[BJWilliams]

Now we are switching from the backfield to the speedburners on the outside, the receivers. First up, the guy who will likely be the #1 receiver for 08:



Dominic Bolden, WR

Bolden finished third on the team in yards with 415 and tied for the team lead with 6 touchdowns (along with senior Wynton Jackson)

[jcmanson]

I think Bolden will really step up as a leader at wideout. Also, his experience as a returner will be great after losing perhaps our school’s best returner ever.

[SuperJon]

Dominic is probably one of our best kick returners ever. Wynton was quite possibly the best punt returner ever. The replacement comes in who will be our #2 kick returner to replace Wynton.

[BJWilliams]

I first became impressed with Dominic as a kick returner at the Coastal game in 06. Watching him accelerate away from the defenders like he did was awesome to watch. (He actually went 90+ twice in his career...he had a 97 yard return against VMI the same year as the one against Coastal). I really think that teams are going to be in a "pick your poison" type situation on kickoffs

[madmat]

Excuse me, SJ, but did I just see non-american futbol imagery on this forum?

[olldflame]

Dominic is probably one of our best kick returners ever. Wynton was quite possibly the best punt returner ever. The replacement comes in who will be our #2 kick returner to replace Wynton.

So are you expecting Dominic to take over punt return duties? Last year when Wynton was hurt Jonathon Crawford filled in and did an amazing job (although it was mostly against VMI, which almost doesn't count). Fielding punts is a really specific skill and not every kick returner can do it. Dominic was credited with 1 punt return for 0 yards last year.

[jcmanson]

Crawford also did returns in the Gardner Webb game. Patrick Calvary was another who did punt returns. Why not put Zach back there?

[BJWilliams]

Really I think itll be Bolden, Crawford, Calvary and either Crawford or Eden with Bolden and Crawford getting a lot of the touches on returns (although don't be surprised if teams kick away from Bolden)

[RagingTireFire]

Speed and agility are more important in a kick returner than a punt returner. For punt returns, you typically want someone who has reliable hands with their return abilities being a bonus.

[SuperJon]

Dominic is probably one of our best kick returners ever. Wynton was quite possibly the best punt returner ever. The replacement comes in who will be our #2 kick returner to replace Wynton.

So are you expecting Dominic to take over punt return duties? Last year when Wynton was hurt Jonathon Crawford filled in and did an amazing job (although it was mostly against VMI, which almost doesn't count). Fielding punts is a really specific skill and not every kick returner can do it. Dominic was credited with 1 punt return for 0 yards last year.

I don't expect Dominic to do punt returns. If you watched any of spring practice (not sure if you did or not), that's not really his forte. Crawford looks the best back there. Pat Calvary is good too. Kent Hicks and the new kid from Concord were taking reps in practice as well.

[BJWilliams]

Really on returns its being able to not only field the ball cleanly, but making that first guy miss. Once you get through that first wave of players, youre probably well on your way to only having to beat the kicker.

Getting to his abilities as a receiver, Dominic has shown that he could garner a lot of yards this year catching passes from Brock Smith (I'll have a topic on him closer to the start of school)

[SuperJon]

Excuse me, SJ, but did I just see non-american futbol imagery on this forum?

Yes. Yes you did.

[madmat]

I am not all that familiar with the rules and guidelines of this forum, or the great commonwealth, but isn't there some kind of man law or juris prudence being violated? .......Dude!

[SuperJon]

I am not all that familiar with the rules and guidelines of this forum, or the great commonwealth, but isn't there some kind of man law or juris prudence being violated? .......Dude!

I'm Italian. It's in my blood.

[madmat]

Great Googly Moogly Man, your in America now, Pick up the ball & run! It's Ok, we were designed with arms for just such things.

[madmat]

Ed Marinaro........John Cappaletti.......gino marchetti..........VINCE LOMBARDI........need I go on?

[BJWilliams]

As funny as this is to read...can we ge back to the topic of this discussion which is Mr Bolden?

[madmat]

Dominic?.......Isn't that an italian football name?

[Sly Fox]

I'm getting hungry reading this thread.

And madmat, those names you tossed out probably did have much of an impact on our younger set. But at least some of us Old Hags got a laugh. Marinaro was nails on Hill Street Blues.



Sorry, BJ.

Seriously I am excited to see what Dom can do as the go to receiver. It would appear he'll likely have more balls thrown his way and I am anxious to see what he can do without Wynton attracting attention on the other side.

[BJWilliams]

Itll be him and Crawford as the #1 and #2 but Im interested to see if one of the other receivers can step up and really become a threat as well

[madmat]

Sly, just having a little fun, hopefully at SJ's expense. I actually have 2 soccer players on my roster who kick for me on the fall and they're great guys. We razz each other often.

But I think DB is especially quick in his stop/starts. However, it is important to think in terms of pairing him with another threat. Moss might be a problem alone, but DB needs a Jonathon Crawford to displace some of the pressure, along with using Zach as a 3rd receiver in route. Our offense thrives on a physical TE who presents a seam threat, while straining the secondary with a pair of weapons either in a pro formation or in twins. This allows either the inside zone to grind or when they stack the box, open field space and opportunity for multiple receivers.

I have also noticed that our skilled guys will block for each other, so I would look at the possibility of two deep on punt returns. They cover the field for punters who try to keep it away from the lone threat.

[BJWilliams]

Very solid analysis coach madmat. I think that really JC (who I will do next) needs to be that second threat and I think if we can have three solid WRs and have Zack as a potential 4th option in spread packages plus a good TE this will only open up more opportunities for DB to get huge yards

[jcmanson]

The way Brock was slinging the ball all over the field during the spring game, I don't think the number of weapons will be an issue as long as they can catch.

[thepostman]

As funny as this is to read...can we ge back to the topic of this discussion which is Mr Bolden?

how about this weather BJ!!! i kid, i kid...I couldn't resist!

[PAmedic]

I'd like to point out that #24 is a FINE kick returner.