The way too early depth chart projection thread

[Joe Theismann's Leg]

I have a great feeling about the Buffs this year. We know Webb is a talented player (even being bandied about as a potential first round draft pick.)

Who's going to step up as the primary RB? Lindsay? Carr? Adkins?

Is he going to have a reliable TE for emergencies who can cause match up problems? Will we even use a TE? TT didn't seem to.

Who is going to step up in the WR corps? Fields seems fine, but he'll be double covered if we don't have another threat.

Kelley seems like a good leader for the OL and he's a decent player with experience, but what about the rest of it? Does Timmy Lynott play a backup role before taking the job of center? Does Callahan move back outside? Who will lock down spots? Is Irwin a legitimate starting tackle?

And that's to say nothing of the D.

I think the Buffs will be much better this year, there's a lot of talent but we're still undersized and there's a lot of uncertainty. How do you see things shaking out?

 

[Bufffan68]

I think the Buffs will be much better this year, there's a lot of talent but we're still undersized and there's a lot of uncertainty. How do you see things shaking out?

I didn't see them being much better this year because very little was changing with no noticeable improvement in talent. This was until Webb came on board. If he can be the playmaker/difference maker we need at QB, many of the close games we lost last year could be wins this year...including USC, UCLA, Utah and AZ. Been a Buff fan too long to start getting excited, but the addition of Webb has me having some hope for 2016. I also expect the D to get better...so the combo of Webb and improved D could bode well for our lowly Buffs.

 

[Sykobuff]

I didn't see them being much better this year because very little was changing with no noticeable improvement in talent. This was until Webb came on board. If he can be the playmaker/difference maker we need at QB, many of the close games we lost last year could be wins this year...including USC, UCLA, Utah and AZ. Been a Buff fan too long to start getting excited, but the addition of Webb has me having some hope for 2016. I also expect the D to get better...so the combo of Webb and improved D could bode well for our lowly Buffs.

Agree on defense, the OL is still a huge question mark and a wr to replace spruce.

 

[Bufffan68]

Agree on defense, the OL is still a huge question mark and a wr to replace spruce.

So true about the OL...with Bernardi still there and no infusion of talent, I don't hold out much hope...that's why I feel we need a really good QB and improved D.

 

[Sykobuff]

So true about the OL...with Bernardi still there and no infusion of talent, I don't hold out much hope...that's why I feel we need a really good QB and improved D.

Irwin back at LT will help, but like you said, webb (if he is as good as advertised) will improve this offense and in doing so, give the defense more breathers throughout the game.

 

[Joe Theismann's Leg]

I really feel like OL is a position that can get better simply through age. I mean, sure, coaching is crucial... but there's often a lot of difference between a Jr and say a 5th year Sr.

Kelley should be better, Huckins, Kronshage, Lisella, Kough... those guys should all improve too. Irwin will be back, Lynott will have a RS year under his belt and Callahan is a question mark. Bit of a disappointment overall considering the hype (used to be the #2 LT at Auburn). Seems like there's a lot of talent... but a lot of open spots for them to compete over.

 

[bigbang2]

The OL need to work hard in the weight room and class room

Early prediction

RT- Kroshange or Lisella
RG- Kough
C- Kelly
LG- Huckins
LT- Irwin

 

[BuffLuke80]

The OL need to work hard in the weight room and class room

Early prediction

RT- Kroshange or Lisella
RG- Kough
C- Kelly
LG- Huckins
LT- Irwin

The class room? I hope you mean the locker room. Dude this isn't an education board.

 

[Medford M.]

The OL need to work hard in the weight room and class room

Early prediction

RT- Kroshange or Lisella
RG- Kough
C- Kelly
LG- Huckins
LT- Irwin

Believe Kough is actually LG and Huckins is RG.

Something like
LT- Irwin, Kronshage, Miller
LG- Kough/Callahan, Kaiser, Wiefels
C- Kelley, Lynott, Wiefels
RG- Huckins/Callahan, Wiefels
RT- Kronshage/Callahan, Lisella, Middlemiss

Really no reason that line shouldn't be good. Especially with all the options.

 

[bigbang2]

The class room? I hope you mean the locker room. Dude this isn't an education board.

Players study film in the classroom.

 

[sackman]

The OL should improve simply by getting a year older and a year more experienced. They have numbers and depth. It's simply a matter of improving their play. Easier said than done, I freely admit. However, this is a better situation than just a few years ago, when we had neither numbers or experience.

 

[FLounder]

How can you not be Bullish on the defense this year???

 

[Duff Man]

How can you not be Bullish on the defense this year???

Suppose what you mean by bullish, but linebackers are still an issue and the lack of all-conference level pass rushers. I expect a similar defense as in 2015. Anywhere from 5-7 in the conference. Plenty good enough to win games.

The gains need to be made on offense and special teams.

 

[Creebuzz]

Lots of question marks, but we may have plugged a lot of holes.

On Offense,
>Webb adds legit competition at QB
>Need Jerony Irwin to return healthy at LT
>Need a replacement for Spruce from either Winfree, Huntley, Ento

On Defense,
>Need Tupou back and in shape to anchor what could be a respectable defensive line
>Need Drew Lewis to pick up Leavitt's scheme quickly. I believe he's slated at ILB and would provide the speed that we lacked last year. (I expect nothing from Gillam, anything from him would be gravy with his injury history)
>Need to find a replacement for Crawley at one corner, (Oliver?)

On Special Teams,
>Diego, Diego, Diego...
>Need a return man, maybe true freshman Blackmon

 

[BuffLuke80]

Players study film in the classroom.

Really thanks for letting me know how football works. They don't call it the classroom.

 

[sackman]

On Special Teams,
>Diego, Diego, Diego...

I hate you.

 

[Creebuzz]

I hate you.

As long as it's the right hash, we're set. Or is it the left hash?

 

[DeNiro]

QB1 - Webb

Hey it hasn't been called yet.

 

[lvbuff]

Any news on Irwin? I thought his injury was catostrophic. I would be surprised if he can even jog by May. Any info is appreciated.

 

[Joe Theismann's Leg]

Any news on Irwin? I thought his injury was catostrophic. I would be surprised if he can even jog by May. Any info is appreciated.

I don't think it's all that bad. He tore his ACL and tried to play through the pain during the game where it was injured before coming out for good. ACL's are usually about a 6 month recovery time. Sometimes as few as 4 IIRC. He should be fine. There's a tiny chance he plays Spring ball (they may opt for caution) but at the very least he should be ready for fall.

HCMM said last year he was sure Irwin would get a 6th year which means he could potentially have two years of NCAA eligibility so he better start looking at graduate courses.

 

[badbone63]

We need to replace our OL Coach. He and the OL have done nothing during his time here.

 

[Big Iron Buff]

ACL's are usually about a 6 month recovery time. Sometimes as few as 4 IIRC. He should be fine.

That's very optimistic. It's usually more like 6-12 months. Adrian Peterson had a remarkable recovery back to 100% football shape from his in just over 8 months, which was a big deal. For a lineman that needs to support more weight, it will take longer. I've torn both of mine, first one took 12 months, second only 6, but that was just for running and cutting, as I was past my football days and I didn't have to worry about contact. That said, they have made huge strides with surgery and recovery. It was night and day from my first one (2001) to my second (2009).

Regardless, we need him back and 100%, because I think our O-Line is our biggest question mark, and much of our success will be dependent on their development.

 

[Joe Theismann's Leg]

You must be right, I thought AP had more severe damage. The site I went to the other day said 4-6 for a "return to sport" but maybe they're talking about younger people and/or sports not as demanding as football. Can't seem to find it now.

 

[Buffenuf]

I hate you.

What would the kicking game be, sans Diego ???

 

[CVBuff]

Just stopped a knees only ortho buddy in the hall. The pendulum has swung away from quick rehab after ACL repairs. 9 -12 months is now the common recommendation for return to athletics.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

You must be right, I thought AP had more severe damage. The site I went to the other day said 4-6 for a "return to sport" but maybe they're talking about younger people and/or sports not as demanding as football. Can't seem to find it now.

It also depends on who you are and what you do. A collegiate or professional athlete that has access to a full time, dedicated physical therapy staff and program can recover much quicker by doing multiple times a day, 5-6 days a week of intensive rehab. The average person that has to make schedules with the PTs and pay $40-$50 per session might only do 2-3 sessions a week and stuff on their own. The latter leads to a much slower recovery.

 

[CVBuff]

Recovery time from an ACL does depend on rehab, but tissue strength of the allograft or autograft is the concern, not just muscle support. My neighbor proportedly settled out of court after allowing a prominent USU athlete to return after a 6 month recovery. Many Sports Medicine orthos have pushed back the recovery time, including the ortho I asked, because repeat repairs were becoming too common.

 

[The Alabaster Yak]

Recovery time from an ACL does depend on rehab, but tissue strength of the allograft or autograft is the concern, not just muscle support. My neighbor just settled out of court after allowing a prominent USU athlete to return after a 6 month recovery. Many Sports Medicine orthos pushed back the recovery time because repeat repairs were becoming too common.

I've had two ACL surgeries on the same knee. The first one I used allograft as the recovery time is typically shorter, and that was priority at the time. Seven years later, it tore again on a routine cut playing flag football, and my second surgeon said it was definitely due to it being a allograft instead of an autograft. Needless to say, my second surgery was using a piece of my own hamstring and he said the likelihood of re tearing it, while still greater than someone who has never torn it before, is much lower.

On a side note, my surgeon told me that the technology for using artificial grafts is getting pretty good these days and, at some point, people will be using Gortex-type material instead of real human tissue.

 

[CVBuff]

The nice thing to know is that the CU sports medicine team is top shelf, including the orthos controlling Irwin's return. Very sharp, very impressive.