Spring Battles

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by gymgator

Sure, so did Watkins, but again, if Purifoy plays WR in the spring and Maye & Ledbetter are options available, it would seem coaches would want to know if Poole will have a spot at CB. Otherwise, who are the top 4 CBs in the spring?

Poole has been moved back to corner. I think he will get the nickle spot.

[manigordo]

Originally Posted by gymgator

2nd String QB: Ty vs Sky: Both have the rep of being smart and above average athletes. Murphy is older and might have more confidence in Spring since he played (and did well last year).

WR: Really only a question if Robinson can end all doubt that he will be in the two deep come fall camp. There is always a chance that a talented player might not 'get it' right off the bat. Would like to see if Debose can establish himself as a clear starter along with Dunbar or will Pittman pass him.

TE: Taylor should have the advantage, but the option of using Burton as a WR and having the 6th OLinemen could be the better option.

OL: Moore vs Hump vs Thurman at OT and Silberman vs Garcia vs Koehne at OG

RB: Brown vs Jones vs Taylor

On D, so many will play because the rotation is great, but I am excited to see the RS FR like McAlister & Cox. I expect a lot of mix and match to try various DL combinations.

MLB: Most think it is between Taylor & Morrison, but I don't know how you don't put them both on the field. Our best 4 LBs are those two and Ball & Kitchens. RS FR Jeremi Powell had great reports during his RS year. And the two EE FR came to play. I know people think I am crazy, but I would love to see if Ron Powell can play MLB. Same size as Spikes only faster. But it is a different set of instincts. But I have no doubt, he will be the leader of the 2013 D.

SS/FS: Can Showers & Gorman hold off Maye & Ledbetter? They all will play, but who will earn the starting nod.

WR and OL: Going to be LOTS of competition across the board at WR and OL. The only positions locked down are going to be Dunbar at receiver and Harrison at C. (Maybe Halapio, though many will doubt it.) Competition across the board is a good thing in both cases.

TE: Agree with others that it will be Taylor and Thompson leading the group. If not, that is bad news.

LB: The LAST thing Powell needs is to "think" his way through a new position. IF he is healed enough to play, he needs to be in a spot he is familiar with. Morrison will likely man the middle (need and assist from Dillman big time here) with Ball (here too!)on one side. Don't know who will man the other.

Safety: Good competition here...here is where some Muschamp magic will do wonders!!

[NoahBeanBizzel]

It'll be interesting to see how quickly guys like Harris, Maye and Neal can adapt to what Muschamp requires from his safeties. With the personnel we've brought in at defensive back, along with the size of some of our safeties, don't be surprised if the staff starts to incorporate some 4-2-5 (similar to what Strong toyed with in giving the opposing offense 3-3-5 looks) into the weekly gameplans. Anyone of the three (Harris, Neal or Maye) I mentioned above have the frame to add 15-20 lbs., and line up at OLB. Or they can just be large safeties.

Plus, with the amount of nickel we run, the bigger position battle may be to see who lines up as the fifth defensive back, as opposed to who wins the battle at WILL.

Part of the reason Jelani Jenkins gained the extra weight last year, was because he needed to bulk up to provide support against the run out of the nickel, a defense we were in 70% (or whatever the exact figure was) of the time. His natural position was on the weakside, but you typically leave the SAM 'backer on the field when you line five dbs up on the field. Hence the added weight. Expect Ball to be on the field more in nickel situations.

[tec68]

Originally Posted by OaktownGator

I like the idea of Powell at LB, too... although maybe on the outside. Got to have McCallister and/or others ready behind Fowler at Buck, though.

Dunker could be a factor at OG. Seems like starting OTs probably come from Humphries, Green and Moore. Want to see a starting group settle in, and work on communication... too many times we didn't seem to talk on picking up stunts and blitzes.

I wouldn't rule out Lane at RB. At 5' 7" and over 215, state weight lifting champ, and fast... he's a beast. At some point, I expect he'll be big time for us.

Do or die time for Debose. He should be playing for a payday. Hope between that and adding Phillips, the light comes on. But DR should help regardless, and Pittman could be ready... often takes a year between showing in practice and seeing it in games.

Then, if JD can settle in and get more effective and decisive reading defenses, we should really have something.

These are spring battles. Lane is not here for spring.

[OaktownGator]

Originally Posted by tec68

These are spring battles. Lane is not here for spring.

Right you are.

[UGator]

Winning programs like FL is building means that every year is a challenge for starting players to keep their roster spots. New talent can come in and compete and cause every experienced player to improve or be relegated to backup status.

That's life in the real world and also with championship type football teams, and it makes everyone better and stronger for the challenge.

[int1974]

Safety will be a battle. Watkins, Maye, Ledbetter, maybe Poole, Harris, Neal, Washington unless he moves to CB. RB with Jones, Taylor, Lane.
OT-Hump, Moore, Brown, Green can't wait.

[grayg8rstevo]

Good points all around. I want the best showings from all the men. I think left tackle will be Humphrey and Trenton Brown. Jumbo package especially as I see Brown coming in and Humphrey sliding out to the end spot, just like last year. And catch at least one pass.yes.
Right tackle will be Green being in a dogfight with Moore.
Left guard is BIG MAX GARCIA. Harrison is the center and HALAPIO will hold firm in the right guard slot.
KOEHNE and THURMAN and SILBERMAN will push at the guard slots, as will DUNK when he is cleared to play. This line will be 30 percent better and all linemen will be playing. Dillard is the heir apparent at the center position but must be groomed in the fall. DILLMAN will be more of a factor this year even than last. You will see.
We will not mow most team's down. We must have that scratch and claw and fight every down mentality. Each year's team must develop it on their own. It is not a given...it is an opportunity. CHEMISTRY , particularly on the o-line, must be created by the players.
This will be fun to watch.

[lurkingator1]

Barring Injuries Taylor, will pass Brown at RB in the spring that I am sure of, he may even pass Jones. Taylor play a lot next year. Robinson will pass everone currently on our roister a reciever if not spring then by summer. I see Humphries and Moore at LT and Green and Brown at RT (left tackle needs to be quicker QB blind side) Garcia will win one of the Gaurd spots. VH3 will start at one of the coner spots he is just too good to keep off the field and I think that Anzalone will start at one of the LB postions

[socraticsilence]

I like Kelvin but I think a lot of people are either underrating our current backs or overrating him slightly, freshman starters at rb are pretty rare, even guys like Richardson take some time to hit the field and Taylor while very talented isn't as physically prepared as a guy like Trent. AD and Lattimore are the only big time true frosh rbs i can think of nationally in
erecent memory.

[Tito22]

Originally Posted by lurkingator1

Barring Injuries Taylor, will pass Brown at RB in the spring that I am sure of, he may even pass Jones. Taylor play a lot next year. Robinson will pass everone currently on our roister a reciever if not spring then by summer. I see Humphries and Moore at LT and Green and Brown at RT (left tackle needs to be quicker QB blind side) Garcia will win one of the Gaurd spots. VH3 will start at one of the coner spots he is just too good to keep off the field and I think that Anzalone will start at one of the LB postions

We had best corner tandem in America last year. A true freshman isn't taking their spots

[geauxgator1]

Originally Posted by socraticsilence

I like Kelvin but I think a lot of people are either underrating our current backs or overrating him slightly, freshman starters at rb are pretty rare, even guys like Richardson take some time to hit the field and Taylor while very talented isn't as physically prepared as a guy like Trent. AD and Lattimore are the only big time true frosh rbs i can think of nationally in
erecent memory.

Jones will be tough to beat out. Taylor may see some playing time, but I don't think he will start. The mental part is hard for a freshman back.