So, for whatever reason, DBT has become the figurhead of the "CU will be better next year" crowd. I don't know whetherr to laugh or cry. Believe me when I say that I am torn on how next year will play out. I argue with myself all the time on the issue. Like, "Hansen showed a lot of improvement and looks like he is ready to step up" vs. "Hansen relys too much on running around and still makes some questionable decisions." Or, "Our O line has been really young and is ready to mature" vs "We were manhandled by the likes of CSU." Believe me, I am torn. But when push comes to shove, I prefer to take the more positive viewpoint. So, instead of focusing on the negatives, like Dallas did in starting this thread, I try to look at the positives. Such as:
The O line is loaded with kids that were highly regarded coming out of high school. This year, for the first time since they've been here, they will have the same O line coach. At the end of the year, they appeared to have gelled. Against 'braska, they handled Suh and the 'braska D line better than any team all year. Maybe, just maybe, they finally were getting it.
Our WRs last year were pedestrian. Simmons never really got the play book. With a year under his belt, Simmons will be exponentially better. The WR corps of Simmons, Simas, who really popped at the end of the year, McKnight, Clemmons, Ussery, and, possibly, Celestine may be one of the top two or three receiving groups in the Big XII next year
Hansen has all the tools to be, not good, but great, especially with the confidence he gained toward the end, next year. And as much as most of you hate Cody, he came in against Okie St. and looked really good, he will be a geat back up next year. We are going to be stronger at QB than we've been in years. Add to that the continuity on the O line, our passing game is going to be great next year.
The RB position is a big question, but Stewart is top notch. Losing Sumler, to me, will be addition by subtraction. I think he was way over used last year. With him gone, Stewart, Lockridge, who has tons of potential, and we may have gotten a steel with Tony Jones, all in all, I think our offense can be one of the tops in the conference next year. I also think Deehan and Thornton could be special. Deehan, remember, was a four star recruit and word is that Thornton is a monster.
Our D line last year was horrible at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the end, were really developing. They were really young. I think our DLine will be very strong.
Our LB's will also be a strength and I hear that Derrick Webb is a real bad ass. So, with Webb, Major, Sipili, Rippey, and Beatty, we will be strong up front.
Our DB's should also be solid with Smith, Brown, Mahnke and Polk. And don't forget Orms. The kid is a winner and was really turning heads in practice as well. Depth is a problem though, for sure.
Kicking is a big question, but I've heard from folks close to the team that Grossnickle can punt the hell out of the ball. Place kicking is a big question mark, but I'm still not giving up on Goodman. He does have a great leg if he can get his head together.
The intangible thing that I like is that I am pretty sure the team, as a whole, believes in themselves and they believe in and are strongly behind the coaching staff. I can't help but to believe that Hawkins has a lot more ability than most of you are giving him credit for. He is up to his last chance and he knows it. If he doesn't get it done, given all that I've argued about with the players he has coming back, then there will be a change. And the guy I'd really like to see us go after, if we have to, is Calhoun.
