Which Position Group needs to "prove it" this season?

[OscarBerkshire]

Honestly I think we're gonna have a great team. However, I am most concerned (strangely, given we just put two of the best receivers in school history into the NFL) about the pass rush, as well as replacing Verdon and Freyler. Offensive Line i think will be a solid unit and I think they were really clicking by the end of last year.

 

[Drew0311]

I think replacing Jaylen and Jaden will be one of the biggest keys to the season

 

[OscarBerkshire]

I think replacing Jaylen and Jaden will be one of the biggest keys to the season

yes but we have two experienced transfers coming in and we already had good depth at that position. I think (the lack of) pass rush and safeties are a bit more concerning

 

[Cyched]

Idk that this is really a “prove it,” but our linebackers need to stay healthy this year.

 

[CYdTracked]

WR group is the one we are replacing a lot of production with guys that are new to the program or we have not seen much of yet. If we have a couple guys step up to be playmakers, especially on 3rd and long I'll feel a lot more comfortable with the offense. Defensively I think we will be fine especially having a healthy LB group that we did not have last year. That's always been a big part of being able to play a 3 man front was our quality at LB and we were just decimated there last year. Getting a healthy Brammer back at TE will go a long ways to giving Rocco another option to throw to as well. If I had to pick a 2nd choice it would probably be OL as seems like we always are trying to figure that out early in the season before they settle in.

 

[longdriveforsom]

Has to be DLine for me. We know we have players that can step up but it was a very inconsistent position group last year
If the DL can be good enough to make opposing QBs worry about them this could be another 10+ win season

 

[ZorkClone]

Idk that this is really a “prove it,” but our linebackers need to stay healthy this year.

I voted for this; I think our injuries and inexperience at the position last year hurt other aspects of our defense. It was obvious weakened our run defense, but I think it also plays a part in how little pressure on the QB there was last year. O line would be another one, but I thought they did alright last year.

 

[madguy30]

6 posts (7 now) and 'concerns' already used a few times.

 

[MeowingCows]

Idk that this is really a “prove it,” but our linebackers need to stay healthy this year.

That's where I'm at on defense, at least. The LB corps makes their scheme go -- they need to level up every year...and stay healthy, of course. They're the linchpin for the rest of the D.

For offense, I'd go with some combination of OL and RBs. We need consistency from run blocking, and for RBs to perform when that happens. We had some big run games last season, but a lot of the time, we were throwing the ball a lot 'cuz the run game was nonexistent for long periods of time. If that doesn't happen, then the load will be shifted more onto the new WRs.

 

[SECyclone]

If we didn't have Rocco I would have voted for the WR. DL followed by OL for me.

 

[JP4CY]

Kind of surprised I was the first person to vote for special teams.
Konrardy and Perkins were really solid last year but I could use some improvement on kick offs from Gilbert.
I am curious who is going to be our return guy(s) as well.

 

[RagingCloner]

Honestly, no real concern for me here, but i voted for RB's. Need to see Sama have a breakout year. An 800+ yard rusher really opens up this offense IMO. Plus, takes some stress off Rocco early in the year

 

[EnkAMania]

I was torn between O-Line and D-Line. I chose O-Line because prove it means enough talk about getting better, just be good.

 

[Jer]

If you asked which needed to be as solid as last year with a new cast of characters, definitely the WR room. They will make or break our offense.

If you asked which needed to be evaluated for finally showing the **** up and proving it, I think OLine wins by a couple thousand miles.

 

[CYCLNST8]

Offensive line. Always and forever. Experience will not be an issue; pass protection has been adequate; I just really want to see some push in our run game and dominance when it matters- like closing out a game with the lead and squeezing the life out of the defense in the 4th quarter. Shoving it down their throat and them being unable to stop it. Consistently picking up 3rd and short. It's not flashy, but it's my favorite type of offense.

After that we need to see improvement along the front six on defense. I feel like last season was a regression and we played well enough to escape in some close games. Linebacker injuries have been discussed ad nauseam; silver lining is we have plenty of experienced depth. Hopefully our starters can stay healthy and it makes a difference in stuffing the run/successful blitzes. The time is now for Big Citrus. He's gonna get plenty of reps and hopefully our transfers can get some pressure. I think Bryce Paup can inject some aggression into our ends.

I have a lot of faith in Rocco and our Tight Ends. I think Brahmer has a monster year.

 

[beentherebefore]

I voted offensive line simply because that group has a history of struggles. But the reality is that every group has something to prove and room for improvement. Solid linebacker play along with continued success on offense (obviously, right?) is what this team needs, too.

 

[drmwevr08]

All of them?
I'd like a couple great draft prospects to turn up but if everyone can stay relatively healthy and we have no real weak spots, that'd be fun, right?

 

[Antihawk240]

I mean, it has to be the Offensive Line. The good O-line makes absolutely every position better. Even the defense.

 

[Lyon309Cy]

This seems like 2 different questions. To me you can't 'prove' something until you've already shown it. I think Rocco has a lot to 'prove'. He's shown that he is really good, he needs to prove that he can take the next step while breaking in new receivers. Likewise, I'd say special teams needs to prove that they can consistently be a strength. I would love to see our RBs build on what they showed last year.

That's a different question than what areas I'm most concerned about. I'm not concerned at all about QB, RB, or even STs. I think a lot of responses have been about what groups need to 'im'prove. To me that is clearly DL. I'm choosing to believe that LB will fix itself through health and depth.

 

[SolarGarlic]

I think it's Rocco. Not that he hasn't already proven his worth, but he can be better. He relied on big plays to cover up inaccurate throws and inconsistency. And he did it very well. But now he's without two big-play guys who were also security blankets. How does he evolve his game to be the guy in this offense? Does he increase his completion percentage while also doing what we already know he's good at (finding receivers downfield, clutch play).