A few quick notes
Some things we've found out in the past few days:
First, I'll say this: I really like the potential of this A&M football team. I think it can win as many as 10 games this year. But there are more nagging doubts bugging me going into fall camp than any other year. Maybe (probably) it's the benefit of more time on the job. In 2012, I thought they were in trouble (they weren't); in 2013 I thought they could make a run at a title (they couldn't); and in 2014 was about where I thought they'd be, but a little worse and far more melodramatic. So here are the things I wish I was more certain about:
Some things we've found out in the past few days:
- Keion Joyner is no longer an LSU lean. He is now an FSU lean. LSU doesn't think they can get him in either, while FSU is saying they can.
- A couple of defensive ends have told us that A&M is no longer talking to them, that they've taken their DEs for this year. That means three things, in my mind: they're really pleased with the group they have on campus (particularly, this makes me think James Lockhart has done some good things), and that Mark Jackson and Alton Robinson are DEs, not linebackers, which I thought was possible. So that means they'd better kick into high gear on the LB recruiting front. I really thought they'd take at least one more DE, so let's see if the Aggies have decided they're done with ALL DEs or just some of the better names we've been watching.
- If A&M isn't taking another DE, could they take three more wideouts? I've said before that N'Keal Harry is non-negotiable. You take him, because he's both a 5-star and he gets you Byron Murphy. But what about if they can get Clyde Leflore-Chriss and Tyrie Cleveland back? The potential is there with some numbers juggling. Five still seems like a lot, though.
- No, there is no news on Greg Little. I'm going to stick with what I said before: it's not out of the realm of possibility that a de-commit comes back (Daylon Mack and Richard Moore), but don't count on it.
First, I'll say this: I really like the potential of this A&M football team. I think it can win as many as 10 games this year. But there are more nagging doubts bugging me going into fall camp than any other year. Maybe (probably) it's the benefit of more time on the job. In 2012, I thought they were in trouble (they weren't); in 2013 I thought they could make a run at a title (they couldn't); and in 2014 was about where I thought they'd be, but a little worse and far more melodramatic. So here are the things I wish I was more certain about:
- Do the Aggies have a second corner? I think they do, but I don't know who it is. It would be great if it were Brandon Williams. Stranger things have happened, but not many.
- Do the Aggies have enough depth at linebacker? I really like their first five guys, then it's a mess. Any injuries and we're looking at a repeat of 2014 or even 2013. A.J. Hilliard HAS to be healthy and you need someone else to step up with Richard Moore.
- Is the front, especially in the middle, as good as I think it is? They have a lot of options. Can they find four guys and more that are up to the task of stopping the run?
- Does A&M have a solid left side of the O-line? I'm not sure I have any concerns about Avery Gennesy. He's a brick wall. My only real concern would be his foot speed, but that seems fine. But what about left guard? That's the real question. Someone needs to grab that job early in camp and hold it.
- Is Kyle Allen as good as I think he is? All signs point to yes, and he was firing darts in the spring. But until you see it in action, there's always doubt.
- Are A&M's defensive ends undersized? They're a lot smaller this year, but very fast. I know this is by design. Still, seeing is believing.
- Will the running game improve? That goes part and parcel with the offensive line, of course. I really like James White, and he and Tra Carson should be good. But you're kind of short in terms of bodies after those two and Kendall Bussey. More importantly, though, can Dave Christensen make that offensive front more physical? It has to be. HAS to be.
- Can the offensive playcalling be more consistent? Last year there were droughts where it was predictable and just painful to watch. Then, there were times when it hit on all cylinders. There can be no lulls in 2015.
- Has Taylor Bertolet improved since 2013?
- Will this team play as a unit, and not the fragmented bunch we saw for large parts of last year? The talent, by and large, is there. It needs to be coached and there has to be improvement between the ears. More confidence and less in-fighting could mean a great season.
