Danny Bateman
Heisman Trophy Winner
Hopefully a hell of a lot progression goes on over the offseason. I'd have to think Rome and Baker would start at DT next year, but there will probably once again be a heavy rotation there with maybe a Todd Peat working his way in (depending on how he pans out by next fall) or a Jay Guy.
D End worries me a bit more. If I had to pick right now, I'd have to say Cam and E Mart would be the starters. For some reason the coaches like Josh Williams, Ankrah, and Joe Carter are all of equal talent as the previous two mentioned. I think Cam probably holds down his starting spot next year (unless someone comes on like a hurricane and displaces him). The other end spot is a bit of a problem. They run a big four man rotation there of the other four. While you'd think this would be good, if no one can step up and assert themselves as a starter, they'll all share reps and we'll continue to see diminishing returns, as we have this year. I'd much rather prefer one of the step up, put a chokehold on the job, and play like their hair is on fire. I feel having an entrenched starter and occasionally subbing him out would field a much better D-Line than consistently rotating four guys and having them wonder amongst themselves who's best and when the next time they'll get taken out is.
Perhaps the skill just isn't there at end though. Hell, as good as Cam looked in that first game against WKU (possible correlation...?), he's been up and down all year. One play looks like a throwback, rugged tough player who makes the Blackshirts proud, the next he looks lost or athletically overmatched.
D End worries me a bit more. If I had to pick right now, I'd have to say Cam and E Mart would be the starters. For some reason the coaches like Josh Williams, Ankrah, and Joe Carter are all of equal talent as the previous two mentioned. I think Cam probably holds down his starting spot next year (unless someone comes on like a hurricane and displaces him). The other end spot is a bit of a problem. They run a big four man rotation there of the other four. While you'd think this would be good, if no one can step up and assert themselves as a starter, they'll all share reps and we'll continue to see diminishing returns, as we have this year. I'd much rather prefer one of the step up, put a chokehold on the job, and play like their hair is on fire. I feel having an entrenched starter and occasionally subbing him out would field a much better D-Line than consistently rotating four guys and having them wonder amongst themselves who's best and when the next time they'll get taken out is.
Perhaps the skill just isn't there at end though. Hell, as good as Cam looked in that first game against WKU (possible correlation...?), he's been up and down all year. One play looks like a throwback, rugged tough player who makes the Blackshirts proud, the next he looks lost or athletically overmatched.
