- Joined
- Jan 15, 2012
- Messages
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from a fundamental standpoint is something we don't often talk about here. The difference from 2022 to 2023 was night and day. I would expect a similar improvement(in basic fundamentals) from 2023 to 2024 even without all the portal additions because of the sea change in the program that Mario has presided over AKA "Culture" the biggest trigger word of the Cristobal Era.
Now add the portal additions who are mostly seasoned veterans of the college game at their respective positions(DT, DE, QB, RB, WR, LB, S, CB) and the result should obliterate what anyone though our ceiling would be in 2024.
Offensively, this group should threaten to average 40 PPG as long as Cam Ward is healthy. Yes we have the weapons and the explosiveness. The WR + TE should be a blend of efficiency and explosiveness. X, George, Brown and Horton at WR and Arroyo, Riley and Lofton make for excellent depth and I haven't even mentioned Ray Ray Joseph, Robbie Washington, Shemar Kirk, Ny Carr, Jojo Trader or Chance Robinson(Likely Redshirt).
What makes things even better is that the LOS is the foundation for any offense/defense. This OL is no exception.
LT Jalen Rivers/ Tommy Kinsler
LG Samson Okunlola/Matt McCoy
C Zach Carpenter/Joel Rodriguez
RG Anez Cooper/
RT Francis Mauigoa/Markel Bell
Personally I'm not too concerned about Carpenter at Center. He was a 2-3 year starter at Indiana in the BIG and faced some excellent defenses. Not too worried about Samson. He has all the tools plus I still think it's a possibility that Francis Mauigoa gets moved to LG with Markel Bell to RT moving Samson to a backup role.
On to RB. The acquisition of Damien Martinez was a major statement of intent by the admin and staff. I would argue with Alex Donno during Spring about how our leading rusher in 2024 was not yet on the team. Donno would then counter with no matter who we get in the portal that Fletcher would be better to which I would reply yes maybe so but Fletcher is hurt and may not play.
Now, with the addition of Martinez, the return to health by Ajay Allen and the rise of Jordan Lyle who could be in the 200+ lbs range by fall and turning heads, could you imagine if Mark Fletcher came back healthy and ready to go? Could be vs UF or vs GT, VT, UL or FSU. The nasty things we could do to teams with Martinez and Fletcher. However, the beauty of this offense and having a QB like Cam Ward is that you don't need 2 6'1" 225 lbs Bell Cow RBs to hurt defenses.
P.S. If this post is logically flawed in any way, it's because I sustained a brain hemmorage and had brain surgery shortly thereafter. At least that's my built in excuse LMAO
.
Now add the portal additions who are mostly seasoned veterans of the college game at their respective positions(DT, DE, QB, RB, WR, LB, S, CB) and the result should obliterate what anyone though our ceiling would be in 2024.
Offensively, this group should threaten to average 40 PPG as long as Cam Ward is healthy. Yes we have the weapons and the explosiveness. The WR + TE should be a blend of efficiency and explosiveness. X, George, Brown and Horton at WR and Arroyo, Riley and Lofton make for excellent depth and I haven't even mentioned Ray Ray Joseph, Robbie Washington, Shemar Kirk, Ny Carr, Jojo Trader or Chance Robinson(Likely Redshirt).
What makes things even better is that the LOS is the foundation for any offense/defense. This OL is no exception.
LT Jalen Rivers/ Tommy Kinsler
LG Samson Okunlola/Matt McCoy
C Zach Carpenter/Joel Rodriguez
RG Anez Cooper/
RT Francis Mauigoa/Markel Bell
Personally I'm not too concerned about Carpenter at Center. He was a 2-3 year starter at Indiana in the BIG and faced some excellent defenses. Not too worried about Samson. He has all the tools plus I still think it's a possibility that Francis Mauigoa gets moved to LG with Markel Bell to RT moving Samson to a backup role.
On to RB. The acquisition of Damien Martinez was a major statement of intent by the admin and staff. I would argue with Alex Donno during Spring about how our leading rusher in 2024 was not yet on the team. Donno would then counter with no matter who we get in the portal that Fletcher would be better to which I would reply yes maybe so but Fletcher is hurt and may not play.
Now, with the addition of Martinez, the return to health by Ajay Allen and the rise of Jordan Lyle who could be in the 200+ lbs range by fall and turning heads, could you imagine if Mark Fletcher came back healthy and ready to go? Could be vs UF or vs GT, VT, UL or FSU. The nasty things we could do to teams with Martinez and Fletcher. However, the beauty of this offense and having a QB like Cam Ward is that you don't need 2 6'1" 225 lbs Bell Cow RBs to hurt defenses.
P.S. If this post is logically flawed in any way, it's because I sustained a brain hemmorage and had brain surgery shortly thereafter. At least that's my built in excuse LMAO
.
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