1. O-line will need to grow up fast against VT. However we do have all spring and fall practice too. And remember in practice they have to block Cody, McClain, etc.- not an easy task. I look for spring practice to be brutal along the lines. Because of that I think Carpenter could crack the line up but not D.J. since he won’t get in unitl the fall. Still, this is one year you kinda wished you started with a cupcake instead of the defending ACC champion. I’m not sure how VT will be up front on D, will they have veterans etc., but it could be that our D will have to carry us some to win that game. After that we should get some experience in easy games before we take on Arky at home. Home field will be big in that one. Our first SEC road game is UK (I think) and I ought to be ready by that point.

2. The comerical is strange to say the least but they are selling a dumb product in my mind.

has a lot coming back next year if my memory serves me right. They have a couple big wide receivers, a monstrous tight end, a stud tailback, and, if I’m remembering correctly from the Orange Bowl against Cincinnati, very young players on the line of scrimmage.

1. well, tech is known for Beamer Ball (winning with defense and special teams). if the game turns into a defensive struggle, i’ll take CNS in a big game on nat’l tv. but our O-line is the question mark for sure. it sure would help to get bobby massie in this class. if he’s as good as advertised he’ll either start or at the least provide depth.

2. that commercial is hilarious. i just saw it for the first time and it’s basically just a robe. hahaha. ridiculous.

1) I think the important thing — and the lack of which is what hurt us in the Sugar Bowl — is continuity. Our OL players have to log snaps playing in the same positions with each other in order to play at their top form. If you look back over the recent years when we had OL struggles, even with Andre at LT, our OL was constantly being reshuffled. With the spring and the fall under their belts, I think the OL will be fine. And, I think that our QB play will be an upgrade if we can only get someone who can hit the deep ball.

2) Hey, I just realized that if I put my boxers on backward I can pinch a loaf without taking them off. The world needs to know about this! I’m going to be rich!

1. I think the experience factor can be overblown. I’m not saying its not important, especially at QB, but I think the talent factor is key particularly in CFB where the playing field is far from equal. I use USC as an example, every year they lose guys to the draft, some seniors, some going early. It doesn’t seem to matter because the guys right behind them are either as talented or more so. So in summary, I think bringing in the top level talent year after year is a bigger key to long standing success than just having guys with experience.

2. My wife laughs her ass off every time they show that commercial. And the snuggie company seems to have bought up the airwaves too.

…I know he’s not very experienced, but if McElroy starts, we’ll have a senior QB again next year. As far as the O-Line, I think it is very important that Kerry Murphy is able to go through spring practice with the team. We will almost certainly have at least one true freshman on the line, so any continuity will help. That being said, I believe we will have more talent on the line in 2009 than we did this past year, but obviously less experienced. If that means we struggle early but shine late, I’m all for it, since we still play our most important games later in the year.

but I can’t believe no one else thinks of the purple death shrouds of that suicide cult when they see the snuggie.

You know, not many of us were alive then or can remember the whole Jim Jones episode, which is the origin of “drinking the Kool Aid.” I even thought we might could update that saying to honor the suicide cult of this generation. For example, one might say “McElroy looked pretty good when he saw action this year, but I’m not ready to wear the snuggie just yet.”

On second thought, that might be stupid. And bammer would have to change his awesome avatar. Kool Aid forever.

1. i choose to exercise cognitive dissonance with regards to that issue.

2. the snuggie looks like the the dumbest thing i’ve ever seen. we have been ridiculing it at work for a few weeks now.