Wunderkind
New member
The other sunshine pumping thread is bogus, so let's get some actual Kool-Aid flowing.
To start our defense is almost intact as 9 out of 11 starters are back on a defense that has consistently improved. Our biggest need is a consistent pass rush and there are glimmers of hope as both Nelson and Payne had their moments. There is also a chance that Tannor or Cooper could breakout although I think this is less likely. Also, Stille and Rogers could continue to develop and generate more pressure from the inside. With a better pass rush I would expect more turnovers with QB strip fumbles and hurried throws turning into interceptions. Even without a good pass rush the defense has improved and is likely to be better in 2021. Of course if the offense can improve than the defense will also look better.
On the offensive side of the ball we lost Robinson, but we have picked up some talent. The USC RB has a lot of potential, if he can stay healthy, and several of our RB's could be better than Mills. We had some injuries and a shortened season, but with a full spring and fall our RB's have the potential to make great strides. At WR we picked up the young man from Montana and Martin will have a full spring and fall as well. Nixon was injured and Manning, Betts, and Brown will have a full spring and fall to develop. We now have a stable of big WR's (Manning, Betts, Toure, & Martin) to go along with some faster WR's (Nixon & Brown). At TE Allen and Vokolek have looked good, especially Allen and with the Freshman Fidone coming in the TE position has quite a bit of fire power. As a Freshman Martinez looked good when he had some big down the field threats and now he will have them again in 2021. I think there is a good chance he will improve with the bigger WR's who can hopefully win some jump balls and make some plays down field. We lost two OL including our best Tackle, but his backup sure looked good in the one game he started. RT should improve with some seasoning as should Jurgens at Center who is maybe our most athletic lineman. Piper is back which just leaves one whole at guard with a number of candidates vying for the job.
ST has been bad although improved from 2019 as at least we could make a FG in 2020. There were some injuries that hurt us here as well. Frost seems focused on improving this area as can be seen by the number of kickers/punters we had on the team. Even being average here makes us a much better team. Finally, turnovers and penalties have killed us and need to be fixed. A full spring and fall practice should help but we are still young on offense, so maybe some wishful thinking.
To start our defense is almost intact as 9 out of 11 starters are back on a defense that has consistently improved. Our biggest need is a consistent pass rush and there are glimmers of hope as both Nelson and Payne had their moments. There is also a chance that Tannor or Cooper could breakout although I think this is less likely. Also, Stille and Rogers could continue to develop and generate more pressure from the inside. With a better pass rush I would expect more turnovers with QB strip fumbles and hurried throws turning into interceptions. Even without a good pass rush the defense has improved and is likely to be better in 2021. Of course if the offense can improve than the defense will also look better.
On the offensive side of the ball we lost Robinson, but we have picked up some talent. The USC RB has a lot of potential, if he can stay healthy, and several of our RB's could be better than Mills. We had some injuries and a shortened season, but with a full spring and fall our RB's have the potential to make great strides. At WR we picked up the young man from Montana and Martin will have a full spring and fall as well. Nixon was injured and Manning, Betts, and Brown will have a full spring and fall to develop. We now have a stable of big WR's (Manning, Betts, Toure, & Martin) to go along with some faster WR's (Nixon & Brown). At TE Allen and Vokolek have looked good, especially Allen and with the Freshman Fidone coming in the TE position has quite a bit of fire power. As a Freshman Martinez looked good when he had some big down the field threats and now he will have them again in 2021. I think there is a good chance he will improve with the bigger WR's who can hopefully win some jump balls and make some plays down field. We lost two OL including our best Tackle, but his backup sure looked good in the one game he started. RT should improve with some seasoning as should Jurgens at Center who is maybe our most athletic lineman. Piper is back which just leaves one whole at guard with a number of candidates vying for the job.
ST has been bad although improved from 2019 as at least we could make a FG in 2020. There were some injuries that hurt us here as well. Frost seems focused on improving this area as can be seen by the number of kickers/punters we had on the team. Even being average here makes us a much better team. Finally, turnovers and penalties have killed us and need to be fixed. A full spring and fall practice should help but we are still young on offense, so maybe some wishful thinking.
