Straight up ripping this off from BN, saw the post and thought it would be fun to do the same for the Griz. So I take no creativity claim in coming up with this, but wanted to try it out for the Griz. Here's the original post on BN: http://bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=38214
1. Does your team have a backup QB that can go at least 2-2 in a 4 game stretch?
Yes
We probably have two in Chalich and Phillips. Chalich last year did exactly that before an injury of his own sidelined him for the season. Chalich's command and understanding of the offense is even better now. Add in Phillips who is apperas to be a major talent but is just some reps and experience shy of showing what he can truly do... we're in good shape here.
2. Does your team have a real swing offensive tackle, a guy that can play left or right tackle and has experience?
Yes
Junior David Reese who I believe has already played both LT and RT - will be our main dude at LT this season.
3. Does your team have a solid inside offensive lineman that can play guard or center?
Yes
The return of Ben Weyer makes this a solid yes and word is that Robert Luke will get some shots at guard as well, so we may have two guys that can give it a run.
4. Is there a quality second running back that can deliver a 100-yard rushing day if he had to start?
Yes
I suppose some objectivity is needed here, I know Stitt wants 100+ rushing from his backs in each game but this offense looks more at all purpose yards. I do believe that we've got 3 running backs right now that could get 100 APY and could probably get 100 yards rushing as the sole starter, Nguyen, Calhoun, and Favors. So with Calhoun & Favors the backups, it would seem the answer is yes here.
5. Is there a good second tight end on the roster?
Technically No / Offensive design Maybe
Tricky one to answer since Stitt's offense doesn't use a tight end. However we do have the "H" Wide Receiver which are all TE-conversion kids and their purpose on the field is very similar, blocking, height/size mis-matches, etc. So if you technically said, do we have a good 2nd TE, the answer is no, since we have none. But if you expand the question to fit our H-WR, do we have a good 2nd H-WR, I think the answer is Maybe. Mike Ralston fits the size of a true TE and is a beast to cover, and I really like how Colin Bingham has progressed. They're not at Josh Horner's level yet, need to see them continue to show they can play most every down if needed.
6. Can the third wide receiver step up and start in the two-WR packages if a starter went down?
Maybe
OK first of all we know that every package has 4 WRs... some might have 3. So lets just look at the split wide, the X and Y which I assume will be Curran and Hovey to start. Can Eaton or Homan (or another incoming player) step into that role? They showed they could in spring ball but that's a small sample. Need to see more this fall camp before we can make a for sure call on it.
7. Does your team have a designated pass-rush specialist who could play the early downs if need be?
Yes
Obviously Caleb Kidder is our every-down guy and the pre-season defensive MVP for a reason, he should be able to get to the QB as a pass-rusher. Beyond him though, watch for Tucker Schye to start to show us that he's ready to be a presence as a pass rusher. He's explosive out of his stance and excels in QB pressure. Ryan Johnson is the more well-rounded DE that's good in rush support, but Tucker I'd bet is that pass-rush specialist guy on the team.
8. Is there a third defensive tackle that not only plays in a rotation but could play the whole game if need be?
No
Unless some great progress was made from our transfer DT McKee-Osidibu or Kyle Davis this summer. We've got some young guys coming in too... but that's quite the position to throw a true freshman at.
9. Is there a quality nickel corner on the roster, since most teams are at least 50 percent sub defenses?
Maybe
This could change, but Ryan McKinley was expected to take the next step this spring... but didn't. I've seen for many corners it takes years to adapt and I still have confidence that he could get there, we just need to see what shows this fall. There's the two transfer corners we have as well but we've not seen how they'll stack up. Obviously there's good hope we have one, but currently that can't be said with any certainty.
10. Is there a fourth corner for dime packages?
No
Again, could be a maybe if we see progress from the new additions on roster but right now... no
11. Is there a third safety for big nickel defenses?
Yes
While not a for sure, if healthy and ready to go let's assume Strong gabs the starting spot opposite Sanders. That would probably mean Sandry would be our 3rd safety. Sandry's a big time talent, just a little raw still.
12. Is there a return specialist that can either handle both punt and kick returns or contribute as a real position player?
Yes
I think the torch is being passed from John Nguyen to Caleb Lyons and Jerry Louie McGee... both of whom had major returns in spring ball. We're in good shape with any of the three of these guys.
13. Does your team have a special-teams linebacker that leads the specials and can play inside linebacker in a pinch?
Maybe
We did last year, and he's projected to start at mike this year, Connor Strahm. So I assume that duty will pass to Vika Fa'atuiese. Vika had a good spring ball running the defense and showed his great talent for the job. I'll keep it at maybe b/c I didn't watch him too much on ST.
Results:
Yes: 7
Maybe: 4
No: 2
1. Does your team have a backup QB that can go at least 2-2 in a 4 game stretch?
Yes
We probably have two in Chalich and Phillips. Chalich last year did exactly that before an injury of his own sidelined him for the season. Chalich's command and understanding of the offense is even better now. Add in Phillips who is apperas to be a major talent but is just some reps and experience shy of showing what he can truly do... we're in good shape here.
2. Does your team have a real swing offensive tackle, a guy that can play left or right tackle and has experience?
Yes
Junior David Reese who I believe has already played both LT and RT - will be our main dude at LT this season.
3. Does your team have a solid inside offensive lineman that can play guard or center?
Yes
The return of Ben Weyer makes this a solid yes and word is that Robert Luke will get some shots at guard as well, so we may have two guys that can give it a run.
4. Is there a quality second running back that can deliver a 100-yard rushing day if he had to start?
Yes
I suppose some objectivity is needed here, I know Stitt wants 100+ rushing from his backs in each game but this offense looks more at all purpose yards. I do believe that we've got 3 running backs right now that could get 100 APY and could probably get 100 yards rushing as the sole starter, Nguyen, Calhoun, and Favors. So with Calhoun & Favors the backups, it would seem the answer is yes here.
5. Is there a good second tight end on the roster?
Technically No / Offensive design Maybe
Tricky one to answer since Stitt's offense doesn't use a tight end. However we do have the "H" Wide Receiver which are all TE-conversion kids and their purpose on the field is very similar, blocking, height/size mis-matches, etc. So if you technically said, do we have a good 2nd TE, the answer is no, since we have none. But if you expand the question to fit our H-WR, do we have a good 2nd H-WR, I think the answer is Maybe. Mike Ralston fits the size of a true TE and is a beast to cover, and I really like how Colin Bingham has progressed. They're not at Josh Horner's level yet, need to see them continue to show they can play most every down if needed.
6. Can the third wide receiver step up and start in the two-WR packages if a starter went down?
Maybe
OK first of all we know that every package has 4 WRs... some might have 3. So lets just look at the split wide, the X and Y which I assume will be Curran and Hovey to start. Can Eaton or Homan (or another incoming player) step into that role? They showed they could in spring ball but that's a small sample. Need to see more this fall camp before we can make a for sure call on it.
7. Does your team have a designated pass-rush specialist who could play the early downs if need be?
Yes
Obviously Caleb Kidder is our every-down guy and the pre-season defensive MVP for a reason, he should be able to get to the QB as a pass-rusher. Beyond him though, watch for Tucker Schye to start to show us that he's ready to be a presence as a pass rusher. He's explosive out of his stance and excels in QB pressure. Ryan Johnson is the more well-rounded DE that's good in rush support, but Tucker I'd bet is that pass-rush specialist guy on the team.
8. Is there a third defensive tackle that not only plays in a rotation but could play the whole game if need be?
No
Unless some great progress was made from our transfer DT McKee-Osidibu or Kyle Davis this summer. We've got some young guys coming in too... but that's quite the position to throw a true freshman at.
9. Is there a quality nickel corner on the roster, since most teams are at least 50 percent sub defenses?
Maybe
This could change, but Ryan McKinley was expected to take the next step this spring... but didn't. I've seen for many corners it takes years to adapt and I still have confidence that he could get there, we just need to see what shows this fall. There's the two transfer corners we have as well but we've not seen how they'll stack up. Obviously there's good hope we have one, but currently that can't be said with any certainty.
10. Is there a fourth corner for dime packages?
No
Again, could be a maybe if we see progress from the new additions on roster but right now... no
11. Is there a third safety for big nickel defenses?
Yes
While not a for sure, if healthy and ready to go let's assume Strong gabs the starting spot opposite Sanders. That would probably mean Sandry would be our 3rd safety. Sandry's a big time talent, just a little raw still.
12. Is there a return specialist that can either handle both punt and kick returns or contribute as a real position player?
Yes
I think the torch is being passed from John Nguyen to Caleb Lyons and Jerry Louie McGee... both of whom had major returns in spring ball. We're in good shape with any of the three of these guys.
13. Does your team have a special-teams linebacker that leads the specials and can play inside linebacker in a pinch?
Maybe
We did last year, and he's projected to start at mike this year, Connor Strahm. So I assume that duty will pass to Vika Fa'atuiese. Vika had a good spring ball running the defense and showed his great talent for the job. I'll keep it at maybe b/c I didn't watch him too much on ST.
Results:
Yes: 7
Maybe: 4
No: 2
). In my opinion, any 'yes' you put in there with a guy that has just done stuff in the spring or is yet unproven in FCS level or above games needs to be a 'maybe'. Without the explanations, I see UM has this coming in to the season:
