Chad Jones was the one I debated most. I certainly don't doubt his ability, it's just hard finding a place for him to start next year. LaFell had like 9 catches before this past season - I wasn't sold on him either, but this year he proved that he can run all the routes & get open. His hands drastically increased as the season wore on (had a nice one handed grab in the NC game). We had better hope that LaFell is ready to be a #1 because Byrd is by nature a #2 WR (speed, deep threat guy) & Toliver isn't ready - he's still got a lot to learn about the position. LaFell will be a first day pick.
I hope you're right, but we haven't seen much from him yet. If you're so high on Riley, why has Sheppard gotten so much more PT?
It's not quite that easy. Our team suffered a lot when our starters went out with injuries this year. Some guys are going to step in & be okay, while other will step in & be great. This thread is to try & guess who will be great. I left off one CB position & both OLB's because I don't forecast those positions to be great for us next year.
I don't have all the answers, but I know a player can improve a lot in one offseason, and I know the coaches love Sheppard's upside... I think he'll have a big role before it's all said and done.
Tolliver might have the physical tools, but he struggled a lot with the mental part of the game...He needs to work with that during the spring cause he's gonna have some major competition for that 3rd spot if things work out they way they should (Brown and Benton).
I think we're getting way ahead of ourselves with Coleman. Yes, he played admirably in filling in for Steltz, no doubt. But there is nothing to support the fact that he is the guy to step in full time. Chad Jones will assume the strong safety position now that Steltz is gone. Coleman will be a great backup. Rarely have I seen a true freshman defensive player that is such a natural at making impact plays, in just the limited time that he played. He will be honorable mention All-American as a sophomore. I love LaFell to explode next season. He way end up with 1000 yards receiving and a dozen TDs (ala Bowe's senior season). He will be 2nd team All-American. I love Barksdale excelling at RT. I see him making 2nd team All-SEC. Herman Johnson will be first team All-American. Ciron Black will be 2nd team All-American. Ricky Jean-Francois will be 2nd team All-American. I have no beat on who will emerge at OLB. I don't think either position (WLB, SLB) will standout, but be consistently solid. I love Patrick Johnson to assume one of the CB spots. He will make an immediate impact and make the Freshman All-American team. Colt David will continue to excel and be a finalist for the kicker award (can't remember the name of it). If Tyson Jackson stays, I say he makes 1st team All-American.
You mean, other than the fact that he took over that position in NC game & Chad Jones didn't? Maybe the reason for that is that we didn't have anyone else that could play dime back, or because Jones hasn't been getting many practice reps at Safety. I don't know. What I do know, was that clearly for that night, Coleman was ahead of Jones on the depth chart at Safety. LaFell will have close to 1,000 yards but won't be an All-American. Nope. Tyson Jackson won't be an All-American. Tyson is a good college player, but what makes him so attractive to the NFL is his combine numbers (the reason he'll be a first day pick).
We'll see how things progress this offseason and see if Coleman holds on to the position. All I know is that it will push Chad Jones that much harder to improve to nab that starting spot this coming season.
Tigers will be fine next year. After seeing the way most of these guys stepped up this year I'm very confident saying that. Watch out SEC...they're gonna be a great team again! Can you say "Three Peat"...it ain't out of the question!:thumb:
