Expectations for next season?

beej67 said:
We haven't had a defensive player go pro early since I can remember, and the last two offensive players to go pro early were Calvin Johnson and Dez White, as best as I recall.

None of them will go pro early, because of the system we run.
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When was the last time we had a RB like Dwyer and a DB lead the nation in interceptions?

I don't think Derrick Morgan goes pro early.
 
I would contend that Tashard Choice was a running back like Dwyer, and that defensive backs don't enter the draft early unless they're Dre Bly caliber.
 
I hope the defense stays good, we will definitely feel the loss of MJ and VW and DR, but hopefully some guys will step up and we will be A-OK. I like Dave Wommack. I just wish we maybe got to the QB a little better.
 
It is already being talked about the Derrick Morgan will be the best NFL lineman amongst all of our current DL's. he has it all....speed, quickness, strenght, big hips/thick. He can swim, spin, or bull his man. Plus...he is smart and will not spend all of his spare time clubbin'.

I think Morgan Burnett stands the best chance of all of them to go pro early...although he did struggle some Saturday. The difference was Matt Stafford does not hold the ball too long and has pinpoint accuracy. He negated Morgan's jump...except for once.

The thing with Dwyer and DThomas is that they are going to be combine pro's. They will look incredible when they are measured for height/weight, forty, and vertical. Plus...NFL scouts are going to love that Dwyer can get tough yards inside or pop outside....and they also know he was of the most highly recruited backs out of high school so he is not an "out of nowhere" guy.

We can certainly make the argument for all of them to stay...I just would not count it out completely.
 
I think we should keep down our expectations next year. The reason is this:

1) The ACC is the #1 conference in the country. If we were playing in the SEC you can just about guarantee a 9 win season without much effort. We don't.

Who were some of the youngest teams in the country this year:
Tech, UVA, VPI, Miami, UNC and FSU.

These teams are going to be tough next year. Add in BC, who should be congratulated for their solid ability, and Clemson, and UGA (our toughest team again next year) and we really should be thinking 9-3 as a great success again.

We play Duke, sagarin ranked higher than 5 or 6 SEC AND PAC 10 teams. This is not the SEC we are playing in folks.

The ACC will continue to beat each other up. The good news is that the ACC got it done out of conference this season and I think we'll get more respect next year WITHOUT a Top Five team.

2) As much fun as our offense was this year, it was the DL that generally won games for us. They are mostly gone next year and will not be replaced, period. Derrick Morgan is possibly the best of all of them, but we are just one injury away from hurting at these spots next year. (I knew we were going to win when I bumped into Derrick's Dad at the airport on Friday, by the way.)

3) We are still under the effects of probation for one more year. Like it or not, but we are winning with skill players that are putting in a lot of time on the field. We are still building experienced depth and until we do, it just makes those mythical years actually occur all that tougher to happen.

Having said that we could still be great (I'm not Braine but 9-3 is pretty good for us or anyone.). The keys for next year are:

1) Punter
2) DL lack of injuries
3) Huge play and health improvement from our LBers.
4) Continued smoke and mirrors from our OL.

I'm a believer but we are not USCw depth yet and even they don't go undefeated every year in an easy conference.
 
beej67 said:
I would contend that Tashard Choice was a running back like Dwyer, and that defensive backs don't enter the draft early unless they're Dre Bly caliber.
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Choice's first season starting was as a RS junior, though.
 
midatlantech said:
As much fun as our offense was this year, it was the DL that generally won games for us.

We are still under the effects of probation for one more year. Like it or not, but we are winning with skill players that are putting in a lot of time on the field. We are still building experienced depth and until we do, it just makes those mythical years actually occur all that tougher to happen.

The keys for next year are:

1) Punter
2) DL lack of injuries
3) Huge play and health improvement from our LBers.
4) Continued smoke and mirrors from our OL.
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I agree that the conference will be even stronger next year.

Regarding the DL winning games for us...you are correct. However, I think what people are pointing to is the continued improvement of our offense and the dominance they exhibited in 3 of the final 4 games. We lose zero starters on offense (Claytor started the final three...and played in all others). They will have at least another 60 practices before next year...plus strength and conditioning....this group could be potent.

The fall-off on DL is the biggest concern as you pointed out. We will see TJ Barnes starting and he is the real deal. The players are already talking about him. It will be interesting to see what Ben Anderson, Logan Walls, and JC Lanier do to get on the field. We will also have to mess around to get Morgan, Hall, Peters, and Egbuniwe on the field in different spots. In passing situations you could see Morgan or Peters move inside with the other plus Hall or Eguniwe on th other end.

Puting...Blair was doing just fine until the last game. He actually would have placed fairly high in the ACC but he did not qualify because he did not have enough punts...we rarely punt! This was his first year...and he had to handle all of the duties...he will be fine.

LB's will be hugely improved because they have that year of experience now. Big things from Jefferson and Barnes in particular...don't count out Sylvester...the coaches love him. Too bad about Bowen....he could have provided senior leadership for a team with only EIGHT seniors next year.

OL will be the group with largest improvement year to year as they continue to get tougher, better conditioned, and more accustomed to what is required. Plus...Johnson changed some of the blocking technique prior to the Miami game as we have found it challenging to cut some of the faster and more agile DE's at this level. We saw big-time improvement from Claytor and Barrick....and Voss played extremely well for someone whose arm/shoulder was in constant pain and requiring surgery. Same deal with Gilbert and Howard. To top it off....the coaches think Uzzi will challenge the guards for a starting spot....McRae will see time at center...and Phil Smith will see time at OT.

If we can stay healthy...stay eligibile...and get to around 72-73 on scholarship (save 2-3 since we only have 8 seniors next year unless some big time players commit late to us).

Next year could be special.
 
Good post Hivered. Im really looking forward to our spring game next year to see how we have improved. Also get to Anthony Allen. Does anyone know what all recruits are enrolling early? I know Emanuel Dieke is and i read Jordan Luallen can if he wants.
 
georgia_tech_swagger said:
Put @UVA as #1. I am sick and #@$^!$#@ tired of losing to Virginia in Charlottesville. Haven't won there since 1990.

O'Leary couldn't win there.
Joe Hamilton couldn't win there.
George Godsey couldn't win there.
Shan Kailey couldn't win there. (lol ... shocker ...)
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I second this!
 
I will initially say 8-11 regular season wins, depending on how the d-line jells. If the defense is above average we will probably win the ACC. However, that is a big question mark for us.

I think there are 5 games we should be heavily favored in win.

We will be slight favorites against Weak Florist, Clem's son, & Miami.

The U[sic]GA, VPI, eUNuCh, & FSU games will be tough.

I expect eUNuCh and UVA will give us the most trouble--they both play very good assignment defense. They will have competent offenses that our defense will have to be ready for. Add the mutts to that list (because of their offense, not their defense) if the Pillsbury Interception Boy and Moreno return. B/c the ACC is so even, we could easily slip against Miami, WF, F$U,or VPI, but I doubt we will slip more than once.

So, no firm predictions until August, but, at this point 8-11 regular season wins.
 
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