What a difference a year makes

[Undone]

It's not going to happen because RBs need to try and make money while they can, so if he thinks he can play in the NFL he should leave. But unless I'm missing something he (and anyone else) can return in 2021 if they want to. 

I'm optimistic that by the end of this season, some combination of Scott/Morrison/Thompkins? along with Johnson make us feel a lot better about that position in 2021.

Well Mills is a senior this year was what I meant actually.

I would absolutely love to see Thompkins take a bunch of snaps this season. The recruiting that Frost has done on offense is so great because it isn't just talented receivers that boost our recruiting rank (like in the Riley years) - it's at all positions.

It's just a matter of time before we're right there competing with Wisconsin IMO. I just feel like our offensive line has to turn a major corner before that happens, though.

*Edit: Didn't mean to leave out Ronald Thompkins. Thanks @Husker in WI for the reminder on that kid.

 

[BigRedBuster]

Yeah, man.

I sure wish Dedrick Mills was only a junior and that we could look forward to having him one more year in 2021. But I think this season with having him, Johnson with a few games under his belt from last year, and the two talented true freshmen being able to game the 'four game redshirt rule' is going to be fun to watch no matter what else happens.

The RB room going forward for the next couple years is one of my least worries.

 

[Undone]

I believe he was responding to the perimeter blocking being improved and Manning's first clip in that video is him pancaking a DB. Something we never saw on the perimeter game last year.

Also, our pass pro could improve this year based on better scheming/execution on offense. Say for example our perimeter blocking is better and our swings/screens force teams to stay honest and defend those. So, they leave fewer guys in the box which opens up our run game which brings up the safeties who have to respect the play action now. Then boom Manning goes over the top on a play action because the oline held with fewer guys rushing. I mean last year teams did not respect anything we were doing because we couldn't go deep and we couldn't get out wide and their base defense could stop the running game so they could pressure the oline/QB on every play.

Good call on the bold. Sorry if I missed that, @SECHusker. Yeah imagine Wan'Dale shimmying outside with actual, good perimeter blocking - exciting for sure.

 

[Husker in WI]

Definitely encouraging. Hopefully I'm articulating myself well in that I'm definitely not disparaging Lubick. I just think a lot of our offensive problems last year centered around poor offensive line play, combined with another thing I hadn't mentioned in this string of posts which was lack of RB depth, as well (with Washington leaving).

All things considered, I'm just really excited about watching our team take the field and playing football this fall.

I think poor WR play belongs in that conversation with problems, and hopefully Lubick helps with that. I would place it behind the two issues you mentioned as well though. Also, with no actual information, feels like Frost, Walters, and Austin all had different ideas about how to attack things. Seems like Lubick is either more in line with Frost (or at least more willing to defer), so taking a cook out of the kitchen might help. But I hear you, big strides need to be taken outside of Lubick.

Well Mills is a senior this year was what I meant actually.

I would absolutely love to see Thompkins take a bunch of snaps this season. The recruiting that Frost has done on offense is so great because it isn't just talented receivers that boost our recruiting rank (like in the Riley years) - it's at all positions.

It's just a matter of time before we're right there competing with Wisconsin IMO. I just feel like our offensive line has to turn a major corner before that happens, though.

Right, he just could be a senior next year too! I really hope they embrace the weirdness of the year and give more players like Thompkins  their shot. They may have to with positive tests, and I think they planned on it even in a normal year. We've got a couple years of redshirting everyone we can under our belts, time to set them loose!

 

[Undone]

Right, he just could be a senior next year too!

Ohhhh with the potential "everybody gets a waiver" thing. Thanks - hadn't thought of that when I read your post.

Yes, that would be amazing honestly.

 

[flatwaterfan]

Also don't forget, Austin was moved into Run Game Coordinator.  So, you have your O line coach playing a major roll in run game design and game planning.

That could go along ways towards helping the O line.

Wow, I did forget about that!   Great point. 

 

[SECHusker]

What did you mean by 'his first highlight clip?' The first play in that video, or the video on the whole? On so many of those plays in that video, the QB has all day to throw the ball - something we don't really have. Will we have awesome pass protection this season? It's possible, but if I had to put my own money on it I'd say that I doubt it. And that's the difference in us executing those deep route plays and Kilgore College executing them IMO.

But I do think that comes next season when these big monsters Frost has recruited are up to snuff and rotating in after having 1-2 full seasons with Duvall in the weight room.

As to your last comment, totally agree. To what extent it really makes a big impact? I'm not sure honestly. More than anything, I'm just glad to see Frost was willing to put what he thought was best for the program over sympathy for firing a guy - something we've lacked in critical moments over the last 15 seasons at times.

I was referring to the first clip of him blocking... It's ridiculous. 

Edit just looked up. Thanks for the clarification wyohusker56.

 

[Undone]

I was referring to the first clip of him blocking... It's ridiculous. 

Edit just looked up. Thanks for the clarification wyohusker56.

Yeah.

I'm gonna make a concerted effort to not call out players by name in general on here that are still on the team, but I'll say this - Kanawai Noa was a poor edge blocker last season.

I know that he was a last-ditch effort transfer to just get something going for 2019 at receiver...but until we recruit, scheme, and execute for the conference we play in (which is gritty, physical football) we will probably just continue to spin our wheels.

Frost has a great line on offensive recruiting though and there are guys in the ranks that can and will completely turn the program around, there's no doubt about that.

 

[lo country]

Bumping the thread as Miami under new is looking really good.  Again, hoping the addition of Austin and Lubick will show similar results....We are getting kids that "look" like teams that are winning...