I like many of us loyal panther fans have enjoyed this season so far which is what made the UNC game so deflating. After looking at it however I don't know why I was so surprised by the outcome. This team is much improved from last year especially on the defensive side of the ball, and IMO even though it is inconsistent and at times frustrating I believe the offense has made strides as well.
With that said I believe that this year we have as a team overachieved to this point (and I hope we keep overachieving, I predict an 9 win season). I think no offense in the country would be able to sustain consistent success after the bell cow of the offense goes down and to this point I think the searching for the "hot hand" in the first half has led us to an inconsistent offensive performances that I believe will not happen next year regardless if Conner stays or goes if he stays you have the bell cow back, if her goes (far more likely) Ollison and James have a year of starting experience and take a step forward and are likely more consistent. In the passing game another year under Chaney with Peterson can only help and even with Boyd leaving I think that knowledge along with the addition of Winfree and Flowers can lessen the blow. As for the O-Line I think with our depth (we can thank PC for that) we can install a next man up mentality move Officer back to center get our LT back O'niel has another year at RT DoJo at the Guard Bookser at the other Guard and our O-Line is set just keep plugging away. TE Holtz leaving is the biggest thing IMO and I just hope Orndoff and Parrish can have success.
Defensively I think this unit has improved by leaps and bounds over last year obviously however the scheme and coaching have made them look better than they are and that has shone through the last few weeks. However another year under Narduzzi tutelage will go a long way that and the introduction of a true pass rushing DE (Hendrix). Don't get me wrong I understand that our top 2 DT will graduate and that our LB core will take a major hit. I am hoping price gets a 6th year (he should) him and Hendrix on the ends and Taleni/Moody and Jarrett in the middle (Wheeler and Hargrove will battle as well) I think between Bradley, Galambos, Wirginis, Pine, and Caprara we can field a good LB corps. The DBs should be great with Whitehead, Webb and Maddox all coming back and the addition of Hamlin (if he comes here he starts). We will be fine on the back end in fact I think the graduation of Pitts will actually fill a big hole in the secondary.
In conclusion this team is a good team this year but has overachieved and teams are starting to notice the weaknesses and exploit them (inconsistent running game, inconsistent pass rush, poor downfield coverage). With another offseason of work and the addition of key transfers and freshman our team is poised to take a big step forward next year I predict 10 wins next year.
With that said I believe that this year we have as a team overachieved to this point (and I hope we keep overachieving, I predict an 9 win season). I think no offense in the country would be able to sustain consistent success after the bell cow of the offense goes down and to this point I think the searching for the "hot hand" in the first half has led us to an inconsistent offensive performances that I believe will not happen next year regardless if Conner stays or goes if he stays you have the bell cow back, if her goes (far more likely) Ollison and James have a year of starting experience and take a step forward and are likely more consistent. In the passing game another year under Chaney with Peterson can only help and even with Boyd leaving I think that knowledge along with the addition of Winfree and Flowers can lessen the blow. As for the O-Line I think with our depth (we can thank PC for that) we can install a next man up mentality move Officer back to center get our LT back O'niel has another year at RT DoJo at the Guard Bookser at the other Guard and our O-Line is set just keep plugging away. TE Holtz leaving is the biggest thing IMO and I just hope Orndoff and Parrish can have success.
Defensively I think this unit has improved by leaps and bounds over last year obviously however the scheme and coaching have made them look better than they are and that has shone through the last few weeks. However another year under Narduzzi tutelage will go a long way that and the introduction of a true pass rushing DE (Hendrix). Don't get me wrong I understand that our top 2 DT will graduate and that our LB core will take a major hit. I am hoping price gets a 6th year (he should) him and Hendrix on the ends and Taleni/Moody and Jarrett in the middle (Wheeler and Hargrove will battle as well) I think between Bradley, Galambos, Wirginis, Pine, and Caprara we can field a good LB corps. The DBs should be great with Whitehead, Webb and Maddox all coming back and the addition of Hamlin (if he comes here he starts). We will be fine on the back end in fact I think the graduation of Pitts will actually fill a big hole in the secondary.
In conclusion this team is a good team this year but has overachieved and teams are starting to notice the weaknesses and exploit them (inconsistent running game, inconsistent pass rush, poor downfield coverage). With another offseason of work and the addition of key transfers and freshman our team is poised to take a big step forward next year I predict 10 wins next year.
