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SALT LAKE CITY — Camps have now started, officially. Every team will now have their chance to show what they are able to do, but what do they have to prove in camps?
That was the conversation this week for the experts at KSL. BYU, Utah and Utah State all have their own needs and are stepping into new coaches. Kinks need to be ironed out everywhere, but there are three places that experts were looking.
BYU's camp needs via Greg Wrubell:
OFFENSIVE LINE
BYU returns a pair of projected starters in left tackle Ryker Mathews and left guard Solomone Kafu, but even with them and sometime starters Manaaki Vaitai and Brock Stringham back, very little is set in stone up front.
Not counting returned missionaries and 2012 redshirts, eight new offensive linemen are joining the mix in August—half of them coming from the junior college ranks. Such a quick-fix influx signals the acute need identified by Bronco Mendenhall and his offensive coordinator Robert Anae at the start of their rebuilding process on the point-scoring side of the ball.
Play-calling cohesion
For Anae's "Go Fast, Go Hard" mantra to pay requisite on-field dividends, BYU's offensive players are going to need more than strong hearts and stamina. They and the coaches will need to be in a high-tempo lock-step, correctly implementing new play-signal protocol and language with rapid-fire substitutions.
Premiums will be placed on the players' concentration, comprehension and retention, not to mention the real-time tactical decisions Anae will be making every 15 seconds or so. He and his staff will be running what for them is a new system, with no previous game experience upon which to call.
The players will be expected to generate upwards of 80-90 snaps per game--a tall order, especially when considering that the first test of the new system will come in enemy territory, in the middle of a hot, humid afternoon on the east coast.
MISSING PIECES ON DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
BYU will open camp looking for two new starters on the defensive line, two new starters at inside linebacker, a new starting corner, a new starting punter and either better play from its incumbent placekicker or a new kicker altogether.
Whether Eathyn Manumaleuna plays outside or inside on the line, BYU can be excited about Bronson Kaufusi's expected placement at one of the end positions. The other open spot will be occupied by either a nose tackle good enough to move Manu to end, or likely Remington Peck at end if Manu is at nose.
Utah's camp needs by Robert Jackson and Mike Grant:
Out on an island
The Utes won't be able to just replace a piece here or there for their defense to be successful in 2013 - they'll have to rebuild the entire cornerback position.
Utah structures its defense in a way that relies heavily on the corners to play a lot of man-to-man single coverage. Sounds simple enough (it isn't) - but now add to it that Utah has to replace three seniors that accounted for 95% of the plays at corner in 2012.
Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way
Since Brian Johnson in 2008, the Utes haven't been able to start and finish a season with the same quarterback. That is four seasons of changing up the playbook midseason, receivers adjusting to a new throw style and sports writers like us pulling out our hair (that is if I had any left).
"Right now, he's our guy, and we're expecting him to be a leader for us," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "But we need him to hit the ground running this fall and be a leader for our offense and for the football team."
It's time to go to work
In order for the Utes to bounce back and return to the familiar territory of playing an extra game in December, considering that they play the 12th toughest schedule in the country, they'll need to buckle down and get to work.
Utah State's camp needs by Matthew Glade:
Who is the Number One Receiver?
Utah State was lucky enough to have two, No. 1 caliber receivers in 2012 with Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs; both have left to the NFL and USU is still looking for someone to step up and take the mantle of the "go-to guy."
Who will start opposite of Nevin Lawson?Utah State lost a dynamic cornerback when Will Davis was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the NFL Draft. But they also lost Terrence Alston and Jumanne Robertson as well. And while they have a great corner returning in Nevin Lawson, the player who'll line up opposite him is still a bit of a mystery. Who will be calling the plays come August 29th?
When Wells was named head coach, we all wondered if he would continue play calling for the offense. He brought in Kevin McGiven as the offensive coordinator and we thought he might be calling the plays.
Then, Luke Wells was brought in as the co-offensive coordinator and we thought maybe he would be calling the plays.
We got through spring camp and found out that all three were taking turns calling plays. Whenever Wells was asked about it, he would never give a definitive answer. Now, with number 16 on the field, it doesn't make much difference who is calling the plays, but there does need to be consistency. Whether it's Matt Wells, Luke Wells or McGiven, one of them needs to be named the play caller.
Ironing out the leadership:
Ultimately the three colleges need to find out who they are on offense. This will be the first time for all the offensive coordinators and two quarterbacks will be entering camp for the first time as starters. Where the leadership comes from will determine the success of these camps.
In previous incarnations of these wrap ups a question has always come up about who has the biggest issue at these spots. This week it is really about who can establish their leadership. So, that is going to be the idea for this little sum up.
It seems like ultimately the easiest team to find the leadership is the Aggies. Chuckie Keeton has to be the leader of that team. His third year at the helm, second full-time, and a new head coach should have the responsibility fall on his shoulders. However, much like Lane Kiffin at USC who takes play-calling responsibilities then gives them up almost weekly, the playcalling needs to be set by week one or the offense will suffer.
The Cougars are next. Bronco is still there and their offensive coordinator is returning. There are still players who played under Robert Anae, so it shouldn't be too jarring of a transition. Taysom Hill has the least amount of starting experience of the quarterbacks in the state.
The Utes should easily have their leader in Wilson, but with a new offensive coordinator it will be hard to see how he performs with that. Will there be any friction between Dennis Erickson and Brian Johnson controlling the offense? Will Wilson naturally follow one more than the other? Their offense has some skill. Wilson is a good quarterback with potential. The Utes might be the hardest spot to peg because there is no one behind Wilson, but there are two people who have some claim to the offensive coordinator position. Although Erickson should be the leader there.
