Everyone seems certain that Mettenberger will be unchallenged at QB, except the other quarterbacks. So where will the position battles be in spring football practice? No running back has stepped up to feature back yet. With five returning starters, will Collins carve out a position for himself on the O-line? What about the other highly touted young offensive linemen. There are sure to be battles at wide receiver and tight end. Defense, too. Anyone given this any thought?
I think Collins breaks into the starting lineup this year. The flashes we saw of Hilliard makes me want to see more of him on 1st and 2nd down, although I do like seeing the fresh beast legs come in late in the game. I could be wrong, but it seems like Spencer Ware regressed a little bit this past season. A lot of that, however, could be scheme and play-calling. I want to see Loston and Shepard live up to the hype and in Shep's case, be used properly. I don't care where, but Landry needs more time on the field. I'm anxious to see these young linebackers, but who will be the starters next season?
5 lineman with 105 combined starts i dont see too much competition there QB will be fought over for 2nd string by the three freshmen but Mett got the job locked up RB will be a heavy fought battles which CLM will do what he always does if there is no clear cut best guy play the biggest hardest runner who wont fumble enter kenny hilliard wide reciever is up for anyone OBJ and Shep are the porbable leaders Linebacker has two outside spots up fr grabs and id bet tahj jones and lamin barrow take those spots with philips and kwon backing them up DBs are set only backups need to be determined JOSH Downs and the freak probably have the tightest battle going into the spring Mingo will prolly take over as a starter now that he's had a couple seasons to bulk up but Edwards and company will push him special shouldnt look any different maybe landry on kick returns
The RB battle will be interesting. I'll be surprised if Hilliard doesn't run away with the starting position (no pun intended, I think?). Ware could really lose about 20 pounds, or else convert over the FB. The WR battle should be interesting.
I suspect with Stampley out of the picture they will be looking to go status quo on Hilliard, unless someone new steps up and takes Stampley's snaps. That would free him for more snaps at tailback. Of course, he's the only guy they've got who will make teams respect the fullback as a possible ball carrier. I would like to see someone step up and challenge TM7 for a cornerback spot, allowing him to move inside and make plays (freelance)? I'm also not convinced Mathieu can lock down a receiver. Jalen Collins perhaps? Beckham is entrenched at one WR, but I'm not convinced Shepard will be on the other side. Boone, Williams or Wright are bigger targets and more of your classic wideouts, but Landry was by far the biggest threat after the catch coming out of high school. I'm pulling for him to win the job, although I realize Shep gets the first look and is a must-have threat on the field....if he can just improve his hands. Josh D will be a great feel good story if he can come back and reclaim his starting spot at guard, but I'm sure with L. Collins breathing down his neck, there will be no margin for error. Prediction: Debo Jones from Jesuit will be the next big thing on special teams coverage, ala J. Landry in '11.
I like the fact that Landry isn't scared of the physical contact. If he can get the fundamentals down he could have a huge impact this season.
Copeland will be back. I think that Hilliard has proven to be entirely too much of a threat as a runner to be relegated to mostly FB snaps. He's the most complete back on the team, in my opinion. He may not start game 1, be he'll be the most productive over the course of the season.
I think he trumped Ware during the latter part of this past season, which is why I also think he'll be the frontrunner to start next season. As you said, he IS the most complete back on the team.
