TicketsThe Bearcats are on the move to Higher Ground today. Practice there begins tomorrow. Austin Peay walks into Nippert Stadium in 22 days.
As Jerry and Elaine would say, "things are happening, the wheels are in motion."
With all this action, it seemed time for a special edition of the Breakfast to start off your weekend. Today, I'll take a look at eight questions the Bearcats need to answer by the time they leave Higher Ground. That's one for every loss they hope to avenge this season.
One of those probably should be "How does excessive blond hair dye effect the brain," but we'll stick with the personnel-related issues.
What questions do you have about the team this year, folks? Let me know. (pauldehnerjr@gmail.com or on Twitter @pauldehnerjr)
These are in no particular order, so don't break out the Judgey McJudgerson face because kicker is ahead of quarterback. Here we go:
1. CAN UC SOLIDIFY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE?: While most will point to the defense as the biggest question mark on this team, I point to the offensive line. With so much potential at the skill positions, it will be up to the big men up front to allow that opportunity. The unit struggled -- especially early -- last season. That was with Jason Kelce, now on the verge of starting for the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran starter Sam Griffin and CJ Cobb.
The left side appears to be set and solid, with Alex Hoffman (LT) and Randy Martinez (LG) returning, but seeing improvement and solidifying depth on the right will be critical. The biggest official position battle will be between sophomores Austen Bujnoch and Andre Cureton (now under three spins at 299!) at right guard. Senior Evan Davis will be stepping into Kelce's enormous shoes at center and need to become a mental leader of the group for the first time. Sean Hooey (6-9, 298) will take over at RT after seeing some time on the field last year. (Many positions subject to change, remember Kelce changed from guard to center just before the opener last season)
There is as much pressure on this position group as any on the team, particular the pack of players who've never played extensively before that will be counted on.
2. WHO TO PICK A KICKER?: This has already been called an area of concern. And rightfully so. Jake Rogers made everyone take the kicking position for granted last season, but with a cast of unprovens, that will not be the case -- at least early in this season.
Transfer Shane Popham along with freshmen Tony Miliano and A.J. Fleak will take pressure kicks at nearly every practice. Best in show wins. Somebody must step up or we could see a lot of fourth-down conversion attempts this season.
3. HOW GOOD ARE THESE KIDS?: We've seen the YouTube highlight tapes and star-rankings. But exactly how good are Akise Teague and Jameel Poteat? Good enough to count on them to backup Isaiah Pead? Good enough to step in should Pead need a breather or go out with injury?
At the very least, their ability understand the offense and blitz pickup must take drastic steps forward so, should anything happen to Pead, the protection element won't fall apart. (If they can't, junior George Winn will hold down the backup spot)
4. HOW TO PIECE TOGETHER THE LINEBACKERS?: The need for instant infusion at linebacker made for a interesting collection of players at LB this fall. JK Schaffer and Maalik Bomar we know. They both return and should be among the best in the league.
The depth behind them and beside them we don't.
RS Freshman LB Solomon Tentman is healthy and returns to Higher Ground one year after tearing his ACL there. He was expected to contribute at the position last season and will be counted on again. But how quick will he be to recover? Transfer Ben Pooler shows up from Maryland. He also is recovering from injury. Where does he fit in? Freshmen Nick Temple and Dwight Jackson earned high praise from Butch Jones in the spring -- are they progressing enough to hold the backup role to Schaffer and Bomar this fall? Are any other freshmen be capable of providing quality snaps?
Can JC transfers Greg Blair or Isiah Vaughn be instant contributors?
The LB position looks more like a Rubik's Cube at this point, the next two weeks will be spent lining it up. (Sidenote: Would take me about the same amount of time to line up an actual Rubik's Cube)
5. WHO'S GOT ZACH'S BACK?: Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen battle for the backup QB spot. This position battle could be meaningless. Should Collaros stay healthy, nobody will ever really even know who won. However, if there is anything this program should know better than any, it's the importance of the backup quarterback.
Heck, if there is anything ZC should know better than anybody, it's the importance of the backup. These two will go at it every day at HG, with CBJ likely declaring a winner the week of Austin Peay.
6. HOW STEEP IS THE WR LEARNING CURVE?: There will be youth at wide receiver this year. On a position where sophomore Anthony McClung and his 22 receptions along with OJ Woodard and his two represent the only returning college catches outside of DJ Woods, yes, youth will be served.
RS Fr. Dyjuan Lewis will be eligible and could be a major factor, but needs to progress quickly. Transfer Kenbrell Thompkins could be a part of the all-hype team, but still hasn't played a game of Division I football. Surrounding them are a collection of talented, raw freshmen wondering where they fit in.
7. WHAT TO DO AT DB?: Perhaps the most maligned group of last season, they perfectly represent the phrase we've heard play on repeat throughout the offseason: "We can't be older, we must be better."
Finding a cure for the secondary woes through the development of a cast of young players will be essential. Cam Cheatham, Devan Drane, Adrian Witty, Reuben Johnson, etc. -- name the player, they all must progress. Whoever takes the biggest steps will be starting the opener.
8. CAN THE DISCIPLINE IMPROVE?: Penalties at inopportune times devastated the Bearcats last season. Many of them were personal fouls. False starts and mental hiccups of that ilk hampered the team as well. Installing discipline has always been at the top of CBJ's list, and at Higher Ground it will take center stage.
As Jerry and Elaine would say, "things are happening, the wheels are in motion."
With all this action, it seemed time for a special edition of the Breakfast to start off your weekend. Today, I'll take a look at eight questions the Bearcats need to answer by the time they leave Higher Ground. That's one for every loss they hope to avenge this season.
One of those probably should be "How does excessive blond hair dye effect the brain," but we'll stick with the personnel-related issues.
What questions do you have about the team this year, folks? Let me know. (pauldehnerjr@gmail.com or on Twitter @pauldehnerjr)
These are in no particular order, so don't break out the Judgey McJudgerson face because kicker is ahead of quarterback. Here we go:
1. CAN UC SOLIDIFY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE?: While most will point to the defense as the biggest question mark on this team, I point to the offensive line. With so much potential at the skill positions, it will be up to the big men up front to allow that opportunity. The unit struggled -- especially early -- last season. That was with Jason Kelce, now on the verge of starting for the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran starter Sam Griffin and CJ Cobb.
The left side appears to be set and solid, with Alex Hoffman (LT) and Randy Martinez (LG) returning, but seeing improvement and solidifying depth on the right will be critical. The biggest official position battle will be between sophomores Austen Bujnoch and Andre Cureton (now under three spins at 299!) at right guard. Senior Evan Davis will be stepping into Kelce's enormous shoes at center and need to become a mental leader of the group for the first time. Sean Hooey (6-9, 298) will take over at RT after seeing some time on the field last year. (Many positions subject to change, remember Kelce changed from guard to center just before the opener last season)
There is as much pressure on this position group as any on the team, particular the pack of players who've never played extensively before that will be counted on.
2. WHO TO PICK A KICKER?: This has already been called an area of concern. And rightfully so. Jake Rogers made everyone take the kicking position for granted last season, but with a cast of unprovens, that will not be the case -- at least early in this season.
Transfer Shane Popham along with freshmen Tony Miliano and A.J. Fleak will take pressure kicks at nearly every practice. Best in show wins. Somebody must step up or we could see a lot of fourth-down conversion attempts this season.
3. HOW GOOD ARE THESE KIDS?: We've seen the YouTube highlight tapes and star-rankings. But exactly how good are Akise Teague and Jameel Poteat? Good enough to count on them to backup Isaiah Pead? Good enough to step in should Pead need a breather or go out with injury?
At the very least, their ability understand the offense and blitz pickup must take drastic steps forward so, should anything happen to Pead, the protection element won't fall apart. (If they can't, junior George Winn will hold down the backup spot)
4. HOW TO PIECE TOGETHER THE LINEBACKERS?: The need for instant infusion at linebacker made for a interesting collection of players at LB this fall. JK Schaffer and Maalik Bomar we know. They both return and should be among the best in the league.
The depth behind them and beside them we don't.
RS Freshman LB Solomon Tentman is healthy and returns to Higher Ground one year after tearing his ACL there. He was expected to contribute at the position last season and will be counted on again. But how quick will he be to recover? Transfer Ben Pooler shows up from Maryland. He also is recovering from injury. Where does he fit in? Freshmen Nick Temple and Dwight Jackson earned high praise from Butch Jones in the spring -- are they progressing enough to hold the backup role to Schaffer and Bomar this fall? Are any other freshmen be capable of providing quality snaps?
Can JC transfers Greg Blair or Isiah Vaughn be instant contributors?
The LB position looks more like a Rubik's Cube at this point, the next two weeks will be spent lining it up. (Sidenote: Would take me about the same amount of time to line up an actual Rubik's Cube)
5. WHO'S GOT ZACH'S BACK?: Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen battle for the backup QB spot. This position battle could be meaningless. Should Collaros stay healthy, nobody will ever really even know who won. However, if there is anything this program should know better than any, it's the importance of the backup quarterback.
Heck, if there is anything ZC should know better than anybody, it's the importance of the backup. These two will go at it every day at HG, with CBJ likely declaring a winner the week of Austin Peay.
6. HOW STEEP IS THE WR LEARNING CURVE?: There will be youth at wide receiver this year. On a position where sophomore Anthony McClung and his 22 receptions along with OJ Woodard and his two represent the only returning college catches outside of DJ Woods, yes, youth will be served.
RS Fr. Dyjuan Lewis will be eligible and could be a major factor, but needs to progress quickly. Transfer Kenbrell Thompkins could be a part of the all-hype team, but still hasn't played a game of Division I football. Surrounding them are a collection of talented, raw freshmen wondering where they fit in.
7. WHAT TO DO AT DB?: Perhaps the most maligned group of last season, they perfectly represent the phrase we've heard play on repeat throughout the offseason: "We can't be older, we must be better."
Finding a cure for the secondary woes through the development of a cast of young players will be essential. Cam Cheatham, Devan Drane, Adrian Witty, Reuben Johnson, etc. -- name the player, they all must progress. Whoever takes the biggest steps will be starting the opener.
8. CAN THE DISCIPLINE IMPROVE?: Penalties at inopportune times devastated the Bearcats last season. Many of them were personal fouls. False starts and mental hiccups of that ilk hampered the team as well. Installing discipline has always been at the top of CBJ's list, and at Higher Ground it will take center stage.