Projected Football Two-Deep

I owe you guys a post detailing the new coaching staff, and that's coming. I just need a bit more time to break down and digest the Bill Lazor (offensive coordinator) hire, and figure out what type of offense his "pro style" truly entails.

In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to put together an [insanely early] guess at what our two-deep depth chart will look like. Here goes...


(Note: * indicates a position switch.)

OFFENSE:
QB) Ross Metheney (RS Fr.) / Michael Strauss (Fr.)
RB) Dominique Wallace (RS Fr.) / Torrey Mack (So.) / Perry Jones (So.)
FB) Ryan Cobb* (Fr.) / Curt Orshoski (Jr.)
WR) Kris Burd (Jr.) / Jared Green (Jr.) / Dontrelle Inman (Sr.)
WR) Tim Smith (So.) / Javaris Brown (So.) / Quintin Hunter (RS Fr.)
TE) Joe Torchia (Sr.) / Colter Phillips (So.) / Paul Freedman (So.)
LT) Landon Bradley (Jr.) / Lamar Milstead (Jr.)
LG) Austin Pasztor (Jr.) / Isaac Cain (Sr.)
C) Anthony Mihota (Jr.) / Jack Shields (Sr.)
RG) B.J. Cabbell (Sr.) / Billy Cuffee (Jr.)
RT) Oday Aboushi (So.) / Morgan Moses (Fr.)

DEFENSE:
RDE) Cam Johnson* (Jr.) / John-Kevin Dolce* (Sr.)
NT) Nick Jenkins (Jr.) / Buddy Ruff (So.)
DT) Zane Parr* (Jr.) / Brent Urban* (RS Fr.)
LDE) Matt Conrath (Jr.) / Will Hill (So.)
WLB) Ausar Walcott* (So.) / Tucker Windle (So.)
MLB) Steve Greer (So.) / Darnell Carter (Sr.)
SLB) Bill Schautz (So.) / Jared Detrick (Sr.)
FS) Rodney McLeod (Jr.) / Mike Parker (Sr.)
SS) Corey Mosley (Jr.) / Corey Lillard (So.)
CB) Ras-I Dowling (Sr.) / Javanti Sparrow (So.)
CB) Chase Minnifield (Jr.) / Dom Joseph (Jr.)

SPECIALISTS:
K) Robert Randolph (Jr.) / Drew Jarrett (So.)
P) Jimmy Howell (Jr.) / Nathan Rathjen (Sr.)


Some thoughts generated by this exercise:

The QB position is [obviously] going to be under the microscope this spring and summer. Marc Verica figures to be back as a fifth-year senior, but if he's only marginally better than one (or more) of the young guys, I suspect Coach London will opt to go with a new face who can learn on the job in 2010. My guess is that ends up being Ross Metheney, but I could just as easily see it be spring-enrolled true freshman Michael Strauss. Finding a "franchise quarterback" will be the primary mission this season.

There's not a lot of on-field experience, but I think our tailback position is loaded. Assuming Dominique Wallace can bounce back from his Lisfranc injury, he could be the bellcow, while small shifty guys like Perry Jones, Torrey Mack, and Kevin "KP" Parks (if he doesn't redshirt) can provide the explosive element to the running game. We already know that Coach London wants to run the football. Look for these guys to see lots and lots of burn this season.

We have a lot of wide receivers on the roster right now, but none of them really have much in the way of star quality. The closest is probably Tim Smith, though Javaris Brown and Jared Green have flashed at various points in the past. Kris Burd is my favorite receiver on the team. He's not a burner, but he showed some great hands, body control, and instincts trying to snag Jameel Sewell's wounded ducks last season.

The spread offense doesn't require a fullback or a tight end, and those two positions really eroded in just one season of neglect. Look for true freshman Ryan Cobb to emerge as the starting fullback, while Joe Torchia and Colter Phillips improve from what was a shaky 2009 season for the tight ends. There is talent at the position, it just needs more focused coaching, and new tight ends coach Scott Wachenheim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. I expect the tight ends to emerge as a surprise strength of the team this season.

The o-line is experienced and deep, but lacks top-tier ability or star power at any given position. I'm expecting a solid season from the big uglies, but nothing special. More power running should play to the o-line's strengths. Three specific players to watch: 1) Anthony Mihota, who should be able to beat out undersized Jack Shields for the starting center position now that Al Groh's doghouse has been relocated to Atlanta. 2) Oday Aboushi, who is potentially the most talented OL on the roster -- but will he be able to crack the starting lineup with only the right tackle position not filled by a returning starter? 3) Morgan Moses... if the big guy makes it into school, I'd put his odds at landing a starting spot at 50-50, and he's a natural right tackle.

There will be plenty of shuffling around on the d-line, but Matt Conrath and Nick Jenkins are two players the new staff will be able to count on to provide a big impact. Zane Parr showed a lot last year, playing in relief of an injured Conrath, and I think his game translates well to defensive tackle, playing a one-gap role. My biggest worry is the pass rush... as in, who will generate pressure on the opposing QB? The big x-factor is Cam Johnson, who figures to move from outside linebacker to defensive end. The success or failure of Johnson in that role will likely correlate pretty directly to the success or failure of the defense as a whole. Chris Brathwaite was a nice start, but Coach London MUST recruit more edge rushers!

Steve Greer is the one "sure thing" at linebacker right now. The two outside spots are wide open, and should be hotly contested this spring and summer. I projected the two guys who I feel have the most potential as dynamic playmaking starters into those starting positions -- Ausar Walcott (a converted safety) at Will and Billy Schautz at Sam. London wants linebackers who can run and flow to the ball, as opposed to the big plodders Al Groh preferred on the outside. Therefore, as many of our current OLBs shift to the DE position, we'll be left a bit thin at the linebacker positions. Yes, here is another recruiting priority.

The secondary should, beyond any shadow of a doubt, be our team's biggest strength this season. Ras-I is a future first round NFL draft pick, and Rodney McLeod, Corey Mosley, and Chase Minnifield are each entering their third seasons of either starting or playing major minutes in the defensive backfield. There's also a lot of talent waiting in the wings. If the front seven can stop (slow) the run and generate a pass rush, the secondary has the ability to make plays that will win games.

For the first time in what seems like forever, we have some stability at the kicking positions. Robert Randolph is a solid placekicker and Jimmy Howell is a solid punter. No issues at either spot.


It's really, really early, but I see some nice potential with this team. If a few key players (any QB, Dominique Wallace, Cam Johnson, any OLB) can stay healthy and step up, we could surprise some people this season.