USF Year End Grades

[JoeB]

This is just my look at how we stacked up gradewise per position group.  Not much research done on this, so bear with me.

RB-  Grade C-

When your leading rusher from this position only gets 436 yards and 3.5 per carry its not a good sign.  Especially when he is a walkon.  No offense to Ben Williams, but all of Bulls Nation was expecting big things this year out of Plancher and Ponton.  Injury cost Plancher a full year, while Ponton's indiscrepancies cost him about half.  Even when he played he wasn't too impressive, although his yards per carry were better than Williams'.  

QB-  Grade  B+What can you say about Matt Grothe that hasn't already been said?  This was a shocker for most fans and that is probably why its so sweet.  63 % completion percentage as a Redshirt Freshman was a boost for the offense.  Mix in 622 yards on the ground and he was one of the most complete QBs in the country.  Really his only downside was interceptions (14), but at least he had more TD throws (15).  Also, his excitement meter had to be one of the higher ones on the team as he made highlight reel plays week in and week out.

WR-  Grade A-

While the stats don't blow you away, it does say something when your QB completes 63% of passes.  These receivers quietly made plays all year while the others on the team got the press.  To me it seems that every game Amarri Jackson makes one big play, USF wins.  This whole group played well for almost the entire year.  Only a handful of times I can remember being upset over the WR play (Kansas game), so it is a testament to the whole ensemble.

OL-  Grade BAlthough our running game took a stride back this year from last year, the OL was able to protect our young QB all year when it came to throwing the ball.  Grothe's nicks and bruises seemed to come when he ran the ball on designed plays rather than OL breakdowns.  Nine wins including a first ever bowl victory is attributed to this group in my estimations.  

DL-  Grade B+What a great year for the front four.  This group might only get better with youngsters Selvie and company.  The West Virginia game was their biggest breakthrough in a year when they made their mark as a whole.  The conference must get used to the team speed from this group in a hurry if they look to make plays against a stingy defense.

LB-  Grade BPossibly the three most consistent players on the entire defensive side of the ball.  St. Louis, Nicholas, and Moffitt were the backbone of the quick, agressive defense that allowed less than 20 points per game.  When a big play was needed usually Nicholas was involved, but the two others were not far behind.  St. Louis and Nicholas will be missed as this unit will need to get some young players involved in '07.  

DB-  Grade  A-The back four really are only as good as your front 7 putting pressure on the QB, and for this group it was a stellar season.  Trae Williams led the league with 7 Interceptions, while Mike Jenkins may have had just as good of a year without the pub.  He dominated East Carolina's bigplay receiver in Birmingham.  The safeties came up with big hits all year, and the bowl game was no exception with Louis Gachette laying the wood on several occassions.  Another strong year for the back four is expected in '07.

Special Teams to come later.

 

[E.T.]

I would just say that you were a bit generous on RB & WR.

Great news is that this squad pretty much comes back intact, but probably better overall with depth.

Go BULLS !!!

[JoeB]

Yep, the RBs getting a gentleman's C- was a tough call, but we did go bowling this year despite them.  I thought WRs had the best year of any group, especially when you add in the rushing plays that are prevalent in our scheme.  Plus Amarri was 2/3 in passing the ball!  

[pops94]

Ben Williams has to get some cred for being our first bowl MVP.    It wasn't his fault he got 123 rush attempts and the QB got 178 rush attempts this year.  

For next year lets try not to have our QB get the most carries on the team.   We need Grothe's feet to be in one piece for the whole year.

[theman123]

I think LB could be higher then a B

[tampaboi07]

LBs should be atleast an A.WR maybe a B-.

[JoeB]

At least an A??  You make that sound like there are three or four grades above that.  I'm trying to be objective.

'  

[bulls96go]

overall team B+

shaky start, strong close

[ctbrown24]

overall team B+

shaky start, strong close

Minus the UL game  

[smazza]

c

a

b-

c

b+

a

c