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Normally, freshman OLs make me queasy like rancid queso. But this Brown kid is a moose. Already vying for several team strength records, so it doesn't sound like the usual "development" required in young OLs is needed so much in his case. I'm sure we'd all rather ease see him start his collegiate career against something other than a Big XII D, but so be it.

We should be significantly improved on the OL this year if everyone stays healthy -- we are razor thin with quality backups IMHO. Supposedly the coaches are quietly glowing about the OL recruits who have given us their verbal commits. Hopefully we can hang on to them.

with Nwosu and Caleb T. not on the 2-deep, my mind wanders to special teams and if they will be a big part of that. Our special teams units could really use a boost and these are the kind of mature athletes that could give us a big boost in a spot where we have needed it. here's hoping. I have no idea if we can keep the Baylor game respectable, some people are picking them to go to nat champ game, but i see some reasons to be cautiously optimistic about this team in the AAC. I think we are being dissed too much by the writers.

Good starting weekend for many AAC teams to see what they've got: Temple, Tulane/Tulsa, UCF, UCONN and us. The score v. Baylor doesn't mean that much unless we win. The game will tell us a lot about SMU for the rest of the season.

I am looking forward to watching safeties play that can make BIG plays (that play for SMU).
We have been lacking many things, but that has been a major one. Not since Banjo has a safety had much of an impact.
I am sure most remember when Scott got hurt against Tech, late in the first half. Roundtree came in, missed timed defending a pass and Tech scored (for the first time I think). Hopefully everyone on the field at safety will be better than what Scott did last year.
Like Jason said, I would think there are enough talented defenders that Mason would have some packages to get them all on the field together- 3 safeties, 4 DL, or whatever.
I like that Cam, Rice LB are not able to start, at least yet. Bordano scares me in pass coverage - hopefully is healthier and quicker than in the past.

Webmaster wrote:Normally, freshman OLs make me queasy like rancid queso. But this Brown kid is a moose. Already vying for several team strength records, so it doesn't sound like the usual "development" required in young OLs is needed so much in his case. I'm sure we'd all rather ease see him start his collegiate career against something other than a Big XII D, but so be it.

We should be significantly improved on the OL this year if everyone stays healthy -- we are razor thin with quality backups IMHO. Supposedly the coaches are quietly glowing about the OL recruits who have given us their verbal commits. Hopefully we can hang on to them.

I think Chamagua and McCarty are serviceable backups. Also weren't the coaches raving about Barns at one point?

Based on what I saw, I don't think Barns is ready. Chamagua would scare me a little if he were in, not sure if he is ready yet. McCarty I would like to see start, but either way I think Myers is a better guard than tackle. So we have depth at that one position. The other big frosh lineman could probably play guard in an emergency, and will end up being really good, but I don't think is ready yet. OL depth I think is a concern, at least until mid-season.

JasonB wrote:Based on what I saw, I don't think Barns is ready. Chamagua would scare me a little if he were in, not sure if he is ready yet. McCarty I would like to see start, but either way I think Myers is a better guard than tackle. So we have depth at that one position. The other big frosh lineman could probably play guard in an emergency, and will end up being really good, but I don't think is ready yet. OL depth I think is a concern, at least until mid-season.

Chamagua played more than myers last year. Did he regress? Is Fister a lost cause at 259 lbs?

Is Taylor Reich around? He was thought to have a chance before he got hurt a couple of years ago.

Reich isn't in the two deep right now, he may still be recovering. But he was highly thought of a couple of years ago, you are right. Not sure if Chamagua was playing tackle or guard last year? It just seemed like there was a significant drop off from the starter to him. Not saying he is a sloth out there with no potential, just that he probably isn't ready yet. Fister is small but I thought actually held his own when I was watching. The other two frosh I mentioned, Barns and Hyder I think will be really good, they just aren't at the same level as Brown right now. That kid is surprisingly good.

Webmaster wrote:Supposedly the coaches are quietly glowing about the OL recruits who have given us their verbal commits. Hopefully we can hang on to them.

I think we will be fine. Only one has any other offers than SMU and they are not BCS offers. Our coaches should be able to hold the fort down against Tennesee State, UTSA, and Tulsa.

I've heard Barnes an Hyder won't help much this year. Fister is more like 270lbs and was getting some reps with 1st team in camp before missing some time with an injury. Meyers appears to be the only reliable backup if McCarty starts.