OUInsider - Owen Field

This is a group that causes a major concern for the coaches. I know that they don't admit as much (as they shouldn't). We can only hope that the Jordans are what we think they are then this will be a great plus for us this year. We also need these SRs to step up their game more than in the past. While I would like to blame the unproductive play in the past on the schemes we were running, I don't notice any good individual play from any of them. I think playing a 4 down line will help out tremendously with that development. I also believe that it is time that our DTs begin playing at 300++lbs. I would think this,along with a rotation will help us from being ran on i the fourht quarter with as much success as teams were having against us last year. Of course I think that is one of those directives that must be made clear to our Strength and Conditioning staff.

The DEs are not as much of a concern as BJW seems to be able to develop servicable pass rushers every year. Again we seem to have talent across the board but much unproven. David King has a chance to become the proto typical DEs that Pros will drool over. Health issues seem to be holding him back from time to time. RJ just seems to finally be getting it. I thought he was consitantly servicable last season. Again with the way coach Wright works with this position I expect more from him this seaon. Chuka Ndulue we just don't know enough about to go one way or the other. But getting playing time last year can only help his development. He did show flashes of brilliance in the bowl game vs Iowa. Chaz Nelson trully sounds like the wild card for us. He seems like he is making the transition to this level very well so far. I look forward to delightfully watching his progression this fall. Geneo Grissom.... Hmmm..The young man just can't seem to stay healthy so no one but the coaches can say on him. But you would think with all the injuries his progression HAS to be delayed. My only concern here is the rotation at this position with so many unproven talent but again with coach Wright at the helm I can see this getting better as the season goes on.

Back to the DTs. Marquis Anderson and Torrea Peterson are really really big question marks for me. Looking at practice film they don't seem to be very aggressive at the point of attack but they both do seem to run well. Something I really don't need a DT to do. These 2 young men really need to spend more time at the dinner table and the weight room. Again the injuries are a concern with these 2 young men. These are things that I think both position coaches are able to get the attention of these players and put them all in places to succeed. Of course as we alll know this will take the heart of the players to get it done. I sure wish there was a Juco in the mix of these DTs.

No mention of Torrea Peterson. Will he be in the doghouse all of this year?