What positions will take priority for recruiting?

[PonySnob]

Besides trying to bring in a Juco QB, what positions will receive priority with regards to recruiting this year?

[Stallion]

seriously-that is a very difficult question to answer-go down the list of positions-we have NO STRENGTHS on this team returning next year. I think we are reasonably stocked at RB for next year with Massey, Munlin and Henderson. We got three nice LBs last year in Muse, Cleveland, and Hall but need many more. Every other position is a unquestionably a definite need. For that reason you will probably see a very balanced class.

<small>[ 10-26-2003, 07:51 AM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

[HorsePower]

Linemen, and lots of them. On both sides of the ball. Big, and more importantly, mean. Guys who don't just want to make the block or tackle, but really want to mangle their man in the process so he doesn't forget it too soon.

[Stallion]

and what are we going to do about WR, TE, QB(definitely have to sign one now), CB, S, and to fill numbers at LB due to graduation.

[HorsePower]

I admit it, Stallion - I agree with you.
Here's my plan - we sign 30-40 guys and just don't tell anyone!
Brilliant, eh? :whistling:

[PonyFan]

Great idea, Horsepower - mum's the word!

[ponyte]

We need better CBs. CBs that can hold the receiver up just a little at the line. And at least one safety that can stay deep and have the speed to recover.

We need better WR and a TE that can go over the middle. We have so few pass patterns that even feature a receiver over the middle. Other teams know we don't go over the middle so they load up to the outside. We desperately need to have a receiver willing to catch the ball over the middle. This outside mainly pass offense is killing us.

We need a punter. Our average punt is killing us.

And linemen on both sides of the ball.

[PonyFan]

Originally posted by ponyte:
We need better CBs. CBs that can hold the receiver up just a little at the line. And at least one safety that can stay deep and have the speed to recover.

We need better WR and a TE that can go over the middle. We have so few pass patterns that even feature a receiver over the middle. Other teams know we don't go over the middle so they load up to the outside. We desperately need to have a receiver willing to catch the ball over the middle. This outside mainly pass offense is killing us.

We need a punter. Our average punt is killing us.

And linemen on both sides of the ball.

Maybe we have some CBs like you want waiting in the wings - Charles Akinyemi, Anthony Barnett, Fred Turner, C.D. Moss, Ervin McGee: they're all really fast and supposed to be talented. McGee played a little this year, but only a little - he's hurt now, I think.

Can Cleveland and Pellerin become those go-to WRs you want? I'm inclined to think they can, but they've got to be targets #1 and #2 for the rest of the year!

More than anything, I think we have that TE you're calling for who can go over the middle: Ryan Kennedy. I've seen him practice before, and the guy moves pretty well for a big guy, and catches everything near him. I can't understand why he's not in on every play, either as a sixth lineman blocking or as a safety valve target for the QBs.

I'd like to see better punting, but Mentzel has it in him to do better, and I don't want to see a fourth scholarship shot on a kicker (we've already got Mentzel, McMurtray and Wolcott on scholarship.)

And yes, the need for more linemen is really a gimme. We need several.

[JasonB]

We have several positions of need, but we need JUCO transfers at QB, DE, RT, and CB if we are going to have any success next year.

[Higher Authority]

Originally posted by ponyte:
We need better CBs. CBs that can hold the receiver up just a little at the line. And at least one safety that can stay deep and have the speed to recover.

We need better WR and a TE that can go over the middle. We have so few pass patterns that even feature a receiver over the middle. Other teams know we don't go over the middle so they load up to the outside. We desperately need to have a receiver willing to catch the ball over the middle. This outside mainly pass offense is killing us.

We need a punter. Our average punt is killing us.

And linemen on both sides of the ball.

True, we need better CBs, although I'm curious to see what Charles Akinyemi, Anthony Barnett, Fred Turner, Ervin McGee (when healthy) and C.D. Moss can do. Maybe we already have the CBs we need, and just haven't seen them yet.

You nailed it with your plea for a safety with size and speed .... of course, every coach in America wants that, but we have a real need. I still think the kid from Mesquite (Randy Duncan) could be that player. He's got good size (6'3 - I forget how heavy) and good speed.

I think the cupboard isn't quite as bare as you thing at TE. Ryan Kennedy can move remarkably well for a big man, and he has very good hands, from what I've seen. Add to that mix Mark Hodges, who also has good hands and running ability .... and don't forget Vincent Chase. We're going to be three-deep at the position. Now if only we can get some plays called for the TE.

As for the WRs, we have (among the regulars) Rushbrook, Griffin, Cleveland, Pellerin and Warren coming back next year. I would think Cleveland would make the best candidate to go over the middle, as you ask. He seems tough (from the little we've seen) and very elusive. We also have Bobby Chase coming in, and I'd still like to see Cedric Vinson get back in the mix somehow.

[ponyte]

Thanks for all the update on the current players. As of now, we have not shown one single receiver (either TE or WR) that can go over the middle. Emmanuel Tolbert was a great receiver but he didn't go over the middle. We had TEs at that time that would ( Garrett and Fisher). Having a receiver taht can go over the middle causes defenses to adjust and not play so much outside coverage defense (as we have seen quiet a bit).

Many patterns we run don't even have a receiver over the middle. That may be due to coaching or because we don't have receivers that will catch over the middle.

Until some kid proves he can catch over the middle, I still think we need to get at least one receiver that will catch over the middle. :showoff:

[VarsityShop]

re:"We have several positions of need, but we need JUCO transfers at QB, DE, RT, and CB if we are going to have any success next year."

Wow if all these JUCO's are sooooo good, maybe we should scrap high school recruiting and just recruit nothing but JUCO's!

<img src="http://www.sdplastics.com/dedhorse.gif" alt=" - " />

<small>[ 10-29-2003, 04:01 AM: Message edited by: VarsityShop ]</small>

[JasonB]

I am not a big proponent of recruiting Jucos.

However, when you have a lack of depth and experience at a position, you have to plug the holes as soon as you can. And JUCOs allow you to do that.

[Arkpony]

Did that outstanding tight end we had..was his name Clements? back in 1980?...did he go over the middle? Betcha he did and he was OUT-standing!

[Corso]

Question for ponyte: do you think the fact that Bartel was side-arming his passes had any effect on the lack of balls thrown over the middle? I do, but that's just a guess.

My guess is that Jay'Mond Cleveland is the man who could go over the middle. Good size and really good moves. Seems tough and uses his hands well on receptions, rather than catching against his chest.