For posterity's sake the original depth chart posted on the 27th is here: http://i.imgur.com/m8w1RBQ.png. It's updated by HokieSports here: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/depth/.
Who do you guys think will move up and down?
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I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if D.J. Coles under performs and is moved down. 238 is too heavy, especially after being on a bum knee. It almost gives the impression he doesn't care. Wang will move down (who takes the spot is a mystery), and Trey will take J.C.'s spot atop the running backs.
I think Acree could take Wang's spot. That kid is a beast.
Coles could have left the team if he wanted to, so I think he cares. Also to quote Beamer from earlier in the week: “(Coles) is one guy that was playing at a really high level when he got hurt,” Beamer said. “Toughness, good blocking on the edge, making some tough catches. But we don’t want to rush it if he’s not ready to go full-tilt. Next fall is when we really need him to go full-tilt.”
I think it's just really hard to stay in shape for some people when you have bad wheels. He hasn't been able to condition because of the knee. I bet he slims down quite a bit when fall camp comes.
He's always looked like he's played hard to me and this is his last chance to try to make a career out of football being a go to guy.
I was more basing it off of him gaining 22 pounds in a year. At the scrimmages last August, he looked pretty out of shape, and that was 12 pounds lighter. I think he does care, which is proven by his blocking, and the effort he gives. In my post about roster weights, I attributed the extra weight to him being off the field since 2011, because of his knee. Do I think he'll be ready to play in August? Absolutely, I just want the coaches to let him know he'll have to work for it.
I'd love to see a 220+ Coles crack back on a Bama linebacker (read: "flatten") and open up the edge for a JCC dash to the endzone.
I seem to remember RMFW being overweight at the start of the '09 season. As long as someone can still move well, I really don't think extra pounds are an issue.
Cornerback could change if none of the sophs/r-fresh make an impression this spring and some of the incoming freshmen do some work in the fall.
Taraschke could end up like Mike Via and be a utility linemen and move up for either spot.
I really hope we see Joel Caleb move up (not that I want anyone above him to fail or anything). Also really just want to hear good things about the OGs. And it would be nice to hear that Riley/Manning/Tookes are doing well.
I think Nick Acree could definitely move past Wang, if he stays healthy, because it's a given Wang won't be.
I think everyone needs to watch the offensive line. They are basically running variations of a single play right now. Good primary fundamentals (first step, leverage on the edge, keeping hat on hat) along with maximum effort will be the ticket to improvement, not being a half speed practice hero by knowing where to go on a large number of complex plays against people holding bags.
Acree is the first place to look, and based on the staff comments, don't sleep on Conte. Again, the guys who fit Grimes "mold" from Auburn are Gibson, Shuman, Conte, Osterloh, and McLaughlin. Long, athletic types, inside and out.
At other positions, Collins has already been beaten out by Marshall, Wilson, and Nicolas once. At defensive tackle, Nigel Williams versus Alston Smith is a battle. They need someone to step up behind Bonner, Jarrett, and Frye in the secondary.
I really like Duan Perez Means and Ryan Malleck, but I think McCray becomes the blocking H back that compliments the fullback. This team will run 2/3rds of the time, so expect jumbo formations and play action. Most folks here are much higher on Knowles than I am. I think Asante ends up being a starter next year. I really hope I get to see Stanford play this spring to get a feel if his game fits playing in the slot, because Knowles will get to play wide in 3 WR sets to stretch the field.
Cousins Logan Thomas & Zack McCray trucking defenders together, is a dream of mine.
McCray levels a linebacker, allowing Thomas to annihilate a safety. Yup, I like it.
That would be something for them to talk about at family reunions FOREVER esopecially when it involves Alabama! #BEATBAMA
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