Pre Spring Preview - What needs work?

[Mr. October]

I know there are flaws. I don't expect two to come in and make immediate impacts. I expect two to compete, and one to potentially grasp a starting role. Even if they don't, we have 3 or 4 capable guys as is. We don't need two to make an immediate impact. I think they potentially will, and I think both can avoid redshirts, but we'll see.

Ok I can agree with that. To me, redshirting and making an impact are two different things for a freshman. I think that's what the writer was thinking too, which is why the defense may regress.

[Mr. October]

Talk about State and how awesome we are.

What's the deal with Wilson? I haven't been paying attention to him and didn't know if he was going to play baseball or stick with football.

[homestarunner93]

Ok I can agree with that. To me, redshirting and making an impact are two different things for a freshman. I think that's what the writer was thinking too, which is why the defense may regress.

If you don't redshirt as a freshman, then you're going to have some impact on the team.

[Mr. October]

If you don't redshirt as a freshman, then you're going to have some impact on the team.

That depends on your definition of impact. I personally think that impact is all-conference playing or at least making a significant contribution to help the team be better. Sometimes lack of depth makes it easy for a freshman to play early, but I wouldn't say they are making an impact or making the team better because they are playing.

[Robbw241]

We are planning to play without Russ, but if he decides to come back then I'm sure he'll start. Im thinking it's like 75% Glennon is our QB come opening game.

[homestarunner93]

That depends on your definition of impact. I personally think that impact is all-conference playing or at least making a significant contribution to help the team be better. Sometimes lack of depth makes it easy for a freshman to play early, but I wouldn't say they are making an impact or making the team better because they are playing.

That makes no sense, because if they're good enough to win a job, then they're making an impact. I don't care whether or not there's a lack of depth, all colleges have players that COULD theoretically fill that role in front of a freshman.

[Mr. October]

That makes no sense, because if they're good enough to win a job, then they're making an impact. I don't care whether or not there's a lack of depth, all colleges have players that COULD theoretically fill that role in front of a freshman.

Yes they do, but sometimes a unit is in rebuild mode and would rather play a freshman that will make an impact later, thus giving him early playing time to gain the much needed experience. They could give the job to an upper classman, but if the value in his play is marginal compared to the freshman, then the freshman may win by default. Like I said, the writer is basically saying that the defense lost some star power and may regress with new blood winning by default. I don't know what the depth is like, but if true freshman can come in and win a job with only two months worth of practice, that seems to be pretty telling no matter how talented.

[Mr. October]

We are planning to play without Russ, but if he decides to come back then I'm sure he'll start. Im thinking it's like 75% Glennon is our QB come opening game.

Glennon's got some talent. He could be really good under TOB so I don't think you guys will struggle in that department. What's going to be your biggest weakness this year?

[Robbw241]

Wide Receiver and O line probably. Receiver wise 3 of our top 4 guys graduated and TJ has no hands. IDK who we got filling in but we need them to step up.

[homestarunner93]

Yes they do, but sometimes a unit is in rebuild mode and would rather play a freshman that will make an impact later, thus giving him early playing time to gain the much needed experience. They could give the job to an upper classman, but if the value in his play is marginal compared to the freshman, then the freshman may win by default. Like I said, the writer is basically saying that the defense lost some star power and may regress with new blood winning by default. I don't know what the depth is like, but if true freshman can come in and win a job with only two months worth of practice, that seems to be pretty telling no matter how talented.

It isn't a unit in rebuild mode though, so that doesn't make sense. We're returning six starters, and working two or three more guys that essentially played starter minutes will take starting roles. The only position we'll probably have growing pains at is CB. In fact, we're returning three LBs who played significant snaps last year, plus Justin Parker. You're kidding yourself if you don't think Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony are immensely talented, though, and don't have a chance to win a job from day one. At some point, talent overcomes experience. Hell, you would be drooling all over Anthony if Beamer and Co. could have closed the deal on him.

[Mr. October]

It isn't a unit in rebuild mode though, so that doesn't make sense. We're returning six starters, and working two or three more guys that essentially played starter minutes will take starting roles. The only position we'll probably have growing pains at is CB. In fact, we're returning three LBs who played significant snaps last year, plus Justin Parker. You're kidding yourself if you don't think Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony are immensely talented, though, and don't have a chance to win a job from day one. At some point, talent overcomes experience. Hell, you would be drooling all over Anthony if Beamer and Co. could have closed the deal on him.

Again you missed the point. I never said that Steward and Anthony were not talent and don't have a chance to win the position. Quite the opposite. My point was the position is thin so they could win it easily. And losing 5 players, many of which were big time players is going to put your defense in rebuild for at least a few games next year.

Talent will pass experience when that talent has experience at certain positions. Positions like RB, CB, and WR are positions that talent will pass experience because they need to learn very little that isn't based on instinct. OL and DL need the time to bulk up and learn technique, while QBs and LBs must learn coverages, which takes time. Those two positions are critical to development and talent can't overcome that.

I don't understand the point of you last sentence other than trying to be shot at me, but it's just childish at best and doesn't prove anything to your point.

[Mr. October]

Wide Receiver and O line probably. Receiver wise 3 of our top 4 guys graduated and TJ has no hands. IDK who we got filling in but we need them to step up.

How does Jay Smith look next year? You're depth chart on Rivals indicates he will start next year. I know VT was really high on him and Tyrod tried to get him to commit, but I'd like to see the kid have a big season next year.

[homestarunner93]

Again you missed the point. I never said that Steward and Anthony were not talent and don't have a chance to win the position. Quite the opposite. My point was the position is thin so they could win it easily. And losing 5 players, many of which were big time players is going to put your defense in rebuild for at least a few games next year.

Talent will pass experience when that talent has experience at certain positions. Positions like RB, CB, and WR are positions that talent will pass experience because they need to learn very little that isn't based on instinct. OL and DL need the time to bulk up and learn technique, while QBs and LBs must learn coverages, which takes time. Those two positions are critical to development and talent can't overcome that.

I don't understand the point of you last sentence other than trying to be shot at me, but it's just childish at best and doesn't prove anything to your point.

But you're wrong, because the position really isn't thin. They're just that good that they could end up winning time. They're both legitimate 5-star players that very well could and should impact the team this year.

That's ridiculous, talent can overcome experience at any position depending on the player, even at QB and LB. They are difficult positions to pick up quickly, but it's not like it never happens. Anthony and Steward are both elite LB talents, and the chance (or likelihood) that at least one of them can come in and contribute at a high level next year is not far fetched.

:cry:

You've basically proven my statement that was made early on in the thread that discussing things with you is like talking to a brick wall, a total waste of time.

[Mr. October]

But you're wrong, because the position really isn't thin. They're just that good that they could end up winning time. They're both legitimate 5-star players that very well could and should impact the team this year.

That's ridiculous, talent can overcome experience at any position depending on the player, even at QB and LB. They are difficult positions to pick up quickly, but it's not like it never happens. Anthony and Steward are both elite LB talents, and the chance (or likelihood) that at least one of them can come in and contribute at a high level next year is not far fetched.

:cry:

You've basically proven my statement that was made early on in the thread that discussing things with you is like talking to a brick wall, a total waste of time.

The problem is you think you know more than anyone else, and when I ask you to prove your point, you dance around in a circle becuase you have no concrete evidence to prove it. Again, if there are instances of a true freshman LB making an impact show me an example. There are definitely examples at QB, but that is rare, just like OL. One LB I can think of is Luke Keuchly at BC, but I can't think of any others. That's because it rarely happens from start to finish in a season and to think that both will be impact players is foolish.

[homestarunner93]

The problem is you think you know more than anyone else, and when I ask you to prove your point, you dance around in a circle becuase you have no concrete evidence to prove it. Again, if there are instances of a true freshman LB making an impact show me an example. There are definitely examples at QB, but that is rare, just like OL. One LB I can think of is Luke Keuchly at BC, but I can't think of any others. That's because it rarely happens from start to finish in a season and to think that both will be impact players is foolish.

You act like it can't happen, plain and simple, no freshman LB can have an impact. That's foolish, any player at any position can have an impact, and every damn player is a different entity. Linebacker is a tough transition, but not an impossible one for freshmen. Who says that they have to be great from start to finish to have an impact? There are plenty of instances where a played drastically improved from the start of the season to the end. One I can think of off the top of my head was when Brandon Maye was a redshirt freshman at Clemson.