Ben E Lou
10-02-2007, 11:24 AM
Scranton positional review:
Quarterbacks:
In 2007 Scranton had 3 different starting QB's, none of them performed well enough but it was expected, as none of them looked like a starting QB. This year they have brought up to 7 QB's to training camps with the hope of finding a good starter, but all them are too young and underdeveloped, so this year they will probably struggle in the most important position like QB.
3rd year QB Leon Newsom looks like the one who will get the starting job, with 2008 3rd rounder Jimmie Blades looking like the best contender for the future QB spot. Blades overall is not so good, but he has good skills in the right spots and can develop as a good short passing QB.
Halfbacks:
In 2007, both 8 years vet Duan Sexton and 10 years vet Grant Bensen shared the running load. The running game was better than the passing one, putting them in the middle of the league rushing stats. For 2008 Scranton keeps both starters with the key addition of 2nd rounder rookie RB Jared Brown, who impressed everybody with his elusiveness.
Scranton is expected to use a running by committee strategy again in 2008, this time with Sexton and Brown, keeping Bensen as backup in case of injuries.
Fullbacks:
In 2007 it was FB Glenn Van Pet who started for Scranton, until he got injured in week5 and replaced by Luke Dewitt, who kept the starting job until the end of the season. None of them were used at all in the running game, but both did as short passing receivers.
This year everything will change with the expensive (27.65M for 4 years) but huge free agent acquisition from Rome, FB Orlando Owens, that is one of the league top FB's and that should help a lot the rushing game, both providing good blocks and running himself. He could even be used as RB in some key situations.
Tight Ends:
TE Brent Thomas was the starter in 2007, and contributed nicely to the passing game, being the third best receiver in Scranton. He didn't help a lot in the blocking job. Rookie Tim Mortano helped also in 2007, and it looks that he could develop into a good future replacement for Brent.
For 2008 Scranton will use same starters, with the addition of the 6th round draftee TE Charles Orbik, that looks like a good alternative for the passing game, not as good as blocker.
Wide Receivers:
The starters in 2007 were rookie Dan Duncan and 5 years vet Raymond Pepper. Both had good performances, specially knowing that the team had no real QB.
In 2008 it seems that the history will repeat, both will keep the starting job, with the new addition FA 3rd year WR Fronimopoulos, who will be a real nightmare for the commentators with that surname.
Scranton lacks at least one more backup receiver as their roster is really thin in receivers.
Ofensive line:
Scranton's offensive line is a really top one.
9th years vet Natahn Surry is a great C. He could only play 6 games in 2007 after a leg injury, but it seems that he is back in full shape.
His backup 5th rounder rookie Landeta seems a good future replacement that lacks a bit of strength but that has a good run and pass block technique and incredible endurance.
LG Harold Silvanic is probably the best guard in the WOOF, a real monster that played 16 games past season with great stats.
Second year RG Ellis Weaver only played a game in 2007, but after coming back from the summer league, he looks like a good starter with a brilliant future. He must be careful with his knee that has been injured already twice past year.
The third guard and only backup is RG Buddy Jeffries, who is still undeveloped, but that could end being good enough, specially vs the run.
RT Kerry Breck is the third star of this awesome Oline. He played every game in 2007, creating tons of key holes for the backs and he is expected to do the same in 2008.
LT Hugh Newsome is aging and had a bad season in 2007, besides playing every game. he will need to step up in 2008 as there is no backup for him in Scranton.
The key losses are retired LG Mickey Jamison and Center Chad Briggs, who moved to HRS as FA. As the Scranton Oline is pretty good and has enough depth, none of them will be really missed.
Defensive line:
LDE J.C.Cox is the leader of this Dline. He played every game in 2007, getting an impressive number of 11.5 sacks, only 0.5 less than in his monster 2006 season. He also hurried the QB's 24 times, he is really feared in the WOOF.
The right side of the line will be for rookie RDE Bernard Dixon, who is still undeveloped, but that is going to be really good against the run with a few years of development. He must learn to hit harder to become a top DE.
The rest of the DE's are just average backups.
RDT Courtney Liebman is the best DT in Scranton. Past year he was not as good pressuring the QB's as in 2006, as he got only 2 sacks vs 7 in 2006, but in 2007 he was a beast against the run, with 72 tackles. If in 2008 he can get the 2006 pass rush and 2007 run stop, he could be a pro bowler.
At the left side, 1st round rookie LDT Justin Appleton is a secure both against the run and the pass. His strength is already pro bowl caliber, and as soon as he develops his run stop and pass rush techniques, he will be one of the league top DT's.
LDT Marty Nichols was the 2007 starter but will lose his job to Appleton. Nichols lacks endurance, but will be a quality backup for a few minutes per game.
Linebackers:
MLB's McCallum and Fleming will fight for the starting job in the middle of the defense. Fleming was the starter in 2007 with 91 tackles and will probably be in 2008 too, but McCallum is able to start too and will be for sure a great backup.
SLB Austin Angulo was the 2007 starter in the strong side with 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and will be again in 2008.
The addition of 6th year vet WLB Jerald Lea, signed as FA from Driftwood, is a really good one and he will be the starter at WLB, adding his playoffs experience to this team.
WLB Frankie Page started half of the games in 2007, but will lose his starting job to Lea. He will be a quality backup, specially in passing drives where he can use his nice pass rushing strength.
Rookie WLB Stephen Garret will se some play time to help his development. In his favor is that he can play at any linebacker position.
The key loss is WLB Paul Hawkins, who moved to MEX as FA.
Cornerbacks:
LCB Jerald Gibson will be the starter again in 2008. In 2007 he had an average season covering the pass, with just a 77% PdPcT that he needs to improve in 2008. His run stop ability will help in running plays.
RCB Archie Harnisch had a better season than Gibson, intercepting the ball 4 times in 2007. He will be the starter RCB in 2008.
Rookie Woodard and 5th year vet Lynn will the backups but won't see a lo of playing time unless a starter gets injured. Woodard has potential and could end being a good M2M cornerback.
Safeties:
6th year FS Greg Vang is the best defensive back in Scranton. Past year he had 4 ints and this year he needs to be even better to lead the rest of young safeties.
3rd year vets Omar Culbertson and Rick Wynne will fight for the other safety starting position. Both were backups in 2007 but both have a good potential that need to start to prove this year.
Undrafted rookie surprise Tyrone Chisolm can develop into a nice safety and will get some playing time.
Johnson and Nelson have some upside and could end being a surprise.
Scranton is going to miss a lot SS Byron Money, who left the team to sign as FA for SVN.
Special teams:
The Kicker is Julio Mathis, who has decent power in his leg, but is not able to kick high enough to provide time to the gunners to reach the returner.
The Punter is 13 years vet Ron Schwartz who is not so powerful on his punts, but can put them where he wants to.
The kick returners will be probably SE Pepper and SE Fronimopoulos that are just average and it's going to be a big risk to use them as Scranton has no deep at the receivers corp.
The punt returner will be Cb Gibson and here they have a real threat, he is able to return balls to the end zone in every chance given to him.
2008 Expectations:
Scranton is a team without QB, and it's really hard to success in football without one, as it was proven by them in 2007.
If you add the lack of QB to a weak receiving corps, with a good TE and WR, but without any depth, then you can't expect a lot from the Scranton's passing game.
They have good enough Runningbacks, with the key addition of free agent from Rome, FB Orlando Owens, and with their awesome Offensive line creating holes for them, they could be a hard team to beat if they start winning the games and running the clock.
Scranton is expected to be a smashmouth team until they can develop one of their young QB's that are doubted to step up this year.
The defensive line is pretty good too, and they will put a lot of pressure into the opposing QB's.
The rest of the defensive team can provide a good challenge to every team's offense, with quality linebackers and cornerbacks. they only lack depth in the safety position as besides Greg Ang, the rest of the team is too young to make an impact this year.
The key for Scranton to get some wins in 2008 is going to be a hard defense and running the clock with their backs and quality Oline. They must look for low scoring games and to get ahead soon in the scoreboard.
Quarterbacks:
In 2007 Scranton had 3 different starting QB's, none of them performed well enough but it was expected, as none of them looked like a starting QB. This year they have brought up to 7 QB's to training camps with the hope of finding a good starter, but all them are too young and underdeveloped, so this year they will probably struggle in the most important position like QB.
3rd year QB Leon Newsom looks like the one who will get the starting job, with 2008 3rd rounder Jimmie Blades looking like the best contender for the future QB spot. Blades overall is not so good, but he has good skills in the right spots and can develop as a good short passing QB.
Halfbacks:
In 2007, both 8 years vet Duan Sexton and 10 years vet Grant Bensen shared the running load. The running game was better than the passing one, putting them in the middle of the league rushing stats. For 2008 Scranton keeps both starters with the key addition of 2nd rounder rookie RB Jared Brown, who impressed everybody with his elusiveness.
Scranton is expected to use a running by committee strategy again in 2008, this time with Sexton and Brown, keeping Bensen as backup in case of injuries.
Fullbacks:
In 2007 it was FB Glenn Van Pet who started for Scranton, until he got injured in week5 and replaced by Luke Dewitt, who kept the starting job until the end of the season. None of them were used at all in the running game, but both did as short passing receivers.
This year everything will change with the expensive (27.65M for 4 years) but huge free agent acquisition from Rome, FB Orlando Owens, that is one of the league top FB's and that should help a lot the rushing game, both providing good blocks and running himself. He could even be used as RB in some key situations.
Tight Ends:
TE Brent Thomas was the starter in 2007, and contributed nicely to the passing game, being the third best receiver in Scranton. He didn't help a lot in the blocking job. Rookie Tim Mortano helped also in 2007, and it looks that he could develop into a good future replacement for Brent.
For 2008 Scranton will use same starters, with the addition of the 6th round draftee TE Charles Orbik, that looks like a good alternative for the passing game, not as good as blocker.
Wide Receivers:
The starters in 2007 were rookie Dan Duncan and 5 years vet Raymond Pepper. Both had good performances, specially knowing that the team had no real QB.
In 2008 it seems that the history will repeat, both will keep the starting job, with the new addition FA 3rd year WR Fronimopoulos, who will be a real nightmare for the commentators with that surname.
Scranton lacks at least one more backup receiver as their roster is really thin in receivers.
Ofensive line:
Scranton's offensive line is a really top one.
9th years vet Natahn Surry is a great C. He could only play 6 games in 2007 after a leg injury, but it seems that he is back in full shape.
His backup 5th rounder rookie Landeta seems a good future replacement that lacks a bit of strength but that has a good run and pass block technique and incredible endurance.
LG Harold Silvanic is probably the best guard in the WOOF, a real monster that played 16 games past season with great stats.
Second year RG Ellis Weaver only played a game in 2007, but after coming back from the summer league, he looks like a good starter with a brilliant future. He must be careful with his knee that has been injured already twice past year.
The third guard and only backup is RG Buddy Jeffries, who is still undeveloped, but that could end being good enough, specially vs the run.
RT Kerry Breck is the third star of this awesome Oline. He played every game in 2007, creating tons of key holes for the backs and he is expected to do the same in 2008.
LT Hugh Newsome is aging and had a bad season in 2007, besides playing every game. he will need to step up in 2008 as there is no backup for him in Scranton.
The key losses are retired LG Mickey Jamison and Center Chad Briggs, who moved to HRS as FA. As the Scranton Oline is pretty good and has enough depth, none of them will be really missed.
Defensive line:
LDE J.C.Cox is the leader of this Dline. He played every game in 2007, getting an impressive number of 11.5 sacks, only 0.5 less than in his monster 2006 season. He also hurried the QB's 24 times, he is really feared in the WOOF.
The right side of the line will be for rookie RDE Bernard Dixon, who is still undeveloped, but that is going to be really good against the run with a few years of development. He must learn to hit harder to become a top DE.
The rest of the DE's are just average backups.
RDT Courtney Liebman is the best DT in Scranton. Past year he was not as good pressuring the QB's as in 2006, as he got only 2 sacks vs 7 in 2006, but in 2007 he was a beast against the run, with 72 tackles. If in 2008 he can get the 2006 pass rush and 2007 run stop, he could be a pro bowler.
At the left side, 1st round rookie LDT Justin Appleton is a secure both against the run and the pass. His strength is already pro bowl caliber, and as soon as he develops his run stop and pass rush techniques, he will be one of the league top DT's.
LDT Marty Nichols was the 2007 starter but will lose his job to Appleton. Nichols lacks endurance, but will be a quality backup for a few minutes per game.
Linebackers:
MLB's McCallum and Fleming will fight for the starting job in the middle of the defense. Fleming was the starter in 2007 with 91 tackles and will probably be in 2008 too, but McCallum is able to start too and will be for sure a great backup.
SLB Austin Angulo was the 2007 starter in the strong side with 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and will be again in 2008.
The addition of 6th year vet WLB Jerald Lea, signed as FA from Driftwood, is a really good one and he will be the starter at WLB, adding his playoffs experience to this team.
WLB Frankie Page started half of the games in 2007, but will lose his starting job to Lea. He will be a quality backup, specially in passing drives where he can use his nice pass rushing strength.
Rookie WLB Stephen Garret will se some play time to help his development. In his favor is that he can play at any linebacker position.
The key loss is WLB Paul Hawkins, who moved to MEX as FA.
Cornerbacks:
LCB Jerald Gibson will be the starter again in 2008. In 2007 he had an average season covering the pass, with just a 77% PdPcT that he needs to improve in 2008. His run stop ability will help in running plays.
RCB Archie Harnisch had a better season than Gibson, intercepting the ball 4 times in 2007. He will be the starter RCB in 2008.
Rookie Woodard and 5th year vet Lynn will the backups but won't see a lo of playing time unless a starter gets injured. Woodard has potential and could end being a good M2M cornerback.
Safeties:
6th year FS Greg Vang is the best defensive back in Scranton. Past year he had 4 ints and this year he needs to be even better to lead the rest of young safeties.
3rd year vets Omar Culbertson and Rick Wynne will fight for the other safety starting position. Both were backups in 2007 but both have a good potential that need to start to prove this year.
Undrafted rookie surprise Tyrone Chisolm can develop into a nice safety and will get some playing time.
Johnson and Nelson have some upside and could end being a surprise.
Scranton is going to miss a lot SS Byron Money, who left the team to sign as FA for SVN.
Special teams:
The Kicker is Julio Mathis, who has decent power in his leg, but is not able to kick high enough to provide time to the gunners to reach the returner.
The Punter is 13 years vet Ron Schwartz who is not so powerful on his punts, but can put them where he wants to.
The kick returners will be probably SE Pepper and SE Fronimopoulos that are just average and it's going to be a big risk to use them as Scranton has no deep at the receivers corp.
The punt returner will be Cb Gibson and here they have a real threat, he is able to return balls to the end zone in every chance given to him.
2008 Expectations:
Scranton is a team without QB, and it's really hard to success in football without one, as it was proven by them in 2007.
If you add the lack of QB to a weak receiving corps, with a good TE and WR, but without any depth, then you can't expect a lot from the Scranton's passing game.
They have good enough Runningbacks, with the key addition of free agent from Rome, FB Orlando Owens, and with their awesome Offensive line creating holes for them, they could be a hard team to beat if they start winning the games and running the clock.
Scranton is expected to be a smashmouth team until they can develop one of their young QB's that are doubted to step up this year.
The defensive line is pretty good too, and they will put a lot of pressure into the opposing QB's.
The rest of the defensive team can provide a good challenge to every team's offense, with quality linebackers and cornerbacks. they only lack depth in the safety position as besides Greg Ang, the rest of the team is too young to make an impact this year.
The key for Scranton to get some wins in 2008 is going to be a hard defense and running the clock with their backs and quality Oline. They must look for low scoring games and to get ahead soon in the scoreboard.