What are your concerns with the MSU football team this year?

[Irondawg]

I have a few:

1) Linebacker play - I have no idea how good or bad Gatling is so there is a concern there at one starting slot.While I like White and Wright, some folks make them out to be 1st team SEC guys and they're just not that in my eyes. Solid, but is there a "playmaker" in that group. Plus we have no depth.

2) The early schedule related to our defense. Totally new scheme with lots of blitzes. We miss an assignment early and it's probably a quick 6 points the other way. Do this in any of the early SEC games and that could be the difference.

3) Can we generate the pass rush needed for the defense to be successful?

4) Can the offense find a way to get Bumphis the ball at least 8-10 times a game other than kickoff returns. He's our playmaker this year and needs the ball in his hands.

5) The obvious QB issues and if they can keep from turning the ball over and can Relf at least complete 55-60% of his passes.

I feel decent about the RB and WR positions and think the secondary will ok for the most part

 

[therightway]

There will more pressure on them but that should not have to stay with their man quite as long this year. I doubt you will see the Torbush 3 man rush very often.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

1A. QB Play. It stays here until proven otherwise. 1B. Turnovers, which are directly related to 1A.
2. The Schedule.
3. WR Play. Although I feel a little better about this lately.
4. RB - I don't care what everyone says, we need someone to step up.
5. O-Line Depth.
6. Secondary - mostly due to some inevitable blown coverages as a result of adjusting to a different scheme.

I think we will be fine at LB, but depth there is my primary concern. After 1A and 1B, nothing really matters. Those two are the key to our season. We are solid enough in all other areas to compete with anyone.

 

[MaverickAG]

I'm definitely worried about LB depth but not the starters. I feel they should be more than adequate. The scariest part to me is the fact I haven't seen Manny D coach a defense other than the one game we played at MTSU. His philosophy sounds great and should be fun to watch but will it translate to the SEC. That is what worries me more than our players. I'm also a bit concerned as to if our secondary is good enough to cover WR 1 on 1 to support some of the blitzing we will likely be doing.

As for offense, its simple for me. I believe we will go as Chris Relf goes. So, is he going to be mentally tough enough to be the man day in and day out and has he managed to become enough of a passing threat to hit his intended target 50-60% of the time and limit interceptions?

 

[rugbdawg]

nm

 

[ArlngtnDawg]

1. QB - either be good or be smart and don't lose it. I think our D can keep us in every game if our O doesn't screw us with turnovers.
2. Injuries (and or suspensions) - we can't afford to lose anyone at any position right now we just haven't developed any depth.
3. Schedule - nothing else to say but it is brutal.

 

[Hanmudog]

I really think had we won that LSU game then the rest of our season may have gone differently last year. I want to see us beat either Georgia or Auburn (or both) and get our confidence up before the stretch run.

 

[Dollabillz]

nm

 

[thunderclap]

1-3 start, and the guys don't see the return, and the air goes out of the sails.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

...

 

[GloryDawg]

You really don't know until the suit up and play.

 

[EClass04]

Defense: I like our starters but am not sure if we have any quality depth at any position. Also, we have a new defensive scheme that should definitely be exciting but will also be feast or famine because of the style of play it calls for.

Offense: I feel concern at every position besides the OL, but I think that's mainly because of the secrecy taking place in year two under Mullen. I can't ever remember a team only having one big scrimmage during an entire fall camp and never releasing any stats or anything. Also, with no go-to-guy like AD was last year, I'm not sure what the identity of our team will be. I have a feeling that's just how Mullen wants it to be going into the season though....</p>

 

[GloryDawg]

Seems like it's been 11 years since we had a good O Line going into a season.</p>

 

[Todd4State]

are Relf's passing number one. Or rather his accuracy.

Secondly, the lack of WR's. Yes, we have Bumphis and Berry, and Green will be a weapon, but we need more than that.

The releative inexperience/lack of a proven running back. Robert Elliott hasn't done a whole lot yet, and he's the most experienced that we have.

 

[patdog]

Secondary - I like the talent, but they did get burned a lot last year.

 

[Dental Dawg]

I am concerned about the old man who sat 4 seats down from me. I hope he gets some Avadart this year. That m'fer must piss 14 to 15 times a ball game.

 

[vandaldawg]

I think Relf's effectiveness will be primarily dependent on this. In the Ole Miss game, the reason Relf was so effective was that Ole Miss had no idea whether to key on AD or Relf. The answer is you had to key on both. When Relf's running threat gets established, his passing follows. If defenses are able to key on Relf, all that could fall apart. RB's need to be dangerous.