Moving forward by the 2021 season if everything remains as it is, our WR corps(minus our current starters) will be comprised of Keyshawn Smith, Michael Redding, Jeremiah Payton, Dazlin Worsham, Romello Brinson, Jacolby George, Brashard Smith, Xavier Restrepo and Malik Curtis. There is some good to great potential among that group however it is absolutely imperative IMO that Keyshawn Smith, Michael Redding, Jeremiah Payton and X Restrepo get as many live game reps as possible this year. Then they can go into next spring with some experience and hopefully some confidence while they develop further.
In terms of the present and this season, the development of those 4 is critical not only to the effectiveness of our passing offense but the entire offense as a whole. They dont all need to turn into 1st ballot Hall of Famers by the time we play V Tech or NC St but we need to have at the very least 1 of them and preferably 2 show that they are capable of making plays in 1 on 1 situations.
I love what I have seen from Smith and Redding from the limited snaps they have had so far. You can just see the ability and talent ready to explode. Continued reps are crucial. It will come. I must admit that I am somewhat puzzled by the play of Payton thus far this season. The fact that 5 games in and he hasn't managed to wrestle more snaps from a trio of upperclassmen who have shown close to nothing is bit of a concern. That concern is compounded by his inability to do anything significant or even flash in those opportunities. I certainly have not given up on Payton. I just expected him to have shown more by this point.
All off season we heard nothing but great things about Xavier Restrepo and his ability to beat LBs and Safeties in 1 on 1 situation from the slot. We heard about his quick twitch and his explosivness on end around and such. We heard more about Restrepo than any other WR in the off season yet 5 games in with our starters showing time and again their inability to create seperation or make plays and Restrepo has had practically zero opportunities from scrimmage. What is it that the coaches are so afraid of? What do we have to lose by giving him snaps while the game is in doubt? It's not like we would be missing the regular starters production because there is no production. Hopefully this week is the beginning of the staff attempting to correct that situation. Not that I desire to swipe at the low hanging fruit or beat a dead horse but.......this issue of the staff waiting 5 or 6 games to make an adjustment by playing a more talented player has become a disturbing trend on both sides of the ball now.
soundcloud.app.goo.gl
