Positions for 2013 - upgrade or downgrade?

The only unit we r really downgrading is the DL. We played a lot of young guys at lb and in the secondary this yr so those positions will be better as a whole even without reid and minter.

Lets be honest here, Dworzcyak and Lonergan sucked.

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UPGRADE:
QB: Mettenberger has to get better. Can't possibly get worse.

RB: Hill is the starter and will be better. Out of Blue, Ware, Hilliard and Ford, I think we lose at least two. So, I think the starter will upgrade while the depth will downgrade.

WR: OBJ and Landry will be a year older and have to improve

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Agreed for all of these, plus we gain a 6'4 JUCO receiver, which should help our red zone TD woes.

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DOWNGRADE:

C: Losing Lonergan as the senior leader hurts the most

OT: Losing Dworacyzk as a senior leader

TE: Losing Clement as the best run blocking TE.

DT: Losing Logan and Downs

LB: Losing Minter

DE: Losing Montgomery and Mingo hurt the most

S: Losing Reid

CB: Losing Simon? (not sure if he goes to NFL or not)

K: Losing Alleman

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I agree with you on the center issue. It's tough to lose a guy who made the OL calls for 3 years; however, I like Porter and I think he'll catch on soon.

OT will be an upgrade if anything with Faulk coming back and Vadal with a year of experience under his belt.

TE will be an downgrade in the blocking department but an upgrade in the receiving department with Desean Smith coming in. (Unless Logan Stokes proves to be a capable blocker).

I can't say anything about DT until after we find out what Logan does. If he comes back, we can only be better with he and Freak in the middle; if not, it all depends on Ego's development as his replacement - also how Quentin Thomas and Mickey Johnson progress this offseason is absolutely crucial.

You can't possibly think we are downgrading at LB, even if we lose Minter. Although that would be a huge loss, all of the other LBs on the team would return.

CBs will only improve. 2 freshman getting thrust onto the scene due to unexpected offseason attrition allowed for early development. Tharold's future is uncertain at this point, but if he leaves or stays, I think we improve in this area because of the remaining youth returning.

DE will no doubt be a downgrade with the loss of our top 3 guys. A LOT hinges on how the guy who will play opposite of Rasco develops.

I agree that S will be a downgrade at first as well (If Reid leaves). I do, however, expect big things from Loston in 2013, and I feel he will be one of the leaders on D. Corey Thompson displayed some great ability this season and I expect him to challenge Ronald Martin for that spot, should Reid declare.

Can't say anything about the kicking department because I have never seen Hairston kick a FG.

Overall, that is just by two cents.

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Your thoughts?

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we'll be ok. after 2010 we lost Nevis and PP7 and still fielded arguably our best DL and DB units ever. not saying we'll necessarily do that with replacements next yr, but we got some good guys in the wings at spots like LB and DB.

and we still don't know who's leaving and who's returning.

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DT: Losing Logan and Downs

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i think we'll upgrade.
IMO, i think logan is coming back, and i think freak and ego playing with an extra year of experience will be an upgrade from downs

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OT: Losing Dworacyzk as a senior leader

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You do realize we have Chris Faulk, an All American coming back with Collins, Turner, and Alexander right? Not a downgrade.

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TE: Losing Clement as the best run blocking TE.

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2 words. Desean Smith.

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DT: Losing Logan and Downs

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Logan hasn't declared, so don't post stuff on here that isn't really true.

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K: Losing Alleman

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Alleman was really pretty bad this year. Dude missed a ton of key field goals throughout the season. How is that a downgrade?

Wouldn't surprise me if the juco takes either Vadal or turner's spot. They were awful in the last 3 or so games

Defense will take a step back. Maybe from top 5-10 nationally to top 20-25. The offense will have to show a pulse and be more consistent.

Way too many questions next year. Way too many. We'll lose at least 3 games on a brutal schedule.

We don't know what we'll have in either punter/kicker next year. Breaking a new C which can change the entire chemistry on our line. Dline will be decimated from draft. Secondary will be too. Will lose our leader and commander in the middle, most definitely a decline at MLB. Offense, what needs to be said there? Anyone really have confidence Mett will progress? Too many questions. I'd be shocked if it all came together.