I'm totally bloated from drinking blue Kool-Aid but I really feel that this team is going shock some folks this year. Here are some reasons why I'm stoked.
1. The addition of Burns as WR coach. So far in camp, the WR's have dialed up the intensity and have improved greatly on route running and technique. The previous coach never seemed to teach separation skills or hand skills getting to the ball. Collis is looking like a beast and has worked his tail off. Richie James is a baller (think Beyah's freshman year good), Joc Bruce is turning heads, Smith has grown like Collis and Batties is improving as well. At TE, Pettis has grown too and we will have viable targets all over including Tuck and other RB's. We have weapons and Burns has been a great addition thus far. Perfect fit for what we needed and a big upgrade over Watts.
2. Running backs galore. We have 5 viable backs that can play at anytime. Tuck, Parker and Bryson are the staples but Herod and Thomas are there as well. We also have a freshman that is Reggie Whatley fast. In other words, we are loaded.
3. 2 good QB's who are pushing each other. They are both good. People can say what they want about Grammer but in his first year, he throws for 2557 yards and runs for 442 getting a total of 2999 yards last season. Stockstill is probably as good in the air as him. Most schools are struggling to find one gamer and we have 2.
4. Beef on OL. I never thought I'd see the day where we would end up bringing in 6'6 310 lb guys on the regular and we got 4 this last signing day alone. We should end up having a great line by game 3 or 4. I mean great. Once they gel, it will be scary.
5. Aggressiveness and talent on the DL. We have size, speed and depth on the DL at DE and DT. So far, they are having an awesome camp. Way better than last year from what I've heard and seen.
6. Experience and toughness at LB. Barber is killing it in camp so far and Luckett is going all out too. We have lots of talent there.
7. Secondary has been upgraded and improved. With Cutrer adjusting and Heard gaining ground with the seasoned experience of Byard, this will be the most improved unit on the team. If we can simply cover for a second longer on pass plays, we will hold 3rd downs more because the D line will force the QB to get rid of the ball much sooner than he will want to which causes incomplete passes and interceptions.
We will have a couple setbacks but I really like this team. We should be able to make a run this year. I'm going 9-3 with a possible 10-3 by getting the bowl win. Anything at 8-4 or above is what I'm feeling. 2009 preseason feelings here.
