lonny23
08-07-2008, 09:24 PM
I'll cover the units and give my thoughts:
Tech was 9-4 last year. They probably should've been 11-2, though. Last year is the baseline for what they should do this year. Since there are more positives than negatives going into the year, they should be better in 08.
Head Coach- I like Leach and think he's one of the best. This is his first HC job and he does get better each year.
Offensive coaching- I'm giving them an incomplete. Leach should be better and there was no OL turmoil this year, but Dana Holgersen left. I don't know how well Lincoln Riley will fill his shoes.
Defensive coaching- It's going to be better. The players play harder and better for Ruffin. There won't be a DC change in the middle of the year. More than anything else, defense is about execution, tackling, proper positioning, pad level, and just overall meanness. I've heard Lyle was smart, but he might've been too smart for the players and not able to teach them to do what he knew. All I know is they thought too much and froze in their tracks instead of playing instinctively. They were pitiful tacklers. I can't say Ruffin is an all-pro schemer when it comes to formations and alignments. What I do know is he's big on the fundamentals of tackling everyday and he wants the guys to fly to the ball and be aggressive. They'll get burnt at times, but they're going to make more plays. Overall, they should be a fair amount better this year.
Quarterback- All the QB's are back and you'd have to think Harrell will push close to or over 6K yards. Harrell is a pretty good QB who has too many bad days, but there aren't many better than him.
Running Back- Everybody is back and Batch isn't injured. There is more depth available, too. Tech might not get a RB for 09 because some of the 08 recruits like Douglas can be moved to RB.I'm not going to put these guys in the Hall of Fame, but they'll be better.
Wide Receiver- Crab is going to be better and Morris is back. Amendola is the only player of merit that has left. Based upon what I've heard of Lewis this year, I think they'll be better, but I'm calling for incomplete since we don't know he'll match Amendola's production.
Offensive Line- They're all back and were pretty good last year. With more depth, they're going to be even better this year.
Defensive Line- The depth just wasn't there last year. Even without Dixon, the DT and DE spots still have quite a bit more depth than last year. I think everybody will see something different from these guys this year.
Linebackers- 2 of the 3 starters are back and they have more depth. Overall, this is probably the weakest of the 3 defensive units, but they'll be adequate.
Secondary- 2 of the 4 starters are back, but I'm not worried. Wall is a stud and McBath is steady. Reed will be pretty good and that other safety spot won't be bad.
I'll give the offense an A Plus based upon what I've seen and heard so far.
I'll give the defense a B so far.
Tech was 9-4 last year. They probably should've been 11-2, though. Last year is the baseline for what they should do this year. Since there are more positives than negatives going into the year, they should be better in 08.
Head Coach- I like Leach and think he's one of the best. This is his first HC job and he does get better each year.
Offensive coaching- I'm giving them an incomplete. Leach should be better and there was no OL turmoil this year, but Dana Holgersen left. I don't know how well Lincoln Riley will fill his shoes.
Defensive coaching- It's going to be better. The players play harder and better for Ruffin. There won't be a DC change in the middle of the year. More than anything else, defense is about execution, tackling, proper positioning, pad level, and just overall meanness. I've heard Lyle was smart, but he might've been too smart for the players and not able to teach them to do what he knew. All I know is they thought too much and froze in their tracks instead of playing instinctively. They were pitiful tacklers. I can't say Ruffin is an all-pro schemer when it comes to formations and alignments. What I do know is he's big on the fundamentals of tackling everyday and he wants the guys to fly to the ball and be aggressive. They'll get burnt at times, but they're going to make more plays. Overall, they should be a fair amount better this year.
Quarterback- All the QB's are back and you'd have to think Harrell will push close to or over 6K yards. Harrell is a pretty good QB who has too many bad days, but there aren't many better than him.
Running Back- Everybody is back and Batch isn't injured. There is more depth available, too. Tech might not get a RB for 09 because some of the 08 recruits like Douglas can be moved to RB.I'm not going to put these guys in the Hall of Fame, but they'll be better.
Wide Receiver- Crab is going to be better and Morris is back. Amendola is the only player of merit that has left. Based upon what I've heard of Lewis this year, I think they'll be better, but I'm calling for incomplete since we don't know he'll match Amendola's production.
Offensive Line- They're all back and were pretty good last year. With more depth, they're going to be even better this year.
Defensive Line- The depth just wasn't there last year. Even without Dixon, the DT and DE spots still have quite a bit more depth than last year. I think everybody will see something different from these guys this year.
Linebackers- 2 of the 3 starters are back and they have more depth. Overall, this is probably the weakest of the 3 defensive units, but they'll be adequate.
Secondary- 2 of the 4 starters are back, but I'm not worried. Wall is a stud and McBath is steady. Reed will be pretty good and that other safety spot won't be bad.
I'll give the offense an A Plus based upon what I've seen and heard so far.
I'll give the defense a B so far.