It's a blessing and a curse, and not in that order. The freshmen are going through a learning curve that is very steep.

A vivid picture. One of the worst things I have seen.

There are guys in every position that have an opportunity to step up with graduating seniors. The quality of those kids in time I think will exceed the kids that have left.

I think the time away let him see the big picture. The technical part which way do the hips face, where do your eyes go that's where there is a little rust. But the spring is where you can shake the rust off.

He lined up out of position. That means instead of being two yards from the ball carrier, you might be seven, and then what should be an easy tackle near the line becomes an attempted tackle in the open field, and a 2-yard gain turns into 10.

He's big, can run and moves the team when he's in there.

He is a kid that doesn't want to believe he doesn't belong. He is not without ability.

From year to year they may get a little stronger and a little faster, but the biggest thing is what happens between their temples. Just to have this many freshmen on the field at the same time, there are going to be mental mistakes.

I'd be comfortable with any of them right now.

On paper he shouldn't be the starter. But the other kids will be hard-pressed to uproot him before that opener.