So? Do we have a football team again?

[zippyGT]

Accurate. Having a real time buying into any hype right now. Love everything I’m seeing from Key. Just feeling the PCSD (Post Collins Stress Disorder) from being overly optimistic only to be kicked in the nuts every year. I did it to myself though.

We all did. He had the talent to win 7 in 2019. And 2020. And 2021. And 2022.

 

[OptionJacket]

We can all be optimistic as we should be. But I hate using win totals as a barometer for a new coach because wins or losses are not always an accurate reflection of where a team is. And it’s completely unfair to the new coach. In fairness, for coaches who have had time (Hall) then wins and losses are ALL that matters. But for Key he needs to be given time because he is going to make mistakes as a rookie head coach. Now, I doubt his mistakes will be as observable as the previous guy but he’ll make some all the same whether its starting the wrong guy or just a bad game plan, etc.

And what I often think some of us here forget is that the other teams are trying as well. You don’t think Louisville’s staff is putting in work right now and that their players are fired up for their new coach? You don’t think Ole Miss is eyeing a special season with all that Bama has lost? You don’t think that QB at Clemson finally taking the reins isn’t going to go nuts this year? I want to see a GT team that plays disciplined athletic football who won’t just roll over the first time a call goes against them or momentum goes the other way. I’m tired of seeing GT DB’s flailing their arms when they clearly hit the guy out of bounds, or watching our QB do the opposite of lead.

 

[GEETEELEE]

kicked in the nuts every year. I did it to myself though.

Damned flexible is all I can say.

 

[GTWannaBee]

Damned flexible is all I can say.

Well played.

 

[Liberty]

But I hate using win totals as a barometer for a new coach because wins or losses are not always an accurate reflection of where a team is. And it’s completely unfair to the new coach.

There's no participation trophies in D1 football. Key needs to win games OR we'll know it wasn't all CS.

 

[swampsting]

I wish we could inherit a team with Demaryius Thomas, Josh Nesbitt, Jon Dwyer and that defense again.

Lot of people picked that team to be under .500

I really don’t know what we’ll be this year
I think we have some QBs we can trust but it’s a mostly untested WR corps and God only knows what the O line will be like
I think we have some good to decent DTs but I’m concerned about DE and LB. I think our safeties are the strength of the entire team but I’m still not crazy about corners
But at least with Key we prepare for actual games instead of WTF was calling practice

If we can keep the punts blocked allowed to 2 or under, who knows

 

[JJacket]

Lot of people picked that team to be under .500

I really don’t know what we’ll be this year
I think we have some QBs we can trust but it’s a mostly untested WR corps and God only knows what the O line will be like
I think we have some good to decent DTs but I’m concerned about DE and LB. I think our safeties are the strength of the entire team but I’m still not crazy about corners
But at least with Key we prepare for actual games instead of WTF was calling practice

If we can keep the punts blocked allowed to 2 or under, who knows

Wut? Who? I don't recall anyone picking that team below .500. If so, it was due to scheme, not players

 

[WracerX]

Wut? Who? I don't recall anyone picking that team below .500. If so, it was due to scheme, not players

Yeah, it was due to switching to the TO. No one knew what to expect. Had Gailey returned the line would have been 7.5 wins and a loss to uga.

 

[JJacket]

Yeah, it was due to switching to the TO. No one knew what to expect. Had Gailey returned the line would have been 7.5 wins and a loss to uga.

Wrong. We were going to beat the hell out of UGAg in 2008 and probably 2009.

 

[ElTechelero]

We'll just have to see how they do. Wanna see a team that hits, has a bunch of tough SOBs/fights to the death, and which doesn't beat itself/give games away.

Beyond these less tangibles experience, maturity, and talent in the trenches determines a lot of your team's performance. This year is the first year in quite awhile that I think we are trotting out some decently seasoned lines on both sides.

Yet OL and DL have different question marks limiting potential upside. OL the issue is quality depth, as the starting 5 looks like some pretty talented guys who have played some. On D the line is deeper, but lost the 1 player in K. White who consistently was disruptive. Need some of our seasoned DL to become more consistent playmakers.

Good DLs make LBs jobs much easier, so if DL can kick it up a notch it will really help our biggest team questionmark, which is LB (Honorable mention to punting unit).

Other questions include QB emergence, how much of new offense installation can effectively happen, and will WR look reach potential shown in spring game. Also can Key sustain the grit and toughness we showed while he was interim HC?

If we can have a few key pieces emerge we can have a decently high ceiling. Need some luck and to stay healthy as we are not a loaded, uber-talented team like Bama, Clemson,UGA, etc.

Regardless, I want to see a team that works and plays hard, plays smart, and maximizes it's talent. Do that and we'll win our share, and have a team we can feel proud of and optimistic about going forward.

 

[andrew]

Wrong. We were going to beat the hell out of UGAg in 2008 and probably 2009.

Seventh time's the charm!