With us now sitting at 2-3 many on here is talking about next year being our year (already). Wanted to get your thoughts on why/how we improve to get there. IMO, we should be 5-0 or 4-1. Arkansas is only game I felt like we didn't hand the game away. The talent is here this year to win and for coaching reasons, lack of execution, etc it hasn't happened. So where do we improve for next year to get to 9+ wins we should be with our talent level currently? I'll break down position groups and would love to get your opinion as well.
QBs: Dobbs, Dormady, Jones, Jimmy G. It is hard to see Dobbs improving much from what he is now. He has started 14 games to date and played in 16. By this point, he is what he is. It is tough to make a move to another QB since Dobbs likely "has the team". At some point though, I'm sure the WRs would want someone else. If Dobbs stays your QB we must get more creative in the run game with motion from WRs on almost every play (triple option from gun). If a move is made to Dormady, once again you are starting a new QB with very limited experience.
Next year: Equal
RBs: Hurd, Kamara, Kelly. Stud group. Hurd is better than we could imagined. Kamara isn't going pro after this year like the hype preseason. He is a good #2 in SEC.
Next year: Slight improvement (hard to have big jump when you are this good)
WRs/TEs: 8-10 of them. Who knows they all get 7 plays a game. Losing Pig, Pearson, Johnson is a wash IMO. The concerning part is North has seemed to regress since his arrival. Is it coaching or a lack of QB that can throw the ball. WR is hardest group to judge since I don't think they have a QB that allows them to make plays. Williams can be special but needs a QB that can throw deep. Wolf is a stud but we don't like to throw it across the middle.
Next year: With Dobbs around the same. With new QB slight bump.
OL: Who knows? Lose Kerbyson and Crowder but hopefully add the 4 FR into the mix. If anything it should be deeper. My concern is this staff rarely lets a unit gel on the OL and moves guys around a lot. Also factored into the mystery of not playing some young guys when it matters is concerning. With a youth movement will obviously come growing pains and it looks like we won't see that until after Bama if not 2016.
Next year: Slight improvement.
DL: Losing Maggitt has really hurt our DL this year. Factor in by no one stepping up opposite of Barnett and it has showed. Tuttle and Mck aren't ready to be #1's yet but their future is bright and you can see it. By next year, conditioning and strength should improve and expect them to be beasts. This group will improve the most heading into 2016.
Next year: Big jump
LB: JRM is a playmaker. The LB rotation this year is confusing to say the least. Staff continues to play Jumper and Bynum over guys like Bates, McDowell, Bryant. Kirkland plays like a true FR at times but has a high upside. He should only get better with time. If the staff wants to improve it needs to add another playmaker with speed.
Next year: Equal to 2015
DB: Losing 3 out of 5 starters will hurt on the back end. McNiel and Randolph will be gone, and I expect Sutton to declare for NFL. TKJR will start at one spot but who else?!? Flashes from some guys but not enough to feel good. Need Gaulden back in a huge way at nickel for 2016.
Next year: Downgrade
Coaching: Don't expect any changes to be made from Butch. Wouldn't surprise me to see a defection either at WR coach or OL coach. Highly doubt DeBord is not brought back. Can this staff learn to close games? Get playmakers involved down the field? Find an OL and stick with it? Make rational football in game decisions? Time will tell.
QBs: Dobbs, Dormady, Jones, Jimmy G. It is hard to see Dobbs improving much from what he is now. He has started 14 games to date and played in 16. By this point, he is what he is. It is tough to make a move to another QB since Dobbs likely "has the team". At some point though, I'm sure the WRs would want someone else. If Dobbs stays your QB we must get more creative in the run game with motion from WRs on almost every play (triple option from gun). If a move is made to Dormady, once again you are starting a new QB with very limited experience.
Next year: Equal
RBs: Hurd, Kamara, Kelly. Stud group. Hurd is better than we could imagined. Kamara isn't going pro after this year like the hype preseason. He is a good #2 in SEC.
Next year: Slight improvement (hard to have big jump when you are this good)
WRs/TEs: 8-10 of them. Who knows they all get 7 plays a game. Losing Pig, Pearson, Johnson is a wash IMO. The concerning part is North has seemed to regress since his arrival. Is it coaching or a lack of QB that can throw the ball. WR is hardest group to judge since I don't think they have a QB that allows them to make plays. Williams can be special but needs a QB that can throw deep. Wolf is a stud but we don't like to throw it across the middle.
Next year: With Dobbs around the same. With new QB slight bump.
OL: Who knows? Lose Kerbyson and Crowder but hopefully add the 4 FR into the mix. If anything it should be deeper. My concern is this staff rarely lets a unit gel on the OL and moves guys around a lot. Also factored into the mystery of not playing some young guys when it matters is concerning. With a youth movement will obviously come growing pains and it looks like we won't see that until after Bama if not 2016.
Next year: Slight improvement.
DL: Losing Maggitt has really hurt our DL this year. Factor in by no one stepping up opposite of Barnett and it has showed. Tuttle and Mck aren't ready to be #1's yet but their future is bright and you can see it. By next year, conditioning and strength should improve and expect them to be beasts. This group will improve the most heading into 2016.
Next year: Big jump
LB: JRM is a playmaker. The LB rotation this year is confusing to say the least. Staff continues to play Jumper and Bynum over guys like Bates, McDowell, Bryant. Kirkland plays like a true FR at times but has a high upside. He should only get better with time. If the staff wants to improve it needs to add another playmaker with speed.
Next year: Equal to 2015
DB: Losing 3 out of 5 starters will hurt on the back end. McNiel and Randolph will be gone, and I expect Sutton to declare for NFL. TKJR will start at one spot but who else?!? Flashes from some guys but not enough to feel good. Need Gaulden back in a huge way at nickel for 2016.
Next year: Downgrade
Coaching: Don't expect any changes to be made from Butch. Wouldn't surprise me to see a defection either at WR coach or OL coach. Highly doubt DeBord is not brought back. Can this staff learn to close games? Get playmakers involved down the field? Find an OL and stick with it? Make rational football in game decisions? Time will tell.
