FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY:
FIVE (plus one) TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE: How great is it to have football season so close that you can begin to think about things that have to happen to make the 2016 season what its capable of being? If I were granted a half-dozen wishes for the season here is what I would ask (beg?) for:
6, BACKSIDE DEFENDER: No I’m not talking about a safety or nickel back actually tackling Antonio Callaway before he could sprint 63 yards and almost destroy the season. I’m talking about Josh Dobbs’ backside and more specifically keeping him off of it. As maligned as Kyler Kerbyson was several years back, he became a valuable asset and a reliable LT. So who now steps up in his absence? We need for Brett Kendrick, Chance Hall or Drew Richmond (more on him in a sec) to play the position with the same excellence and passion that Kerbyson did.
5. JOSH DOBBS TO SHOW IMPROVED ACCURACY: I’m a Josh Dobbs guy. I think there’s a chance he may sadly leave here as the most underappreciated QB since Casey Clausen. But he does need to show more consistent accuracy on both medium and long range throws.
4. A WIDE RECEIVER TO BECOME A THROW-ME-THE-DAMN-BALL STUD AND CORPS DEVELOPMENT: Spin it any way you want this unit has been the most annoyingly disappointing on the field since Butch Jones’ arrival. Injuries or not, development of players at the position has been microscopic and not only has it been evident on game day it has now negatively affected recruiting as well. I’m not astute enough to diagnose the problem but we’re supposed to have someone on staff that is. If we don’t that needs to be addressed before this wish can be granted.
3. STAND UP AND BE WHAT YOU’RE REPUTED TO BE: Kahlil McKenzie and Drew Richmond I’m talking to you and maybe Jonathan Kongbo as well. I realize it’s not fair to have the bar set so high by recruiting rankings but that’s today’s world. You’re all playing positions of need and Big Orange Nation needs you to be what you’re reputed to be. Please show us you’re not (please forgive me) Dontavius Blair
2.BOB SHOOP’S REPUTATION TO BE A KNOXVILLE REALITY: “
His defenses are aggressive” SHOW ME.
“He brings the house”, LET’S SEE IT.
“Shoop’s defense is disruptive” BE SO ON SEPTEMBER 24.
“His defense turns teams over”, TAKE THE BALL AWAY.
1.TRUST WHAT YOU’VE BUILT BUTCH: I’ve harped on this adnauseam so there’s no need to bloviate I’ll drop it by saying if he doesn’t the year will end in disappointment.
SEC TEAM STRENGTHS
EAST
FLORIDA: SECONDARY: The Gators lost CB Vernon Hargreaves III and S Keanu Neal to the NFL but excellent players remain. Jalen Tabor was a 2015 All-SEC CB and Quincy Wilson is excellent on the other side. Marcus Maye is a solid senior safety and Nick Washington and Duke Dawson should fill out the first five.
Honorable Mention DEFENSIVE LINE: Sophomore DE Cece Jefferson flashed his 5* ability last season and Bryan Cox Jr is every bit as good on the other side. Caleb Brantley has the ability to be an all-league DT.
GEORGIA: SECONDARY: The Dawgs return all four starters to the secondary that led the nation in pass defense in 2015. Malkom Parrish (Jr) and Aaron Davis (Jr) at CB and Dominick Sanders (Jr) and Quincy Mauger (Sr) at safety give Georgia the rare advantage of four upperclassmen on the back end.
Honorable Mention RUNNING BACK This is contingent upon Nick Chubb returning to his pre-injury form of 2015 and Sony Michel healing from a broken forearm. If not Elijah Holyfield will be asked to contribute much more in his Freshman season than originally thought.
KENTUCKY: RUNNING BACK: Jr Boom Williams is a threat to go the distance and the Cats have other weapons in Sr Jojo Kemp, Jr Mikel Horton and Soph Sihiem King. The unit averaged 5.9 ypc in 2015.
Honorable Mention, SECONDARY: The Cats have two SRs; Nickel Blake McClain and S Marcus McWilson and four Sophs; CBs Chris Westry & Derrick Baity and Mike Edwards & Darrius West at Safety that are all proven.
MISSOURI: DEFENSIVE LINE: No surprise here; the Tigers seem to specialize in developing quality D-Linemen. Despite losing former starters Harold Brantley (Academics) and Walter Brady (dismissal) it will still be a strength. Mizzou returns three starters in DE Jr Charles Harris and SR DTs Josh Augusta & Rickey Hatley. Soph Terry Beckner may be good enough to unseat Hatley this season.
Honorable Mention, LINEBACKER: The Tigers lost All-SEC performer Kentrell Brothers but return OLB Donavin Newsom and MLB Michael Scherer. Sophs Brandon Lee and Terez Hall are ready to step up.
SOUTH CAROLINA: LINEBACKER: The fact that terrific MLB Skai Moore is out for the season and yet LB is still the Cocks strong suit is either a credit to the position or an indictment of the roster. Bryson Allen-Williams is expected to fulfill his vast potential in his Junior season and T.J. Holloman, Jonathan Walton and Larenz Bryant will provide solid support.
Honorable Mention: RUNNING BACK David Williams gets a chance to prove he’s a big-time ball carrier and R-Fr A.J Turner is poised to emerge as well.
VANDERBILT: RUNNING BACK: Ralph Webb is a very good back in a very bad program. He had 907 yds as a Freshman and 1152 last year as a Soph and seems to be even better against quality opponents. Josh Crawford should provide quality backup.
Honorable Mention: LINEBACKER: In spite of losing Stephen Weatherly and Darreon Herring the unit returns All-SEC ILB Zach Cunningham. Vandy seems to manufacture solid LBs so expect ILB Nigel Brown (returning from concussion issues) OLBs Landon Stokes and Oren Burks to fill in nicely.
WEST
ALABAMA: WIDE RECEIVER: Calvin Ridley was terrific as a Freshman (1045 yds; 11.45 ypc; 7 TDs) and has sprinter speed. ArDarius Stewart (700; 11.1; 4) made huge catches in 2015 and Robert Foster is back from a shoulder injury to provide help.
Honorable Mention, SECONDARY: 2014’s weakness was a 2015 strength (19 interceptions) and three starters return for 2016. While Cyrus Jones’ coverage skills will be missed Sophs Marlon Humphrey, and Minkah Fitzpatrick should ably man the CB positions while Eddie Jackson returns at SS. Ronnie Harrison should fill the other safety role after a solid 2015 Freshman season.
ARKANSAS WIDE RECEIVER: After Keon Hatcher was hurt in the second game Drew Morgan (843, 13.4; 10), Dominique Reed (535, 19.1, 6) and Jared Cornelius all stepped up and all return for more in 2016.
Honorable Mention, DEFENSIVE LINE: Deatrich Wise emerged as a big-time pass rusher from the DE position late in the 2015 season and newcomers McTelvin Agim and Karl Roesler may do so from the other side in 16. Jeremiah Ledbetter moved from End to Tackle and along with NG Taiwan Johnson makes the Hogs solid in the middle as well.
AUBURN: DEFENSIVE LINE: DE Carl Lawson and DT Montravius Adams passed up NFL chances and turned what would have been a weakness into a strength. Dontavius Russell will bolster the middle while Byron Cowart will hold down the other DE position.
Honorable Mention, OFFENSIVE LINE: The Tigers return three starters and have pieces ready to fill most voids. LT could be an issue but Center Austin Colson could switch to the spot if needed.
LSU: SECONDARY: Tre’Davious White should have taken his immense talents to the NFL and most SEC opponents will wish he had. He’s a CB that hits like a strong safety and covers well also. Jamal Adams and Rickey Jefferson could well be the best safety tandem in the league as well.
Honorable Mention, DEFENSIVE LINE: The Tigers always seem to be loaded with D-Linemen and now new DC Dave Aranda goes to a 3-4 alignment meaning there are more to go around than before. Arden Key and Lewis Neal will pressure opposing QBs regardless of if they’re standing up or in a stance. Greg Gilmore and Christian LaCouture (where else but LSU would he play?) will once again clog the middle with help from newcomer Edwin Alexander.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: DEFENSIVE LINE: Peter Sirmon has also gone to a 3-4 alignment and though the Bully-Dogs don’t stockpile D-Linemen like LSU they always have enough to throw three on the field. Nick James at 6’5”, 325 is a perfect NG and A.J Jefferson is an All-SEC caliber DE (13.5 tfl; 5 sacks in 2015). Add 5* Jeffery Simmons (who probably should be in jail rather than on Starkville’s campus) and State is well fortified up front on defense.
Honorable Mention, SECONDARY: Like LSU State is potentially special on the back end with Sophomore speedster Brandon Bryant at one safety and Mark McLaurin (Soph) and Kivon Coman (Sr) both good enough to start at the other. SRs Tolando Cleveland and Cedric Giles will be solid at Corner.
OLE MISS: QUARTERBACK: One of the few places in the SEC where the signal caller appears to be a difference maker is in Oxford. Chad Kelly overcame a checkered past to pass for 4042 yards with 31 TDs and only 13 interceptions. He’s no stiff either rushing for 509 yds and an additional 10 TDs. The Rebels appear solid for the future behind Kelly with 5* recruit Shea Patterson ready to take the reins once Kelly’s career is completed.
Honorable Mention, RUNNING BACK: Akeem Judd (5-11; 222) and Jordan Wilkins (6-1, 214) are both loads that averaged 5.0 ypc. They need to develop as pass receivers ala the departed Jaylen Walton but they will pound opponents into submission especially those fearing Kelly’s passing exploits.
TEXAS A&M: RECEIVER The Aggies return all four starting wideouts and Christian Kirk (80; 1009; 7) along with Josh Reynolds (51; 907; 5) may be the best 1-2 punch in the SEC. Ricky Seals-Jones would be most team’s #1 WR yet is probably relegated to #3 in College Station.
Honorable Mention, SECONDARY: Armani Watts and Justin Evans would argue they are the best safety tandem at a loaded conference position. Donovan Wilson is the nickel and had 5 Ints in 2015. Juniors Priest Willis (UCLA transfer) and Nick Harvey will be first-time starters at CB but both are experienced players.
MLB BITS:
-With the deadline trades for prospects, the promotion of Gary Sanchez to the big club and the dugout burial of Alex Rodriguez the long-overdue metamorphosis of the Yankees is underway
-Maybe I should have seen it coming but Yasiel Puig’s demise is still somewhat surprising. Sometimes immense physical tools just aren’t enough.
-On the other hand I would have believed Puig to the minors long before I would the Pirates sitting Andrew McCutchen for an entire series versus the Braves because of his puzzling struggles. Baseball is a really humbling game.
-The AL East race should be a great one with 3 games separating Baltimore, Toronto and Boston with only 56 remaining.
-A good old-fashion Giants-Dodgers pennant chase can’t be bad for the grand old game either.
FINAL FRIDAY THOUGHT: Get ready for the football roller-coaster ride; as in creeping up the incline for the next 28 days then barreling at warp-speed for the next three months.