Joey Halzle –
In his OC debut Joey Halzle’s offense managed 24.4 points per game in SEC competition, 11th best in the conference, ahead of Arkansas (20.0), Vanderbilt (16.9), and Mississippi State (12.6). All three of those bottom dwellers will have new offensive coordinators this year. Hey Joey, I mean if you’re reading this. lol.
Both us and Vanderbilt played 4 teams that finished the season last year ranked in the AP top 25. We each managed only 18.0 points per game in those contests and for us 35 of those 72 points came in the bowl game against what ended up being the #4 scoring defense in the nation, and lest anyone wants to down play that defense, it should be remembered that they held the eventual national champion to 26 points in that matchup.
After the Florida game last year in the following Tuesday presser (pre UTSA) by Joey, Austin Price asked him basically if Nico could do anything better than Joe. That’s a hell of a question but that’s why Austin gets paid the big bucks. What the hell could Joey say? lol. I mean seriously I figure Joey might have wanted to ask Austin outside after the presser. Imagine Joey says well Nico does really pretty much everything better than Joe. lol.
For what it’s worth I think our offensive scoring recovers strongly this year. In fact I think with the exception of RB we could be better in every position group on the offense. Even in the RB room, with Sampson, Seldon, Keith, and Lewis, we will definitely be much more talented overall, at least on paper. jmo.
Offensive line –
Multiple reporters, including Price, in the early going for spring practice, have said that Umarov is competing to start this year at LG. I figure that’s what they’re hearing from inside the football complex. With Heard at LT, Mays at center (2,007 career snaps), Spraggins at RG (2,542 career snaps), and Campbell at RT (1,890 career snaps), we should see a lot of upside to line performance. jmo.
Wide receivers –
Joey said last week that for the receivers there are no guaranteed starting spots. He said the competition is intense. Last year we had seven scholarship guys in the room. This year we have ten and are a lot more talented. We should be good once we figure out who the top three are. I figure Squirrel is a guarantee but Thornton will be pushed and if Bru isn’t ready to go whoever lines up in his place won’t be someone who is only “serviceable”. jmo.
Both Matthews and Staley in interviews last week said their main focus right now is on development. Braylon said he was working on improving his efficiency coming out of his breaks. He’s generated some early buzz about his catching ability but there’s a technical process to running each route. Footwork is maybe the most critical part of route running. If you do it right you’ll almost always get separation. If you don’t do it right, you’ll almost never create separation. Footwork for receivers is actually fairly technical. It’s not hard but you do have to master it to be considered a good route runner. Footwork can be different for different routes. Footwork comes before eyes. You have to complete your break before turning your eyes toward the QB otherwise your body will be trying to go in different directions and you’ll be out of control. Similar to working on the juggs machine a receiver needs to practice his route running (footwork and eyes) until it becomes second nature. I think we may have an elite WR coach, definitely coveted, and by Kirby Smart no less. Of course Kirby may have been trying to hire him because he’s scared of him at Tennessee. jmo.
Tight ends –
I think that the combination of Staes and Ethan Davis elevates the talent in the group significantly above what we’ve had in Heupel’s first three years here. If the production is commensurate we’re better than good. jmo.