Well here we are, the start of game week. Bunch of players visiting with the media today, plus Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott. Here are a few important themes we've picked up:
-- First off, some interesting items in the depth chart released today. It's been a great offseason for C.J. Fuller, who's not only in the group of running backs behind Wayne Gallman but also at kick-off return with T.J. Green. Pass protection has played a big role in Fuller's emergence as a viable running back. The coaches have told us repeatedly the past few weeks that Fuller is not afraid to stick his head in there and block blitzers.
The depth chart features two starting tight ends (Jordan Leggett and Garrett Williams), but that's not necessarily a reflection of the personnel grouping the Tigers will roll out Saturday against Wofford. The Tigers have been predominantly an 11-personnel offense (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB) and that's going to continue, but Williams' emergence definitely enhances the possibility of them going with more 12 personnel (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB) to accentuate matchup advantages.
Stanton Seckinger is listed as Leggett's backup, and it seems like there are still concerns about his knee. Elliott told me recovery from ACL surgery is just something Seckinger is going to have to work through while continuing to be "a warrior."
Taylor Hearn is listed as the second-team left tackle behind Mitch Hyatt. Justin Falcinelli is behind Eric Mac Lain at left guard.
Scott Pagano and Christian Wilkins are listed as co-starters at the defensive tackle position vacated by D.J. Reader. Albert Huggins is third-team tackle behind Carlos Watkins and Rod Byers.
Adrian Baker is listed as Mackensie Alexander's backup. Ryan Carter is behind Cordrea Tankersley on the other side.
Ray-Ray McCloud is behind Artavis Scott. Germone Hopper is listed as Charone Peake's backup.
-- One of the important assets for this offense this year is going to be Deshaun Watson's dual-threat capability making life easier for the offensive line. With so much to preoccupy defenses on the outside, there's a great deal of hope that there will be more creases between the tackles.
Ryan Norton and Joe Gore expanded on this premise for me.
Norton: "Having an active quarterback, where he can run it in the pocket and we can do a lot of different things with him, that takes a lot of pressure off of us. But we also have to understand that in the run game people are going to respect him more. So we’re going to really have to focus on points and understand that people respect him, so they might read it a different way."
Gore: "That helps us out a lot, having somebody who can pull it down. Even if it's not doing the option or doing anything like that, having someone who can sit back and if you fail to have anybody open, just take off running, that's big pressure off of us. Because sometimes you might have that guy who's really hard to block and you might need help blocking. Just having a quarterback who can recognize you're in trouble and just take off, that's the perfect thing because that sets up so much more stuff. But inside running, the zone is going to be open all the time."
-- Jay Guillermo visited with the media for the first time since his lengthy offseason absence. He said his time away made him realize how much he loved the game. Said he spent a lot of his time cutting down trees in his grandfather's back yard. Said his departure wasn't really related to burnout with football as much as "the culmination of a lot of different things that hit at once." Said not a lot of other coaches would've let someone leave to address the issues he was facing. When asked about the comparison between his situation and Reader's, Guillermo responded: "Everyone's situation is a little different."
-- Was able to chat with B.J. Goodson for a few minutes about a couple of important topics, including the situation at the two inside linebacker spots. Goodson said Kendall Joseph was full-go during Friday's practice for the first time in a long time. Goodson said Joseph's prolonged absence in August hurt, but he has no doubt Joseph will bring maximum impact despite shoulder and knee injuries that sidelined him for almost all of camp. 5-foot-9 Jalen Williams is listed as Ben Boulware's backup at WLB. Travis Blanks is the starter at Nickel/SAM.
-- Scott and Elliott were asked if they visited with other coaches during the summer to get advice on the co-OC arrangement. Scott said TCU's situation comes to mind, but he didn't reach out to them or anyone else. Said years spent working with Elliott has brought plenty of experience and comfort with what they're doing.
-- Gore, on Kevin Dodd:
"He's a monster. Mark my words: He's going to be a name this year. Everybody is going to be like, 'Wow, where did that guy come from?'"
-- First off, some interesting items in the depth chart released today. It's been a great offseason for C.J. Fuller, who's not only in the group of running backs behind Wayne Gallman but also at kick-off return with T.J. Green. Pass protection has played a big role in Fuller's emergence as a viable running back. The coaches have told us repeatedly the past few weeks that Fuller is not afraid to stick his head in there and block blitzers.
The depth chart features two starting tight ends (Jordan Leggett and Garrett Williams), but that's not necessarily a reflection of the personnel grouping the Tigers will roll out Saturday against Wofford. The Tigers have been predominantly an 11-personnel offense (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB) and that's going to continue, but Williams' emergence definitely enhances the possibility of them going with more 12 personnel (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB) to accentuate matchup advantages.
Stanton Seckinger is listed as Leggett's backup, and it seems like there are still concerns about his knee. Elliott told me recovery from ACL surgery is just something Seckinger is going to have to work through while continuing to be "a warrior."
Taylor Hearn is listed as the second-team left tackle behind Mitch Hyatt. Justin Falcinelli is behind Eric Mac Lain at left guard.
Scott Pagano and Christian Wilkins are listed as co-starters at the defensive tackle position vacated by D.J. Reader. Albert Huggins is third-team tackle behind Carlos Watkins and Rod Byers.
Adrian Baker is listed as Mackensie Alexander's backup. Ryan Carter is behind Cordrea Tankersley on the other side.
Ray-Ray McCloud is behind Artavis Scott. Germone Hopper is listed as Charone Peake's backup.
-- One of the important assets for this offense this year is going to be Deshaun Watson's dual-threat capability making life easier for the offensive line. With so much to preoccupy defenses on the outside, there's a great deal of hope that there will be more creases between the tackles.
Ryan Norton and Joe Gore expanded on this premise for me.
Norton: "Having an active quarterback, where he can run it in the pocket and we can do a lot of different things with him, that takes a lot of pressure off of us. But we also have to understand that in the run game people are going to respect him more. So we’re going to really have to focus on points and understand that people respect him, so they might read it a different way."
Gore: "That helps us out a lot, having somebody who can pull it down. Even if it's not doing the option or doing anything like that, having someone who can sit back and if you fail to have anybody open, just take off running, that's big pressure off of us. Because sometimes you might have that guy who's really hard to block and you might need help blocking. Just having a quarterback who can recognize you're in trouble and just take off, that's the perfect thing because that sets up so much more stuff. But inside running, the zone is going to be open all the time."
-- Jay Guillermo visited with the media for the first time since his lengthy offseason absence. He said his time away made him realize how much he loved the game. Said he spent a lot of his time cutting down trees in his grandfather's back yard. Said his departure wasn't really related to burnout with football as much as "the culmination of a lot of different things that hit at once." Said not a lot of other coaches would've let someone leave to address the issues he was facing. When asked about the comparison between his situation and Reader's, Guillermo responded: "Everyone's situation is a little different."
-- Was able to chat with B.J. Goodson for a few minutes about a couple of important topics, including the situation at the two inside linebacker spots. Goodson said Kendall Joseph was full-go during Friday's practice for the first time in a long time. Goodson said Joseph's prolonged absence in August hurt, but he has no doubt Joseph will bring maximum impact despite shoulder and knee injuries that sidelined him for almost all of camp. 5-foot-9 Jalen Williams is listed as Ben Boulware's backup at WLB. Travis Blanks is the starter at Nickel/SAM.
-- Scott and Elliott were asked if they visited with other coaches during the summer to get advice on the co-OC arrangement. Scott said TCU's situation comes to mind, but he didn't reach out to them or anyone else. Said years spent working with Elliott has brought plenty of experience and comfort with what they're doing.
-- Gore, on Kevin Dodd:
"He's a monster. Mark my words: He's going to be a name this year. Everybody is going to be like, 'Wow, where did that guy come from?'"
