Nothing real revealing to regular visitors to this board, but should interest new viewers for the season.
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 and most hope that defense, should be vastly improved.
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 this 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,(even blowouts showed us competitive in the 1st half) 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, but it looks like their QB, Jeff Driskel, and senior starting Guard Halapio and TB Jones may be out for our game. 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 the early FAU and Savannah St. tuneups sandwiched around UF.
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 under Fisch, and this being his second year as a starting QB, he might be one of the best in QBs in the nation -- a possible Heisman candidate, even.
It all starts on the O-line where we 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 and Nutrition. From Golden’s comments, it appears that Sentreal has dedicated himself this summer, as he prepares to face 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 Clements, or Edwards/Johnson (if eligible) can play that role and compliment the Duke. Unfortunately, any serious injury to Duke means we start looking forward to 2014 early.
We are loaded at WR, and TE looks to be amazing with the addition of Sandland, paired with Walford underneath over the middle to keep those safeties honest while Dorsett, Lewis, Hurns, Lockhart, and Stacy outta the slot stretch the field. Wow, we’re gonna drive opposing DCs nutz.!!
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! We should be a very potent scoring machine, one of the best in the country. I look to see us score over 35, or more PPG this year.
This year’s D is not your D from last year! Last year’s two-deep defense saw 22 true Sophomores and Freshmen. Most return this year!! (Except for a couple of errant LBs.) But Figueroa has proven to be the surprise of the year, and doesn’t look loke a freshman. Remember, those players had to learn a whole new system in less than a year. Many of our defensive problems were the result of a combination of size and 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. At this point it appears as though the first problem has been remedied. Everyone has raved at the improvement in the S & C of the guys! In the past, Porter has proven to be a difference maker. Yes, we gotta keep Porter and Pierre healthy up front. If he lives up to his billing, D. Gilbert will supply 3rd down pressure we lacked in the recent past to enable us to pressure quicker throws on 3rd and longs, 3 and outs, and get more TO’s. If Luther Robinson plays like he can, I feel he, too, will add substantial pressure. Add , Kamalu and Renfrow, with McCord from the LB spot, and we have some depth, as well as size, in the rotation.
Hopefully, the infusion of new blood, along with the year of development will contribute greatly. Apparently we have seen big dividends from the S & C, plus Al’s Nutrition program, O’Donnel and Moore (unless he get a RS), & will be bigger, stronger, and more experienced. UTough has added both weight and strength, along with a year’s exposure to our system in Spring camp. 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 MAJOR help with Figs and D. Gilbert and Kamalu.
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 optomistic that the LBs will improve, also with a year’s experience in the system. And let’s not overlook the surprise of the year, Figs! Without pressure on the QB, we got killed in the middle. Talent, experience or the system? We’ll soon see, but Gilbert and McCord should be big help.
Unlike some, 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/challenging Highsmith and Rodgers as starters, and should be an upgrade. Bush, with his added bulk might even be all-ACC. Rumor suggests that incoming frosh Carter is ready now, and will contribute.
After last season, I had a concern about Special Teams, especially the Kicking Game. It also had to concerm Al, and he addressed it by recruiting O’Donnell, a top-notch punter from Cincy, and Austin Barnard, a preferred walk-on who will probably RS, but add competition at PK, and 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, Dorsett, Elder, Burns, Carter, and maybe even Gus Edwards. In addition, while we may not be a top 20 defense in the nation, we should see significant improvement. Top 30, or 40, is concievable.
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. Many of whom will be able to RS and provide for the future. When one looks ahead to the 2014 class the staff is assembling, the future looks very bright. Under Al Golden, 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.
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 and most hope that defense, should be vastly improved.
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 this 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,(even blowouts showed us competitive in the 1st half) 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, but it looks like their QB, Jeff Driskel, and senior starting Guard Halapio and TB Jones may be out for our game. 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 the early FAU and Savannah St. tuneups sandwiched around UF.
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 under Fisch, and this being his second year as a starting QB, he might be one of the best in QBs in the nation -- a possible Heisman candidate, even.
It all starts on the O-line where we 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 and Nutrition. From Golden’s comments, it appears that Sentreal has dedicated himself this summer, as he prepares to face 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 Clements, or Edwards/Johnson (if eligible) can play that role and compliment the Duke. Unfortunately, any serious injury to Duke means we start looking forward to 2014 early.
We are loaded at WR, and TE looks to be amazing with the addition of Sandland, paired with Walford underneath over the middle to keep those safeties honest while Dorsett, Lewis, Hurns, Lockhart, and Stacy outta the slot stretch the field. Wow, we’re gonna drive opposing DCs nutz.!!
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! We should be a very potent scoring machine, one of the best in the country. I look to see us score over 35, or more PPG this year.
This year’s D is not your D from last year! Last year’s two-deep defense saw 22 true Sophomores and Freshmen. Most return this year!! (Except for a couple of errant LBs.) But Figueroa has proven to be the surprise of the year, and doesn’t look loke a freshman. Remember, those players had to learn a whole new system in less than a year. Many of our defensive problems were the result of a combination of size and 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. At this point it appears as though the first problem has been remedied. Everyone has raved at the improvement in the S & C of the guys! In the past, Porter has proven to be a difference maker. Yes, we gotta keep Porter and Pierre healthy up front. If he lives up to his billing, D. Gilbert will supply 3rd down pressure we lacked in the recent past to enable us to pressure quicker throws on 3rd and longs, 3 and outs, and get more TO’s. If Luther Robinson plays like he can, I feel he, too, will add substantial pressure. Add , Kamalu and Renfrow, with McCord from the LB spot, and we have some depth, as well as size, in the rotation.
Hopefully, the infusion of new blood, along with the year of development will contribute greatly. Apparently we have seen big dividends from the S & C, plus Al’s Nutrition program, O’Donnel and Moore (unless he get a RS), & will be bigger, stronger, and more experienced. UTough has added both weight and strength, along with a year’s exposure to our system in Spring camp. 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 MAJOR help with Figs and D. Gilbert and Kamalu.
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 optomistic that the LBs will improve, also with a year’s experience in the system. And let’s not overlook the surprise of the year, Figs! Without pressure on the QB, we got killed in the middle. Talent, experience or the system? We’ll soon see, but Gilbert and McCord should be big help.
Unlike some, 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/challenging Highsmith and Rodgers as starters, and should be an upgrade. Bush, with his added bulk might even be all-ACC. Rumor suggests that incoming frosh Carter is ready now, and will contribute.
After last season, I had a concern about Special Teams, especially the Kicking Game. It also had to concerm Al, and he addressed it by recruiting O’Donnell, a top-notch punter from Cincy, and Austin Barnard, a preferred walk-on who will probably RS, but add competition at PK, and 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, Dorsett, Elder, Burns, Carter, and maybe even Gus Edwards. In addition, while we may not be a top 20 defense in the nation, we should see significant improvement. Top 30, or 40, is concievable.
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. Many of whom will be able to RS and provide for the future. When one looks ahead to the 2014 class the staff is assembling, the future looks very bright. Under Al Golden, 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.
Last edited by a moderator:
