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OK, in 4 weeks we hired a complete staff and brought in a pretty good recruiting class. Not too shabby.

Now we need to focus on Spring Ball-what questioned need to be answered?

1. Who replaces Terrell? This is the biggest question going into Spring Ball. We have Flacco (do we?), Wassink, Mussat (transfer from Illinois) and Tabone on the Squad with Goddard coming in next fall. Flacco has the most game time, but has not demonstrated any passing in game situations. Wassink has no game time. The rest are question marks. Lester and his coaches will spend a lot of time, scrimmages and the Spring Game looking for someone to step out and demonstrate leadership. Certainly we need to have a good feeling coming out of Spring for Option 1 and a backup.

2. We lose Corey Davis, Michael Henry and Carrington Thompson at WRer. We need to find 3-4 go-to receivers to replace them. This is where the Freshman can really help us. 1-2 frosh may be called upon to fill out the 2 deeps. Developing this sector is going to be a real challenge for the staff-we're losing some really great receivers.

3. Defensive Line: We lose Keion Adams and David Curle. We have some younger players but most don't have game experience. This sector is a work in process, no question. Need to find a core group in the Spring.

4. Need to find replacements for OT Taylor Moton and Kicker Butch Hampton.

As for the Offense and Defense schemes we'll run, I'm of the opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it. Minimal changes in the way we play the game are called for, nothing major. Keep any changes simple and in line with our personnel. Now is not the time to reinvent the wheel.

I think the starting WR corps will probably look like:

1. Anton Curtis
2. Keishawn Watson
3. D'Wayne Eskridge & Hunter Broersma

We are really short at WR this year... not just in depth but in length... tallest guy in that list is Broersma at 6'1". Might need to start Jaylen Hall or Luke Sanders right away for that extra height... who knows. OR god forbid we start to manipulate our TE's in the actual passing game!

QB will be a battle between Flacco and Wassink. I really hope Flacco sticks around so the competition helps them grow... I worry about Flacco's arm without Cory Davis down there making plays... Probably be an offense that relies more on YAC than deep passes... while focusing on a strong running game. If Flacco wins out we will likely see more QB option... should be interesting what the new OC does with all of the weapons he DOES have returning.

I have to believe Jon Wassink is going to be our starting QB @ USC, barring something unforeseen.

Besides losing a few key players on defense (Adams,Ferguson), we were mainly very young and our defense should be MUCH improved for this next season and beyond.

We are still in good shape on D-line. DE Nathan Braster, DT Andre Turner and DE Eric Assoua all return. Those 3 all started games for us last season. Nick Matich should be healthy, and guys like Daniel Jackson, Wesley French, Antonio Balabani, Ken Finley, Ken Aguirre, and Kailen Guillory should all compete for playing time.

Isn't the transfer QB from Illinois someone who was a walk-on at Illinois, and knew he wouldn't get any PT there so he transferred? It sounds like he isn't really a P5 type player. Any thoughts?

(02-02-2017 11:57 AM)brovol Wrote:  Isn't the transfer QB from Illinois someone who was a walk-on at Illinois, and knew he wouldn't get any PT there so he transferred? It sounds like he isn't really a P5 type player. Any thoughts?

Yeah, he's a decent QB but he was (and is) a walk-on for a reason.

Here's his HS highlights: http://www.hudl.com/profile/1522279/alex-mussat

I actually think he's a better runner than a passer.

We won a lot of games-especially MAC contests-in the second halfs last season. Conditioning was excellent and Halftime adjustments were outstanding. Whatever you think about PJ Fleck he brought in some outstanding Coordinators in Pinkham and Ciarrocca. And our strength and conditioning staff did a GREAT job with the team.

Coach Lester, take notice. Most MAC football programs have comparable talent, that's why our games are very competitive. Conditioning and on the field coaching are VERY important.

(02-02-2017 04:37 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  We won a lot of games-especially MAC contests-in the second halfs last season. Conditioning was excellent and Halftime adjustments were outstanding. Whatever you think about PJ Fleck he brought in some outstanding Coordinators in Pinkham and Ciarrocca. And our strength and conditioning staff did a GREAT job with the team.

Coach Lester, take notice. Most MAC football programs have comparable talent, that's why our games are very competitive. Conditioning and on the field coaching are VERY important.

I think Oregon's S&C coach may be available....

I would think Nick Matich would be a logical replacement to take some of Curle's snaps. Matich missed all of last year due to a spring ball injury, redshirted and has one year left. I think he was practicing and dressed late in the year but did not play. He had a good amount of playing time prior to last season.

(02-02-2017 11:04 AM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  OK, in 4 weeks we hired a complete staff and brought in a pretty good recruiting class. Not too shabby.

Now we need to focus on Spring Ball-what questioned need to be answered?

1. Who replaces Terrell? This is the biggest question going into Spring Ball. We have Flacco (do we?), Wassink, Mussat (transfer from Illinois) and Tabone on the Squad with Goddard coming in next fall. Flacco has the most game time, but has not demonstrated any passing in game situations. Wassink has no game time. The rest are question marks. Lester and his coaches will spend a lot of time, scrimmages and the Spring Game looking for someone to step out and demonstrate leadership. Certainly we need to have a good feeling coming out of Spring for Option 1 and a backup.

2. We lose Corey Davis, Michael Henry and Carrington Thompson at WRer. We need to find 3-4 go-to receivers to replace them. This is where the Freshman can really help us. 1-2 frosh may be called upon to fill out the 2 deeps. Developing this sector is going to be a real challenge for the staff-we're losing some really great receivers.

3. Defensive Line: We lose Keion Adams and David Curle. We have some younger players but most don't have game experience. This sector is a work in process, no question. Need to find a core group in the Spring.

4. Need to find replacements for OT Taylor Moton and Kicker Butch Hampton.

1. Got to think it's Wassink's job to lose

2. Keishawn Watson and Dee Eskeridge got some time last year. Hunter Broersma and Anton Curtis should help. Rodney Graves redshirted as well. Don't discount that all of these guys benefits from being around Davis and Henry.

3. Ken Agguire is going to be a beast. Mattich, Turner, Wesley French, Ken Finley and Daniel Jackson will rotate at DT. Also had a walk on from Wisconsin that is a big dude too. There is plenty of guys in the middle. The edges are a concern. Eric Assoua showed flashes, but disappeared at times. Nathan Braster really came on, and I think he could be incredibly effective. Jay Moore, Tony Balabani and Keilan Guillory should add depth.

4. Our offensive line is golden. Guys like Novoselsky, Doyle, Jordan have had a couple of years with the excellent Brian Callahan/Bill Kenney combo. They will be ready to play. Not to mention there is some talent in the freshmen that redshirted last year as well. Particularly Mike Caliendo and Spencer Kanz.

(02-02-2017 09:52 PM)Broncos83 Wrote:  I would think Nick Matich would be a logical replacement to take some of Curle's snaps. Matich missed all of last year due to a spring ball injury, redshirted and has one year left. I think he was practicing and dressed late in the year but did not play. He had a good amount of playing time prior to last season.

Pretty sure he has 2 years left because of the redshirt.

He was a rotational guy with Curle before the injury, so as long as the knee is healed, he should see heavy minutes.

PJ hardly rotated anyone, so we don't know what we have with the others.

Holy crap. I am a Bronco football junkie at this point. Anyone have a fix for me? Anyone checking out spring ball?

Losing Spillane in the middle will be a challenge. Coaches say Drake Spears has been a beast as I predicted, but I don't see him in the middle. Not sure who takes that role.

Match had 2 years remaining and will see time. Dline should be good.

Flacco is still at Western and participating in spring drills.

WRS are a big unknown. Watson, Graves, Curtis and Hunter are prime candidates to play, but they will need to assert themselves as real playmaker.

Oline should be excellent. Thought I heard French moved back to offense.

Wondering if Lester Brings in any 5th year guys specifically at WR, LB, or other areas for depth. He said in his press conference that he was going to, so hopefully he has a plan. Should have 3 spots open with Spillane leaving.

(02-02-2017 10:24 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  [quote='BroncoPhilly' pid='14056147' dateline='1486051450']

3. Ken Agguire is going to be a beast. Mattich, Turner, Wesley French, Ken Finley and Daniel Jackson will rotate at DT. Also had a walk on from Wisconsin that is a big dude too. There is plenty of guys in the middle. The edges are a concern. Eric Assoua showed flashes, but disappeared at times. Nathan Braster really came on, and I think he could be incredibly effective. Jay Moore, Tony Balabani and Keilan Guillory should add depth.

Spring roster says they moved Wesley French back to OL.

Here is the roster for spring ball game"

http://www.wmubroncos.com/roster.aspx?path=football

Interesting that Najee Clayton, 6"2" LB transfer from Rutgers is listed. Does he address the Broncos' linebacker needs. He came expecting to be coached by PJ but apparently has stuck throughout the coaching change.

Also, some of the redshirt freshmen may find key rolls this year. Some of the lineman are HUGE.

(03-29-2017 03:50 PM)bostonbronco Wrote:  Here is the roster for spring ball game"

http://www.wmubroncos.com/roster.aspx?path=football

Interesting that Najee Clayton, 6"2" LB transfer from Rutgers is listed. Does he address the Broncos' linebacker needs. He came expecting to be coached by PJ but apparently has stuck throughout the coaching change.

Also, some of the redshirt freshmen may find key rolls this year. Some of the lineman are HUGE.

He's listed because he can practice, but he won't be on the field in 2017 for the Broncos. So his help will have to wait a year.

Losing Butch was a big blow. Hopefully the kid From TX can pick up where he left off because games like @MSU, NIU, @Toledo & @EMU could come down to 2-3 PTS. Difference in winning 9 games or 5 this season might be the kicking game.

2017 Broncos are Dangerous