Todd4State's football thoughts.

[Todd4State]

I say ridiculous because some of this is outside the box but it's some things that I would like to see and some other random thoughts.

QB- Dak. Hey, no QB controversy for the first time in my life ever. Or since Sleepy Robinson. Or maybe the year our QB depth chart was Derrick Taite and Darrin Clark. I just want to see him pass like he did against Ole Miss and Rice. And I think he will probably even improve upon that just because we all know what kind of a work ethic he has.

RB- Robinson/Shumpert. It sounds to me like Dan is thinking about sharing Robinson's carries with someone. Nick Griffin maybe? And when I say sharing I mean Robinson getting 50% and Griffin or Shumpert getting the other 50% compared to Perkins getting about 75% last year with Robinson getting about 20% and the others getting 5%.

FB- Griffin. Call me crazy, but I think he is going to be back as in 100% back. I really think we are going to see a lot of him next year. And yes, when he has played, he hasn't looked 100% and I know everyone was worried about his confidence on that knee, but when he has gotten an opportunity, he usually makes a play. And at this point I have no reason to think he is less healthy.

WR- Bear and Robert Johnson. That's a pretty physical group. I really think Bear busts out this year. Robert Johnson is not tall, but I'm pretty sure there are some DB's in Arkansas that are having nightmares about getting trucked by Bluesman. One guy I'm going to watch for is Joe Morrow. I've watched our highlight videos and it's interesting because he's one guy I've noticed doing the little things like making key blocks and he had a few nice catches at times last year. Fred Brown is my boy. We need to get him the ball some.

Slot- Jameon is an absolute weapon of mass destruction. He's so versatile. He can catch the ball downfield, he's good on screens, he can run sweeps and he can return kicks. Now one thing I would like to see at times is my boy Fred Brown in the slot. He's not as versatile as Jameon, but I think he would be hard to cover. I'm also eager to see Gabe Myles in action out of the slot.

H-back- Malcolm Johnson is solid. But I want to see what we have in Darrion Hutcherson who is 6'7" 260. That size is going to be very useful in goal line situations. But the other thing I want to see is Deshun Dixon at H-back. When I saw that he was working out with the TE's, I was pumped. That's the perfect spot for him at 6'2" 220.

OL- Clausell, Beckwith, Day, Malone, and Damien Robinson from left to right. That's every single guy that have been here for at least four years and four are entering their fifth year. I think if we were to put that group out, it would be pretty solid. You have Day who is a Rimington Award candidate for the top center in the country. Beckwith is a solid former walk-on and with Malone the only question is if he is healthy or not, and I assume he is. Clausell is probably going to play in the NFL next year. And Damien Robinson is a guy that a lot of people have as a question mark. And I do agree with Coach34 that he has lacked a mean streak in the past and that's his issue. But if he realizes that if he can find a way to find that mean streak, he could end up making himself a lot of money as well. My guess is more than likely Robinson will start at the beginning of the year, and I'm going to give him a fair chance to prove that he can or can't play. For all I know the light switch may have come on. But we'll see.

DL- As everyone knows, I would like to see Smith and Jones at DE, and James and PJ at DT. What I think we will get is Smith and probably either Ryan Brown or AJ Jefferson at DE and then Eulls and PJ at DT. What I think we will probably see is a lot of different combinations and some guys moving around some throughout the game. So, I think we'll see some 4-3 fronts as well as some 3-4, and I do think we will see Chris Jones play some DE, although I expect him to play most of the time at DT. But what a great group especially when you consider that I didn't mention Virges and Adams who I think will both play this year.

LB- I think it will be Beniquez at the Will, McKinney at the Mike, and Wells at the SAM. I think we'll move McKinney around some for a couple of reasons- 1. because he might play OLB/DE in the NFL and 2. We probably need to get Richie ready for the Mike spot next year. Also, I think Gerri Green is going to play some this year. It's going to be interesting to see how we use him.

CB- Love and Calhoun. Here's what they have in common- both are 2 star CB's. Both are now top 10 SEC CB's. And we get Redmond for a full year unless someone let's him borrow a pen in class, in which case, he will be suspended for 30 games. Giles is a guy I have always liked too. We should be good in nickel situations because Redmond is a guy that could start for a lot of teams.

S- Cox and Hughes. I know some people are in wait and see mode with Cox moving over to S, but I have to believe that it's probably going to be a pretty good move for him and us. Hughes if he comes back is going to be quite a story because given the nature of his injury, he was probably going to be able to play, but not be at 100% until next year. So, if he is 100% now, that's very pleasant surprise to me. If he's not 100%, we have Market who is a very good player in his own right, so we should be OK either way.

K/P/KO- Devon Bell. I really think Dan is enamored with him and the possibility of having a guy that can do all three facets of kicking. And because of that, I think he will start the year as our kicker. Now, I do believe that he probably has the best range of any place kicker that we have. Unless the guy from Michigan is a lot better than I'm expecting. But, if Devon can kick the ball with say, 75% accuracy from 50 and in that is a significant upgrade over what we had last year. At worst, we have a guy that can kick off and punt and is very good at both of those, and I think he will probably end up All-SEC at punting before he graduates. Also with Devon, it's a case of a guy that was learning to kick at the SEC level and he was probably put out there before he maybe was ready. We'll see what happens now that he is a junior. If it doesn't work out, we have other options.

KR/PR- Lewis and Holloway. That's a pretty good combo. I think our ST will be more organized and hopefully cleaner than it was with Dan not doing ST anymore. I really think a lot of our problems last year were from sloppiness and missing assignments and things like that. Which tells me that we probably didn't spend as much time on ST as we should have. If we clean that up a little bit, we should have a better season than we did last year.

[bulldawg28]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

[Bo Darville]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

Not even close? Have you not watched Calhoun? Not even close? Many think Calhoun is better than Love.

[bulldawg28]

Not even close? Have you not watched Calhoun? Not even close? Many think Calhoun is better than Love.

It doesn't matter which he starts for he's the best corner on the team.

[Bo Darville]

It doesn't matter which he starts for he's the best corner on the team.

I can listen to a "Redmond is the best corner" argument. It is the "not even close" part that seems ridiculous.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Devon Bell didn't attempt 1 fg in the spring & he's not expected to in fall camp. He won't be in the fg kicking discussion.

[cbrunt29]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

I disagree. Redmond has talent and I think he'll see the field a good bit this year, but he is not better than Calhoun. He just isn't

[whosyourdawgy]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

You saw the tweet about love and Calhoun saying something like this didn't you? Calhoun was one of our best playmakers on D last year. He has earned the starting spot. What's great is we have Redmond and Giles who have game experience and are very good in their own right to back up and play nickel packages. Quality depth is a great thing. Redmond may end up being a great cb for us but to say he is our best corner is a stretch right now when we have 2 that improved every game last season and by the end were playing great

[whosyourdawgy]

Rashun Dixon. And are we sure he's staying at h back/TE?

[thf24]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

...no.

[Johnson85]

I don't think we'll see Robinson start. If we do, and it's anything more than a reward in the USM game before the 'backup' gets starter snaps, that will be our signal that we are in trouble, like it was when we had to move a Senior DT over to be our starting LT.

Devon Bell will not kick. I'm not sure if Mullen is still enamored with him, but I'm pretty sure Bell is over kicking FG's. Kicking is a tough position mentally, and some people just aren't cut out for it. I think Bell wants to focus on punting, which is probably not a bad idea if he has pro potential there.

I'd like to see us use Jones at DT like we used Eulls some. Put him at an end in running situations, which gives us a ridiculously stout front 4. In passing situations, having Jones and Eulls inside gives us 3 DL with DE speed and one DT with speed that is just a hair shy of DE speed.

[TrueMaroon]

In the secondary I would start Redmond over Calhoun. He should be starting and it's not even close.

Based on what? You are usually pretty spot on, but Calhoun looked phenomenal at the end of the season; I thought he was the defensive MVP of the Egg Bowl.

[Brad Stevens]

From all I've seen and heard, Jamaal Clayborn will be starting at guard. Beckwith will be ready to go if Clayborn/Malone go down. I think Beckwith also may be taking back-up center reps?

[Big4Dawg]

I hope the OL looks like this:

LT- Clusell/Senior
LG- Clayborn/Beckwith
C- Day/Beckwith
RG- Malone/Beckwith
RT- Senior/Robinson

[HoopsDawg]

I hope the OL looks like this:

LT- Clausell/Senior
LG- Clayborn/Beckwith
C- Day/Beckwith
RG- Malone/Beckwith
RT- Senior/Robinson

I think that's probably the depth chart on the O-line after 2 a days are over.

I also agree with the poster that Will Redomond is our best pure corner, but all 3 guys will play a signficant role so it's just semantics.

Preston Smith is our only good pass rusher at DE, that's why I think McKinney will come off the edge more this year in a 4-2-5 look. At least, I hope so. McKinney is definitely not a MLB at the next level.

I'm looking for Fred Ross or Fred Brown to push Robert Johnson. We really need a deep threat on that side. I like Rojo as a blocker and a possession receiver though.

I really hope McGrath can win the FG job. Devon Bell is no longer on FG's and the other guy just can't get the height you need.

[jumbo]

no Clayborn on the OL?

[thunderclap]

Devon Bell is no longer on FG's and the other guy just can't get the height you need.

That's what she said.

[HoopsDawg]

no Clayborn on the OL?

Todd's a baseball guy.

[bulldawg28]

Based on what? You are usually pretty spot on, but Calhoun looked phenomenal at the end of the season; I thought he was the defensive MVP of the Egg Bowl.

Let's go back and look at this that shows Redmond is better. Corner back is the hardest position to play on the field and it was obvious with Calhoun, Jiles, and pretty much everyone placed there with the exception of Love while Redmond was out. It took them unto the end of the year to adjust and get it. Enter Will Redmond whose never played in the SEC and starts making plays immediately as if he's played all year. He's essentially a redshirt freshman making plays like a junior from day one. His mechanics, instincts, speed, intellects on the field make him the best we have. Had he not been suspended he was the starter. This is straight from the coaches. The coaches have been fair and allowed the others to maintain their spot over him but he's the best corner on the team. The kid is an NFL talent right now and if given the opportunity will be in the league longer than any corner on the current MSU roster.

[Political Hack]

Let's go back and look at this that shows Redmond is better. Corner back is the hardest position to play on the field and it was obvious with Calhoun, Jiles, and pretty much everyone placed there with the exception of Love while Redmond was out. It took them unto the end of the year to adjust and get it. Enter Will Redmond whose never played in the SEC and starts making plays immediately as if he's played all year. He's essentially a redshirt freshman making plays like a junior from day one. His mechanics, instincts, speed, intellects on the field make him the best we have. Had he not been suspended he was the starter. This is straight from the coaches. The coaches have been fair and allowed the others to maintain their spot over him but he's the best corner on the team. The kid is an NFL talent right now and if given the opportunity will be in the league longer than any corner on the current MSU roster.

and he could potentially go after this year...