How many FRESHMEN break the starting lineup this season?

#126
#126
VOLinNC said:
I know it can change really quickly but our LB corp. is insane! It's kind of a shame that we only use 2 so much.
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Kind of wonder if after Maggitt leaves we will keep the 2 LB set. Agree on the backers, also have someone like E. Berry third string which is nice.
 
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#127
#127
What'sInYou said:
Kind of wonder if after Maggitt leaves we will keep the 2 LB set. Agree on the backers, also have someone like E. Berry third string which is nice.
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Sorry about the late edit on the last post. I think we'll still run a lot of 2 LB set after CM leaves. It puts a much better coverage guy on the slot WR.
 
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#129
#129
VOLinNC said:
Agree. Also Darrell Taylor is supposed to be a freak of a pass rusher. I really think Bates may be our MLB he's about 230-240 lb's and really fast. I think he could shine there.
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Our Depth at DE is insane.

Kirkland stepping up this year would be awesome.

^^ yeah I like it kind of puts more speed on the D.
 
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#130
#130
What'sInYou said:
Our Depth at DE is insane.

Kirkland stepping up this year would be awesome.
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It's crazy how much this team has changed (especially the defense) since the start of last season. We had holes all over the depth chart, now all we need is a MLB to step up and our defense could be da bomb!
 
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#131
#131
Heeelllll yeah. D has a chance to be special this year. With experience mixed with youth. Plenty of Depth(except maybe MLB & DT) and different rotation possiblities.
 
#132
#132
VOLinNC said:
Agree. Also Darrell Taylor is supposed to be a freak of a pass rusher. I really think Bates may be our MLB he's about 230-240 lb's and really fast. I think he could shine there.
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By mid-season at the lastest I would say Kirkland will have the MLB spot on lock down. I personally think he could leave fall camp as the starter. The Kid is a beast and has a photgraphic memory. He is th future at MLB for the next 4 years barring an injury, IMO.
 
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#133
#133
LWSVOL said:
not sure about that. As Jones has said, OL is a developmental position. I don't think he has those guys developed yet or some may end up misses.

Weisman is a junior but he hasn't been able to forge past anyone, including Crowder. They tried to push him but he is behind MC at best.

Thomas was tried last year, not ready. Will he be this year? They are hopeful but haven't heard a surge. Again being pushed at center

Blair can't beat out a guard at LT.

Sanders hasn't made any move yet. Perhaps he needs that 3rd year of development.

Kendrick of course has been given RT

Robertson is a stud for a sophomore.

Raulerson redshirted last year. He is definitely not ready. Might not ever get ready if what I've heard is accurate.

That is it. Everyone else is a freshman. They are just headed into first year of development.

So who did you have in mind? I don't think I missed anyone.

So not sure who you think should be ready to move into starting lineup except those I listed.
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I had in mind the guys that JONES has selected. He evaluated them. He offered them a scholarship. I'm not claiming to know more than Jones or even as much as you. I am simply saying that this whole notion that he is
"stuck" with Dooley's OL's in year 3 so he bears no responsibility for OL performance... or talent/development is ridiculous. By what you just said, the first time we can reasonably expect talent to meet up with sufficient development is sometime around 2018. For all we know according to what you said... he STILL may not have the OL talent on the roster to ever be good. So what? We just endure 4 to 7 win seasons between now and then? It is OK to continue to have the worst OL in the conference for the reasons you mentioned above?

I heard the part about it being a developmental position and to a very large degree that's true. OTOH, even Dooley and his staff put together a decent OL in year two made up of talented, underdeveloped guys... mostly Sophs. So it seems that maybe some coaches find faster ways to develop OL's than others. Hopefully Debord is one of those coaches.
 
#134
#134
FWIW and with tremendous respect for Larry, Jones has said a couple of times now that the OL has made "huge" strides. Larry indicates that they may be no better than last year... which would seem to suggest that a "huge" stride is not in the cards.

I guess we'll see soon enough if Jones was just engaging in coach speak....
 
#135
#135
sjt18 said:
FWIW and with tremendous respect for Larry, Jones has said a couple of times now that the OL has made "huge" strides. Larry indicates that they may be no better than last year... which would seem to suggest that a "huge" stride is not in the cards.

I guess we'll see soon enough if Jones was just engaging in coach speak....
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They're better.
"Jones speak" would go something like this:
"We are a year older at that position, they know their assignments and they are a competitive bunch that's very prideful and they are getting better"

No, they will be significantly better. Especially if Richmond comes along.
 
#136
#136
sjt18 said:
I had in mind the guys that JONES has selected. He evaluated them. He offered them a scholarship. I'm not claiming to know more than Jones or even as much as you. I am simply saying that this whole notion that he is
"stuck" with Dooley's OL's in year 3 so he bears no responsibility for OL performance... or talent/development is ridiculous. By what you just said, the first time we can reasonably expect talent to meet up with sufficient development is sometime around 2018. For all we know according to what you said... he STILL may not have the OL talent on the roster to ever be good. So what? We just endure 4 to 7 win seasons between now and then? It is OK to continue to have the worst OL in the conference for the reasons you mentioned above?

I heard the part about it being a developmental position and to a very large degree that's true. OTOH, even Dooley and his staff put together a decent OL in year two made up of talented, underdeveloped guys... mostly Sophs. So it seems that maybe some coaches find faster ways to develop OL's than others. Hopefully Debord is one of those coaches.
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I like Coach Mahoney, and this is just my opinion, but I think Butch made a mistake letting Pittman go. He did a really good job taking a very young group and transitioning them into one of the best units in the league (much like he's done at Arkansas).

I remember one of the comments Coach Pittman made when he was recruiting my brother was that he mostly only offered guys who were tackles in high school (specifically left tackle, because as he said, that's where you put your best OL unless the QB is left-handed). I don't think this staff has necessarily done that, but they've also seemed to miss on the evaluation of some of the ones they have offered (although they can't be expected to all pan out).

At this point they're just going to have to make do with what they have. It would be unlikely in my mind for freshmen to make it into a starting spot on the OL since they lack the strength, knowledge, and experience of the more-seasoned players (I know strength is one of the main deficiencies right now).
 
#137
#137
sjt18 said:
I had in mind the guys that JONES has selected. He evaluated them. He offered them a scholarship. I'm not claiming to know more than Jones or even as much as you. I am simply saying that this whole notion that he is
"stuck" with Dooley's OL's in year 3 so he bears no responsibility for OL performance... or talent/development is ridiculous. By what you just said, the first time we can reasonably expect talent to meet up with sufficient development is sometime around 2018. For all we know according to what you said... he STILL may not have the OL talent on the roster to ever be good. So what? We just endure 4 to 7 win seasons between now and then? It is OK to continue to have the worst OL in the conference for the reasons you mentioned above?

I heard the part about it being a developmental position and to a very large degree that's true. OTOH, even Dooley and his staff put together a decent OL in year two made up of talented, underdeveloped guys... mostly Sophs. So it seems that maybe some coaches find faster ways to develop OL's than others. Hopefully Debord is one of those coaches.
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I agree with you on the Dooley question. There are plenty of Jones recruits, just not ready. And as you imply it may be a coaching issue.

The future will tell. Great "strides" is all relative. Its possible to make great strides and still not measure up to a quality SEC linemen. JMO
 
#138
#138
bkdamoron said:
I like Coach Mahoney, and this is just my opinion, but I think Butch made a mistake letting Pittman go. He did a really good job taking a very young group and transitioning them into one of the best units in the league (much like he's done at Arkansas).

I remember one of the comments Coach Pittman made when he was recruiting my brother was that he mostly only offered guys who were tackles in high school (specifically left tackle, because as he said, that's where you put your best OL unless the QB is left-handed). I don't think this staff has necessarily done that, but they've also seemed to miss on the evaluation of some of the ones they have offered (although they can't be expected to all pan out).

At this point they're just going to have to make do with what they have. It would be unlikely in my mind for freshmen to make it into a starting spot on the OL since they lack the strength, knowledge, and experience of the more-seasoned players (I know strength is one of the main deficiencies right now).
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Outside of Blair, who do you believe our staff has missed on, on the offensive line? And we primarily bring in tackles, as well. Everyone does. That's why you don't see teams bring in many olinemen under 6'4 or 6'5.
 
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#139
#139
VOLinNC said:
Anybody else think that Corey Vereen gets No Respect?!?!?
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I like Corey, great work ethic, has flashed at times. But he's gotta produce more than 5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks in 22 career game appearances. He's been relegated to DE depth with Barnett's emergence and rightfully so. You earn your respect (see Barnett, Derek) with what you produce. With Phillips, Taylor, Mixon and Butcher on campus, wonder if he keeps his spot or gets lost in the shuffle.
 
#140
#140
Vol8188 said:
Outside of Blair, who do you believe our staff has missed on, on the offensive line? And we primarily bring in tackles, as well. Everyone does. That's why you don't see teams bring in many olinemen under 6'4 or 6'5.
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I don't want to necessarily say they've "missed" on anyone. Maybe a better way of putting it is that they've not been able to best utilize their abilities. What they did last year to Thomas wasn't even fair to him. He played center in high school and his first college start was at tackle at Oklahoma...
 
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#141
#141
LWSVOL said:
The future will tell. Great "strides" is all relative. Its possible to make great strides and still not measure up to a quality SEC linemen. JMO
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i agree with that. they were so bad last year, relatively speaking, average play this year would be a great stride.
 
#142
#142
when it comes to true freshmen playing, one thing to consider is that the last two years we've had to play them. this is the first time since he's been here, he doesn't have to.

he can if it enhances performance, aides in development or upgrades personnel, but it's not out of pure necessity.

so if you look at it from that perspective, i think it boils down to coaches going against their grain and favoring that development and upgrade in talent over relying on experience.

this year, that means i look at MLB...we have a need, and a lot of options. i think Kirkland and Bates probably have more upside than the others, so i'd expect them, if not starting, to get plenty of looks this season.

at DT, hard to argue the upside of KM and ST, so while i don't expect them to get starts regularly, they'll be in the rotation and see the field a plenty this season.

where it gets a little trickier is on the offensive side of things...we have a ton of depth at WR, and i don't see Preston Williams getting starting reps unless there are injuries or woefull performances from multiple people.

the o line, it's been discussed plenty on here, is just a developmental position. and as good as DR may wind up being, i do find it a little difficult seeing him getting starting reps. but again, as stated above, it's no secret we need that position to develop, quickly. so i can see some guys potentially getting looks early on or in non conf games to aide in that process.

in the end, i think KMac, Tuttle, Kirkland are the most likely ones. Phillips as well, at least in the rotation regularly.
 
#143
#143
bkdamoron said:
I don't want to necessarily say they've "missed" on anyone. Maybe a better way of putting it is that they've not been able to best utilize their abilities. What they did last year to Thomas wasn't even fair to him. He played center in high school and his first college start was at tackle at Oklahoma...
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Him being forced to play tackle as a freshman is not on CBJ. CBJ is they guy who went an entire season without signing a single OL.
 
#146
#146
KBVol said:
I like Corey, great work ethic, has flashed at times. But he's gotta produce more than 5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks in 22 career game appearances. He's been relegated to DE depth with Barnett's emergence and rightfully so. You earn your respect (see Barnett, Derek) with what you produce. With Phillips, Taylor, Mixon and Butcher on campus, wonder if he keeps his spot or gets lost in the shuffle.
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I'm really surprised Vereen's #s are so low. I know he didn't do much last year, but he really seemed to play strong in the second half of his freshman year. Hopefully all the depth at DE will motivate instead of swallow him. He's got a spark.
 
#147
#147
LotteryPick said:
Kirkland, McKenzie, P. Williams by mid season.

That's all I see. Preston is way too good to keep out of the WR rotation.
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We thought the same thing about Malone and in the Spring game his freshmen year he looked like a future AA and first round draft pick, the only one for sure is K-MAC. Kirkland looks the part but will he have the mental part down, because in the spring he was hurt.
 
#148
#148
terrypedigo said:
We thought the same thing about Malone and in the Spring game his freshmen year he looked like a future AA and first round draft pick, the only one for sure is K-MAC. Kirkland looks the part but will he have the mental part down, because in the spring he was hurt.
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Yes to Kirkland. Mentally he will have it imo

Preston Williams is a different animal than Malone.
He could play this year... I don't know if we need him too.

Watch out for J. Jennings....
 
#150
#150
Vol8188 said:
Yes. Coleman was the best option available. Due to Dooleys poor recruiting.

You think he played him because CbJ wanted to lose?
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Jeeze, people forget that Coleman actually did SOME things pretty well at least. He was pretty good against the run for us last year. He wasn't awful in zone coverage. He didn't blow many assignments. He just couldn't play in man coverage very well at all (which may be a bit of an understatement, actually). Granted, that's a pretty big hole to have in your game for a NB, but it's not like he was utter garbage all around.

We may have had a guy or two available who could play man better than Coleman, but I don't think we had one available who could do the rest as all.

Good thing we should have a healthy Gaulden this year. He should be able to do all of those better than Coleman did.
 
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