QB's - I don't see much development here. If anything I think Hornibrook's accuracy may have regressed (I don't remember so many under-thrown balls last season) On top of that he still has the same awkwardness moving in the pocket, inability to sidestep the rush, and a long wind up (Watch Davis' goal line TD against Northwestern to see how slow Hornibrook reacts to a wide open player) I think many of us believe that this team will go only as far as the QB will take us, can Hornibrook deliver against the Ohio State, and Alabamas of the world...I'm not hopeful- Grade C-
RB's - One only needs to see the difference in production between Taylor and the rest of the Wisconsin backs to see how special Taylor is. Please stay healthy for the next 3 years!!! Grade A
TE's - When healthy Fumagali has been better than ever. And ZN has shown he belongs. With all the recruiting hoopla surrounding Penniston I think a lot of us thought he was only being held back by Fumagali's success, so it was a big disappointment to see so little production in Fumagali's absence. Grade - B
WR's Wisconsin has not seen the likes of Cephus and Davis very often. A powerful "go up and attack the ball" WR combined with a true burner. The possibilities with those two receivers has to get even the most cynical Badger fans excited. I am perplexed by Peavy's massive drop in production, and I'm not entirely conviced AJ Taylor can be a true WR. Grade A-
OL - Just looking at this line in the huddle should make opposing Defensive Lines stretch their hamstrings. We finally have the big overpowering line back in Madison. I love everything about David Edwards, Deiter and Badass. I grudgingly ahave come around on Benz. I wish either CVL or Kasl could push Deiter to guard because I wonder if Deitzen or Kapoi will ever be healthy enough to be quality linemen. Either way hard to quibble with a line that is once again getting tremendous push, especially late in games. I think we have another group of linemen that will be representing Wisconsin in the NFL 5 years from now. Grade A
DL - Its not always easy to judge a 3-4 defensive line. Creating enough havoc to occupy two blockers is considered a win...but hard to see live or on the stat sheet. Having said that other than the first half against Nebraska no one has run against this team and that has to be a credit to the guys up front. After a hot start I thought Loudermilk was going to terrorize opposing O lines, but I haven't seen much lately. Grade B
LB - With so much NFL level talent playing the position the last 4 years, the bar is very high here. Is this the weakest group of LB's we've had the last 3 years...probably, but are they still a good group of players...no doubt. Good instincts, sure tackling, able pass defenders. They just don't have the same pass rushing chops that Schoebert, Beigel, Watt and Cichy had. Grade B +
DB's - I think the lack of consistent pass rush has been masked somewhat by dynamite coverage. I feel we have the type of defensive back field where we don't really have to disguise anything. Just line up in man and ball (ala the Seahawks), while I think the other 3 starters have NFL abilities, I think Dixon is a total gamer that provides a lot of intangibles. Grade A-
Special teams - Decent kicking, but not much in the return game. Grade B
What's your grades?
RB's - One only needs to see the difference in production between Taylor and the rest of the Wisconsin backs to see how special Taylor is. Please stay healthy for the next 3 years!!! Grade A
TE's - When healthy Fumagali has been better than ever. And ZN has shown he belongs. With all the recruiting hoopla surrounding Penniston I think a lot of us thought he was only being held back by Fumagali's success, so it was a big disappointment to see so little production in Fumagali's absence. Grade - B
WR's Wisconsin has not seen the likes of Cephus and Davis very often. A powerful "go up and attack the ball" WR combined with a true burner. The possibilities with those two receivers has to get even the most cynical Badger fans excited. I am perplexed by Peavy's massive drop in production, and I'm not entirely conviced AJ Taylor can be a true WR. Grade A-
OL - Just looking at this line in the huddle should make opposing Defensive Lines stretch their hamstrings. We finally have the big overpowering line back in Madison. I love everything about David Edwards, Deiter and Badass. I grudgingly ahave come around on Benz. I wish either CVL or Kasl could push Deiter to guard because I wonder if Deitzen or Kapoi will ever be healthy enough to be quality linemen. Either way hard to quibble with a line that is once again getting tremendous push, especially late in games. I think we have another group of linemen that will be representing Wisconsin in the NFL 5 years from now. Grade A
DL - Its not always easy to judge a 3-4 defensive line. Creating enough havoc to occupy two blockers is considered a win...but hard to see live or on the stat sheet. Having said that other than the first half against Nebraska no one has run against this team and that has to be a credit to the guys up front. After a hot start I thought Loudermilk was going to terrorize opposing O lines, but I haven't seen much lately. Grade B
LB - With so much NFL level talent playing the position the last 4 years, the bar is very high here. Is this the weakest group of LB's we've had the last 3 years...probably, but are they still a good group of players...no doubt. Good instincts, sure tackling, able pass defenders. They just don't have the same pass rushing chops that Schoebert, Beigel, Watt and Cichy had. Grade B +
DB's - I think the lack of consistent pass rush has been masked somewhat by dynamite coverage. I feel we have the type of defensive back field where we don't really have to disguise anything. Just line up in man and ball (ala the Seahawks), while I think the other 3 starters have NFL abilities, I think Dixon is a total gamer that provides a lot of intangibles. Grade A-
Special teams - Decent kicking, but not much in the return game. Grade B
What's your grades?
