After Portal Thoughts 1/28/23

Well, in the last 4 games (including biggest rivalry games) in which both played, in every single one of those games Douglas got more snaps. That would seem to be much more instructive than early season games for a true freshman when the coach is intentionally playing veterans, e.g. Wright when Johnson and Etienne were clearly playing better. There is obviously something CBN sees or at least wants to see from Douglas that he is willing to have Fraziars play less.

 

Look at the drop off a perfect AR pass in the FSU game by Douglas. May have more speed but need to see improvement in his hands and when getting hit

 

That's what I saw out of Douglas down the stretch; an ability to get open and a few very inexcusable drops. Hopefully it will be a point of emphasis for him this off season.

 

I don't think he was talking about Luke.

Carlos.

 

Neither were on the team last year I don’t believe.

 

Douglas had the drops and all but he could get open and looked good with the ball in his hands. Fix the young kids problems and he may be a good one

 

What year is it? I wasn't aware we lost him this offseason. Who was that guy I saw throwing passes for Syracuse last fall? Must have been an imposter

 

Given the loss of Richardson’s electrifying running skills it hard to imagine there won’t be a significant drop off in the running game unless the passing game isn’t good enough to loosen things up. The best way to take full advantage of Mertz’s throwing is to find another receiving weapon or two post spring. Douglass may help and true freshmen may begin to emerge later in the year but there needs to be a second legitimate threat besides Piersall.

I’m a bit more optimistic that one or combination of guys may help there.

 

Etienne lined up at wr a bit the first couple games so I’d imagine he can catch. Maybe this year we will have a qb capable of utilizing the rb and te’s.

 

When Tebow QBd the Broncos, they led the NFL in rushing. A mobile QB will open up the running lanes. Could be harder to get yards unless Mertz is at least a willing or opportunistic runner

 

And the throws less than ten yards can’t be 33%.

 

Not 100% the corner spot opposite of Marshall is Hill’s. Devon Moore is the real deal. Should be a good battle in the spring.

 

And Jackson may be the best db on the roster soon. Good probl to have. It’s been a minute

 

Richardson’s electrifying running skills only showed up in a few games

 

I'm still not sold at all with our DC who also happens to coach the safeties. I refuse to believe our talent on D was so poor that we reach the depths of ineptitude that surpassed TG. It wasn't just bad D it was horrendous. I don't know whether it was scheme or coaching that played a major part in our secondary being abysmal. Rarely did we break up passes. Rarely were we close to a receiver who caught the ball. Coaching matters, and whether or not we upgrade our players if coaching doesn't improve we will continue to have major issues.
I think Toney gets one more year to right the ship on D, otherwise change is needed.

 

At times the run threat totally disappeared. He he ran like a demon possessed like he was capable of, he was pretty damn effective.

 

Doglass is was a better route runner as a freshmen than Fraziars was last year. That is why his playing time increasedz

 

And he better catch em from now on. He has a talented group of freshman behind him.

 

Didn’t we sign the Special Teams Player of the Year? Like , 5 blocked kicks ?

 

I expect our ST unit to be much better with him out there .. (name escapes me rn)