Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 21, 2015
Rutgers begins its second season in the Big Ten. But, some big issues hang over Kyle Flood?s program. The team is breaking in a new quarterback. How will that go? There also is a new offensive coordinator. And the secondary is being re-worked.
Here are three things I will be watching at Rutgers practice.
1. What is the offensive identity? Rutgers is on its sixth offensive coordinator in six years, with Ben McDaniels now pushing the buttons on the offense. Don?t expect a radical difference, as the Scarlet Knights figure to be built around the run to help buffer the new quarterback: sophomores Chris Laviano or Hayden Rettig, a transfer from LSU. Ex-coordinator Ralph Friedgen is a consultant.
2. How good is the defensive line? I think the unit could be good, with senior tackle Darius Hamilton, sophomore tackle Sebastian Joseph and senior end Djwany Mera leading the way. And sophomore end Kemoko Turay is an emerging pass-rushing force. But is the unit big enough to withstand the physical play of some Big Ten programs?
3. How does the o-line look? The unit is replacing three starters, as it looks for new starters at tackle, guard and center. Senior tackle Keith Lumpkin is an anchor on the left side, a monolith who will be one of the Big Ten?s best. And junior guard Chris Muller is a versatile brawler on the interior. Line coach Mitch Browning has his work cut out for him.
***
| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
