Things I am anxious to see Saturday (and as the season goes on):
- WR rotation: Obviously JSN will play all the meaningful snaps. My guess is the rest of the meaningful reps will be split between Marvin Harrison, Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming. I think JSN still plays in the slot alot, so most of the rest of the reps will be on the outside. That favors MH and JF, as I think EE is a little better suited for the slot. MH is primed for a breakout year, so I could see a scenario where he plays a ton and somehow JF and EE rotate. Or all 3 rotate. Or JSN bumps outside some giving EE some slot snaps. Day has a lot of weapons to choose from.
- I do wonder what having 2 actual guards will do for the run game. Playing Munford and Paris Johnson at G last year was probably necessary to get your best lineman on the field. Donovan Jackson probably wasnt ready to play as a frosh. Now he is and there s a 5th year senior on the other side who has plenty of experience. Maybe having true road graders helps pave the way for a more consistent run game.
- The DLine is also place where I am interested to see what the rotation is. I could see 5 guys rotating at end (Harrison, JTT, Sawyer, Baptiste, Friday) and 5 guys somewhere at DT (Vincent, Cage, Williams, Hamilton, Hall). You could even have a full, well rounded line of seniors (Harrison and Baptiste at end, Cage at nose and Vincent at 3 tech) or of 2nd year guys (JTT and Sawyer at end, Hall at NT and Williams at 3 tech). And they really could mix and match based on opponent.
- After the last few years of not really knowing what they wanted to in the back 7 (remember the Bullet?), Jim Knowles seems committed to 3 safeties. The 3rd safety is being referred to as a 'nickel' safety. I don't think the position has much in common with what NFL teams want in a slot corner, but we'll find out. Seems like Okie St transfer Tanner Mcallister will be the nickel safety to start.