Breakout players: 2005

[PonyFan]

So it's a little slow this time of year. I'm curious about PonyFans' thoughts as to who might be a bit of a surprise this year. And WHY you think that. I think many of us expect Bobby Chase to build on his terrific second half, and D.D. Lee to return to his old punishing self at LB and Ryan Kennedy to emerge into the overpowering TE we saw glimpses of last year. But as for guys who haven't had headline roles in the past, here are my suggestions:

PK Chris McMurtray: For a couple of years there, the coaching staff seemed a little uneasy with him, and it appeared that his confidence might have taken a hit. Last year, I thought he was terrific. He has a big leg, and in watching him during the spring, his confidence -- and therefore his accuracy -- seem to be as high or higher than last year, when he was very solid in limited opportunities.

DE Justin Rogers: In the spring, he got up over 250 pounds -- more than 30 pounds over his weight at the end of last season, according to someone who claims to be "in the know." The coaches always have seemed high on him, and last year he showed signs that his strength was catching up to his height, allowing his talent to emerge. The Tulsa game, with his pair of sacks was (I hope) just the tip of the iceberg.

CB Jonathan Lindley: There's a reason he was widely recruited. He's big and fast and strong. Hopefully he and Ro Humphrey can be a very effective pair at the CB spot.

OL Caleb PevetoJust a gut feeling. I thought he was unappreciated last year, and seemed to be quietly consistent. Plus, he just looks SO MUCH stronger than he did when he was recruited. Supposedly he and Boren and the Poynters live in the weight room, and I've heard his technique is very solid for a young OL.[/b]

[PlanoStang]

Hopefully we'll have a breakout year from Eckert, and he breaks a Mike
Romo, or Chuck Hixson record. We also need a LB to step up, and break
the record for tackles during a game, or season. Chris Bordano, and
looking way back, Billy Bob Stewart come to mind.

[Ikus]

Dorsey AND Massey
Jay'Mond Cleveland
Ben Poynter
Randall Goode

[BUS]

Like you did know this was coming.

I want to see Brandon Bonds open a can of Whoop @$$ and smash some people. As SMU fans you know we need some inside DT strength.

I just wonder if we might have someone show up to play the other DT now that Mouton and Jones are out.

GO MUSTANGS

[Charleston Pony]

I'm with ya Bus. We really need Bonds to step up big and are going to need to see production from guys like Randy Denman who is now in his 4th year in the program and listed as 285 and Lucky Delay who is listed at 270. The interior defense has to be a major concern at this point and I think we need to find 4 tackles who can rotate in and out because I don't see a dominant force. Those 3 and Adrian Haywood are going to be important if we are going to have the luxury of redshirting this year's incoming Frosh.

[Ikus]

Bonds needs to be terrific this year, and he needs to stay in shape (or get in even better shape) and in good health. Maybe Haywood or one of the freshmen can supplement the DT rotation, but I guess Bonds and Denman start .... unless we shift fulltime to the 3-4.

[CalallenStang]

I met Bonds on a campus tour earlier this month, and his attitude towards this year is going to make him very successful. Mustangs35SMU can also attest to this quote from him regarding what had to be done:

"We just got to get out there and work, and if we get down, we've got to work harder. No excuses. We've just got to work harder."

[Mustangs35SMU]

What an experience it was that day touring SMU...

Thats all Imma say...Embarrassment to the full extent

[KnuckleStang]

Muse, Muse, Muse.

[davidsmu94]

So I'm sure Brandon is a great guy and all, but has he done anything to make us think that he's going to be anything but an average defensive tackle at best? Maybe I wasn't watching the same games last year.

[CalallenStang]

So I'm sure Brandon is a great guy and all, but has he done anything to make us think that he's going to be anything but an average defensive tackle at best? Maybe I wasn't watching the same games last year.

I've heard that he had an excellent spring this year and really impressed Bennett.

[BUS]

OK, from a big guys perspective...
At 335 you are big and most likely SLOWER than needed.

Bonds has lost 30 pounds and not one bit of measurable strength.

That is what I see as change.

I used to be 340 and was big. Nobody messed with me and that is good ( because I am old ) At my current weight of 285 or so ( I do not weigh anymore ) I am much quicker and can still handle myself.

Bonds is a good DT. With losing the weight he sould be quicker and last longer ( In the game ) or have more endurance. Brandon is what we have and Faucett has helped this boy become a man. I for one will expect nothing but good things. I am one of those half full kind of people.

GO MUSTANGS

He needs some help and I hope he gets it.

[DallasDiehard]

My breakout players:

Cory Muse and Don Ieremia-Stansbury. Maybe Don I-S doesn't count, since he's a senior and he's moved to DE once before, but the guy is amazingly strong, and I hear he's quicker than last year.

Hopefully these two can team up with Justin Rogers to crush some QBs this year!

[SMUguy]

At the risk of hacking off the nay-sayers, I'm going to venture out with all-conference picks for this year:

First team:
TE Ryan Kennedy
LB Alvin Nnabuife

Second team:
WR Bobby Chase
DE Justin Rogers
PK Chris McMurtray

Honorable mention:
CB Ro Humphrey
LB D.D. Lee

[Charleston Pony]

better hope one of our RBs becomes a workhorse this year, or we could be in for another long year with too much pressure on the QB and passing game (and defense for that matter)