Report Card

To put a nice pretty bow on the trifecta box series, here's how I'm grading each position group heading into the season.

Remember, a C is average.  A+ is reserved for position groups like Alabama's running backs position (featuring reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, future NFL workhorse back Trent Richardson, and explosive change of pace back Eddie Lacy).  F is reserved for positions destined for no possible outcome other than total and complete disaster.  I think you get the picture.

Anyway, here's the position-by-position report card, along with a BRIEF! synopsis.

Quarterbacks... C-
I believe in Marc Verica, but there is only freshmen behind him, which is totally scary.

Running Backs... C+
There's a nice mix of talent here, but none of these guys have carried the load successfully on the college level; they're all a bunch of unknowns at this point.

Fullbacks... D+
Neither TFD nor Max Milien have played the fullback position at the D-1 college level.

Wide Receivers... B-
Burd will be steady, Tim Smith will be explosive, and the depth will be effective.  Still, there's no proven gamebreaker in the bunch.

Tight Ends... B-
Torchia has the pedigree and has shown flashes in the past, and Colter Phillips is a fine #2.

Offensive Line... C+
Austin Pasztor, Oday Aboushi, and Morgan Moses form a talented (yet inexperienced) core.  Landon Bradley, Matt Mihalik, and B.J. Cabbell might be below-average components.  Add it all together, and it's just slightly above average.

Defensive Ends... C+
I love Cam Johnson and Zane Parr's potential as starters, but like so many other position groups, the headliners are unproven.

Defensive Tackles... B-
Nick Jenkins is a rock, and Conrath should prove to be effective.  The depth chart is a bit thin.

Outside Linebackers... D+
As excited as I am to see what the two converted safeties can do as starters, this is yet another position group that is more question mark than exclamation point.

Middle Linebackers... B+
Between Steve Greer and Aaron Taliaferro, I think we'll have an effective mike at the center of our defense.

Safeties... B
The starters are great, the backups are shaky.

Cornerbacks... A-
Ras-I Dowling has the talent to be a top-20 draft pick, and Chase Minnifield and Devin Wallace round out a top-notch unit.  All that's missing is a true shutdown cover corner.

Kickers/Punters... D
Howell is a decent punter, but I have zero faith in the Randolph/Hinkebein two-headed kicking monster.

Returners... C
We haven't had an explosive return game since Alvin Pearman was doing it.  Until we see otherwise, we have to assume more mediocrity.

OVERALL TEAM GRADE... C
We'll be a decent team, able to beat most "bad" opponents.  But against the ACC powerhouses -- FSU, GT, UNC, Miami, BC, VT -- and against USC, average won't cut it.  I think our ability level puts us in position to be able to beat Richmond, VMI, EMU, Duke, and Maryland.  Expecting a 5-7 record means we won't slip up at all in those "can win" games.  Or it means we'll drop one of those games, but steal one of the "shouldn't win" games along the way.  On the strength of our defensive secondary and myriad options in the rushing attack, that's what I'm going with.  This is an average, 5-7 team in 2010.  But we're building toward something bigger...