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Keys to next year’s FB team

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saltydeac

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I think the 2 big keys to next year will be replacing the lost production of Dunn and Duke of 10 sacks and 24 TFLs along with someone stepping into Weaver’s shoes. Are Bashan and Calhoun capable or some combo from our RS frosh like Mike Allen? Any of current kickers expected to step up or an incoming frosh?

Im personally not worried about QB as Hinton has shown the ability and think his quickness will keep Ds honest and the question will can he be accurate enough to hold off younger guns. Either way I think we will be in good hands as all have been able to see how it should work. Plus a strong returning OL, dynamic rbs and wrs who should be even better and more experienced to surround him. First 3-4 games could be dicey as new QB adjusts but think we will be clicking again on O.

Losing 2 strong MLBs in Jaboree and Dawson, but I fully expect some of our younger guys to step up and our back 7 should be strong

Clawson is making it happen and I must publicly raise my hand and eat crow on Ruggiero and apologize for my questioning his abilities and play calling. Very impressive 2nd half of the year.
 
I’m relatively certain Sciba will be our kicker next year - incoming frosh. Hopefully he can pick up where Weaver left off. We’ve been spoiled with a good kicker for quite some time.

On that note, I love that Clawson recruits specialists the way he does. Special teams is often the decider in games and we have had a great punter and kicker for Clawson’s four years here so far.
 
We need to get much quicker at LB, find good QB play from somebody, and have one or more defensive linemen step up to get consistent pressure.
 
I think we will get better with Dawson graduating. He hit the wrong hole numerous times throughout the game. When the DBs constantly have to make tackles in run game, it puts them in really bad spots to play against a very talented WR group like A&M had. When A&M had to throw, and we knew it, defensive pressure was there, and corners did well in coverage. A LB that can make tackles in run game is pivotal, stating the obvious. And at times during the year, our MLB was invisible, or making tackles 10-15 yards down field. If our front 6/7 can handle run, I think our DBs can be a big strength next year.

I think the offense can be successful with Hinton. Guy plays with a chip, shiftier Runner. The offense will look different I think. Wolford was so accurate.

I’d like to see us sure up our special teams. Not just making FGs, but we can’t give up TDs and big plays. We need to win there every game. Sam aa a kicker was obviously huge. But sam also lead the ACC in net punting the 2006 year iirc. Those hidden yards are huge.
 
And Maggio has to get ball off when rush is on. And it’s easy to see it. He was 2.1 seconds on the get off time on block TD. He needs to be around 1.8 in a rush situation. 2.1 is fine if they are setting up a return. Yes, it’s a worse punt, but they also have 5-6 guys rushing, so there won’t be a return. Just drive the ball out quick. Once you get off one or two clean with no return, they usually stop rushing.

ETA. Timed the second get off at 2.1 as well. Aggies intern coach was former punter. I bet he saw the slow get off time on film and set up rushes.
 
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Will we find a way to consistently score more points than we allow?
 
I wonder how many plays Dunn and Duke affected without recording a stat. I hope their replacements are ready.
 
Our defense kinda stunk this year despite some really talented individual players
 
buckets said:
Our defense kinda stunk this year despite some really talented individual players
Click to expand...

Weak at the LB position and inexperience in the defensive backfield. LB play must improve. But, our DL was the best in years.
 
Interested to see what conference game we get Sep. 15 (assuming we don't have a bye). Based on other teams' schedules the options are vs BC, vs Pitt, vs cuse and @ FSU.

ND early in the season should be pretty lit
 
buckets said:
Our defense kinda stunk this year despite some really talented individual players
Click to expand...

It was mediocre. #76 in scoring D, #113 in total D, but no other defense in the nation was on the field for 1,069 plays, despite being #76 on 3rd down D and #69 on 4th down D. Yards per play? #60. We gave up a lot of FGs and a median number of TDs. Basically, our defense made other teams work to get points. I think once our LB play improves, we'll get more stops.

Not the best stat but every bowl team we played except Louisville scored more in their bowl than they did against us.
 
It's hard to adjust your thinking about defense in the speed offense game. It's hard to get your head around winning a bunch of games 40 to 30.
 
Goals for 8-4 would be

Go 2-2 vs Clemson, F$U, Louisville and NCS
Go 3-1 vs BC Syracuse Pitt Dook
Go 3-1 vs OOC - Towson, Tulane, Rice and ND

The first 2 of the 3 segments are tough but doable (not saying this is the likely/base case scenerio)
the OOC segment we should accomplish
 
At NC State will be fun next year. Always tough there, but they will not be as good, especially if their qb leaves (I expect him to). I predict 7 wins but 8 is an achievable goal for sure.
 
I rarely look at tags, as they seem to be the territory of the weak-minded and feeble, but I just happened to notice the "lol: 3-6 legit games=bowl" tag on this thread. I didn't know BKF was still with us. Wake played 13 games this year, 10 of which were against bowl teams. The only 3 that were not were Presbyterian, GT, and Syracuse.
 
Rafi said:
I rarely look at tags, as they seem to be the territory of the weak-minded and feeble, but I just happened to notice the "lol: 3-6 legit games=bowl" tag on this thread. I didn't know BKF was still with us. Wake played 13 games this year, 10 of which were against bowl teams. The only 3 that were not were Presbyterian, GT, and Syracuse.
Click to expand...

There are some folks on here who can’t help but double secret anonymously troll these boards. They’re A) not really Wake fans, B) enjoy rustling jimmies with fellow posters rather than bask in happy times and good vibes with one another, or C) think it’s actually funny.

Either way, those Posters are everywhere and they don’t typically understand the topic that they’re even trollin’ about in the first place.
 
CreamyGoodness said:
There are some folks on here who can’t help but double secret anonymously troll these boards. They’re A) not really Wake fans, B) enjoy rustling jimmies with fellow posters rather than bask in happy times and good vibes with one another, or C) think it’s actually funny.

Either way, those Posters are everywhere and they don’t typically understand the topic that they’re even trollin’ about in the first place.
Click to expand...

This is all true, though I think it's actually only about 3-5 posters.
 
saltydeac said:
I think the 2 big keys to next year will be replacing the lost production of Dunn and Duke of 10 sacks and 24 TFLs along with someone stepping into Weaver’s shoes. Are Bashan and Calhoun capable or some combo from our RS frosh like Mike Allen? Any of current kickers expected to step up or an incoming frosh?

Im personally not worried about QB as Hinton has shown the ability and think his quickness will keep Ds honest and the question will can he be accurate enough to hold off younger guns. Either way I think we will be in good hands as all have been able to see how it should work. Plus a strong returning OL, dynamic rbs and wrs who should be even better and more experienced to surround him. First 3-4 games could be dicey as new QB adjusts but think we will be clicking again on O.

Losing 2 strong MLBs in Jaboree and Dawson, but I fully expect some of our younger guys to step up and our back 7 should be strong

Clawson is making it happen and I must publicly raise my hand and eat crow on Ruggiero and apologize for my questioning his abilities and play calling. Very impressive 2nd half of the year.
Click to expand...

Clawson should bring in Grad transfers at Quarterback, Kicker and Linebacker. Hinton is poor decision maker who does not have ability to check through his receivers. Can’t risk FG/PAT to Freshman whose longest HS FG was 40 yards. LB corps needs been thoroughly discussed here previously.
 
Our running game could be special next year. We will have 4 very good backs, all a bit different. A very experienced and good oline. and a running QB to keep the backside honest. Colburn looks dynamic, I know our WR talent and depth might be as good as it's ever been, but I really think our offense will be great in the run game. I like less targets, but more big plays from the passing game next year as the defense will be forced to play up on our excellent run game.
 
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