Are the Questions answered yet?

[Reliable Source]

We had a number of questions going into the season and I was thinking it would be interesting to break them down. I have some strong opinions on this matter that I will throw out but am interested to hear what those of you who watch closely think each  about each of these widely distributed questions:

1)  Q: Will USF be able to improve it's offensive line play even after losing 3 seasoned starters?

    A: I have been totally impressed with the O-line play. They have given up a total of 3 sacks and only 2 against a vaunted ND D-Line. While we are only averaging 3.4 Yards per carry behind      them.  I think that will improve as the RB's adjust to the blocking schemes.

2) Q: Will BJ be able to remain poised and cut down on his turnovers?

    A:Well I think we all know how that is going so far. One non-damaging pick for BJ so far and he appears much more poised in the pocket. I think the O-Line gets some credit for that but even when pressured BJ is making much better decisions with the ball. And his 67% completion rate is awfully nice.

3) Q: How will all of the additions to our receiving corps turn out?

    A: I think that our receiving corps is still a little bit of a work in progress and I think some of them will definitely begin to stand out, but there have been some brilliant moments and some really nice surprises. I think the potential of T-Rex as a receiver is just starting to show. Griffin has been money. Victor Marc is a nice surprise and Andreas Shields is really playing stellar ball. Landi hasn't gotten turned loose yet but if they look elsewhere he is gonna have some big games, not worried about Evan. I would love to see BJ connect on some deep routes to Lamar and Love. I would also love to see Murray and Scott get turned loose on some swing routes or drop back screen passes.

4) Q: Will Darrell Scott be able to return to his promised potential?

    A: I think we have just begun to see the potential that Scott brings to the game. I don't know what they did to him in CO but whatever it was I think it choked him out of what he was naturally, which is a very gifted athlete. What has been so telling is his work ethic leading up to the season and the obvious joy with which he is playing the game now. Those hurdles showed me  an exuberant young guy just reveling in his athletic ability. Skip and Fitch are obviously the right coaches for him. The sky is the limit for him.

5) Q: Will USF be able to maintain it's prowess on Special teams?

    A: Well we have won the Special Teams BE POW both weeks so far. We also have perhaps the best return tandem in the country with Lamar and Mitchell. Also need to give big hit awards to Young, Cliett, Jeune. We are obviously devastating on the strip drill part of our Special Teams.

6) Q: How will D-Line acquit themselves after losing some of its heart and soul?

    A: Some stellar work. Nobody runs on our D-Line. JUJU and Giddins are pushing the Upper Classmen. The interior guys are holding up real well. They had some REALLY big shoes to fill.

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

    A: Boy ESPN is sure eating some crow. These guys as a group are easily the best of the Beast.

8) Q: What will our DBs be able to do after losing Skinny?

    A: If I have some concern it is here. Not at FS and SS, but the corners haven't shown us a lot yet. Part of that had to do with the brilliant "Bend don't break" strategy we employed in South Bend. I am cautiously optimistic that some of the 2's(Tabuteau and Jenkins) will push the  1s and form a really cohesive unit. I count on Smith to get them on track in the coming weeks and get Jenkins back on the field.

Well that's about all I have to say.  Boy I'm having fun watching these guys play.

[DELdaBull]

We had a number of questions going into the season and I was thinking it would be interesting to break them down. I have some strong opinions on this matter that I will throw out but am interested to hear what those of you who watch closely think each  about each of these widely distributed questions:

1)  Q: Will USF be able to improve it's offensive line play even after losing 3 seasoned starters?

     A: I have been totally impressed with the O-line play. They have given up a total of 3 sacks and only 2 against a vaunted ND D-Line. While we are only averaging 3.4 Yards per carry behind      them.  I think that will improve as the RB's adjust to the blocking schemes.

2) Q: Will BJ be able to remain poised and cut down on his turnovers?

     A:Well I think we all know how that is going so far. One non-damaging pick for BJ so far and he appears much more poised in the pocket. I think the O-Line gets some credit for that but even when pressured BJ is making much better decisions with the ball. And his 67% completion rate is awfully nice.

3) Q: How will all of the additions to our receiving corps turn out?

    A: I think that our receiving corps is still a little bit of a work in progress and I think some of them will definitely begin to stand out, but there have been some brilliant moments and some really nice surprises. I think the potential of T-Rex as a receiver is just starting to show. Griffin has been money. Victor Marc is a nice surprise and Andreas Shields is really playing stellar ball. Landi hasn't gotten turned loose yet but if they look elsewhere he is gonna have some big games, not worried about Evan. I would love to see BJ connect on some deep routes to Lamar and Love. I would also love to see Murray and Scott get turned loose on some swing routes or drop back screen passes.

4) Q: Will Darrell Scott be able to return to his promised potential?

     A: I think we have just begun to see the potential that Scott brings to the game. I don't know what they did to him in CO but whatever it was I think it choked him out of what he was naturally, which is a very gifted athlete. What has been so telling is his work ethic leading up to the season and the obvious joy with which he is playing the game now. Those hurdles showed me  an exuberant young guy just reveling in his athletic ability. Skip and Fitch are obviously the right coaches for him. The sky is the limit for him.

5) Q: Will USF be able to maintain it's prowess on Special teams?

    A: Well we have won the Special Teams BE POW both weeks so far. We also have perhaps the best return tandem in the country with Lamar and Mitchell. Also need to give big hit awards to Young, Cliett, Jeune. We are obviously devastating on the strip drill part of our Special Teams.

6) Q: How will D-Line acquit themselves after losing some of its heart and soul?

    A: Some stellar work. Nobody runs on our D-Line. JUJU and Giddins are pushing the Upper Classmen. The interior guys are holding up real well. They had some REALLY big shoes to fill.

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

     A: Boy ESPN is sure eating some crow. These guys as a group are easily the best of the Beast.

8) Q: What will our DBs be able to do after losing Skinny?

     A: If I have some concern it is here. Not at FS and SS, but the corners haven't shown us a lot yet. Part of that had to do with the brilliant "Bend don't break" strategy we employed in South Bend. I am cautiously optimistic that some of the 2's(Tabuteau and Jenkins) will push the  1s and form a really cohesive unit. I count on Smith to get them on track in the coming weeks and get Jenkins back on the field.

Well that's about all I have to say.  Boy I'm having fun watching these guys play.

1. Surprise of the season so far. They look solid.

2. After 2 games he looks like a different qb. That Clemson game really instill a lot of confidence in him. The work put in during the offseason looks key. On Saturday I saw him scanning the field everytime he dropped back. Very exciting.

3. Glad to have Griffin back. Love is still kinda mia (he's a big rocked up dude). Mitchell has scary potential, Lamar is so fast. Marc and Shields have great hands. Landi is secret weapon. No lb can stay with him.

4. Darrell is starting to get it. Just needs to lower the shoulder.

5. Armando Sanchez is a tackling machine. If BK keeps punting so high, good things will come. No one wants to punt to T-Rex. Lamar is a house threat every time. Bonani will win the Groza award before he is done.

6. Dline is solid. Not yet super stars.

7. Our lbs make plays, but not enough tackles. Don't see a tmac in the group quite yet.

8. Safety is strong so far. Still skeptical about the CB position. Even Ball State was getting major cushion.

[dabull80]

1)  Q: Will USF be able to improve it's offensive line play even after losing 3 seasoned starters?

I would say it is still a work in progress.  ND pretty much stopped us the whole game and they looked better against Ball St but I don't know that we really know how good Ball St D was.  Next two games won't tell us much so come Pitt I think you will get a better read.

2) Q: Will BJ be able to remain poised and cut down on his turnovers?

  Bj has done an excellant job at QB.  I think he will actually get better as the season goes on although I don't know how much better he can get- doing very well right now.

3) Q: How will all of the additions to our receiving corps turn out?

  I was suprised to see TREx and Welch start at WR so that may tell you something about our talent level at WR. 

4) Q: Will Darrell Scott be able to return to his promised potential?

  He has already shown that he is focused and learning all that is expected from a RB so I would think the sky is the limit.

5) Q: Will USF be able to maintain it's prowess on Special teams?

  No - I don't see us being able to maintain this level.  I think we will continue to have a very good ST group and will help alot in many games.

6) Q: How will D-Line acquit themselves after losing some of its heart and soul?

  Well ND ran all over us but we held Ball St pretty well so I think time will tell.

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

    You kidding me ?  Not only do we have the best but we have depth and different skill sets.  Anyone who thinks this is not the best LB group in the BE would have alot of explaining to do.

8) Q: What will our DBs be able to do after losing Skinny?

  We gave up a ton of yards at ND but didn't let the big one happen. Ball St has that short passing game but we held them in check pretty well. I like Jenkins(hope he is back soon),Webster,Joyce and Washington.  Since we played two really different games and schemes it is really hard to get a read on them but so far so good.  I think when we play Pitt and Cinci you will have a much better idea of how good they are.  But remember they are only as good as the D line.  No pressure no way can they be effective.

[Reliable Source]

1)  Q: Will USF be able to improve it's offensive line play even after losing 3 seasoned starters?

I would say it is still a work in progress.  ND pretty much stopped us the whole game and they looked better against Ball St but I don't know that we really know how good Ball St D was.  Next two games won't tell us much so come Pitt I think you will get a better read.

6) Q: How will D-Line acquit themselves after losing some of its heart and soul?

  Well ND ran all over us but we held Ball St pretty well so I think time will tell.

I don't see how ND ran all over us when we outgained them in rushing yards. ????

[PingBull]

7. Our lbs make plays, but not enough tackles. Don't see a tmac in the group quite yet.

Not enough tackles?  They are 2nd, 5th, and 5th in the Big East.

TACKLES

Year: 2011 Thru: 09/10/11 Minimum: Pct. of games played 75

Rank Player Pos Cl Gm Solo Assist PerGm Natl

Rank

1 Jory Johnson, Connecticut LB JR 2 7 12 9.50 45

2 Michael Lanaris, South Fla. LB JR 2 10 8 9.00 57

2 Dexter Heyman, Louisville LB SR 2 12 6 9.00 57

4 Khaseem Greene, Rutgers DB JR 2 13 4 8.50 80

5 Sam Barrington, South Fla. LB JR 2 6 10 8.00

5 DeDe Lattimore, South Fla. LB SO 2 9 7 8.00

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2011/Internet/conf%20stats/2011000000823PD.HTML

[The Great 8]

2) Q: Will BJ be able to remain poised and cut down on his turnovers?

     A:Well I think we all know how that is going so far. One non-damaging pick for BJ so far and he appears much more poised in the pocket. I think the O-Line gets some credit for that but even when pressured BJ is making much better decisions with the ball. And his 67% completion rate is awfully nice.

BJ has an obvious understanding of the system now that he didn't have last year. I think the system is still probably a bit simplified for him, but he'll never be Tom Brady back there making reads. Give him a couple reads and if they're not open and he tucks it and runs or throws it away, I'll be happy.

3) Q: How will all of the additions to our receiving corps turn out?

    A: I think that our receiving corps is still a little bit of a work in progress and I think some of them will definitely begin to stand out, but there have been some brilliant moments and some really nice surprises. I think the potential of T-Rex as a receiver is just starting to show. Griffin has been money. Victor Marc is a nice surprise and Andreas Shields is really playing stellar ball. Landi hasn't gotten turned loose yet but if they look elsewhere he is gonna have some big games, not worried about Evan. I would love to see BJ connect on some deep routes to Lamar and Love. I would also love to see Murray and Scott get turned loose on some swing routes or drop back screen passes.

Definitely excited to see who steps up as the season progresses. T-Rex and Marc made the biggest impressions on me against Ball State. I feel comfortable with Landi/Shields out there at TE's. Hopefully we can incorporate McFarland into there as well before Pitt...? Griffin is a beast, he'll probably take a lot of WR records before he's gone.

6) Q: How will D-Line acquit themselves after losing some of its heart and soul?

    A: Some stellar work. Nobody runs on our D-Line. JUJU and Giddins are pushing the Upper Classmen. The interior guys are holding up real well. They had some REALLY big shoes to fill.

I think you're severely overrated our D-Line. They weren't tested against Ball State and haven't exhibited much quickness off the edges in either game, regardless of whether we weren't blitzing or the QB was throwing quick routes. The small, not lightning fast, DE's aren't doing as well as I'd hoped.

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

     A: Boy ESPN is sure eating some crow. These guys as a group are easily the best of the Beast.

Who's eating crow at ESPN exactly? AA gave us the best LB in the BE grade. We are. I think it's a pretty known commodity as well.

8) Q: What will our DBs be able to do after losing Skinny?

     A: If I have some concern it is here. Not at FS and SS, but the corners haven't shown us a lot yet. Part of that had to do with the brilliant "Bend don't break" strategy we employed in South Bend. I am cautiously optimistic that some of the 2's(Tabuteau and Jenkins) will push the  1s and form a really cohesive unit. I count on Smith to get them on track in the coming weeks and get Jenkins back on the field.

I've been pleased. Schematically they've been a bit limited, but that's not their fault. Washington and Webster have been pretty lights out, and the safeties have been good too. Not sure I'm comfortable in a 5-DB set though.

[Reliable Source]

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

    A: Boy ESPN is sure eating some crow. These guys as a group are easily the best of the Beast.

Who's eating crow at ESPN exactly? AA gave us the best LB in the BE grade. We are. I think it's a pretty known commodity as well.

AA was the culprit at ESPN mostly. She said a number of times that we wasn't sure our LBs were all that good.

[Bulls 8_va]

7) Q: Who has the best LB corps in the BE?

     A: Boy ESPN is sure eating some crow. These guys as a group are easily the best of the Beast.

Who's eating crow at ESPN exactly? AA gave us the best LB in the BE grade. We are. I think it's a pretty known commodity as well.

AA was the culprit at ESPN mostly. She said a number of times that we wasn't sure our LBs were all that good.

Lets not count our chickens till they hatch...I wanna see this team go into Heintz and WIN!!!

GO BULLS!!!

8va