We obviously played the meat of our SEC schedule without JRM, Sutton, and Kirkland. I expect substantial turnover on the staff after year-end (Debord steps aside or role changes, new OC who we can only hope is not a "yes" man steps in, new OL coach, Azzani if he leaves for a coordinator gig, and perhaps a change at LB or DB pending what Shoop wants to do with his staff in his 2nd year to improve that effort). Will prepare myself to be disappointed on all of those fronts, but those should be expectations if Butch is willing to adapt for the better even if we back-door our way to Atlanta this season (which would be a very good thing for recruiting, even if its a loss).
I started thinking about what our 2017 opening game starting line-up should be (based on talent, athleticism, etc.), removing any bias/favorites that we know the staff may play. Here's what that looks like and should look like:
Defense...
Corner: Byrd
Corner: Osborne
Nickel: Gaulden
Safety: Warrior
Safety: Berry
OLB: Sapp
MLB: Kirkland
DE: Kongbo
DE: Austin Smith or DT
DT: Phillips (let Kahlil fully recover into meat of SEC schedule)
DT: Vickers (let Shy fully recover into meat of SEC schedule)
Yes, TKJ and Abernathy are not starting. Mcdowell doesn't have the athleticism/instincts. Jumper has the instincts and work-ethic but is not Sapp on the outside (provides good depth). Bituli should get in the mix at LB. Smith was thought of as a NFL type guy before he got hurt; he or DT needs to take that next step at DE. Despite KP's athleticism initially, the consensus seems to be he's better suited at a 3-tech DT as his speed has suffered as his frame has grown. But he's still a 5star stud.
My biggest takeaways? Look how much faster/better the 2nd and 3rd levels of the D look. Byrd and Osborne were two of the best corners in their class, elite athletes. Warrior will be a stud in the NFL one day and we can't get him mentally ready without playing him. Berry's speed is too good to not have back there (his brother rose to the occassion vs Bama, his other brother is an all-timer, let him play). TKJ can earn his PT back there or at OLB if he can improve his quickness. We may have some impact freshmen (DB or DL most likely). I don't see Buchanan and Moseley getting as much run next year unless needed. Martin is too unreliable even if he stays.
Punt Returns: Byrd, all-day, every-day (let Byrd be Jabril Peppers starring on D, returning punts, and using him selectively on sweeps/slants or even Wildcat on offense)
Kick Returns: Berry
K/P: Daniel & Medley
Offense...
QB: Guarantano should win the job, and truly open up all facets of the offense and keep the back end of respective defenses on their toes
RB: Kelly (could be all-SEC), Chandler immediately contributing as well
WR: Malone & Jennings (feed them, especially JJ), Smith in slot (with Byrd seeing run two-ways, as well as Latrell, Perry, Cotman and the shifty guys in the slot). Callaway, Johnson, and the frosh Murphy will contribute.
TE: Wolf
Guard: Jones, Robertson, Boulware (best 2)
C: Thomas
The tackle spot should be an open competition: Kendrick, Hall, Richmond if stays, Tatum, and Trey Smith. I would not rule out Smith day one. But settle the top 2 and the next 2 before the first game.
While we'll miss Dylan, one could argue the line will be better under one clear voice (not Mahoney + Debord combo) and another year of experience. The QB play will improve, that I'm sure of. The RB play (relative to Hurd this year) will be a lot better. WR play will be better.
Schedule:
GT in Atlanta
Indiana State at home
Florida on road
UMass at home
UGA at home
Bye
USC at home
Bama on road
Kentucky on road
Southern Miss at home
Mizzou on road
LSU at home
Vandy at home
I for one like that layout better. UF loses a lot on D. We get a more improved UGA team at home. Bama on road and LSU at home are clearly difficult; but let's not pretend Bama is not losing talent especially on Defense (Allen, Williams, Foster, etc.).
I look at all of that, and think that if the staff truly plays the younger guys who are studs and does not simply play more experienced folks (especially on D), we have a setup where expectations are fully gone, there is no talk of SEC titles or Natties, and unlike the past year or two, we may be pleasantly surprised...
I started thinking about what our 2017 opening game starting line-up should be (based on talent, athleticism, etc.), removing any bias/favorites that we know the staff may play. Here's what that looks like and should look like:
Defense...
Corner: Byrd
Corner: Osborne
Nickel: Gaulden
Safety: Warrior
Safety: Berry
OLB: Sapp
MLB: Kirkland
DE: Kongbo
DE: Austin Smith or DT
DT: Phillips (let Kahlil fully recover into meat of SEC schedule)
DT: Vickers (let Shy fully recover into meat of SEC schedule)
Yes, TKJ and Abernathy are not starting. Mcdowell doesn't have the athleticism/instincts. Jumper has the instincts and work-ethic but is not Sapp on the outside (provides good depth). Bituli should get in the mix at LB. Smith was thought of as a NFL type guy before he got hurt; he or DT needs to take that next step at DE. Despite KP's athleticism initially, the consensus seems to be he's better suited at a 3-tech DT as his speed has suffered as his frame has grown. But he's still a 5star stud.
My biggest takeaways? Look how much faster/better the 2nd and 3rd levels of the D look. Byrd and Osborne were two of the best corners in their class, elite athletes. Warrior will be a stud in the NFL one day and we can't get him mentally ready without playing him. Berry's speed is too good to not have back there (his brother rose to the occassion vs Bama, his other brother is an all-timer, let him play). TKJ can earn his PT back there or at OLB if he can improve his quickness. We may have some impact freshmen (DB or DL most likely). I don't see Buchanan and Moseley getting as much run next year unless needed. Martin is too unreliable even if he stays.
Punt Returns: Byrd, all-day, every-day (let Byrd be Jabril Peppers starring on D, returning punts, and using him selectively on sweeps/slants or even Wildcat on offense)
Kick Returns: Berry
K/P: Daniel & Medley
Offense...
QB: Guarantano should win the job, and truly open up all facets of the offense and keep the back end of respective defenses on their toes
RB: Kelly (could be all-SEC), Chandler immediately contributing as well
WR: Malone & Jennings (feed them, especially JJ), Smith in slot (with Byrd seeing run two-ways, as well as Latrell, Perry, Cotman and the shifty guys in the slot). Callaway, Johnson, and the frosh Murphy will contribute.
TE: Wolf
Guard: Jones, Robertson, Boulware (best 2)
C: Thomas
The tackle spot should be an open competition: Kendrick, Hall, Richmond if stays, Tatum, and Trey Smith. I would not rule out Smith day one. But settle the top 2 and the next 2 before the first game.
While we'll miss Dylan, one could argue the line will be better under one clear voice (not Mahoney + Debord combo) and another year of experience. The QB play will improve, that I'm sure of. The RB play (relative to Hurd this year) will be a lot better. WR play will be better.
Schedule:
GT in Atlanta
Indiana State at home
Florida on road
UMass at home
UGA at home
Bye
USC at home
Bama on road
Kentucky on road
Southern Miss at home
Mizzou on road
LSU at home
Vandy at home
I for one like that layout better. UF loses a lot on D. We get a more improved UGA team at home. Bama on road and LSU at home are clearly difficult; but let's not pretend Bama is not losing talent especially on Defense (Allen, Williams, Foster, etc.).
I look at all of that, and think that if the staff truly plays the younger guys who are studs and does not simply play more experienced folks (especially on D), we have a setup where expectations are fully gone, there is no talk of SEC titles or Natties, and unlike the past year or two, we may be pleasantly surprised...
