Transfer Portal 2023-24, v2

[CrimsonTitles]

Losing Downs definitely hurts some, but I don't think it's a huge loss in the sense that it's not going to be the difference between us winning natty this year or not. Keon Sabb is no scrub. He probably won't be as good as Downs, and with such a young secondary, it would be nice to have the Downs leadership, but the production dropoff won't be that much when it's all said and done

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Losing Downs definitely hurts some, but I don't think it's a huge loss in the sense that it's not going to be the difference between us winning natty this year or not. Keon Sabb is no scrub. He probably won't be as good as Downs, but the production dropoff won't be that much.

Downs hurts fosho, but if we're losing games because of the safety position we've got bigger problems than losing Downs. Something ain't right somewhere else.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Gonna be a long Summer.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Gonna be a long Summer.

When does the portal open up again?

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

When does the portal open up again?

Not until fall.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

That's good. (i was kidding btw)

 

[westide]

That's good. (i was kidding btw)

Your post reminded me that I am out of Jack Daniels. Thanks.

 

[colbysullivan]

Gonna be a long Summer.

The portal window after Saban left took ten years off my life.

 

[Tideflyer]

Downs hurts fosho, but if we're losing games because of the safety position we've got bigger problems than losing Downs. Something ain't right somewhere else.

Amen to that.

 

[smith5753]

Can we please move on from the Downs conversation and get this thread back on target… who you got starting at QB game 2??

 

[REBELZED]

valid question about if there were more possible attempts so I checked it out.

in 2023, opponents tried 470 rushes, and 413 passes Total 883

in 2016 it was 476 and 507 - 983 (100 more)

in 2017, 487 and 426 - 913.

Net - Downs had fewer plays, significantly fewer plays, than Fitz on which he could make tackles.

Likely due to three factors:

Our Offenses in 16 and 17 were significantly more productive (38 and 37 ppg), and way, way more effective in the passing game (i.e. scoring faster) so opponents also ended up with more opportunities

Our defense, while very improved from 2022, still wasn't at the levels before. In 2016 we only allowed 13 ppg and in 17 it was only 11.93 versus 19ppg in 23 (i.e. we just didn't get as many stops).

Clock rules changed to speed up the game in 23 with fewer clock stoppages for first downs etc. It cost each team at least one possession per game.

made me think that another way to look at this was what percent of all tackles was the player involve in. Downs at 107 out of 479 total stops (different from total plays) means he was in on over 22% of the stops Mink's best year was 60 stops out of 501 so he was in on under 12%. harrison that year was in on 74 stops (43 solo) for just under 16%.

I think number of pass attempts alone is a bit of an oversimplification. How many passes were behind the line or otherwise in a part of the field that each player actually had an opportunity to make a tackle? How many solo tackles did the players around each of them make (to where they couldn't contribute and rack up a stat)?

And I think your last stat about Harrison just reiterates my suspicion that Downs made a lot more stops because he had to. Whether that was because other guys missed, or offenses were different, or whatever who knows.

Either way, Downs is an incredible player and a big loss no matter how crimson your glasses. I do think our portal additions will at least help ease the pain.

 

[Cruloc]

Downs, shmowns.....just grab someone out of the stands and throw them in at safety, we'll be fine. We're all full of Bama.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

If our defensive front seven can be the strength of our defense the need for an elite secondary becomes less and less necessary. I'm not saying it can be subpar. But it definitely doesn't need to be "lockdown" from sideline to sideline. Pass rush and penatration can take loads of pressure off the back end.

 

[gtgilbert]

If our defensive front seven can be the strength of our defense the need for an elite secondary becomes less and less necessary. I'm not saying it can be subpar. But it definitely doesn't need to be "lockdown" from sideline to sideline. Pass rush and penatration can take loads of pressure off the back end.

Unfortunately, after watching Aday, I don't feel that great about our front 6. We're strong at some spots, but our edge players didn't look great. Neither Robinson nor Koht seemed to be able to hold the edge and the DB fits behind them were leaving gaps. Russaw looked a bit better, but not sure if he was going against 1s or 2s.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Unfortunately, after watching Aday, I don't feel that great about our front 6. We're strong at some spots, but our edge players didn't look great. Neither Robinson nor Koht seemed to be able to hold the edge and the DB fits behind them were leaving gaps. Russaw looked a bit better, but not sure if he was going against 1s or 2s.

They were running the most basic package... Coaches even said that after the game. They didnt' want to show anything, so they kept it vanilla.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

IMO, he is the best player in college football.

No big loss?

He is a first-round pick. He's talented. but what makes him stand out the most on the field? He started as a freshman. So what happens if he has okay season at Ohio State? Then what? Will that change the narrative about him? I'm not ready to say OH, he's a big loss for us just yet. I want to see how he does at OSU first this fall.. I believe we've seen a talented player leaving a program only to struggle somewhere else.

 

[davefrat]

He is a first-round pick. He's talented. but what makes him stand out the most on the field? He started as a freshman. So what happens if he has okay season at Ohio State? Then what? Will that change the narrative about him? I'm not ready to say OH, he's a big loss for us just yet. I want to see how he does at OSU first this fall.. I believe we've seen a talented player leaving a program only to struggle somewhere else.

Until he shows otherwise, the kid is an absolute stud.

Losing him was a big deal.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Unfortunately, after watching Aday, I don't feel that great about our front 6. We're strong at some spots, but our edge players didn't look great. Neither Robinson nor Koht seemed to be able to hold the edge and the DB fits behind them were leaving gaps. Russaw looked a bit better, but not sure if he was going against 1s or 2s.

I'm sure if they had to play a game today it would be bad in every aspect from offense to defense. I'm not sure how much of the installation phase they are still in with everything, but my guess is there is still some "new" on everything and everybody that I expect to be off by August.

 

[The Ols]

He is a first-round pick. He's talented. but what makes him stand out the most on the field? He started as a freshman. So what happens if he has okay season at Ohio State? Then what? Will that change the narrative about him? I'm not ready to say OH, he's a big loss for us just yet. I want to see how he does at OSU first this fall.. I believe we've seen a talented player leaving a program only to struggle somewhere else.

He’ll be great. We lost a great player…move on.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Until he shows otherwise, the kid is an absolute stud.

Losing him was a big deal.

The kid is a stud regardless of how much of a loss he ends up being or not being for us. The two ideas are separate. We could not miss a beat this season in the secondary and Downs is still a freakin stud. He's just not our stud anymore. But I'm more concerned about our secondary than what he does at OSU and if it shows that we are able to replace him without detrimental consequences then I'll be smiling like a mule eating on briars.