How good can we be in football this year?

[trumaroon]

<div style="text-align: left;">The baseball game really had me feeling down today so I decided to watch our spring game and set my sights on football. I came away with a few key concerns. Here they are:</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Tyler Russell will in all?likelihood be injured at some point this season and miss some time. I don't feel confident that we can be?competitive?without him under center. Dak looked completely lost and didn't throw the ball well in the spring game. We desperately need him to improve between now and August. I do realize that we would ?go to a run package with Dak in the game which may buy us a series or two but I would bet on Troy all day if Dak had to start that game.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Is our passing game as good as it looked? Chris Wilson has not proven he can successfully defend a potent passing attack. He plays entirely too much zone leaving gaping holes in the defense. I'm glad Russell found the holes but we played pitch and catch all day on offense. We have too good of a secondary to sit in a zone. We need to increase the amount of man defense we play so we can force more 3 and outs and get the offense on the field.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Safety...Hughes,?Lewis, Arrington, Market... Are these guys going to cut it? ?I don't think it's out of the question that we see Will Redmond getting reps at safety by midway through the season. I hope these guys are ready to buckle it up come August. With our blitzing style defense it's important that our safety's don't make mistakes and can hold their own in pass coverage. We need a 100% healthy Whitley to solidify the back end of our defense if we want to compete with Bama and LSU in the West.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. O-Line-The most important and obvious of all the concerns. I like what I saw in the Spring game from this unit. I think we can give up on Dylan Holley taking over the starting center spot. Day will have to handle the center spot with Tobias Smith and Gabe Jackson at the guard spots. If these three could stay healthy I would consider the interior O-line a strength as opposed to a weakness. However, I don't see that happening. We will need one other interior guy to step up and I'm not sure any of the next guys in line are ready. Charles Siddoway impressed me a lot in pass protection which is great to see. I think he will be a very serviceable tackle and would like to see him at Right tackle with an improved Blaine Clausell at left tackle. The unit that walks out for the first game will be a solid O-line but any injuries and we could easily end up in a similar situation to last year.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>

 

[trumaroon]

<div style="text-align: left;">The baseball game really had me feeling down today so I decided to watch our spring game and set my sights on football. I came away with a few key concerns. Here they are:</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Tyler Russell will in all?likelihood be injured at some point this season and miss some time. I don't feel confident that we can be?competitive?without him under center. Dak looked completely lost and didn't throw the ball well in the spring game. We desperately need him to improve between now and August. I do realize that we would ?go to a run package with Dak in the game which may buy us a series or two but I would bet on Troy all day if Dak had to start that game.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Is our passing game as good as it looked? Chris Wilson has not proven he can successfully defend a potent passing attack. He plays entirely too much zone leaving gaping holes in the defense. I'm glad Russell found the holes but we played pitch and catch all day on offense. We have too good of a secondary to sit in a zone. We need to increase the amount of man defense we play so we can force more 3 and outs and get the offense on the field.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Safety...Hughes,?Lewis, Arrington, Market... Are these guys going to cut it? ?I don't think it's out of the question that we see Will Redmond getting reps at safety by midway through the season. I hope these guys are ready to buckle it up come August. With our blitzing style defense it's important that our safety's don't make mistakes and can hold their own in pass coverage. We need a 100% healthy Whitley to solidify the back end of our defense if we want to compete with Bama and LSU in the West.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. O-Line-The most important and obvious of all the concerns. I like what I saw in the Spring game from this unit. I think we can give up on Dylan Holley taking over the starting center spot. Day will have to handle the center spot with Tobias Smith and Gabe Jackson at the guard spots. If these three could stay healthy I would consider the interior O-line a strength as opposed to a weakness. However, I don't see that happening. We will need one other interior guy to step up and I'm not sure any of the next guys in line are ready. Charles Siddoway impressed me a lot in pass protection which is great to see. I think he will be a very serviceable tackle and would like to see him at Right tackle with an improved Blaine Clausell at left tackle. The unit that walks out for the first game will be a solid O-line but any injuries and we could easily end up in a similar situation to last year.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>

 

[trumaroon]

<div style="text-align: left;">The baseball game really had me feeling down today so I decided to watch our spring game and set my sights on football. I came away with a few key concerns. Here they are:</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Tyler Russell will in all?likelihood be injured at some point this season and miss some time. I don't feel confident that we can be?competitive?without him under center. Dak looked completely lost and didn't throw the ball well in the spring game. We desperately need him to improve between now and August. I do realize that we would ?go to a run package with Dak in the game which may buy us a series or two but I would bet on Troy all day if Dak had to start that game.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Is our passing game as good as it looked? Chris Wilson has not proven he can successfully defend a potent passing attack. He plays entirely too much zone leaving gaping holes in the defense. I'm glad Russell found the holes but we played pitch and catch all day on offense. We have too good of a secondary to sit in a zone. We need to increase the amount of man defense we play so we can force more 3 and outs and get the offense on the field.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Safety...Hughes,?Lewis, Arrington, Market... Are these guys going to cut it? ?I don't think it's out of the question that we see Will Redmond getting reps at safety by midway through the season. I hope these guys are ready to buckle it up come August. With our blitzing style defense it's important that our safety's don't make mistakes and can hold their own in pass coverage. We need a 100% healthy Whitley to solidify the back end of our defense if we want to compete with Bama and LSU in the West.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. O-Line-The most important and obvious of all the concerns. I like what I saw in the Spring game from this unit. I think we can give up on Dylan Holley taking over the starting center spot. Day will have to handle the center spot with Tobias Smith and Gabe Jackson at the guard spots. If these three could stay healthy I would consider the interior O-line a strength as opposed to a weakness. However, I don't see that happening. We will need one other interior guy to step up and I'm not sure any of the next guys in line are ready. Charles Siddoway impressed me a lot in pass protection which is great to see. I think he will be a very serviceable tackle and would like to see him at Right tackle with an improved Blaine Clausell at left tackle. The unit that walks out for the first game will be a solid O-line but any injuries and we could easily end up in a similar situation to last year.?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>

 

[patdog]

But you're right, if Russell goes down, we're screwed.

 

[MSDawg34]

I believe

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

...but seriously:


None of your answers can be answered until 2-a-days, when the 2 deep begins to be affected by new arrivals.


This season we'll have about 3 games decided by FG accuracy, so I hope a decent FG kicker is on campus. Nobody ever mentions that.


And I like the fact you are already penciling in Russell for the injury list.


That's just proves you're a good Bulldog.

 

[FlabLoser]

1. Can Dak be a good backup?

Yes. It didn't show in the spring because we didn't run Dak's offense. Dak will run the Relf offense and Dak's passing isn't far behind Relf and may be better than Relf.


2. Is our passing game as good as it looked?

No. In the spring, the defense practically didn't rush the passer.


3. Are our safeties any good?

Pass.


4. OL?

Should be better than last year.

 

[GTAdawg]

After the end of the baseball season. However, I'll be saving my thoughts for preseason prognosticators. I still have some things I'm up in the air about.

 

[Coach34]

1. Dak Prescott is a better QB today than Chris Relf was. If Russell gets hurt, we wont be throwing it all around for Dak to get lost. We will simplify the passing game and go back to the Spread Option. I dont worry one bit about Russell getting hurt.

2. No, our passing game is not as good as it looked- but it will be pretty good. We'll see what Russell and our OL is made of in Game 2 next season. He has some weapons and we have to minimize turnovers- turnovers scare me to death with Russell

3. We'll be good as Safety. Having Whitley back is huge and the other guys will be ready to play.

4. Our OL will be better than last year. It's still going to take a little time to gel- and that worries me about playing Auburn in Game 2. We really, really, really need plastic man to stay healthy his Sr season

 

[Sauron]

He has to stay healthy, which is a concern, but I think he will be solid. He looks more poised than he did at this time last year. The pressure is also off so to speak because he knows the job is his. He doesn't have to try and make amazing plays everytime he drops back in an attempt to make Mullen keep him in like he felt like he did last year. You'll see him throw the ball away more if the play isn't there or just take the sack as opposed to tossing it up for grabs.

No, the passing game will not be as good as it looked in spring. It never is. However, it will be better than you have seen a passing game at MSU in years. The receiver corp is grown up now. We have a threat to stretch the field in Morrow, and we have a qb who can get them the ball. If the line can give Russell a halfway decent amount of protection, we will be ok chunking the rock.

The defensive secondary is sound. I don't have many worries there. I would like to see us play more man, though. I think we have the talent for it instead of giving the receiever a fifteen yard cushion every time.

The O line is a lot of what killed the offense last year. We need Smith to stay healthy. We also need someone to step up at the center position. In all honesty, I think this unit will be better than it was last year, but we are once again an injury away from being royally 17ed.

Likely wins:
All 4 OOC games
UT
UK
Ole Miss

Toss ups:
AU
TAMU

Likely losses:
LSU
Bama
Arkansas.

I think we'll end up somewhere like 7-5, 8-4 to finished the season.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

[No message]

 

[RocketCityDawg]

That's as creepy as your previous condom avitar.

"He's dead, Jim."
Dead horse, that.
Hard time, letting go?

Just wondering.

 

[JackShephard]

We "should" win all 4 OOC games, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. There's 6 right there. There are 3 true toss up games in Auburn, A&M, and TN, and they're all at home. Arkansas is doubtful, but winnable, and it's at home. If Mullen can't go at least 1-3, and preferably 2-2, over those four games...then it may be time to start wondering just how good of a game day coach he actually is. </p>

 

[Hump4Hoops]

a 7th if you count UT at home.

Auburn should also be a win at home, but that's a chicken I'm not counting just yet.

The season becomes a breakout success if we take out aTm at home (very possible).

Other 3 are guaranteed losses.

 

[thatsbaseball]

( besides Houston Nutt and hopefully Freeze) if he does we`ll be 8-4. Count me as still somewhat skeptical.</p>

 

[Johnson85]

If we have an injury on the O-line or at qb, 6-6 could be a good year.

 

[Coach34]

1. for whatever reason I cant seem to load pics on yuku. This here computer of mine wont copy/paste pics with yuku. It took about 5 PM's and over an hour to get The Recruiter loaded up as my avatar way back when- I'm not ready to go thru that again

2. You're about the 5th person to mention it now, so since it still seems to bother people, it makes me want to keep it

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Rumor has it he is on his 20th Stan dart board.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

If we beat AU, Then there should be 7 wins going into Alabama. We should beat TN at home and should be a disappointment if we don't. Remember that they fought it out with KY for the last win last year, was 1-4 in the east with that one hard fought win against KY, and had a horrible offense all season. They also play us between Georgia and Alabama. I'm walking into the TN game expecting nothing less than a victory beer at the tailgate.<div>
</div><div>8 wins and very possible 9 wins with an upset should be the result. </div>

 

[JackShephard]

They are talented and experienced. Well coached? I don't think so, but we are going to find out for sure this year.

 

[shsdawg]

largely on the offensive line. If they are improved, and it needs to be a large improvement, then we could win 8 or so. If not we will struggle to get to where we were last year.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

nm

 

[esplanade91]

1. Mullen has had success with worse quarterbacks, so while I will be disappointed to see our #1 go down (should that happen) I ultimately don't think that's what buries us. In my opinion, both have upside. Both have their weaknesses though.

2. Our passing game isn't as good as advertised but it's the first season since like 1994 that opposing teams have a legitimate concern for our receivers. Johnson and Morrow are major distractions and should open our running game up fantastically. Hypothetically speaking you're right and Russell has to sit Dak is going to look like 17'ing Tebow. With Relf and no legitimate receiving threat DBs have been able to come in and lay the wood against us, now they'll have to gamble.

3. Safety has been the only position I haven't worried about in years. We recruit VERY well there, so if Arrington doesn't pan out as planned there are 10 guys sitting behind him. Arrington is going to be good though, and so should his counterparts. Mitchell was good, but he led to more frustration than almost any player on the field in the open, so I think a lot of you are being dramatic about starting a new guy who arguably is a better overall athlete.

4. We signed 2 JUCO's who were considered the best at their position on offensive line in the country who can contribute immediately. Clausell got burned, yes, but our problem last year was quality depth in our rotation, so if these new guys don't start they'll at least contribute in relief.

5. Sorry for the formatting. iPhone.

 

[OMlawdog]

The kid was so damn good last year, but achilles tendon ruptures are usually 9 month to a year recovery time.

Also does Slay move over to FS to replace Mitchell?

Im assuming Broomfield, Slay and Banks will be on the field a lot. Im glad those three are finally seniors.

 

[esplanade91]

Clark, Smith, and even Bumphis aren't bad college receivers. Especially Smith. The problem lies in the fact that we all thought Bumphis was somehow Percy Harvin and would win us 10 games by himself playing every position on offense and defense. Now that we have NFL quality targets Bumphis and these #2 guys will be even better. Our skill players have mad skillz.

 

[Coach34]

The kid was so damn good last year, but achilles tendon ruptures are usually 9 month to a year recovery time.

Also does Slay move over to FS to replace Mitchell?

Im assuming Broomfield, Slay and Banks will be on the field a lot. Im glad those three are finally seniors.

Slay is a straight up cover guy- I'm not completely sure at this point how they will work things- but it wont be Slay getting any reps at SS- Broomfield actually worked there some this Spring I think. Broomfield is the worst of the 3 in coverage- and he isnt bad. Now that Slay knows what the hell is going on, he has really made the jump to get on the field. It's a good problem to have.

 

[Hector.sixpack]

As the majority of our depth chart has been on campus for 3 plus yrs. I expect that to be reflected in beating a top team this year. Anything less than 8 wins and I'll be disappointed.

 

[mayhemdawg]

[No message]

 

[Foronce]

Shirley, it wouldn't take an hour aGAIN.

 

[Bulldog Backer]

That's as creepy as your previous condom avitar.

"He's dead, Jim."
Dead horse, that.
Hard time, letting go?

Just wondering.

Coach34 likes being controversial. It makes him the center of attention. Just ignore his avatar.

 

[coach66]

nm

 

[DerHntr]

nm

 

[Coach34]

.

 

[Dinkle]

nm

 

[Hump4Hoops]

If you think Arkansas because we play at home, I'll remind you that their passing game last year made us look like a peewee squad.

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

Mullen will finally get his big upset....and Florida in hindsight wasn't that big of an upset....

 

[jackstefano]

Remember that they fought it out with KY for the last win last year, was 1-4 in the east with that one hard fought win against KY, and had a horrible offense all season.

UT lost to UK last year.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I would lean more toward 7-5 than 6-6 but it wouldn't surprise me to see 6-6. I still think there are plenty of question marks and until I see Russell in action on the field and not slinging interceptions will I be comfortable with anything more than that. O line is still scary.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

That's right. It was Vandy that lost to them. Either way, TN should be a win at home

 

[trumaroon]

Coach- You say a lot of questionable things on this board but to say Dak is better now than Relf was last year is completely absurd. Put Relf in place of Dak in the spring game and he does light years better. We all have hope for Dak but we have to be honest and say the kid is not ready yet.