With pre-season practice beginning this Thursday, I thought it was a good time to throw out my “Keys to the 2015 Season”. All of this has been discussed to some degree at one time or another since the end of last season but it’s always a good topic and usually generates great discussion. Here are my keys:
1. Special teams. Our punting was atrocious last year. If that doesn’t improve, our defense is going to be put in tough situations again this season. Part of the way to improve that is through complimentary football- i.e. the offense has to do a better job getting us out of our end of the field. The offense has to be able to get a couple of first downs, at a minimum, in those situations so that even if the punting only gets about 35 yards, our opponent isn’t starting near midfield all the time. Further, our kicking game is a huge unknown, Julius has to step up, and it’s that simple. I believe replacing Ficken is the biggest problem we have going into the upcoming season.
The return game needs to improve as well. Haley showed glimpses last year; I’m hoping that translates into something better this season. I suspect Thomkins will provide some spark as well. I’d also note, a lot of the RS freshman (Farmer, Reeder, Worlie, Orwaria (sp?) and some of the true freshman who don’t redshirt will add speed and skill to our kick coverage and return game. Also, Hazlet, our new “consultant” has a background in developing outstanding special teams. My guess is that he’ll be asked to contribute to the improvement of our special teams.
2. Offensive Line. This is less of a concern to me than our special teams play. A year of experience and some young talent pushing the starters to be better will, imo, lead to better play in 15’. Last season, we went into the year with just 5 linemen available to play: Smith, Mahon, Mangiro, Gaia and Nelson. If you recall, Laurent was banged up as was Dowery, although DD played in certain sets but, generally, they had to protect him. Dieffenbach was injured through much of the season but did come back to contribute. This year, the only starter no longer with the team is Donovan Smith. Additionally, Laurent got significant playing time during the second half of the season and Dowrey played well at LG against Boston College after Dieffenbach’s early exit. Add to those 6 returning players the 5th year transfer, Reihner and the JUCO transfer, Palmer and we’re already heading into the season in better shape. Then add Sorrell, Brosnon, Beh and Wright and we’re looking a hell of a lot better than last year. Finally, last season was the first under a new coach and system. Now into their second year, the players are more familiar with what they need to do, they got invaluable experience last year and I expect them to play with a chip on their shoulders given all the abuse they took on and off the field last year.
3. Consistent Receiver Play. Our receivers must play with more consistency. They need to run correct routes; they must make the easy catches; and they must learn how to get separation. Not to beat a dead horse but last year was a learning year for so many reasons, including at WR. Our primary starters last year were a RS sophomore (Lewis), RS freshman (Hamilton) and 2 true freshmen (Godwin and Blacknall). Between the offensive line’s poor play and the young receivers, it’s a miracle Hackenberg made it through the season intact. I expect the receivers to do a much better job this season; I expect they’ll be on the same page as the QB more often than not- which will be a big improvement over last year. I also think Johnson and Charles will push the starters hard. Competition at the WR spots will be tremendous, which should lead to better results.
4. Tight Ends Blocking. Again, a year of experience in the system and coaching should improve this aspect of the game, one that for most of last season, we lacked. The tight ends inability to block effectively added to the offensive line woes. Arguably our best blocking tight end, Adam Breneman, missed all of last year. Hopefully guys like Carter, Wilkerson and Gesicki will improve their blocking abilities- I believe they will. For Wilkerson, if he doesn’t contribute a whole lot, I fully expect this to be his final season. Given Bowers and Holland’s size, if they can master the art of blocking, you may see them in on short yardage situations. I expect at least one of them to play as a true freshman.
5. Defensive Ends. Both Sickles and Nassib must step up. Depth is also a concern. Fortunately, DE is one of those positions I’ve seen freshman come in and contribute right away. Guys like Buchholz, Miller and Givens may have a chance to play if the 5 guys we have can’t get the job done. Lots of unknowns here- it’s a concern but my gut tells me Nassib, Sickles, Brown, Cothran and Schwann will come through. I’m probably less concerned because I have tremendous faith in the defensive coaching staff- next man up, as Bill O’Brien used to say.
6. Replacing Hull. The biggest loss on the defensive side of the ball was Mike Hull. Fortunately, I think Wartman-White is up to the task. I’m not sure Klein will do much this season so Cabinda and Bell need to stay healthy (as does Wartman-White). We have depth but it lacks experience. Wooten and Walker are the only other “experienced” linebackers coming into the 15’ season. It’ll be interesting to see what guys like Reeder and Farmer do. I’m not seeing any of the true freshmen playing this year but injuries and needs will dictate whether they play or not.
Overall, we have a lot more talent and a decent amount of experience so, barring major injuries, I think an 8 win season is what should be expected; a 9 win season shouldn’t surprise anyone and a 10 win season is certainly something this team is capable of. I still think the kicking game will hold us back, that’s why I think 8 wins is what we’ll see.
1. Special teams. Our punting was atrocious last year. If that doesn’t improve, our defense is going to be put in tough situations again this season. Part of the way to improve that is through complimentary football- i.e. the offense has to do a better job getting us out of our end of the field. The offense has to be able to get a couple of first downs, at a minimum, in those situations so that even if the punting only gets about 35 yards, our opponent isn’t starting near midfield all the time. Further, our kicking game is a huge unknown, Julius has to step up, and it’s that simple. I believe replacing Ficken is the biggest problem we have going into the upcoming season.
The return game needs to improve as well. Haley showed glimpses last year; I’m hoping that translates into something better this season. I suspect Thomkins will provide some spark as well. I’d also note, a lot of the RS freshman (Farmer, Reeder, Worlie, Orwaria (sp?) and some of the true freshman who don’t redshirt will add speed and skill to our kick coverage and return game. Also, Hazlet, our new “consultant” has a background in developing outstanding special teams. My guess is that he’ll be asked to contribute to the improvement of our special teams.
2. Offensive Line. This is less of a concern to me than our special teams play. A year of experience and some young talent pushing the starters to be better will, imo, lead to better play in 15’. Last season, we went into the year with just 5 linemen available to play: Smith, Mahon, Mangiro, Gaia and Nelson. If you recall, Laurent was banged up as was Dowery, although DD played in certain sets but, generally, they had to protect him. Dieffenbach was injured through much of the season but did come back to contribute. This year, the only starter no longer with the team is Donovan Smith. Additionally, Laurent got significant playing time during the second half of the season and Dowrey played well at LG against Boston College after Dieffenbach’s early exit. Add to those 6 returning players the 5th year transfer, Reihner and the JUCO transfer, Palmer and we’re already heading into the season in better shape. Then add Sorrell, Brosnon, Beh and Wright and we’re looking a hell of a lot better than last year. Finally, last season was the first under a new coach and system. Now into their second year, the players are more familiar with what they need to do, they got invaluable experience last year and I expect them to play with a chip on their shoulders given all the abuse they took on and off the field last year.
3. Consistent Receiver Play. Our receivers must play with more consistency. They need to run correct routes; they must make the easy catches; and they must learn how to get separation. Not to beat a dead horse but last year was a learning year for so many reasons, including at WR. Our primary starters last year were a RS sophomore (Lewis), RS freshman (Hamilton) and 2 true freshmen (Godwin and Blacknall). Between the offensive line’s poor play and the young receivers, it’s a miracle Hackenberg made it through the season intact. I expect the receivers to do a much better job this season; I expect they’ll be on the same page as the QB more often than not- which will be a big improvement over last year. I also think Johnson and Charles will push the starters hard. Competition at the WR spots will be tremendous, which should lead to better results.
4. Tight Ends Blocking. Again, a year of experience in the system and coaching should improve this aspect of the game, one that for most of last season, we lacked. The tight ends inability to block effectively added to the offensive line woes. Arguably our best blocking tight end, Adam Breneman, missed all of last year. Hopefully guys like Carter, Wilkerson and Gesicki will improve their blocking abilities- I believe they will. For Wilkerson, if he doesn’t contribute a whole lot, I fully expect this to be his final season. Given Bowers and Holland’s size, if they can master the art of blocking, you may see them in on short yardage situations. I expect at least one of them to play as a true freshman.
5. Defensive Ends. Both Sickles and Nassib must step up. Depth is also a concern. Fortunately, DE is one of those positions I’ve seen freshman come in and contribute right away. Guys like Buchholz, Miller and Givens may have a chance to play if the 5 guys we have can’t get the job done. Lots of unknowns here- it’s a concern but my gut tells me Nassib, Sickles, Brown, Cothran and Schwann will come through. I’m probably less concerned because I have tremendous faith in the defensive coaching staff- next man up, as Bill O’Brien used to say.
6. Replacing Hull. The biggest loss on the defensive side of the ball was Mike Hull. Fortunately, I think Wartman-White is up to the task. I’m not sure Klein will do much this season so Cabinda and Bell need to stay healthy (as does Wartman-White). We have depth but it lacks experience. Wooten and Walker are the only other “experienced” linebackers coming into the 15’ season. It’ll be interesting to see what guys like Reeder and Farmer do. I’m not seeing any of the true freshmen playing this year but injuries and needs will dictate whether they play or not.
Overall, we have a lot more talent and a decent amount of experience so, barring major injuries, I think an 8 win season is what should be expected; a 9 win season shouldn’t surprise anyone and a 10 win season is certainly something this team is capable of. I still think the kicking game will hold us back, that’s why I think 8 wins is what we’ll see.
