Already the season has begun for some teams. We saw an underdog Virginia destroy North Carolina State. The story of that game was the play of the Virginia linemen. Their offensive line was experienced and dominated the trenches. The same was true with their defensive line. C.J. Bailey played an awful game as did most of the team. Curiously, Popo Aguirre was a bright spot who was involved in 18 tackles. Still Popo has trouble in pass coverage. Virginia will not be an eary win for any ACC team.
Our local University of West Florida team QB Marcus Stokes who transferred to Memphis displayed the kind of talent that I thought should have earned him consideration as a UM transfer. Stokes I think will continue having a stellar season. Memphis beat a talented UNLV team coached by former UF Coach Dan Mullen.
All last year I’d hoped we used Josh Moore more frequently, and I look forward for him to be a standout this year. Moore is far and away the best deep threat on our team and a terrific match up problem in the Red Zone. Moore also has excellent foot speed.
I believe we’re going to see a validation of Marquise Lightfoot’s 5 star rating. He has gained ten pounds of muscle over last year, and I see the sack numbers equal or exceeding those of last year’s team which would be quite an achievement. What remains to be seen is whether or not our two edge rushers can contain the wide rushing attack handled so adeptly by last year’s stellar duo. We have great depth on the D line with Armondo Blount, and Keona Davis capable of playing either DT or Edge. Further, I think we’re really going to like Jacquez Carter who transferred from OSU who seems to have displayed the kind of ferocity about which Mario talks about continuously.
Our secondary may be the strongest part of our team, and the kid I think that has the possibility to be a super star, perhaps even a potential Ed Reed, is J.J. Dunnigan. Only a freshman, this kid has flashed in practice and is one of the fastest players on the team. With Fitzgerald and Poyser Miami is loaded at the safety position, but I think Dunnigan is the goods, really has the goods, and Mario is going to have to give him playing time.
I like speed, and not much has been written about Vance Spafford who is buried deep under a terrific group of receivers. I am looking forward to seeing how he performs when he gets playing time against some of the cupcake teams we play this year.
I hope that Dawson doesn’t go pass happy on us too early in the season. We’re liable to have two freshmen playing on the offensive line. Learning to pass block is, I think, considerably more difficult than run blocking. With out talented Rbs, I’d like to see Dawson let the young guys get the opportunity to mano a mano knock the hell out of the defense to gain a feeling of physical superiority by our rushing the football. If our rushing game becomes dominant, the passing game become deadly.