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I was very sorry to read that Chris Cunningham is lost for the year, and I hope he has a complete and speedy recovery.

My question is this: with Comet out, who will lead the team in receiving this year?

I also noticed that the DMN story y'all posted this morning says the targets will include Cardwell, Taylor, Griffin, Freeman, Rutledge and freshman Daniel Francis. What about Cedric Vinson? I thought he had a great spring and that the coaches like him. Not true?

Whew, tough question because there are so many unknowns.

Obviously, getting good production out of Cardwell is going to be key. From an experience standpoint, he's #2 at the wideout position. I imagine he will be getting that first look from the QB, which would normally go Comet's way.

What we lose with Chris is the best comination of sure hands and playmaking ability. Jonas Rutledge may have that same combination of surehandedness and playmaking, but we're now using him on defense, offense and as a punt returner. That's a lot of work.

Hampton at TE and Ford at either TE or WR should play an increased role. They're both about as dependable as the tax man.

Other than that, we have several guys who look real good on paper, but none who have really stepped up and established themselves. Maybe they just need 1st team reps and game time. I've heard Francis' name kicked around as a newcomer. Whatever happened to (freshman) James Elliot? I know everyone seemed to be pretty high on him when he was recruited. Has he shown anything thus far?

Is Ivan Gains still on the team...he is a baller!

Were going to look to the hands of Cardwell my friends. The boy can get it done, just give him a quarterback to get him the ball. The quarterback situation I guarantee you will make or break this team this year. If our offense lets the defense play most of the game as in the past then we are going to see the same reulting season as in the past. No pressure but face it. One of these two gun slingers are going to have to grow a pair and play ball.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by PerunaPunch:
<B>Whew, tough question because there are so many unknowns.

Obviously, getting good production out of Cardwell is going to be key. From an experience standpoint, he's #2 at the wideout position. I imagine he will be getting that first look from the QB, which would normally go Comet's way.

What we lose with Chris is the best comination of sure hands and playmaking ability. Jonas Rutledge may have that same combination of surehandedness and playmaking, but we're now using him on defense, offense and as a punt returner. That's a lot of work.

Hampton at TE and Ford at either TE or WR should play an increased role. They're both about as dependable as the tax man.

Other than that, we have several guys who look real good on paper, but none who have really stepped up and established themselves. Maybe they just need 1st team reps and game time. I've heard Francis' name kicked around as a newcomer. Whatever happened to (freshman) James Elliot? I know everyone seemed to be pretty high on him when he was recruited. Has he shown anything thus far?</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

From what I've seen at practice, Elliott isn't quite as polished a receiver (yet) as Francis. But he's really big and strong, and he should have a great career at SMU.

Also, Cedric Vinson has looked very good when I've seen him in the spring and in preseason. And the coaches really like him. He's a little like Cardwell and Cunningham, in that if you get the ball near him, he'll come down with it. He has great hands.

I know he just switched to Wide Receiver in the spring, but has anyone seen Ashton Nixon in practice? Will he get on the field this year as a receiver? When he played his HS ball down here, he was a heck of an athlete.

I'm looking for a big year from Jay Taylor.

You should get what you're looking for. He seems to be a great asset and a capable receiver. He has a chance now to really make a name for himself. I hope he has a great year.

Saw him at the "scrimmage" last night. He looks like he's added a lot of muscle. With his size, and with added strength, he should be a real headache for opposing corners.

Coach Bennett says Cody Cardwell has had a great spring and two-a-days, and could have a really good season.