What is the weakest football position for 2007?

[ChiTownBull]

I say OL

need to have better run blocking for Ford and Plancher

our OL seems better at pass blocking

[Guest]

Placekicker...

Punter...

Tight End...

These need more work than OL, IMHO... most of the running problem was not having a true full-size running back most of the year.  Benjamin Williams is a decent back, but way too undersized.

[Guest AstroBull]

Fullback ;D

[South_Florida_Flip]

Fullback ;D

That dude from South Sumter should be a good addition. I do wish we'd use a FB more.

[windbane]

Fullback ;D

That dude from South Sumter should be a good addition. I do wish we'd use a FB more.

we might use them more next year.  i don't know what rod smith is planning but I envision more run-based formations with some guys that can play FB, TE blocking improving, and some serious competition at RB next year.

I think this should be a poll like the one for "best" position.  I think this one is hard too because we don't have that many weaknesses.

I would go with the kicking, though.  Teachey did a good job, and perhaps he can do better.  If the other team catches the ball it's no good, if they put a lot of people back to catch it we can fake it, and if they only put a few people back it's not too hard to kick it around them.  if he does kick it around them then it's good.  We'll see if we get a straight punter, though.

Alvarado was inconsistent but any guy who kicks a 56 yarder deserves a chance.  

JimUSF, I thought Cedric Hill did a good job last year?  

[BullBlood]

If Ford doesn't make it to USF then I will say RBs.  

Otherwise, the OL is the weakest link.  Granted they didn't have a great RB last year, but most of the time there just weren't holes.  We didn't have a big sack number, but that is attributable to grothe's play-making abilities.  While grothe was making those amazing plays while under pressure and escaping defenders.....nobody was commenting on the fact that the OL shouldn't have been letting those defenders get so deep into our backfield.  Grothe made the OL look better than it was, but our runningbacks weren't good enough to do the same.

We're returning a bunch of guys on the OL, so I'm expecting an improvement over last year.  But based on the performance of 06 (especially towards the end of the season where we didn't show much improvement), the OL is our weak link.

[USFMikeB]

I agree with Jim - Punters and Placekickers.  A critical position which could have cost us many issues.  Think back to the UCF game when they recovered a special team ball that kept them in the game.

[namuh-bull]

I would have to say punter.  We will lose at least one game next season if our punting is the same as this year's was.  Field position is just too important.

[Bullpride08]

If Ford doesn't make it to USF then I will say RBs.  

Otherwise, the OL is the weakest link.  Granted they didn't have a great RB last year, but most of the time there just weren't holes.  We didn't have a big sack number, but that is attributable to grothe's play-making abilities.  While grothe was making those amazing plays while under pressure and escaping defenders.....nobody was commenting on the fact that the OL shouldn't have been letting those defenders get so deep into our backfield.  Grothe made the OL look better than it was, but our runningbacks weren't good enough to do the same.

We're returning a bunch of guys on the OL, so I'm expecting an improvement over last year.  But based on the performance of 06 (especially towards the end of the season where we didn't show much improvement), the OL is our weak link.

This is such a loaded question and 'weak' relative to what is my next question?  I think the position in 2007 that needs to step up more is running back, punter, and kicker.  If those three make a resurgence this team has a chance to contend for a Big East title.  If it's Ben Williams, no true punter, and inconsistent kicking then we could be SOL.  The positive is I believe all three positions are manned with guys on campus that are young but can get the job done and improve the position they just need to mature.

If 'weak' is relative to our conference brethren and it's based on talent then you could say positions like RB, OL, DT, and Safety could always stand for more of a talent upgrade if the talent was available.   Overall though I think there is good OL on campus and enough talent to find a consistent RB, punter, and kicker.

[Ricky the Bull]

Definately the kicking game.  Games have been lost because of shortcomings here and it certainly takes the pressure off the offense to feel that they need to be at point blank range before we're confident enough to go for 3.