My mid-camp fiver------
1. DTW -- I have a feeling that we're not going to see much of DTW this season - unless Smallwood or Shell go down with an injury. The tea leaves from camp read that he's just not quite there yet - but has potential galore. That being said, expect big things from Shell & Smallwood will be a do-everything guy. But, there's a chance that Shell could have a breakout season...especially if a true deep threat emerges at WR.
2. Pass rush. The lack thereof...is a concern. Our rush defense was my No. 1 concern heading into camp. I like that the defense has bonded together, watched tape of each game from last season, and talked about their mistakes. I was happy to hear that. You've gotta believe that watching Perrine ram his way over our guys, over and over, got to them. But, who's going to get to Seth Russell of Baylor or Boykin of TCU? Jefferson? Preston in spot duty? Noble? We were woeful with our lack of sacks last year. It could be more of the same in 2015.
3. Freshmen WRs. How big of a jolt will it be when Howard drops, lofts a deep ball down the field in the first quarter vs. GSU, and Durante runs under it...snags it out of the air, and sprints untouched for a 65-yard touchdown? Think back to WVU's 2003 game at East Carolina where some new WR by the name of Chris Henry torched the Pirate defense for two long ball touchdowns. I recall thinking...this guy can open things up! I'm looking at you, Jevon Durante. Get open and get going...
4. William Crest back at QB. Thank God. I was not comfortable with a mobile QB who happens to play with a chip on his shoulder (i.e. reckless, fearless) combined with moving our four-star backup QB to wideout. I know it worked for Trevone Boykin, but I don't care. I want Crest repping at QB. At some point in 2015 Skyler will get hit...and hit hard. Crest will need to come in ready to play. It's bound to happen. Glad Crest is back behind center. I hope we don't...but I have a feeling we will need him.
5. Norman, Oklahoma. We're going to be 3-0 heading into Norman. Our defense has a great deal to make up for, from that debacle last year on our home field. At some point, we're going to beat these guys. Baylor just annihilated them in Norman last season. They can be had. Do we have the juice? Who knows...but it's going to be fun to find out. And, if we win that game...look out.
--------Eer2k
1. DTW -- I have a feeling that we're not going to see much of DTW this season - unless Smallwood or Shell go down with an injury. The tea leaves from camp read that he's just not quite there yet - but has potential galore. That being said, expect big things from Shell & Smallwood will be a do-everything guy. But, there's a chance that Shell could have a breakout season...especially if a true deep threat emerges at WR.
2. Pass rush. The lack thereof...is a concern. Our rush defense was my No. 1 concern heading into camp. I like that the defense has bonded together, watched tape of each game from last season, and talked about their mistakes. I was happy to hear that. You've gotta believe that watching Perrine ram his way over our guys, over and over, got to them. But, who's going to get to Seth Russell of Baylor or Boykin of TCU? Jefferson? Preston in spot duty? Noble? We were woeful with our lack of sacks last year. It could be more of the same in 2015.
3. Freshmen WRs. How big of a jolt will it be when Howard drops, lofts a deep ball down the field in the first quarter vs. GSU, and Durante runs under it...snags it out of the air, and sprints untouched for a 65-yard touchdown? Think back to WVU's 2003 game at East Carolina where some new WR by the name of Chris Henry torched the Pirate defense for two long ball touchdowns. I recall thinking...this guy can open things up! I'm looking at you, Jevon Durante. Get open and get going...
4. William Crest back at QB. Thank God. I was not comfortable with a mobile QB who happens to play with a chip on his shoulder (i.e. reckless, fearless) combined with moving our four-star backup QB to wideout. I know it worked for Trevone Boykin, but I don't care. I want Crest repping at QB. At some point in 2015 Skyler will get hit...and hit hard. Crest will need to come in ready to play. It's bound to happen. Glad Crest is back behind center. I hope we don't...but I have a feeling we will need him.
5. Norman, Oklahoma. We're going to be 3-0 heading into Norman. Our defense has a great deal to make up for, from that debacle last year on our home field. At some point, we're going to beat these guys. Baylor just annihilated them in Norman last season. They can be had. Do we have the juice? Who knows...but it's going to be fun to find out. And, if we win that game...look out.
--------Eer2k
