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ESPN article on expectations here on the Hilltop:

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/ ... to-believe

Some interesting notes from that piece:

• Jones anticipates playing 15 freshmen once again, especially on the offensive line, which is still an area of concern because of a lack of depth.

When you look at the six seniors, it's easy to assume that the line is set with big, strong veterans. That's true, but the offensive line has been remarkably injury-free for a couple of years. It would be nice to continue that trend, but unwise to bank on it.

• (Zach Line's) emergence led to Darryl Fields and Kevin Pope playing both running back and linebacker this spring, and Jones anticipates both contributing on defense this season.

Both? I was under the impression that it was one or the other, and that the other one would be Line's backup.

sounds like we are planning to waste more redshirts next year Niemchi will probably get 3 carries for 7 yards-no reason to play any freshman offensive lineman next year unless there are injuries-could that be a mistake? I bet he meant DEFENSIVE lineman

Yeah, I could never understand burning a redshirt for a play here and there. I guess you'd have to have a lot of optimism that you'll be getting a lot of better players in the future.

And, ooh, Derrick Thompson to replace Al. That's news.

1 play burns a redshirt. Playing in more than-I think-20% of a teams scheduled regular season games ruins any chance at a medical redshirt due to an injury which ends a recruits season.

ponyboy wrote:And, ooh, Derrick Thompson to replace Al. That's news.

Der'rickk apparently has looked very good this spring, as had Jeremy Johnson and Keenan Hollman. He has a chance to be the starter, but we probably shouldn't pencil him in just yet.

Another minor detail on the redshirting. If we had redshirted Fields for example, the odds of him transferring would be less because he would lose a year of eligibility if he went to a D1 school. Now, if he gets disgusted with defense and chooses to leave he sits out a redshirt year and still has 3 to play.

This is only an example. I have no reason to believe Fields has any desire to leave.

Fields has every reason to leave if he ends up playing LB. The whole reason he came to SMU was to make an immediate impact at RB. He passed up on his "dream school" to come to SMU for the sole purpose to play RB.

We'd better find a way to get him in on the field that makes him happy. IE: Throwing in a couple of 2 back plays or splitting carries.

CoxMustangFan wrote:

Water Pony wrote:ESPN article on expectations here on the Hilltop:

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/ ... to-believe

Fortunately, there were a good number of you that never stopped believing!

Did you stop Bo-Leving?

Stallion wrote:1 play burns a redshirt. Playing in more than-I think-20% of a teams scheduled regular season games ruins any chance at a medical redshirt due to an injury which ends a recruits season.

DL is likely to have a true FR in the 2 deep at DT, but he may also be referring to possible RS FR in the OL 2 deep?

Stallion wrote:sounds like we are planning to waste more redshirts next year Niemchi will probably get 3 carries for 7 yards-no reason to play any freshman offensive lineman next year unless there are injuries-could that be a mistake? I bet he meant DEFENSIVE lineman

God I hope you are right about him meaning defensive linemen.

CoxMustangFan wrote:

ponyboy wrote:Yeah, I could never understand burning a redshirt for a play here and there. I guess you'd have to have a lot of optimism that you'll be getting a lot of better players in the future.

I'm not entirely comfortable with the rules surrounding a redshirt (so correct me if I'm wrong), but I didn't think you could remove a redshirt mid-year. If that is the case, one ugly tackle could be the difference between a good season (and continued progress) and a disastrous set-back (should Line get hurt). I would want insurance.

Never officially redshift anyone. If they don't happen to play one year, the team can use that year as a redshirt- if you don't want him to move on.

[quote="sacklunch"]Fields has every reason to leave if he ends up playing LB. The whole reason he came to SMU was to make an immediate impact at RB. He passed up on his "dream school" to come to SMU for the sole purpose to play RB.

We'd better find a way to get him in on the field that makes him happy. IE: Throwing in a couple of 2 back plays or splitting carries.[/quote

They tell you one thing and poof, different story the following season.

I am certain he is referring to offensive linemen since he talks about protecting Padron. But I am also pretty certain he is talking about redshirt freshmen. We have some decent kids that sat out last year that will play a lot on OL. You certainly do not want to play all seniors exclusively and have no experience next year.