Going into Spring practice, here is my take on the2013 team, and it is, like them, quite good!
The 2013 roster shows a lot of talent, especially compared to last year. We are pretty much return every starter. We present one of the nation’s best offenses; defense, again, will still be our Achille’s heel; and, although a question mark exists at kicker, special teams should be improved especially with the added speedy LBs and TEs which will impact STs.
The fact that we retained continuity in the staff [other than McDonald & Fisch] is a plus.
Assuming we don’t lose key guys we can be a very good football team. Picked by many to finish last in the ACC Coastal last year, we won the thing. That success will be a springboard to build on for next year.
I am confident that we are going to be competitive in every game we play. Nearly all of last year’s games were close, and that takes into consideration that the defense was not only a misnomer, it was totally illusory! Even the schedule is a big improvement. It will help that we play seven (7) home games and drop KSU. and N.D., although we do pick up the always tough Gators. The two in-state rivalry games should present our most difficult and toughest challanges [and I am not referring to FAU and USF]. In addition, we get an early ‘tune-up’ game with FAU before the Gaytors.
Last year Golden worked his magic by bringing in 33 studs to build the foundation for major upgrades on the depth chart. Nineteen of them got Baptism by fire, but that experience should pay dividends this year, including a LOT of upperclassman leadership.
It seems unlikely that we could improve on an outstanding offense. Remember Morris didn’t even have a spring last year. With Morris finally having a full season of spring practice, and this being his second year as a starting QB, he might be one of the best in QBs in the nation - possible Heisman cabdidate, even. He certainly has the weapons!
It all starts on the O-line where should have the best in the ACC in talent and depth. The 2 deep between the tackles, only has 3 seniors, but although young, the entire line should benefit from the extra year w/ UTough. I expect Sentreal to dedicate himself as he faces the draft.
Assuming #17 stays healthy, we will be a top 5 offense, but we need to find a power back to replace Mike James, who can help Duke get the tough yards between the tackles. Maybe Crawford or Edwards can play that role and compliment the Duke. Unfortunately, any serious injury to Duke means we start looking forward to 2014 early. Hopefully Clements can return, but I'm ot counting on it.
We are loaded at WR and TE looks to be amazing with the addition of Sandland, paired with Walford underneath over the middle (and Griffin unless he RSs), to keep those safeties honest while Dorsett, Lewis, Hurns, Lockhart, and Stacy(unless he RSs). stretch the field. Add Elder, unless he gets a ‘shirt, outta the slot and Wow, we’re gonna drive opposing DCs nutz.!! We should be a very potent scoring machine, one of the best in the country. I look to see us score 40, or more PPG this year.
The 2012 Canes were 7-1 when they scored 30 or more points (and 0-4 when they were under 30). This year’s edition should be a SCORING MACHINE!
This year’s D is not your D from last year! Last year’s two-deep defense saw 22 true Sophomores and Freshmen. All return this year!! Remember, those players had to learn a whole new system in less then a year. Many of our defensive problems were the result of mental mistakes, and not necessarily a lack of talent. The added year in the system should correct many of the breakdowns we had in coverage last season.
If we can generate pressure with our front 4 we should improve dramatically over last year. That was our main problem last year --- not strong enough up the middle and no pressure off the edge. Porter has proven to be a difference maker. Yes, we gotta keep Porter and Pierre healthy up front. I have to expect McCord and Bond to enable us to quicken throws on 3rd and longs, 3 and outs. If Luther Robinson plays like he can, I feel he, too, will add substantial pressure. If they live up to their billing, AQM and D. Bond will supply 3rd down pressure we lacked in the recent past.
Hopefully, the infusion of new blood, along with the year of development will contribute greatly. I expect big dividends fron the S & C, plus Al’s Nutrition program, Grimbel, Moore, Ivery & O’Donnel will be bigger, stronger, and more experienced. UTough should add both weight and strength, along with a year’s exposure to our system in Spring and Fall camps. A more physically mature and experienced D-line is a given --- and they gotta be better! As for the incoming class, I love how the staff addressed our needs on paper. How these players do in addressing those needs on the field is another thing. But clearly we did get some immediate help with Muhammad and D. Bond. I’m hopeful our pass rush can get us off the field after 3 downs 2 or 3 more times a game. If we can, there will be a lot less substitutions and we won’t tire.
I’m cautiously hopeful that the middle LBs will improve, also with a year’s experience in the system. Without pressure on the QB, we got killed in the middle. Talent, experience or the system? We’ll soon see.
I like our DB depth, both on the corner and at safety and both should be an improvement. You couldn’t miss the improvement in Howard, Gunter and Crawford as the season progressed. Rising Sophomores Bush and Jenkins appear to be replacing Highsmith and Rodgers as starters, and should be an upgrade. Rumor suggests that incoming frosh Carter is ready now, and will contribute.
While we maynot be a top 20 defense in the nation, we should see significant improvement. Top 30, or 40, is concievable.
I do have a concern about Special Teams, especially the Kicking Game, but quality/quantity of depth at LB and TE makes more of an impact on STs than any other position. We have a trunk full of quality return men to go with Duke, in S. Coley, Elder, Burns, Carter, and maybe even Gus Edwards & Lockley. In addition, the kicking game had to concern Al, and he addressed it by recruiting Austin Barnard, a preferred walk-on
As I said above, last year Al built the foundation for major upgrades on the depth chart. With this year’s class, despite looming sanctions, he filled in many missing pieces. Most of them will be able to RS and provide for the future. When one looks ahead to the 2014 S. F. ‘cookie jar’ recruiting pool, the future looks very bright. Under Al Golden, as our CEO, we should be able to ride out any sanctions imposed as the fans will see a capable leader (AG) guding us through the tough times. Better to take a kid who can contribute for two years and free up a schollie when he’s done, then a kid who will sit for two years before contributing.
The 2013 roster shows a lot of talent, especially compared to last year. We are pretty much return every starter. We present one of the nation’s best offenses; defense, again, will still be our Achille’s heel; and, although a question mark exists at kicker, special teams should be improved especially with the added speedy LBs and TEs which will impact STs.
The fact that we retained continuity in the staff [other than McDonald & Fisch] is a plus.
Assuming we don’t lose key guys we can be a very good football team. Picked by many to finish last in the ACC Coastal last year, we won the thing. That success will be a springboard to build on for next year.
I am confident that we are going to be competitive in every game we play. Nearly all of last year’s games were close, and that takes into consideration that the defense was not only a misnomer, it was totally illusory! Even the schedule is a big improvement. It will help that we play seven (7) home games and drop KSU. and N.D., although we do pick up the always tough Gators. The two in-state rivalry games should present our most difficult and toughest challanges [and I am not referring to FAU and USF]. In addition, we get an early ‘tune-up’ game with FAU before the Gaytors.
Last year Golden worked his magic by bringing in 33 studs to build the foundation for major upgrades on the depth chart. Nineteen of them got Baptism by fire, but that experience should pay dividends this year, including a LOT of upperclassman leadership.
It seems unlikely that we could improve on an outstanding offense. Remember Morris didn’t even have a spring last year. With Morris finally having a full season of spring practice, and this being his second year as a starting QB, he might be one of the best in QBs in the nation - possible Heisman cabdidate, even. He certainly has the weapons!
It all starts on the O-line where should have the best in the ACC in talent and depth. The 2 deep between the tackles, only has 3 seniors, but although young, the entire line should benefit from the extra year w/ UTough. I expect Sentreal to dedicate himself as he faces the draft.
Assuming #17 stays healthy, we will be a top 5 offense, but we need to find a power back to replace Mike James, who can help Duke get the tough yards between the tackles. Maybe Crawford or Edwards can play that role and compliment the Duke. Unfortunately, any serious injury to Duke means we start looking forward to 2014 early. Hopefully Clements can return, but I'm ot counting on it.
We are loaded at WR and TE looks to be amazing with the addition of Sandland, paired with Walford underneath over the middle (and Griffin unless he RSs), to keep those safeties honest while Dorsett, Lewis, Hurns, Lockhart, and Stacy(unless he RSs). stretch the field. Add Elder, unless he gets a ‘shirt, outta the slot and Wow, we’re gonna drive opposing DCs nutz.!! We should be a very potent scoring machine, one of the best in the country. I look to see us score 40, or more PPG this year.
The 2012 Canes were 7-1 when they scored 30 or more points (and 0-4 when they were under 30). This year’s edition should be a SCORING MACHINE!
This year’s D is not your D from last year! Last year’s two-deep defense saw 22 true Sophomores and Freshmen. All return this year!! Remember, those players had to learn a whole new system in less then a year. Many of our defensive problems were the result of mental mistakes, and not necessarily a lack of talent. The added year in the system should correct many of the breakdowns we had in coverage last season.
If we can generate pressure with our front 4 we should improve dramatically over last year. That was our main problem last year --- not strong enough up the middle and no pressure off the edge. Porter has proven to be a difference maker. Yes, we gotta keep Porter and Pierre healthy up front. I have to expect McCord and Bond to enable us to quicken throws on 3rd and longs, 3 and outs. If Luther Robinson plays like he can, I feel he, too, will add substantial pressure. If they live up to their billing, AQM and D. Bond will supply 3rd down pressure we lacked in the recent past.
Hopefully, the infusion of new blood, along with the year of development will contribute greatly. I expect big dividends fron the S & C, plus Al’s Nutrition program, Grimbel, Moore, Ivery & O’Donnel will be bigger, stronger, and more experienced. UTough should add both weight and strength, along with a year’s exposure to our system in Spring and Fall camps. A more physically mature and experienced D-line is a given --- and they gotta be better! As for the incoming class, I love how the staff addressed our needs on paper. How these players do in addressing those needs on the field is another thing. But clearly we did get some immediate help with Muhammad and D. Bond. I’m hopeful our pass rush can get us off the field after 3 downs 2 or 3 more times a game. If we can, there will be a lot less substitutions and we won’t tire.
I’m cautiously hopeful that the middle LBs will improve, also with a year’s experience in the system. Without pressure on the QB, we got killed in the middle. Talent, experience or the system? We’ll soon see.
I like our DB depth, both on the corner and at safety and both should be an improvement. You couldn’t miss the improvement in Howard, Gunter and Crawford as the season progressed. Rising Sophomores Bush and Jenkins appear to be replacing Highsmith and Rodgers as starters, and should be an upgrade. Rumor suggests that incoming frosh Carter is ready now, and will contribute.
While we maynot be a top 20 defense in the nation, we should see significant improvement. Top 30, or 40, is concievable.
I do have a concern about Special Teams, especially the Kicking Game, but quality/quantity of depth at LB and TE makes more of an impact on STs than any other position. We have a trunk full of quality return men to go with Duke, in S. Coley, Elder, Burns, Carter, and maybe even Gus Edwards & Lockley. In addition, the kicking game had to concern Al, and he addressed it by recruiting Austin Barnard, a preferred walk-on
As I said above, last year Al built the foundation for major upgrades on the depth chart. With this year’s class, despite looming sanctions, he filled in many missing pieces. Most of them will be able to RS and provide for the future. When one looks ahead to the 2014 S. F. ‘cookie jar’ recruiting pool, the future looks very bright. Under Al Golden, as our CEO, we should be able to ride out any sanctions imposed as the fans will see a capable leader (AG) guding us through the tough times. Better to take a kid who can contribute for two years and free up a schollie when he’s done, then a kid who will sit for two years before contributing.
