered in the best possible way, do you see him as potentially filling that void?

Not looking good...

Maybe Mahone/McDaniel

 

[Grahambo]

Not looking good...

Maybe Mahone/McDaniel

I think the best bet is Mahone.

 

[Emcee77]

Would really like for someone who runs like Gray to emerge. Don't see an obvious one on the depth chart. Not sure if Riddick is that much different than Wood.

I thought that Riddick looked like he was prepared to hit the hole hard in the beginning of the FSU game. I think he'll surprise.

I agree and I'm excited about Riddick at RB. At first glance he might seem like a guy who isn't that much different from Wood, but he has a little more raw speed than Wood and I think he can be an effective change of pace. Could provide some big plays after the defense gets a little tired chasing Cierre around.

 

[woolybug25]

Not looking good...

Maybe Mahone/McDaniel

Do you have any insight on this? I haven't looked into it in a while, so I have no clue how he is progressing. All I know is that the injury he sustained is usually bad news and can be a career devastating type situation.

But everyone is different, maybe he can overcome.

 

[Redbar]

1.) Golson
2.) Jalen/Lo/Bennett- I don't think Tee will be denied. He has a baller mentality, not saying he won't be a freshman at times, but... we need someone to emerge opposite him.
3.) Davaris/Justin/Chris- I think T J and Toma can handle the slot with TJ moving outside at times but one of these guys needs to establish themselves as a consistent player.
4.) Punt returner- I would love to be putting Devonte's name in here and also at numbers 2 and even a little at 3, but whether we get him or not we really need some explosion in the return game. The fair catches are a little demoralizing and a dangerous athlete back there can change the game and change how we see ourselves and others see us.
5a.) Will Mahone/Cam Roberson- I think Cierre and Theo give you a similar style and we need that other back that will take the 1 or 2 yards I think Will can do that day 1, and hope that Cam can comeback and also push for that role as well.
5b.) Ishaq/Troy Nicklas- If one or both of them can develop in proportion to their talent and we could have them both on the field at cat and dog playing at a Manti Teo type level that would be something real special.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I agree and I'm excited about Riddick at RB. At first glance he might seem like a guy who isn't that much different from Wood, but he has a little more raw speed than Wood and I think he can be an effective change of pace. Could provide some big plays after the defense gets a little tired chasing Cierre around.

What do you mean by "more raw speed?" To me, Riddick looks quicker to me, but slower than Wood in the open field. I think he will separate himself if he listens to coaches and relies more on his blockers. He can shake anyone, but that first shake slows him down a lot, he needs to get deeper before he starts juking.

 

[Emcee77]

What do you mean by "more raw speed?" To me, Riddick looks quicker to me, but slower in the open field. I think he will separate himself if he listens to coaches and relies more on his blockers. He can shake anyone, but that first shake slows him down a lot, he needs to get deeper before he starts juking.

Really? Surprised to hear this. I seem to remember Riddick having a blazing fast 40 time when he came in. He just hasn't really gotten much of an opportunity to show straight-ahead speed on the football field because he tends to be operating in tight spaces, the way we've used him. I could be off-base but I'm hoping that he can make some one-cut-and-go big plays out of the backfield and show us that high gear.

 

[Redbar]

I agree that Theo and Cierre are different backs with different styles and can be a good 1-2 punch but neither of them have that Bettis/Hughes/Gray goaline or 4th and short presence that I hope Will and Cam can provide.

 

[TerryTate]

Do you have any insight on this? I haven't looked into it in a while, so I have no clue how he is progressing. All I know is that the injury he sustained is usually bad news and can be a career devastating type situation.

But everyone is different, maybe he can overcome.

Multiple knee ligaments torn on a non-contact drill. There hasn't been an encouraging note from any of the sites. None of the mods are confident he'll return. People have also posted that they've seen him with a noticeable limp on campus still. Tough injury to come back from.

 

[Redbar]

Multiple knee ligaments torn on a non-contact drill. There hasn't been an encouraging note from any of the sites. None of the mods are confident he'll return. People have also posted that they've seen him with a noticeable limp on campus still. Tough injury to come back from.

Well that blows^^. I am routing for him and will be heartbroken for him if that is it.

 

[die4irish]

Really? Surprised to hear this. I seem to remember Riddick having a blazing fast 40 time when he came in. He just hasn't really gotten much of an opportunity to show straight-ahead speed on the football field because he tends to be operating in tight spaces, the way we've used him. I could be off-base but I'm hoping that he can make some one-cut-and-go big plays out of the backfield and show us that high gear.

Yeah I was really surprised when he was caught from behind last year

 

[irishpat183]

Really? Surprised to hear this. I seem to remember Riddick having a blazing fast 40 time when he came in. He just hasn't really gotten much of an opportunity to show straight-ahead speed on the football field because he tends to be operating in tight spaces, the way we've used him. I could be off-base but I'm hoping that he can make some one-cut-and-go big plays out of the backfield and show us that high gear.

I think the bigger problem is what the previous poster mentioned of Riddick having too much juke....He jukes himself outta the big plays.

He's got the speed and talent...he just needs to cut and go.

I've seen a few plays where if he would've just ran straight, he'd had 5-10 more yards (and possibly a breakout run) but he just danced himself into getting tackled.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Could have been his hamstring injuries, but Cierre is anything but slow.

 

[irishpat183]

Multiple knee ligaments torn on a non-contact drill. There hasn't been an encouraging note from any of the sites. None of the mods are confident he'll return. People have also posted that they've seen him with a noticeable limp on campus still. Tough injury to come back from.

That sucks. I just hope now that he gets back to walking without a limp...forget football.

I think Mahone could step in and give us that short yardage guy.

 

[TerryTate]

That sucks. I just hope now that he gets back to walking without a limp...forget football.

I think Mahone could step in and give us that short yardage guy.

In year 1? Would be tough without being an EE. The protections in the spread are the hardest for the RBs to learn. I doubt he'll be able to get much time without knowing the offense.

 

[irishff1014]

I agree that Theo and Cierre are different backs with different styles and can be a good 1-2 punch but neither of them have that Bettis/Hughes/Gray goaline or 4th and short presence that I hope Will and Cam can provide.

I know They don't like to do it but on the goal like you could either use a Te in motion or this opition i like better let Nix play FB. I bet he would open a hole or 2.