Confidence factor

[Bearboy]

Moose, so you're saying that Malone, Greer, etc... those guys not even in the mix enough to get some PT in some of the lopsided games? Surprised if that's the case.

[EastHallApp]

Moose, so you're saying that Malone, Greer, etc... those guys not even in the mix enough to get some PT in some of the lopsided games? Surprised if that's the case.

I believe some of the interior guys did get some PT last year. Where we never saw it was at tackle, where we barely had any backups (if a starter got hurt, Gossett moved to tackle). Basically Alex Taylor didn't pan out. Everyone else was redshirting or a walk-on.

[diehardapp18]

Don't see how anyone could have confidence in WR. We were literally never good there last year. Biggest weakness on our team easily imo. That bowl game was hard to watch. Aside of Meadors I don't have confidence in anyone's hands. And Meadors himself often struggles to get open. Seriously, what is there to like there?

[Goapps15]

Don't see how anyone could have confidence in WR. We were literally never good there last year. Biggest weakness on our team easily imo. That bowl game was hard to watch. Aside of Meadors I don't have confidence in anyone's hands. And Meadors himself often struggles to get open. Seriously, what is there to like there?

The only thing to like is that we have brought in a lot of talent to that room the past two recruiting cycles. These are guys who can get open and are a higher echelon of recruit. The young guys know the WR spot is wide open.

[bigdaddyg]

Wide receiver is probably the one position that gives off a false level of confidence during camp. You read the capsules written about practice and they are full of praises regarding great catches- then the games start, everything speeds up and the stadium lights come on and those routes are harder to run. Other aspects of the game other than kicking are more easily adaptable it seems. On paper we look fairly deep at wideout but you don't know until the games start and dudes have to get off the line.

[mountaineerman]

Don't see how anyone could have confidence in WR. We were literally never good there last year. Biggest weakness on our team easily imo. That bowl game was hard to watch. Aside of Meadors I don't have confidence in anyone's hands. And Meadors himself often struggles to get open. Seriously, what is there to like there?

I agree to some extent ... this is the reason we don't blow anyone out anymore. If the throwing game comes on and the running game stays steady this team could be special.

[EastHallApp]

Don't see how anyone could have confidence in WR. We were literally never good there last year. Biggest weakness on our team easily imo. That bowl game was hard to watch. Aside of Meadors I don't have confidence in anyone's hands. And Meadors himself often struggles to get open. Seriously, what is there to like there?

Fair points. I agree this group needs to prove itself. We've been recruiting well at WR since we moved up, but so far only Meadors has really panned out.

Maybe hope is a better word than confidence. Between Letman, Adams and Evans, I think at least one could have a mini-breakout season. And I expect Hennigan and Virgil (maybe others) to push the veterans for a starting spot. Finally, I'm looking forward to seeing what Meadors can do when he's healthy from the start of the season.

[Yosef84]

WR will be a concern until we see them perform on the field this year, but I am cautiously optimistic. Two years ago we had a strong throwing game because Lamb had a bunch of veteran receivers. The problem is that we lost four receivers who had all contributed and last year we basically just had Meadors as our only big play threat. Any receiver will have trouble getting space when he is the only threat downfield. A year of development for college athletes can be HUGE and this year we have experience returning PLUS we have some guys coming off of redshirt years who have great speed. I do believe the potential is there and I don't think Coach Satterfield is blowing smoke when he says that WR will be a strength this year. I'll just feel better when I see it.

I can't wait for 9/2. I am an unapologetic "homer" but I have a great feel about this season.

[moonshine]

Don't see how anyone could have confidence in WR. We were literally never good there last year. Biggest weakness on our team easily imo. That bowl game was hard to watch. Aside of Meadors I don't have confidence in anyone's hands. And Meadors himself often struggles to get open. Seriously, what is there to like there?

Trying not to set expectations but I agree, WR has been a weakness. It seems in the past, we always had 1 or 2 guys step up when we lost seniors but it feels like that hasn't happened in a few years. Does anyone else get the feeling that Watts struggles to develop the WR's?

When App first landed Watts, it seemed like a great pick up with him being a former recruiting coordinator. I remember going over to a MTSU board to read their thoughts on Watts. The consensus by most Blue Raider posters was that the WR's didn't develop. His bio on App's website seems contrary to this line of thought. He has 4 former players ranked in the top 7 for receptions and 4 in the top 10 in yardage in MTSU history. Is this due to his ability to develop or MTSU's style of offense?

MTSU has been ranked in the top 15 in passing yards over the past couple of years after being ranked in the 80's-90's during the 2010-2014 span with 2011 being the exception when they ranked 56th. Please don't take this as me stirring the pot on Watts, as I'm sure he's forgotten more football than I'll ever know, but I do find it interesting that what the Blue Raider fans thought seems to relate to App's WR struggles over the past couple of years. This year's WR corp seems to be the biggest and most athletic group across the board that App has ever had on one roster.

I hope they take a step forward and produce big time. If App's passing game shows improvement, this offense will be scary good!

[ASUGoose]

Remember that we lost Deltron and Jaylon to transfer. They may have left seeing the writing on the wall that even though they were to be upperclassmen, their playing time would diminish to the younger talent on the roster. We just won't know until the lights come on in Athens to see if we have truly gotten better at the WR position.

[EastHallApp]

Trying not to set expectations but I agree, WR has been a weakness. It seems in the past, we always had 1 or 2 guys step up when we lost seniors but it feels like that hasn't happened in a few years. Does anyone else get the feeling that Watts struggles to develop the WR's?

Supposedly Watts (and perhaps Satt) has had some issues with what he perceives as a lack of toughness among the WR group - i.e., willingness to block, blue-collar work ethic, etc.

He's now entering his third year here, which means he's had time to bring in his own recruits, and we've seen some premature attrition as well. In terms of ratings, WR has been one of our strongest recruiting positions, both before Watts arrived and since (seven 3* recruits in four years).

As I said with the players, IMO, time to see the results on the field.