Football wish list

[Armchair QB]

1. Fix the O Line - we’re near the bottom of the country in sacks allowed. Pass blocking is a huge issue. Run blocking can improve. It just has to be the highest priority. Most of the playoff caliber teams excel in preventing sacks allowed and TFL.

2. If #1 is fixed this should improve, but figure out the QB position in the passing game. Along with this, get away from the ultra conservative philosophy and find balance.

3. Keep the skill position talent that could return, especially Hardy and Roberts.

4. Reload the D. We’ll have some key losses. I’m not as worried about this because we’ve shown the ability to reload on D.

I’m not going to mention the kicking game, because I’m already confident we’ll be healthy and that’ll be good again.

Is that too much to ask this Holiday season?

[rezero]

You pretty much nailed it, but for #3, I would put Olugbode on the “must retain” list as well.

[onemizzou]

Not sure why you missed the CBs. We don't have much behind Pride and Norwood both of which will be gone. This is the #2 need behind the Oline. The rest of the defense will mostly be fine but I wouldn't mind getting another top DT if there is one available.

I expect Roberts to leave. He deserves more carries but Hardy is the man and Davis needs to be fed and we have another RB coming in. If Roberts doesn't leave, Davis will and I'd like that even less.

I also expect Marquis Johnson to leave. He's been badly underutilized. Good news is we have lots of talent in the receiver room we just have to figure out how to use it.

Final need is a new OC. I'm only saying this if it's not Drink that's handcuffing Moore. If it is then Drink has to get out of Moore's way and let him sink or swim on his own.

[winonsports]

Is that too much to ask this Holiday season?

This is funny. The posters who don't support the program and try endlessly to tear it down are those who expect the most.

And to top it all off, they consider themselves better fans because they want more.

[Whatashame]

Agree with some of this. Our D was high quality. Our defense kept us in a lot of games. We can always get better at the CB position and I believe that’s the goal. We get after the QB and our LBs were active. You have to like the defense.

The O-line and QB position have to be better. We have to protect our QB better than we do. Sometimes there seemed to be confusion in pass blocking responsibilities and sometimes we were just getting beat, especially on the edges. Better protection should make our QB play better BUT I will be interested in seeing how Coach Drink addresses the QB situation for next year. You can be a run oriented team but you have to be able to move the ball through the air and Pribula sure seems to struggle with that.

Our RBs were top of the conference and we were fortunate to have them. Our RBs were physical and relentless. Having them after losing Lacey to Ole Miss is certainly impressive.

Our WRs were deep and offer a lot of play making ability. Hopefully they won’t get discouraged by our QB play and go looking for greener pastures. They can do a whole lot more than run block.

People complained about our STs play but it wasn’t the special teams. It was the kicking and punting. We have to find a better punter but that’s far down the list of to do’s for next year. The FG kicking has to be more dependable. It was just a tough break losing our FG kicker on the opening kickoff of the year and did change the trajectory of some games later in the year because we didn’t have that guy we could depend on to get us a huge 3 when we needed one.

Sorry for going on for so long. The biggest needs to be addressed are the O-line and their pass blocking and we all will be watching what Coach does with the QB. Does he bring Pribula back, does Zollers improve over the summer. A good QB this past year was the difference in a lot of games, but isn’t it always.

[Armchair QB]

Not sure why you missed the CBs. We don't have much behind Pride and Norwood both of which will be gone. This is the #2 need behind the Oline. The rest of the defense will mostly be fine but I wouldn't mind getting another top DT if there is one available.

I expect Roberts to leave. He deserves more carries but Hardy is the man and Davis needs to be fed and we have another RB coming in. If Roberts doesn't leave, Davis will and I'd like that even less.

I also expect Marquis Johnson to leave. He's been badly underutilized. Good news is we have lots of talent in the receiver room we just have to figure out how to use it.

Final need is a new OC. I'm only saying this if it's not Drink that's handcuffing Moore. If it is then Drink has to get out of Moore's way and let him sink or swim on his own.

You’re right about the secondary. If we had a rock solid secondary our D would be maybe the best in the country.

Squeeze that in there too Santa

[bgwinn01]

Of note: Blake Craig will be back kicking.

[onemizzou]

Not sure why you missed the CBs. We don't have much behind Pride and Norwood both of which will be gone. This is the #2 need behind the Oline. The rest of the defense will mostly be fine but I wouldn't mind getting another top DT if there is one available.

I expect Roberts to leave. He deserves more carries but Hardy is the man and Davis needs to be fed and we have another RB coming in. If Roberts doesn't leave, Davis will and I'd like that even less.

I also expect Marquis Johnson to leave. He's been badly underutilized. Good news is we have lots of talent in the receiver room we just have to figure out how to use it.

Final need is a new OC. I'm only saying this if it's not Drink that's handcuffing Moore. If it is then Drink has to get out of Moore's way and let him sink or swim on his own.

You’re right about the secondary. If we had a rock solid secondary our D would be maybe the best in the country.

Squeeze that in there too Santa

Actually the CBs played really well the back half of the season, it's why we barely gave up any points to anyone. I think aTm scored because the defense got demoralized by the offenses ineptitude. Other than that most teams couldn't move the ball or score on us (outside of the once a game blown coverage or missed block that led to a 60+ yard TD).