I was reflecting on this season and thinking about what changes to expect next year, and was impressed with the success that our coaches/team had this season for a few reasons. Team leadership, lack of talent/depth, and lack of buy in from players. In year one we heard about the locker room fight that was a turning point for some players. However there was still some residual effects from a lack of buy in from players. We are all aware that Tommy was benched due to not buying into langs game plan, that an other "leader" of the team did not go to class, and during the bowl Utter's "free snake" sign (which i took as a snap shot into the teams attitude and a bit undermining of the coaches). We had walk-ons playing and starting due to a lack of roster management. One of the players that is done after this year attended a party with a friend of mine and it sounds like the sr class will be addition buy subtraction, with some exceptions.
This will be the first season where the coaches wont have to worry about entrenched leadership from players like Gerry or Armstrong or about upsetting the roster/players and potentially losing the team. They will no longer have to do the balancing act and can just coach and manage the roster/depth chart.
The big difference next year, outside of leadership, will be the qb play. If Lee is what he is touted to be, we will see him make reads, go through progressions, and be able to pull the trigger on shorter routes. Gates got destroyed in the bowl game, but that is partly play calling, partly Ryker not stepping up in the pocket, and partly because he was not quick enough to handle Barnett. If Fyfe steps up in the pocket it gives Gates the angle rather than a straight shot for Barnett to run full speed. (When forced inside Gates was able to hold his own.) We did not chip or roll the pocket, but the biggest thing was fyfe did not stepping up in the pocket. I think an experienced drop back passer will feel more comfortable and know how to use the pocket and it will help out our line. I also think we will see more on field success because we can stick to game plan.
This will be the first season where the coaches wont have to worry about entrenched leadership from players like Gerry or Armstrong or about upsetting the roster/players and potentially losing the team. They will no longer have to do the balancing act and can just coach and manage the roster/depth chart.
The big difference next year, outside of leadership, will be the qb play. If Lee is what he is touted to be, we will see him make reads, go through progressions, and be able to pull the trigger on shorter routes. Gates got destroyed in the bowl game, but that is partly play calling, partly Ryker not stepping up in the pocket, and partly because he was not quick enough to handle Barnett. If Fyfe steps up in the pocket it gives Gates the angle rather than a straight shot for Barnett to run full speed. (When forced inside Gates was able to hold his own.) We did not chip or roll the pocket, but the biggest thing was fyfe did not stepping up in the pocket. I think an experienced drop back passer will feel more comfortable and know how to use the pocket and it will help out our line. I also think we will see more on field success because we can stick to game plan.
