I'm looking forward to three:
RT: Fragel vs Decker. Fragel switched positions with the assumption that we needed him at RT, but Decker seemed to surpass expectations at Spring camp. Doubt that Fragel wants to spend his senior year weaing 77 and sitting on the bench. Shoring up the line is essential to the team's success this season, and this battle will be key.
LEO (back up): Miller, Spence, Washington. Simon is the starter, but he will move all over the line, and there will be plenty of bodies in the rotation. Everyone is excited about Spence and Washington, but Miller was highly touted himself coming out of high school, and Simon said Miller had an awesome off-season. Have to believe Miller will be fighting hard not to get passed up by the 5* freshmen.
RB: Hyde, Smith, Dunn, and Ball. With Jordan Hall side-lined, Hyde is the presumptive starter, Dunn is the freshman everyone's expecting big things from, Smith is in danger of never seeing the field if he gets passed in the depth chart, and Ball is a 4* recruit that nobody even talks about. Only one football, and plenty of motivation for all four in this camp.
edit: just noticed story on position battles on the front page.
I think hyde gets the lions share of the carries and dunn and smith spilt the scraps barring anymore injuries in the backfield. I would really like smith to live up to the lofty expectations he had coming out of high school and his freshman year, but it seems urban is really exciited about hyde and so is the rest of the team. We shall see though. Urban will definately go with whoever performs best on game days and in the classroom.
I think Fragel eventually gets beat out by decker if no other reason then Urban's own comments at the end of spring when he said " Decker makes our line functional." This may take a little while maybe closer to the middle of the season, but don't be surprised when it does.
As far as the Dline they will rotate like crazy because of depth, but i can really see at some points especially third down aituations when you may see this as our front for. Spence at leo simon at DT Hank as DT and washington/bennett at strongside end. I only say that because those four/five can bring the most heat on third and long/medium tyoe situations. IMHO i think these scenarios can definately happen.
RT- Decker vs Fragel
WR-Spencer vs Thomas/Reed
backup TE-Huerman vs Vannett
Which true freshman defensive lineman plays the most: Washington, Spence, Schutt.
CB- Howard vs Grant
Bellamy vs Bennett for the 4th D-line spot.
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Did you know there was going to be a forthcoming article on this? Scary.
I think we are going to be good at WR but what I worry about is Miller making the right decisions and being able to deliver the ball accurately.
Edit: I think the potential is there but I'm not sure if he has had enough time under good coaching yet.
Northbrook, Zach Boren seems very confident in Braxton. He has apparently become a better leader, and he's spent time with the receivers running routes. It seems like he's putting in the work to learn the playbook, so I admit I'm pretty optimistic.
BassPlayer7770, I'm optimistic too but if we're wrong QB could be the best position battle.
I'm so glad to even be having this convo ....season is on the Horizon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardly home but always reppin
Crowell will be in mix. Lot of talent.
I like all of yours above with Fragel and Decker being the most interesting...Decker just might win out in the end. All those DE's as well as RBs will be by commitee IMO.
My personal favorite is Stoney and Heuerman (as well as Vannett). I've heard that Heuerman's been doing a real good job in spring/summer and has turned some heads. We'll see...but don't be surprised if both are on the field at the same time. Having one at slot and one at more traditional TE spot. Could be interesting...
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
I like Crowell a lot too. Should see plenty of action.
Prediction: Doran Grant is starting over Travis Howard in week 1.
I agree with others about Crowell and the LBs in general: hopefully, there will be fierce battles throughout, not just Crowell battling to unseat, or take a few rotations from, Grant or Sabino, but at the 2nd and 3rd levels of the depth chart - Perry, Roberts, Perkins, Williams, Marcus. If Grant does indeed start the first game and Sabino keeps his job, but have to scrap to do so, then that will bode well for depth at LB, which is still a question mark.
Why does everyone hate on Howard so much? Yes the guy was not the best CB on the team last year, but he wasn't that bad. He was matched up against the number 1 from the opposing teams most of the year, and Roby was on the 2nd best WR.
As a DB you have to be perfect, since 1 play makes it seem like you suck. I think he's a pretty good player and has the tools to be even better.
As for the question - RT, Star if we're even playing with one this year, and the safety spot alongside Barnett.
WR doesn't seem like a position battle since Urban says we have 0 good ones