Sugar coated post warning. If you are easily triggered by over-positive posts then please stop reading now.
You've been warned.
I don't know if we've seen a more talented top-to-bottom football roster like this in a while. Maybe 2011, or the 2006 - 2009 stretch, or 2001. Does this translate to a national title run? I don't know. There's so many variables, team health, bad luck, tough bracket, etc. Feel free to put me on blast if this doesn't come to fruition, but I'm over the top excited about what the 2022 Griz could be.
Here's a few things that give me this opinion:
1. We've never had skilled depth like this. When I look at the 2-deep the team released I think that the 2nd team could post a winning record in the conference. Save a few unknown spots and some new faces that I'd need to see more from in a few positions - I think there's lot of guys that could start right now for more than 1/2 of the Big Sky Conference. What does that mean for the success of the 2022 Griz? I see three major positives. First off, special teams. The ST unit is not loaded with dudes and as we've seen frequently enough, outstanding ST play can flip a game (Griz-cat last year). Secondly, I just bet we'll see a ton of rotation in positions, especially on defense and WR/RB. This will allow the entire team to stay more fresh through games. We won't have to put our starting 3 LBs out there for 85+ snaps every game, etc. Third, in the event of injury, there will be a minimal drop-off in talent at that position with the new face. Every season there's challenging injuries that are part of the game. This group is better built to withstand that than ones we've had in a long time.
2. The defense has generational talent in multiple positions. Ford and O'Connell were both Buchanan finalists. We have 3 on the watch-list this year. Add in that we have the best 1-2 DT combo in the country, the biggest D-line we've had since Hauck's return, and up to 5 corners that I believe we can steadily rely upon... This side of the ball is loaded.
3. The offense isn't 1-dimensional. I think 2021's biggest challenge we hit was that teams didn't respect the Grizzlies running game. That's not the case this year. There's 4 running backs now that command respect. Johnson at QB brings a far better ground attack to his game, and honestly Brown has really improved his whole game as well. Brent Pease himself said this is the best WR corps he's worked with, and I think we've all talked enough about how much of a beast Grossman should be.
4. This coaching staff has seen it all and have built this team to go toe to toe with the teams that regularly make the semi finals, or the national title game.
Yes, I know, there's concerns & unknown items. O-line, kickers, the last 4 games of the schedule. All give good reason to be worried about how things shake out.
I'm excited as hell for this team. I believe we're on the brink of a new era of success that's built upon the foundation of the last few years teams that will catapult the Griz into more post season success than we have experienced in over a decade. I'm looking forward to this season, I think it's going to be a fun one.
Go Griz!
You've been warned.
I don't know if we've seen a more talented top-to-bottom football roster like this in a while. Maybe 2011, or the 2006 - 2009 stretch, or 2001. Does this translate to a national title run? I don't know. There's so many variables, team health, bad luck, tough bracket, etc. Feel free to put me on blast if this doesn't come to fruition, but I'm over the top excited about what the 2022 Griz could be.
Here's a few things that give me this opinion:
1. We've never had skilled depth like this. When I look at the 2-deep the team released I think that the 2nd team could post a winning record in the conference. Save a few unknown spots and some new faces that I'd need to see more from in a few positions - I think there's lot of guys that could start right now for more than 1/2 of the Big Sky Conference. What does that mean for the success of the 2022 Griz? I see three major positives. First off, special teams. The ST unit is not loaded with dudes and as we've seen frequently enough, outstanding ST play can flip a game (Griz-cat last year). Secondly, I just bet we'll see a ton of rotation in positions, especially on defense and WR/RB. This will allow the entire team to stay more fresh through games. We won't have to put our starting 3 LBs out there for 85+ snaps every game, etc. Third, in the event of injury, there will be a minimal drop-off in talent at that position with the new face. Every season there's challenging injuries that are part of the game. This group is better built to withstand that than ones we've had in a long time.
2. The defense has generational talent in multiple positions. Ford and O'Connell were both Buchanan finalists. We have 3 on the watch-list this year. Add in that we have the best 1-2 DT combo in the country, the biggest D-line we've had since Hauck's return, and up to 5 corners that I believe we can steadily rely upon... This side of the ball is loaded.
3. The offense isn't 1-dimensional. I think 2021's biggest challenge we hit was that teams didn't respect the Grizzlies running game. That's not the case this year. There's 4 running backs now that command respect. Johnson at QB brings a far better ground attack to his game, and honestly Brown has really improved his whole game as well. Brent Pease himself said this is the best WR corps he's worked with, and I think we've all talked enough about how much of a beast Grossman should be.
4. This coaching staff has seen it all and have built this team to go toe to toe with the teams that regularly make the semi finals, or the national title game.
Yes, I know, there's concerns & unknown items. O-line, kickers, the last 4 games of the schedule. All give good reason to be worried about how things shake out.
I'm excited as hell for this team. I believe we're on the brink of a new era of success that's built upon the foundation of the last few years teams that will catapult the Griz into more post season success than we have experienced in over a decade. I'm looking forward to this season, I think it's going to be a fun one.
Go Griz!
