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WizardHawk
Release the Kraken - Fuck the Canucks
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My old friend iron was asking about some of his concerns going into this year so maybe we need a thread to discuss it. What are the areas you are most worried about?
Offense:
The pass blocking was bad last year and the run blocking inconsistent, but not nearly as bad. They graduated the center, but got kids back from injury. Still the line has to be the biggest question mark as they will now have someone new at center and many of the same kids who struggled last year back on the line. Sure they are another year along and should make strides forward, but you just can't know until you see them play. It's a concern, but the depth there now makes it not nearly as much as it was last year and could end up being much more solid if they stay healthy.
For all of the talk about Keith Price most of it is in general terms. Everyone asks if he will be more like his first season than last year and as far as the turnovers go my best guess would be yes, but everyone forgets how much of a different player he has ALWAYS been on the road (Nebraska game ring a bell). I think we should expect him to play well at home against Boise, Arizona, even Oregon, but can he finally play loose and free on the road this year? If not don't expect any upsets in our conference road games. This does give me some concern.
Anything else on offense? I love our depth at RB and while we are young in the WR corps there is a lot of talent there that should give Keith plenty of options to throw to. As long as ASJ and KW stay healthy I don't see much of a problem out there.
Defense:
The Dline wasn't that solid last year as they battled their own injuries, but did shine at times especially at home. I watched that Stanford game again the other day and loved how many sacks and hurries they had against a pretty darned good O line. Still, this has to be the main unit on the D to question coming into the season. Can they play with discipline and create both a pass rush and run blocking and do it with the kind of consistency they need to if they are to make the next step?
Any real concerns in the LB corps? None come to mind for me. Should be the most solid part of the D from what I have seen.
Secondary should still be good, but losing two key players one of which will be playing regularly on sundays this fall means we do have questions. All indications are they have options to replace tru, but again you won't know until you see it and I doubt anyone creates the kind of shutdown he did. That means more safety coverage.
Special Teams:
Durkee again? Really? FFS didn't we see enough 20y punts last year? Man does this kid need to grow in a hurry. I know Coons will be splitting punting duties and did a good job last year, but man I don't want to see Durkee out there again. Coons will get some relief in having the new kid take the kick offs and that will help some. Coons did do a decent job at FG's until he obviously ran out of gas doing all 3 duties last year.
Haven't paid enough attention to returns and coverage to have an opinion either way on those units.
Still, this is Sarks 5th year and the team has enough depth and options to not allow for any more excuses for not taking that next step. Nothing above should leave us thinking they slip back to 6 or fewer wins either. To me anything less than 4-0 to open the season would be a huge let down and you would have to start questioning whether or not it's time to start talking about Sark needing to go for this team to return to where it should be. I'm not worried about it though as I fully expect that 4-0 start.
What do the rest of you think are our concerns going into this first game?
Offense:
The pass blocking was bad last year and the run blocking inconsistent, but not nearly as bad. They graduated the center, but got kids back from injury. Still the line has to be the biggest question mark as they will now have someone new at center and many of the same kids who struggled last year back on the line. Sure they are another year along and should make strides forward, but you just can't know until you see them play. It's a concern, but the depth there now makes it not nearly as much as it was last year and could end up being much more solid if they stay healthy.
For all of the talk about Keith Price most of it is in general terms. Everyone asks if he will be more like his first season than last year and as far as the turnovers go my best guess would be yes, but everyone forgets how much of a different player he has ALWAYS been on the road (Nebraska game ring a bell). I think we should expect him to play well at home against Boise, Arizona, even Oregon, but can he finally play loose and free on the road this year? If not don't expect any upsets in our conference road games. This does give me some concern.
Anything else on offense? I love our depth at RB and while we are young in the WR corps there is a lot of talent there that should give Keith plenty of options to throw to. As long as ASJ and KW stay healthy I don't see much of a problem out there.
Defense:
The Dline wasn't that solid last year as they battled their own injuries, but did shine at times especially at home. I watched that Stanford game again the other day and loved how many sacks and hurries they had against a pretty darned good O line. Still, this has to be the main unit on the D to question coming into the season. Can they play with discipline and create both a pass rush and run blocking and do it with the kind of consistency they need to if they are to make the next step?
Any real concerns in the LB corps? None come to mind for me. Should be the most solid part of the D from what I have seen.
Secondary should still be good, but losing two key players one of which will be playing regularly on sundays this fall means we do have questions. All indications are they have options to replace tru, but again you won't know until you see it and I doubt anyone creates the kind of shutdown he did. That means more safety coverage.
Special Teams:
Durkee again? Really? FFS didn't we see enough 20y punts last year? Man does this kid need to grow in a hurry. I know Coons will be splitting punting duties and did a good job last year, but man I don't want to see Durkee out there again. Coons will get some relief in having the new kid take the kick offs and that will help some. Coons did do a decent job at FG's until he obviously ran out of gas doing all 3 duties last year.
Haven't paid enough attention to returns and coverage to have an opinion either way on those units.
Still, this is Sarks 5th year and the team has enough depth and options to not allow for any more excuses for not taking that next step. Nothing above should leave us thinking they slip back to 6 or fewer wins either. To me anything less than 4-0 to open the season would be a huge let down and you would have to start questioning whether or not it's time to start talking about Sark needing to go for this team to return to where it should be. I'm not worried about it though as I fully expect that 4-0 start.
What do the rest of you think are our concerns going into this first game?
