For Starters Conversation Sake

[SMU Kilmer]

Pope hammers people as a blocker.

[SMU_is_bowling]

Pope hammers people as a blocker.

is there any film on this kid? i have not seen any, but then again, I am not a subscriber...

[JasonB]

I think the only positions set on offense are Robinson, Padron, Beachum, and LeRibeus. WR, RB, C, RG, RT are wide open. That isn't a negative - there are a ton of returning starters - it is just an indicator of how strong the last two recruiting classes have been. Defensively, we know where we are at DL (unless Frazier shifts to DT and Hunt plays the end, a real possibility), OLB, one corner and one saftey.

Here are the position battles as I see them:

WR (3 spots) - Wilkerson, Beasley, DJ, Haynes, McDade, Joubert, Londy, Holman, JJ. Guinyard is out with injury and Collins goes JUCO. As solid a receiver as Loftin is, I don't think he is even in the running, which shows how much the depth has improved. I think we start the season with the first three, but JJ will be tough to keep off the field.

RB - Line, Pope, Fields, Beard. I get the impression that Pope, Line, Beard are the same type of back - the strong rammer that JJ likes in this offense. Fields is the gamebreaker. Line, Pope, and Beard will battle it out for the Line role from last season. Third place is moved back to linebacker. Fields will take over the McNeal spot. Like McNeal, he is going to be asked to read blocks, not just run straight ahead. So, like McNeal, it is going to take him a little more time to get fully integrated intot he offense. I predict we see a lot of Line and Pope early on, then once Fields is ready for his role, Beard is moved back to LB and redshirts. The three deep at the "fast" RB position is Fields, Butler, Lunday.

C - Tennison, Hughes, McJunkin. Will be interesting to see if they redshirt McJunkin to try and get some more size on him. Tennison is the favorite here, although Hughes was a really good recruit coming in.

RG - Turner, Miller, Duhe, Atchison, Favreau, Free. Sucks that Fontana got hurt, he would be a major player here. Atchison can win this job easily if he is eligible. Miller is not a slacker, and Duhe will have to beat him out to not take a redshirt. Turner will begin the spring as the starter, but has an uphill battle to climb to keep his spot in the two deep. Someone needs to step up and dominate here.

RT - Brooks, Collins, Gottschalk. Brooks was solid last season, but will have to battle to keep his spot. Gottschallk won't redshirt because he is the only player with the athleticism to back up Beachum at the key LT spot.

MLB - Reed, Fleps, Bordano. As well as Fleps played last season, he might be in trouble to keep his starting spot. Not sure if Henderson stays in the mix here or is move back to DT.

CB - For the spot opposite Moore, assuming Bell is done, Crawford, McConico, Gamble, Parks. Hall will redshirt. Amazing that Thomas was fourth on the depth chart last season, but now even with Bell and McCoy gone he will be sixth? We have improved the athleticism here significantly in a short period of time. Crawford is the frontrunner. I would not be surprised to see Parks tried at the Mojica/Hudman third saftey/third corner role this season.

S - Opposite Banjo, Scott, Acker, and Sorrell will battle it out. Sorrell is the front runner at this point. Depth has improved significantly here.

[JasonB]

Pope hammers people as a blocker.

is there any film on this kid? i have not seen any, but then again, I am not a subscriber...

Yes, there is. Small, very string, with some speed. I would say he is a faster, more athletic runner akin to Line. I think he will battle Line for his role more than take over the McCoy spot. Not as many reads in it, which is why I think we here JJ say he will play before Fields.

[SMUfiji43]

Pope hammers people as a blocker.

is there any film on this kid? i have not seen any, but then again, I am not a subscriber...

Yes, there is. Small, very string, with some speed. I would say he is a faster, more athletic runner akin to Line. I think he will battle Line for his role more than take over the McCoy spot. Not as many reads in it, which is why I think we here JJ say he will play before Fields.

Two things, Pope is DEFINITELY not small. You might want to rethink that comment. The guy is a tank(see below). Also, you have used the name "McCoy" twice now when referring to corners(should be McCann) and running backs(should be McNeal). Didn't mean to call you out, but you speak very matter-of-fact while making several errors.

[stobor]

My guess:

QB: Padron
RB: Fields
WR: Robinson
WR: D. Johnson
WR: Beasley
WR: Wilkerson
LT: Beachum
LG: LeRibeus
C: Tennison
RG: Atchison
RT: Collins

DE: Thompson
DE: Hunt
NG: Frazier
MLB: Reed
MLB: Fleps
OLB: Davis
OLB: Yenga
CB: Moore
CB: McConico (unless Bell is back)
SS: Sorrell
FS: Scott (I don't think Banjo is an automatic starter. Scott also is more of a natural FS than SS)

I could see the WR being quite a bit different after spring and summer practices. I could see Bradley Haynes and Jeremy Johnson seeing a lot of playing time/starting by mid season. Guinyard also should he be healthy.

I really hope we don't have to start any true freshman on the O-Line. Our line came on really strong towards the end of the season last year (great performance against Nevada), and that was the strongest part of our 09 recruiting class. They have to be able to come in and play to let Gottschalk and Duhe get in College shape. On defense I am hoping O'Guinn is the only true freshman that sees significant playing time. Although others will certainly see the field some.

[JasonB]

Two things, Pope is DEFINITELY not small. You might want to rethink that comment. The guy is a tank(see below). Also, you have used the name "McCoy" twice now when referring to corners(should be McCann) and running backs(should be McNeal). Didn't mean to call you out, but you speak very matter-of-fact while making several errors.

Sorry, I meant short. You are right he is built like a tank. But he isn't a tall, ED style runner like Fields is. That is what I meant. He is a thick guy with better speed than line. In my opinion, perfect guy to be the running back who blocks well in the JJ offense. In fact, in some writeups I read, they mention him as a prototype for a fullback.

And, obviously I was reading up on bball news before I wrote this. That, combined with a fever and being pestered by the 3 year old leads me to getting lectured by freaking Kevin.

[Mexmustang]

Don't agree with everything, but thanks for the discussions. You all are far more familiar with the defensive mix than I am. It will be interesting to watch it play out.