An Actual Football Discussion

[GlassOnion]

Spring practice is coming up, what do you guys think about the current team?

Here are my thoughts going into the spring.
Offense
Jamal Jackson, obviously.
The RB position most likely Holloway.

The left side of the OL looks set with Fisher, Counts and Lamm.
The right side is another story, its completely open. Corbin is back, but Dufort is uneligible until late in the season. Call me crazy, but I think Brandon Hunter comes in and wins the RT spot. The RG spot, is just insanely competative this spring. I have no clue who will come out ahead, but Im seriously thinking Parker Collins may come in and grab it in the fall.

WR. I dont think I need to go there.

Defense
DE, we'll be back to Robinson and Blair.
NT, another that is wide open. With Robinson taking a starting spot, there are 3 guys that I seriously consider starting here, Bronson, Burns and Milhouse. I think they are very equal.

LB, our biggest question mark, Law looks to be a certainty at MLB. I have a high opinion of Frazier, I think he takes an outside spot. I think the other spots are too close to call in the spring, but I'd favor Vinson and Norwood coming in and seriously contending for the 2 remaining spots. With the new guys coming in, I think we're better off at the outside spots than the middle.

CB, Lott and Blackmon
SS, Id like Middleton
FS, Covington or Barnes

Any thoughts?

[ASUMountaineer]

I think you've outlined it quite well. I think the right side of the OL and LB are our biggest question marks, but I'm certainly looking forward to the season.

[mtnjax]

Davante Harris could get the look at NT and be good at it with his size.

I see Law and McGowan as the ILB of the 3-4 and then a combination of Frazier, Dada, and the incoming freshman as OLB

I think the DL will see a lot of rotation to keep fresh bodies in

DE you have Robinson, Blair, Hall and Singleton and maybe Milhouse (he played some DE last year) and DT you have Harris, Burns, Small, Bronson

Woody could also have Greg Hall play OLB. Could also see Alex Gray moved to this postion because of his size

Secondary will be interesting. We all assume Blackmon has 1 CB spot locked down, the other I think could be up for grabs between Krah and Pinckney and Lott could play Safety with Middleton. I believe Lott was going to be the starting FS last year until Blackmon and Middleton went down

[GlassOnion]

Thanks. Me too. Spring ball might just be what keeps me sane until the invite comes.

[JonW]

Biggest question to me is who is able to make it through the spring practices and remain healthy. The last few seasons we have had the injury bug hit a projected starter during spring practice.

[GlassOnion]

Biggest question to me is who is able to make it through the spring practices and remain healthy. The last few seasons we have had the injury bug hit a projected starter during spring practice.

Good point Jon.

With the open OL spots, and the NT position up in the air, they'll probably be seeing a plenty of contact in the trenches before opening day. Good thing is that we appear to have a little depth going into this year.

[asumike83]

TE will be interesting as well. Barrett Burns could push Bailey for playing time there, he looked like a very solid receiving threat in his HS film.

[mtnjax]

TE will be interesting as well. Barrett Burns could push Bailey for playing time there, he looked like a very solid receiving threat in his HS film.

I'd like to see some 2 TE sets that we pass out of using Burns and Bailey

[GlassOnion]

Davante Harris could get the look at NT and be good at it with his size.

I see Law and McGowan as the ILB of the 3-4 and then a combination of Frazier, Dada, and the incoming freshman as OLB

I think the DL will see a lot of rotation to keep fresh bodies in

DE you have Robinson, Blair, Hall and Singleton and maybe Milhouse (he played some DE last year) and DT you have Harris, Burns, Small, Bronson

Woody could also have Greg Hall play OLB. Could also see Alex Gray moved to this postion because of his size

Secondary will be interesting. We all assume Blackmon has 1 CB spot locked down, the other I think could be up for grabs between Krah and Pinckney and Lott could play Safety with Middleton. I believe Lott was going to be the starting FS last year until Blackmon and Middleton went down

McGowan could certainly win a spot. I chose Vinson because he seems to be out of the mold we've had alot of success with. He's got speed, and he's wrestling at 220 lbs already this year. I like the way he tackles. Dada was recruited heavily by Woody at Wofford, so you may also be right there.

It will be very interesting seeing what Woody picks and chooses to put out on the field. It may be very different than what I expect, or any of us at this point.

Harris has the size, but I wonder if he's got the technique. I remember Corbin being touted as almost certainly a starter, and next thing you know he's a backup OT. I think youre definately right about the depth on DL. We appear blessed there. Im hoping for a dominant line like 2011. With the young guys behind them, our DL absolutely MUST put some pressure on the QB.

I think Lott stays at CB. I think it was Satterfield or some other coach that came out and said they were thrilled with him there. And it also helps to have at least 1 CB with some starting experience.

[GlassOnion]

TE will be interesting as well. Barrett Burns could push Bailey for playing time there, he looked like a very solid receiving threat in his HS film.

If Burns pushes Bailey, then we've absolutely got it made. I loved Bailey laying out for that TD pass last year. He's pretty high on my list of current favorite players. That guys gives his all.

I would love to see a 2 TE set with Baily and Burns. There are just so many weapons, and so many ways we can use them. Satterfield ought to be having some serious fun this year.

Mtnjax beat me to the Bailey/Burns combo

[asumike83]

Somewhat related: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4572901

Montana has just re-instated Jordan Johnson, effective immediately. As if the season opener weren't highly anticipated enough!

First game in the post-Jerry Moore era for Appalachian and Johnson's first game back after being kicked off the team for what appear to be false rape accusations.

[GlassOnion]

Hm. The guy could be anywhere from seriously pumped the first game, to seriously rusty. I think Hallock would be a good one to run the scout team for prep.

[Gonzo]

I really think we have the potential to return to 2007 level offensive production this year. This is the most talented receiving corps we've had since I started following App football when I was a freshman in college (07). I'm not just talking about Price, top the bottom, even the two-deep and tight ends are absolutely loaded.

Rushing wise, we don't have a Devon Moore any more, but we have enough talent to get what we need on the ground, especially if Jackson is healthy enough to keep the ball. I've been told several times that you can put just about any decent RB in our scheme and they'll get the yards. Holloway looks like a big H back type guy. I'd like to see one of these star-studded new comers come in and offer some good speed. Having a Steven Miller in space is dangerous. We also need a RB that can run a good wheel route. We all love it when Satterfield calls that play. I don't recall it ever not resulting in a touchdown.


Defense is the big question mark. We lost the two best LB's we've had in half a decade that aren't named DJ Smith. Having Woody is a HUGE relief and I'm confident that with the level of talent we get he can turn our D into a force like it was in 2005, but I'm tempering expectations a bit at least for the first part of the season. There's going to be a transition period with a new DC and new LBs, despite the fact that they're both incredibly talented and destined for greatness.

The secondary looks great barring injury. Of course it did last year too, but then the injury's and suspensions came rushing in before the season even started. As long as Blaylock isn't starting I think we will have an improvement from last year.

[asumike83]

Rushing wise, we don't have a Devon Moore any more, but we have enough talent to get what we need on the ground, especially if Jackson is healthy enough to keep the ball. I've been told several times that you can put just about any decent RB in our scheme and they'll get the yards. Holloway looks like a big H back type guy. I'd like to see one of these star-studded new comers come in and offer some good speed. Having a Steven Miller in space is dangerous. We also need a RB that can run a good wheel route. We all love it when Satterfield calls that play. I don't recall it ever not resulting in a touchdown.

I think Marcus Cox has the ability to fill that role for us alongside Holloway. He was a RB/WR combo in high school and should be very dangerous as a receiving threat out of the backfield. Upshaw could be in the mix as well. Going to be a very fun team to watch!

[moehler]

I think this offfense has the potential to be a top 5 offense in the entire FCS, last year they went from ranked 40th offensively in 2011, to 10th and best in the SC in 2012. Whats amazing about that is we did it basically running a new offense with almost an entire new coaching staff, only one game they were held under 400 yds. The 2 big question marks for me is finding a reliable backup qb, and sorting out the running back position. Defensively, the only positions where we look really strong is the secondary, I think Woody has his hands full getting them ready for season. One player that needs to step up is MCgowan, he was one of the top defensive players in Florida his senior year, had a prefered walkon to Florida, and was considered to be one of the big recruits of that class, but he just has not lived up to the hype. To me this is his make or break season, either he gets it done now, or we give up on him, put him at the end of the bench and find someone else who will get the job done.

[ASU-FTW]

One player that needs to step up is MCgowan, he was one of the top defensive players in Florida his senior year, had a prefered walkon to Florida, and was considered to be one of the big recruits of that class, but he just has not lived up to the hype. To me this is his make or break season, either he gets it done now, or we give up on him, put him at the end of the bench and find someone else who will get the job done.

We've had pretty stiff competition ahead of him at linebacker in years past. What have you seen that makes you think he has not lived up to the hype?

[GlassOnion]

Last year, he started at wofford when kimbrough got suspended for taking his helmet off, had 4 tackles in the game. Kimbroughs shoes are hard to fill, but when you go from about 15 tackles a game to 4 at the MLB spot, it is going to hurt.

[Goapps15]

Obviously Jamal will be QB this fall, but the most interesting battle their will be for the backup position. You will have Lamb, Barnes, and Bryant competing for that spot.

At running back, Tysean Holloway will probably start and will be backed up by Marcus Cox and Terrance Upshaw. Holloway is the most complete running back we have had since Devon Moore left.

Wide Receiver and Tight End are two positions we are extremely blessed at. We have numerous players with experience coming back at these spots.

Offensive Line you will see the same left side and if healthy I would expect Acey to start at right guard. The right tackle battle will be interesting to see.

Defensive Line will be solid with the play of Robinson and Blair at end. The DT spot will be an interesting battle to look out for between Burns, Bronson and Milhouse.

Linebacker to me will have Mcgowan and Law in the middle with Vinson backing up. Outside linebacker will be another battle. They could move Alex Gray down from safety to play there, Lee Wright, Joel Ross (very good tackler and could get his athleticism on the field), Greg Hall, etc. That will be a spot to watch out for.

DB: Middleton and Blackmon at corner, Lott could switch with Middleton here. These three are locks to play somewhere in the secondary. We also have Henry Barnes back, Joel Ross, Kevin Walton, Pickney, and Roger Walker back here. This will be a very solid group just please no Patrick Blalock.

No one has mentioned the next part which will be our kicking game. This will be a battle that could affect us all next season if we do not get solid replacements for the All-American Sam Martin.

We will have numerous threats in each return game which will be a blessing.

Another thing to help our running game this year and hopefully take away unnecessary hits from Jamal would be the WildCat formation we ran late last year. We need to use this formation with Peacock in the backfield with a receiver and a running back. This was very successful when we used it last year. This would be a way for us to run the ball inside the 20s without having to get Jamal hit a lot. It also adds yet another dimension to our already versatile offense.

Price may be our best WR but Peacock is our most versatile player on the offensive side of the ball. He could take handoffs at RB, run the wildcat QB and play a very good WR as well.

[ASUGoose]

Good comments by all about the offense and defense sides of the ball. I think all of the comments pretty much sum up where we will be on those sides of the ball.

I am more interested to see what changes will be made on special teams. Satt made it a big point once he got the nod for the HC that we are going to be a lot more aggressive on special teams. I think this area for App State has been a huge hole in our overall team success. There is no reason why we shouldn't be dominating all FCS teams on special teams as we are consistently getting the best talent year in a year out. I think Satt sees this as a huge opportunity for improvement. We should be the VA Tech of FCS as it relates to special teams and I think we now have a head coach who realizes the positive impact this will have on the offense and defense.

[GlassOnion]

Good comments by all about the offense and defense sides of the ball. I think all of the comments pretty much sum up where we will be on those sides of the ball.

I am more interested to see what changes will be made on special teams. Satt made it a big point once he got the nod for the HC that we are going to be a lot more aggressive on special teams. I think this area for App State has been a huge hole in our overall team success. There is no reason why we shouldn't be dominating all FCS teams on special teams as we are consistently getting the best talent year in a year out. I think Satt sees this as a huge opportunity for improvement. We should be the VA Tech of FCS as it relates to special teams and I think we now have a head coach who realizes the positive impact this will have on the offense and defense.

Maybe we'll have a fake punt/fg play in the book for once?