A Sea Of Red

Based on what you all who have been able to make it out to practices and yesterdays game, if you were Coach Rocco what would your starting lineup look like? Let's play coach for a little while.

It is too soon to tell but I think I would like to see Jennings and Terrell in the backfield together for some pro set stuff with Brock Smith as the QB. I would also like to see Terrell and Jennings share the carries because that can really throw a defense off with a power back and a quick back alternating. They both need a lot of touches though because they are big play guys. Chris Stokes looks like he is going to be a good blocking back as well. I think we have 2 good tight ends and the recievers will go to work as well. I don't have an opinion on D or special teams other than my man Greiser from PA needs to start

SCAR wrote:I don't have an opinion on D or special teams other than my man Greiser from PA needs to start

I wasn't even there and I second SCAR's emotion!

Again, you have to consider some of the incoming freshmen. Some will be good enough to challenge for a starting spot. Tough to do this exercise until the summer once you get a feel for how they'll fit in.

OhioFlame wrote:Based on what you all who have been able to make it out to practices and yesterdays game, if you were Coach Rocco what would your starting lineup look like? Let's play coach for a little while.

Backs and receivers:

QB: Brock Smith
TB: Rashad Jennings
FB: Chris Stokes
TE: Chris Luck
WR: Wynton Jackson
WR: Brandon Turner

(With any combination of Darnell Edwards, Matt Lambros, Cedric Sanderson, Zach Terrell, and Dominic Bolden coming in when we spread the field)

OG: Mike Godsil, Britt Stone
OT: Jarrett Winfrey, Steve Sene
C: Zach Davis

Defensive Line:

DL: Jason Horn
DL: Steve Ackley
DL: Carlos McWhorter


Linebackers:

LB: Manny Rojas
LB: Nick Hursky
LB: Brandon Duke
LB: Stevie Ray Lloyd

Defensive backs

DB: Pat Dickerson
DB: Pat Calvary
DB: Ryan Greiser
DB: Kevin Moon

This could change depending on how the incoming freshmen do when they get going in the summer and as we get closer to the first game

Hey BJ... you must have forgotten about "Stevie Ray Lloyd" at LB

givemethemic wrote:Hey BJ... you must have forgotten about "Stevie Ray Lloyd" at LB

I changed that as soon as I saw it actually. I think Manny and Steve on the outside with Duke and Hursky in teh middle would be pretty stout

i like everything you said BJ exept for you DL. Tyler Turner has to be in the lineup, and the senior EL Estes also has to be there

I think Terry Adams will start as a freshman.

The O-Line should go like this: Sene, Davis, Winfrey, Stone, and Godsil. Could use some help here with the incoming freshmen, redshirt freshmen or late transferes as some of these guys are not deserving of a starting job. The last 3 guys could add about 20 lbs to their small frame. Need to get the most out of what we got, assuming no one else comes, through an effective conditioning and coaching program.

Its extremely tough for true freshman to make much of an impact on the O-line as was evidenced last year. I see our guys showing improvement this yera based on the experience of last fall.

LUsbestmanager wrote:i like everything you said BJ exept for you DL. Tyler Turner has to be in the lineup, and the senior EL Estes also has to be there

Estes and Turner could rotate with the three I have honestly. EL is probably good enough that it would not surprise me if he started opening night. I like what McWhorter did in the spring game/scrimmage so that's why I have him in there

The O-Line should go like this: Sene, Davis, Winfrey, Stone, and Godsil. Could use some help here with the incoming freshmen, redshirt freshmen or late transferes as some of these guys are not deserving of a starting job. The last 3 guys could add about 20 lbs to their small frame. Need to get the most out of what we got, assuming no one else comes, through an effective conditioning and coaching program.

Id probably keep that 5 on the line. Godsil probably would fit well at guard with Davis in the middle. Sene was injured a lot last year so if he's healthy he should do well. I really can't say a lot about Stone though

LT LG CENTER RG RT TE
WEAVER STONE GODSIL MOSIER WINFREY LUCK SENE DAVIS/ALFORD STONE/DAVIS DAVIS THOM The big discovery of the day I think was Chris Stokes at fullback. A horse who can run. Great move on coaching staff, to move this physical athlete from TE where he would of backed up Luck to a place where he can punish for Rashad. He moved the ball well with some goal line fb dives. Imagine how defenses will key on Rashad and ZT and there goes the Fullback ripping into the center of the secondary. Big improvement in spring ball, Mosier at RG. Best athletes on OL, Stone and Godsil. Strongest OLineman, Godsil, 290lb on bench 19x. Captain Winfrey at right tackle. Sene recovering from shoulder surgery, missed all of camp, look for a battle at lt. tackle in Aug. with Weaver. Davis can plug in at center or guard. I especially like the "board drill" they have at the beginning of team scrimmage where they match up O line vs. D in one on one drills. Coaches barking, screaming, gets the adrenalin flowin'.

Kevin Moon isn't on the team anymore. #21 is now Pierre Penn.

Libertine wrote:Kevin Moon isn't on the team anymore. #21 is now Pierre Penn.

Thanks for that bud...I'll adjust accordingly

Sly Fox wrote:Its extremely tough for true freshman to make much of an impact on the O-line as was evidenced last year. I see our guys showing improvement this yera based on the experience of last fall.

You are so right, Sly. True freshmen always always ALWAYS struggle on O-line because a) they have to adjust to a much faster game and b) they are physically inferior to the usually upperclassmen they're assigned to block. The difference between the physical strength capabilities of a high school student and even a college sophomore is mindboggling.

At the same time, Mike Godsil proved to be a find at center last season and held the job the entire way as a true freshman. So there are exceptions. You can't totally rely on freshmen, but one here or there can make a big difference.

I think Godsil actually recorded the best bench press during spring practice. Also, don't forget about Chris Renick as a freshman last season. he tore his ACL while splitting time with Godsil

As good as Godsil was a freshman (you listening madmat?) it was a big learning experience for him. Barring injury he should be much better this fall with that year of game experience under his belt.

Libertine mentioned that Kevin Moon isn't on the team anymore...any word on reasons? also, any of the other underclassmen look promising at DB?

pat calvary looks really good. and kevin moon just left because the team wasnt good, just like the other players like rajive otah and rod fluelin

Quite frankly, Kevin Moon wasn't very good either.

def right on that one. he got smoked like every play

Thanks for the kind words. This is what I have observed in the true freshman starting, particularly in Mike Godsil's case. He was a center for a spread option team which excelled in running the midline option, in which the fullback runs an option path right over the center's cheeks. He overpowered noseguards and single blocked them most of the time. In veer option, there is often a huge emphasis on crowding the line of scrimmage and exploding into the defender. Guards and tackles are often in a four point stance to really come off the ball. Often, defenders would dive at his feet to cause a pile up, where he would then try to root them out. That aggressiveness still contributes to his style of play now, and is what gained the attention of the coaches last aug. However, in the bronco's style zone scheme, there is now a call to step laterally, while keeping your hips under you, as you reach thru an area. Mike had to adjust by not being so over extended, and playing more under control. Add to this the increased speed of the game at this level as opposed to high school, a new system, and other freshmen deer in the headlights amidst a leadership void, and you have a tough initiation. Coach Wachenheim, noting that Mike was a mauler in terms of blocking, told him that the increase in overall strength gained in the offseason, would allow him to play more under control, as he would be strong enough to not feel like he has to overextend himself in his blocking in order to play against older, stronger competition. This is what I have seen in spring ball. Now, they are still learning a new system, but the experience of these good young players will contribute to the learning curve. I tell you guys this, because, I believe there is a common thread to many of our younger players, that will change the end product this upcoming fall. Zach T, PatC, Britt Stone, etc. Add to this the 180 degree turn in attitude and enthusiasm......Mike said that spring ball was a blast. Most college players I know dread it, because it is brutal. Wind of change is blowing.....

donald mans' tape was pretty good. the DB out of Fla