Spring Roster

[fredthefalcon]

I just analyzed the Spring Roster in comparison to the 2020 Season Roster As you all know, all players are allowed an extra year's eligibility due to Covid. Technically all seniors could have returned for another year but 8 of last year's 15 did not return. The best I can determined 7 of the 8 are getting on with their lives professionally including likely NFL Q. Morris. The 7 back include 3 specialists (K, P, LS) Khobe Coleman, (OL) Ware, (DL) Walder, and the injured Jerry McBride. Eleven other players have apparently left the program through transfers, quitting, or whatever. There are 6 new players on the rosters, 5 of which were early signees, and we have 16 other 2021 signees yet to arrive that are not currently listed. So all in all 19 departures since the end of the season, 6 new arrivals, and 16 more to come this summer. Still a very, very young team.

[mbenecke]

I'm basing this on the first depth chart released last year, and guys who would logically slide in. I'm not accounting for any surprises, because I'm not there every day in practice to see these guys working. So, my early stab at a potential 2021 depth chart:

QB: McDonald/Melton/Keller (open competition)
RB: Terion Stewart
TE: Christian Sims
TE: Levi Gazarek/Griffin Little
WR: Javonte Kinsey
WR: Tyrone Broden/Jahylin Embry
LT: Joe Ware
LG: John O’Brian
C: Sam Neverov
RG: Brian Kilbane
RT: Derek Downs

DE: Roland Walder
DE: Karl Brooks
DT: Walter Haire
DT: Jordan Murphy
LB: Darren Anders
LB: JB Brown/Aaron Washington
LB: Kholbe Coleman
CB: Caleb Biggers
CB: Diata Burns
S: Jerry McBride
S: Jordan Anderson

I really think we may not be all that bad in terms of starter talent next year? Depth is another question entirely, but a lot of these guys got experience last year, so it's a pretty seasoned team coming back, if we end up with these guys as the starters. I mean, basically everyone in the trenches has legit game experience, and another year of coaching and actually having spring camp should do wonders for this team. If we can get QB figured out... maybe we win a couple games?

What do you guys think?

[roguewarrior]

Sniglets: McDonald had shoulder surgery and won’t throw until summer sometime. Melton appears to be front runner early. Syracuse kid has a live arm. The offense has been changed so we should get faster, dropping a TE out of the slots and putting in a wr. Coach Malone appears to have control of the offense fully, so it will be different, along with the scheme change. Training has changed... less track practice, more heavy work. Everything looks good so far, early. I think spring game might be April 10... not out yet though. It will be Lofflers first! 2019 was moved inside and was about 20 plays due to weather and NO bodies.... last year never got to it.....

[mbenecke]

Sniglets: McDonald had shoulder surgery and won’t throw until summer sometime. Melton appears to be front runner early. Syracuse kid has a live arm. The offense has been changed so we should get faster, dropping a TE out of the slots and putting in a wr. Coach Malone appears to have control of the offense fully, so it will be different, along with the scheme change. Training has changed... less track practice, more heavy work. Everything looks good so far, early. I think spring game might be April 10... not out yet though. It will be Lofflers first! 2019 was moved inside and was about 20 plays due to weather and NO bodies.... last year never got to it.....

I like the update about the scheme change. I understood playing 2 TE at the time because we were VERY thin at receiver, and we were led by Q Morris at one of the TE slots. Now that we're gaining experience at WR and losing it at TE (still a pretty exciting room with a ton of potential), it makes a lot of sense to move towards a more modern offense with a bit of tempo. I like it.

[jpfalcon09]

Sniglets: McDonald had shoulder surgery and won’t throw until summer sometime. Melton appears to be front runner early. Syracuse kid has a live arm. The offense has been changed so we should get faster, dropping a TE out of the slots and putting in a wr. Coach Malone appears to have control of the offense fully, so it will be different, along with the scheme change. Training has changed... less track practice, more heavy work. Everything looks good so far, early. I think spring game might be April 10... not out yet though. It will be Lofflers first! 2019 was moved inside and was about 20 plays due to weather and NO bodies.... last year never got to it.....

Good stuff here rogue, thanks. Can't stress enough how important a full offseason with the current staff is. Last year really hampered a lot of development of younger players.

[roguewarrior]

That two tights/hybrid tights was the scheme, not out of necessity. Scheme takes way too long to get open, especially with a leaky O-Line. Slow. Looking forward to some super quick slants/outs/ bubbles from the slots. Haven’t seen a quick slant thrown in two years. That will open up some lanes for the backs too. Can’t be consumed with hitting the X 30 yards down field. Sticks get moved with short, quick, indefensible safe passes to speedy inside guys. Gash, gash, gash then go deep.

[mbenecke]

That two tights/hybrid tights was the scheme, not out of necessity. Scheme takes way too long to get open, especially with a leaky O-Line. Slow. Looking forward to some super quick slants/outs/ bubbles from the slots. Haven’t seen a quick slant thrown in two years. That will open up some lanes for the backs too. Can’t be consumed with hitting the X 30 yards down field. Sticks get moved with short, quick, indefensible safe passes to speedy inside guys. Gash, gash, gash then go deep.

Piecing together a drive consistently sounds heavenly right now.

[roguewarrior]

Sure does!!