Spring Ball Thoughts?

[Runs Deep]

What are your thoughts of spring ball? What is your biggest area of concern? Do you have a player you would like to see emerge from the talent we brougt in?

I would like to see our tight ends show they can step up and be a part of the offense. Will the route tree be different from what Dunn ran? It seemed as our WR's moved from college to pro there was dicussion of how they needed to expand their route tree.

 

[CptnQuirk]

What are your thoughts of spring ball? What is your biggest area of concern? Do you have a player you would like to see emerge from the talent we brougt in?

I would like to see our tight ends show they can step up and be a part of the offense. Will the route tree be different from what Dunn ran? It seemed as our WR's moved from college to pro there was dicussion of how they needed to expand their route tree.

I want Mestemaker to have the kind of stats in the Big 12 or better than he had last year.

 

[Newpoke]

DT is my biggest concern. We’re pretty small and thin on the interior.

 

[EdmondPoke]

I want Mestemaker to have the kind of stats in the Big 12 or better than he had last year.

The thing with Mestemaker is that his stats were exceptionally impressive, but it's about when those stats were accumulated that will determine if he's made that "next step" or not. For example, 6 of his 9 interceptions came against the two ranked teams they played last year. For sacks, 7 of his 18 came in those same two games. He'll continue to physically improve, but that growth (IE: his ability to make "all the throws") will be more limited because he is already so capable. Where we'll hopefully really see him improve is mentally. How much more he's really wrapped his head around HCEM's offense, knowing where players are supposed to be, how much time he should have in the pocket before needing to get rid of the ball, etc. If he can take a step forward on the mental side, our offense could be really, really good.

I did read that HCEM wants to prioritize HS recruits at the QB position, which is music to my ears. Outside of elite players, I think QB is one of those positions where you don't get nearly worth what you invest in bringing in transfer QBs, especially in that first year. QBs really need time in an offense and HCEM's approach gives a QB that time. I may be old school in my thinking, but I'd much rather have a QB who's super intelligent but raw as a prospect than a QB who's polished mechanically and/or has a powerful arm, but doesn't have much between the ears.

 

[SanditeCowboy]

DT is my biggest concern. We’re pretty small and thin on the interior.

The line on both sides of the ball is where there needs to be significant improvement. If you can't contral the line of scrimmage, it will be difficult to win consistently.