CHASESMITH 6th Year? Rumors of return?

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There are too many hills I'm willing to die on, but losing PoPo isn't one of them. Less than ideal, yes. However, we played in the natty, will litter the NFL draft, have a savant DC, and a HC who personnel-wise is almost never caught with his pants down. The evals, in both HS recruiting and the portal have been exceptional, especially recently. And there are names at the tip of everyone's tongue that in all likelihood are comparable talents - on the roster. And there are still portal opportunities, even grad transfers if MC and Heatherman see fit. Do we think they're incapable of evaluating their own roster? Someone needs a Xanax.
 
I didn’t think he’d get a waiver but it sounds like there’s a legit chance .
Had high expectations for him out of HS. Def was glad to see him get some more PT this yr and actually contribute some. Would def welcome him back as a rotational veteran presence. Hoping Wiley steps up and takes the other spot
 
There are too many hills I'm willing to die on, but losing PoPo isn't one of them. Less than ideal, yes. However, we played in the natty, will litter the NFL draft, have a savant DC, and a HC who personnel-wise is almost never caught with his pants down. The evals, in both HS recruiting and the portal have been exceptional, especially recently. And there are names at the tip of everyone's tongue that in all likelihood are comparable talents - on the roster. And there are still portal opportunities, even grad transfers if MC and Heatherman see fit. Do we think they're incapable of evaluating their own roster? Someone needs a Xanax.
What was our two weakest position groups on the team, and tell me how either is better?
 
"For a rotational backup"

See I am literally saying I have zero confidence he won't be our starter and will "just" be a rotational backup.

So you're mad at potentially retaining a solid LB because he will DEFINITELY be the starter?

Confused Steve Brule GIF by MOODMAN
 
So you're mad at potentially retaining a solid LB because he will DEFINITELY be the starter?

Confused Steve Brule GIF by MOODMAN
Im mad this was the dumb strategy the chose.

I'm disappointed that we basically need to hope for an average 7th yr lb to return to pair with our 8th yr lb, both of whom are bad in pass pro and guarantee a drop off out of our already worst unit on D last yr (if Chase starts)... In order to have any sort of useful depth.

As far as I'm concerned we are betting everything on Wiley and Bonner. If the coaches fail to make them both highly capable starter and both better than Chase, that would be a failure of A) Development. And B) Roster construction. Wiley must be a starter. Period.

And that should be obvious.

Imagine if last off-season we just didn't address DB at all...

And the same can be said about TE as LB. And I was saying this since before the portal opened.
 
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Im mad this was the dumb strategy the chose.

I'm disappointed that we basically need to hope for an average 7th yr lb to return to pair with our 8th yr lb, both of whom are bad in pass pro and guarantee a drop off out of our already worst unit on D last yr (if Chase starts)... In order to have any sort of useful depth.

As far as I'm concerned we are betting everything on Wiley and Bonner. If the coaches fail to make them both highly capable starter and both better than Chase, that would be a failure of A) Development. And B) Roster construction. Wiley must be a starter. Period.

And that should be obvious.

Imagine if last off-season we just didn't address DB at all...

And the same can be said about TE as LB. And I was saying this since before the portal opened.
I wouldn't be concerned about Wiley. The fact we didn't pursue a LB means we believe in him and want to give him PT next year. Idk if Wiley would be ready to get 80% of the snaps right off the bat, so bringing back a veteran in Smith will ease the transition.
 
I wouldn't be concerned about Wiley. The fact we didn't pursue a LB means we believe in him and want to give him PT next year. Idk if Wiley would be ready to get 80% of the snaps right off the bat, so bringing back a veteran in Smith will ease the transition.
Look man I've been saying Wiley should have received more developmental snaps throughout the season. Now his lack of experience is going to be used against him in this snow application decision making.

I believe in Wiley. I don't blindly trust this staff will play young lbs over experienced lbs though Period. And it's truly annoying as **** we chose to lose popo and Bobby to retain chase and not target anyone in portal when it was DEEP at LB.
 
Like Bauman, if Chase Smith gets a waiver, not a second of hesitation, you bring him back, we need him. That is the situation both of those positions are in right now.
 
Look man I've been saying Wiley should have received more developmental snaps throughout the season. Now his lack of experience is going to be used against him in this snow application decision making.

I believe in Wiley. I don't blindly trust this staff will play young lbs over experienced lbs though Period. And it's truly annoying as **** we chose to lose popo and Bobby to retain chase and not target anyone in portal when it was DEEP at LB.
I believe Wiley was injured at some point this season but not sure for how long.
 
  • This staff has only been here for 1 season, they didn’t have a chance to develop Bobby
  • Bobby was injured, recovering from a torn ACL
  • Pruitt was moved to Nickel and he played there when Scott was injured
  • Bonner was brought in and paid good in last spring portal to compete with Wes for the starting job, unfortunately he was injured. Also if your theory of “they only play older players” is in fact true, Bonner will be a redshirt junior next season
  • Finally the reason anyone can look to this group of linebackers and think they will be better because they actually got better Toure and Chase in particular played their best during the playoffs. Sounds like the further they are removed from their injuries the better they played.
I truly believe the staff would’ve never benched Wes for Bonner
 
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I truly believe the staff would’ve never benched Wes for Bonner
I mean that is incredibly obvious and my exact point.

Once you become starter (especially at LB/TE) they often refuse to give younger guys more reps.

Which is exactly why I’m saying Chase Smith returning almost certainly results in him starting at Will with Toure at Mike.

Chase played what 15 snaps in Champ game? lol I’m telling you I’ll be decently surprised if Wiley or Bonner outpace him in snaps (without injury obviously!)
 
I really really liked Chase Smith’s play this year. His production and presence was starting to catch up to his measurables. Would absolutely love if he was able to come back. Everyone should be stoked about the possibility of him playing for us one more year.

I’d even go as far as saying if healthy he will be our breakout defensive player next season. He’s been around so long not sure he qualifies for that distinction but he’s a baller.
 
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