1) If we can get some OL improvement between now and the UF game than we are pretty much unstoppable - our running game when Dobbs is involved is very difficult to contain even with the current OL play, and when Dobbs has had some protection I think his pocket passing has been very much improved this season.
2) Have to love the playmakers on this offense. Hurd/Kamara combo goes without saying, and Malone has been very good so far as well. I hated to see Preston drop that (well thrown) back shoulder pass because I would love to see him get untracked. Jennings looks like he is taking a step and I still think Smith can be a real contributor in the passing game. And Tyler Byrd...dude just looks like a baller out there. I think we'll see Brandon Johnson and Callaway start to get reps as the season goes on too.
3) 1+2 show that OL play obviously is the key to this offense. Because if Dobbs has time to throw and we are getting push upfront....hard for a DC to slow us down. How we get there in the next two weeks, though, is very much up in the air. Seems to me that you have to find a spot for Jack Jones. But what kind of shuffle do you make to create room for him? And is Chance Hall back by then and ready to play? A lot of things TBD right now, but I do think that Jones is at least a part of the answer.
4) Other than worrying about MLB, I m very encouraged by the Defense. We've been rocked back a bit in both of the opening two games, but in each case Shoop has figured things out schematically and the players have stepped up. Ultimately we've given up 37 points, with 7 of them coming in garbage time last night.
5) The DL is starting to really emerge, and we still haven't seen Alexis Johnson yet. But honestly, after the way Vickers and DOB played last night and with Tuttle looking like a bonafide 5-star, he's more of a luxury than a necessity at DT right now.
6) What they do with DK out is going to be fascinating. Do they just roll with Jumper? Do they move JRM "inside" and play McDowell? Do they eschew the MLB altogether and just play a Dime, relying on Gaulden to be the de facto 2nd LB on run plays?
7) Other thing to figure out is the CB spot opposite Cam. Clearly both Moseley and Martin struggled. They both have talent and experience though, so it's far from a truly dire situation. But it is an area that needs improvement before UF comes to town, because Swamp Donkey is good at finding mismatches and getting his best players (Callaway and Powell) open.
8) Ohio game comes at a perfect time on the schedule. It's a big opportunity to work on the issues above (OL shuffle, MLB, 2nd CB), get some of our depth guys some real PT, and in turn get out starters a breather.
2) Have to love the playmakers on this offense. Hurd/Kamara combo goes without saying, and Malone has been very good so far as well. I hated to see Preston drop that (well thrown) back shoulder pass because I would love to see him get untracked. Jennings looks like he is taking a step and I still think Smith can be a real contributor in the passing game. And Tyler Byrd...dude just looks like a baller out there. I think we'll see Brandon Johnson and Callaway start to get reps as the season goes on too.
3) 1+2 show that OL play obviously is the key to this offense. Because if Dobbs has time to throw and we are getting push upfront....hard for a DC to slow us down. How we get there in the next two weeks, though, is very much up in the air. Seems to me that you have to find a spot for Jack Jones. But what kind of shuffle do you make to create room for him? And is Chance Hall back by then and ready to play? A lot of things TBD right now, but I do think that Jones is at least a part of the answer.
4) Other than worrying about MLB, I m very encouraged by the Defense. We've been rocked back a bit in both of the opening two games, but in each case Shoop has figured things out schematically and the players have stepped up. Ultimately we've given up 37 points, with 7 of them coming in garbage time last night.
5) The DL is starting to really emerge, and we still haven't seen Alexis Johnson yet. But honestly, after the way Vickers and DOB played last night and with Tuttle looking like a bonafide 5-star, he's more of a luxury than a necessity at DT right now.
6) What they do with DK out is going to be fascinating. Do they just roll with Jumper? Do they move JRM "inside" and play McDowell? Do they eschew the MLB altogether and just play a Dime, relying on Gaulden to be the de facto 2nd LB on run plays?
7) Other thing to figure out is the CB spot opposite Cam. Clearly both Moseley and Martin struggled. They both have talent and experience though, so it's far from a truly dire situation. But it is an area that needs improvement before UF comes to town, because Swamp Donkey is good at finding mismatches and getting his best players (Callaway and Powell) open.
8) Ohio game comes at a perfect time on the schedule. It's a big opportunity to work on the issues above (OL shuffle, MLB, 2nd CB), get some of our depth guys some real PT, and in turn get out starters a breather.
