One of the biggest rule changes this offseason was the new redshirt policy. Players can now play in four games and still use a redshirt. Addazio mentioned in the preseason there were a few ways to test the system based on team needs and expectations for the players. Based on Week 1 it looks like he will play a lot of kids and see who is ready for full time action and who might sit later in the year. Nine true freshmen played against UMass. As a reference point -- last year Addazio only played five true freshmen. (And one of those was using Perry earlier than he wanted.)
Being aggressive with the roster early makes sense to me. If all nine look great and are needed, there is no reason to redshirt them. Ride it out and put the best team you can on the field. If only one or two are exceeding expectations, then you keep playing them and redshirt the others.
The only challenge I can foresee is if one of the players sits and then is needed late in the season (sort of like Perry last year). Then you burn the redshirt and didn't get a full season for the player. That will probably happen eventually, but for now, I think Addazio should keep using young players and see who is ready to help the team.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
I had a couple of questions. Do the 4 games have to be consecutive - like the first 4 games? Any 4 games?
Would you hold a guy out like Kyiev Bennerman because you might need him later? We're there any surprises in terms of freshmen who did not play, other than Kyiev?
How about Hugh Davis and Finn Dorstine? Same questions.
Dirstine.
They don't need Dirstine right now. they have the Lindstrom clan.
Any 4 games, John.
Thanks,Erik - much appreciated.
Post a Comment