Looking to the 2017 season, I see a few areas we need to focus on in order to win championships, and I'm curious as to your thoughts. Mine are:
First and foremost, we have to get better passing. Jalen seemed to plateau on this front, starting about the 6th or 7th game. He just didn't get better.
I dont know if it was hitting a freshman wall, or other teams identifying ways to make him uncomfortable, or a lack of focus from the QB coach, or a lack of ability to see the field. I do know that arm strength isn't an issue. Regardless, IMO, this cost us the Clemson game, and if LSU had a QB, it could have cost us that one.
To win championships, we have to be a legitimate threat to pass. On top of which, we probably won't have the best defense not in the NFL to bail out an offense with one and a half dimensions. We're just not there today against truly top-flight defenses.
OL has to perform better.. We have talent. But with notable individual exceptions (J. Williams), we're under-performing that talent. Cam was good for at least two false starts a game. Pass protection up the middle could charitably be described as inconsistent. RG was a revolving door, and we never did get an effective answer there. The extremely late preseason shuffle of Pierschbacher to LG, elevating Bozeman to starting C, was a red flag. Early competition and Jalen's legs masked it, but late season elite competition ripped the mask off.
Kick return has to get better.. With all the talent we have at skill positions, I'm befuddled as to why our KR game is so ineffective.
Good thing the offense returns so many starters, because we lose a ton on the defense.
Defensive front seven has to be rebuilt.. Lots of talent there, but you just don't lose Allen, Tomlinson, Williams, Anderson, and Foster and not feel it.
Secondary needs to improve.. And I think it will. Averett was a pleasant surprise. Fitzpatrick returns, and we developed some depth out of necessity. I think we'll be better here. With a pass rush that will almost certainly take a step back, we'll need to.
Bottom Line: To beat elite teams, we badly need Jalen to develop as a passer. I don't think it's hyperbole to say whether we win championships or not hinges on this point. Improvement in the OL will be a part of that.
Defensively, we have talent, but also some big shoes to fill. Expect some growing pains early, but nobody will want to face this crew in November.
So sez me. What say you?
First and foremost, we have to get better passing. Jalen seemed to plateau on this front, starting about the 6th or 7th game. He just didn't get better.
I dont know if it was hitting a freshman wall, or other teams identifying ways to make him uncomfortable, or a lack of focus from the QB coach, or a lack of ability to see the field. I do know that arm strength isn't an issue. Regardless, IMO, this cost us the Clemson game, and if LSU had a QB, it could have cost us that one.
To win championships, we have to be a legitimate threat to pass. On top of which, we probably won't have the best defense not in the NFL to bail out an offense with one and a half dimensions. We're just not there today against truly top-flight defenses.
OL has to perform better.. We have talent. But with notable individual exceptions (J. Williams), we're under-performing that talent. Cam was good for at least two false starts a game. Pass protection up the middle could charitably be described as inconsistent. RG was a revolving door, and we never did get an effective answer there. The extremely late preseason shuffle of Pierschbacher to LG, elevating Bozeman to starting C, was a red flag. Early competition and Jalen's legs masked it, but late season elite competition ripped the mask off.
Kick return has to get better.. With all the talent we have at skill positions, I'm befuddled as to why our KR game is so ineffective.
Good thing the offense returns so many starters, because we lose a ton on the defense.
Defensive front seven has to be rebuilt.. Lots of talent there, but you just don't lose Allen, Tomlinson, Williams, Anderson, and Foster and not feel it.
Secondary needs to improve.. And I think it will. Averett was a pleasant surprise. Fitzpatrick returns, and we developed some depth out of necessity. I think we'll be better here. With a pass rush that will almost certainly take a step back, we'll need to.
Bottom Line: To beat elite teams, we badly need Jalen to develop as a passer. I don't think it's hyperbole to say whether we win championships or not hinges on this point. Improvement in the OL will be a part of that.
Defensively, we have talent, but also some big shoes to fill. Expect some growing pains early, but nobody will want to face this crew in November.
So sez me. What say you?
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