DMN look at SMU's five biggest departures

[ponyboy]

This is actually very well done:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... e-them.ece

[Alaric]

Wow, that was pretty well done. My nominee is Torlan Pittman/Aaron Davis until Nick Reed can prove he can fill the spot. Really wish Rishaad Wimbley was a 290 lbs NG these days instead of a 250 lbs lb

[ClassOf81]

It is well done, except isn't Zach Wood taking Margus Hunt's spot?

Also, they list Darius Joseph replacing Darius Johnson. Is that the same spot where Kenneth Acker is expected to play?

Finally, I think it's premature to say Nick Reed needs to take over at NT. Hasn't Mason said many times that he thinks Darrian Wright can be as good or better than Pittman? I think we're OK in the middle.

[JoeKidd]

Wow, that was pretty well done. My nominee is Torlan Pittman/Aaron Davis until Nick Reed can prove he can fill the spot. Really wish Rishaad Wimbley was a 290 lbs NG these days instead of a 250 lbs lb

The whole D-Line (Grenier, Hunt, Pittman, Davis) should be number 1 on this list.

[JasonB]

- I love Line, but we are deep and really good at RB, not worried.

- Hunt will be replaced by Wood or Minor. The others are just place holders until Minor is ready. It is a loss, but we will also be a lot deeper on the DL than last season. The key is can anyone on the line occupy two blockers in order to free up the LBs.

- Reed for Pope/Yenga is a little drop off, but expect better positioning, and the depth will help keep them fresh.

- Seals is going to be awesome.

- DJ is replacing DJ, who just never recovered after the Baylor game last year. Sanders, Stweart, Guinyard, and Acker will provide additional depth in the slot which we haven't had in quite a while, and will allow the receivers to stay fresh.

[ponyboy]

Man, if we could have an actual receiver or two show up -- and if GG doesn't feel the need to throw fastballs from five yards, could work a little touch into his repertoire -- we might actually score some of the quick hit touchdowns we've been promised. That, to me, is the key to this season. GG can run and Shead will probably be a pretty good replacement for Line. But can we see some shoot?

[ponyte]

Sunshining like crazy here, but I am more excited about this year than any in decades. I know we have gaps to fill but every college has gaps to fill every year. Our schedule is challanging but I think we match up better with TTU and TCU this year than in the past.

Actually, last year was the year I felt we had the biggest gaps to fill with less up and coming talent. An entire O line, a new QB, D line replacement and the ever thin secondary.

This year we still have question marks but not as many and we have better depth. And I do believe the three UT players vastly improve our talent and athleticism on offense.

I feel the overall LB corps will be improved. Sure we are losing some strong players but we have strong players and very athletic players to fill in.

The D line has more depth this year and with luck that depth can be utilized to improve the overall line play.

I know I am about to speck blasphemy, but Hunt didn’t show up for an entire game very often. He was a great player for us but not always a great player every play. The guys coming up may not be Margus’ talent but they may bring more attention to detail, focus and consistency to the D line.

The area of concern is the receivers. We need a couple to step up and make consistent plays.

[PonyFan]

- I love Line, but we are deep and really good at RB, not worried.

I hope you're right, but we have yet to see any of these guys in games. Until they are proven, there are questions that need to be answered.

- Hunt will be replaced by Wood or Minor. The others are just place holders until Minor is ready. It is a loss, but we will also be a lot deeper on the DL than last season. The key is can anyone on the line occupy two blockers in order to free up the LBs.

Minor seems to be extremely talented, but if he starts anywhere, wouldn't it be on the other side? He played on the left end, where Barnes and McCleneghen play, in high school. As far as tying up blockers, I have more faith than a lot of people do in Wright. Plus, I think Reed could turn out to be a real stud in a year or two. Didn't PP say that Cramer slid inside and looked promising?

- Reed for Pope/Yenga is a little drop off, but expect better positioning, and the depth will help keep them fresh.

Definite drop-off in experience, but I'm not sure we lose anything at all in athletic ability, and we probably get faster. Yenga's supposed to be a better athlete than his brother, and Youri was (is) a great athlete.

- Seals is going to be awesome.

Agreed.

- DJ is replacing DJ, who just never recovered after the Baylor game last year. Sanders, Stweart, Guinyard, and Acker will provide additional depth in the slot which we haven't had in quite a while, and will allow the receivers to stay fresh.

Joseph might start initially, but I bet it's Acker before too long. As for the other three, I hope you're right, but none of them has played a single snap at SMU. What do you base your optimism on?

[mrydel]

Jones has never alternated his receivers to keep them fresh. Have no reason to believe he will start now. He uses 4 starters, occasionally has a 5 package, and every now and then will sub for a play or 2. (see Deiter)

[Mustangsabu]

Jones has never alternated his receivers to keep them fresh. Have no reason to believe he will start now. He uses 4 starters, occasionally has a 5 package, and every now and then will sub for a play or 2. (see Deiter)

With the changes in offensive play-calling, I am not sure we will not see a whole lot more rotation.

[Rebel10]

-
we will also be a lot deeper on the DL than last season. .

We need quality depth not just bodies to say we have depth.

NT will be the true measuring point in my opinion.

[JasonB]

Stewart I have always had a man crush on... Sanders looked really good in the spring. Much quicker than advertised. And guinyard showed me something. He has a burst that wasn't there the past two seasons. Starting to look like the player before the injuries.

Granted, there is nowhere to go but up, but the receivers will be better than they were last season. Everyone has more experience and add new players.

Last year we played a guard at ol who shouldn't have played, a center at the other guard and a guard at right tackle. All because the kids weren't ready. The fact that Lowe couldn't breach the two deep in spring is a good sign. Dude transferring is a good sign. We have a two deep of linemen I am excited about, and last year I thought gg wouldn't make it past the fourth game after watching fall practice.

[mrydel]

Jones has never alternated his receivers to keep them fresh. Have no reason to believe he will start now. He uses 4 starters, occasionally has a 5 package, and every now and then will sub for a play or 2. (see Deiter)

With the changes in offensive play-calling, I am not sure we will not see a whole lot more rotation.

Jones is not giving up one play call.

[AusTxPony]

Perhaps not, but Jones may be calling some Mumme and Phillips plays and that's a good thing. I really enjoyed the running of Gilbert last year, what an exciting surprise. Let's have more good surprises this season.