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Doesn't appear to be any major deletions...2013 grayshirt Brandon English is listed...no Shannon Smith, but a new DT Corey Madlock is. Madlock was a *** DT when he signed with Buffalo in 2012, but he never made it there.

With Dieter eligible, Lewis in early and Gallon back from injury, we have some BIG WR's

As long as the players pick up the new offense quickly, our receivers could be in for a huge season. I could see how Deiter, Lewis, Gallon, Jackson, Moore, Burbrink, Cohen, Coby, and Hosely could all contribute to and benefit from the wide open O. There will only be so many passing yards to distribute between them so it is hard telling who will be our top few receivers.

And a bold prediction. Matt Johnson will be our QB, but Nolan Deiter will make it a race.

James Knapke will be one or two..........wanna bet?

Only deletions I see are Darius Holliday a DT from last years class and Evan Karchner a walk on DL last season.

Our roster appears to be at 106 which is one too many unless Clayton doesn't count.

Also added to the list was WR Pete Norris. 5-10 180 WR
http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recr ... ter-norris" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLpPYZaBzpk" target="_blank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCU3SwREHhc" target="_blank
http://www.maldencatholic.org/uploaded/ ... e_2013.pdf" target="_blank

I'm really glad to hear that we essentially return everyone who we could have. Very rarely for any school do you see almost no defections from year-to-year. This is a great way to start into the spring.

I bet a bunch leave this offseason after they realize their potential roles in the new program/system.

Globetrotter wrote:I bet a bunch leave this offseason after they realize their potential roles in the new program/system.

Before anybody calls you Negative Nancy, let me just say that you're possibly right. We may get a running back or two that will be unsatisfied with the new offense (considering the old offense was balanced or slightly favored the run) that they may look to bolt. We may also lose some people that were potential fullbacks or tight ends. Not saying we will, but it's possible.

I think it's the natural progression when any new coach takes over. Those other guys committed to a completely different coach, completely different coaching staff with a different personality and to a completely different system. Even when a coach is retained there are also certain fringe roster players that start to realize that they don't really have the role on the team that they would want and move on. It's the reason there are usually about 20-25 recruits per year but only 10-15 graduates each year. Attrition happens naturally and this will certainly speed things up.

footballguy51 wrote:

Globetrotter wrote:I bet a bunch leave this offseason after they realize their potential roles in the new program/system.

Before anybody calls you Negative Nancy, let me just say that you're possibly right. We may get a running back or two that will be unsatisfied with the new offense (considering the old offense was balanced or slightly favored the run) that they may look to bolt. We may also lose some people that were potential fullbacks or tight ends. Not saying we will, but it's possible.

Last year at Eastern Illinois, Coach Babers ran the ball 563 times and passed 557 times. Seems pretty balanced to me!

factman wrote:

footballguy51 wrote:

Globetrotter wrote:I bet a bunch leave this offseason after they realize their potential roles in the new program/system.

Before anybody calls you Negative Nancy, let me just say that you're possibly right. We may get a running back or two that will be unsatisfied with the new offense (considering the old offense was balanced or slightly favored the run) that they may look to bolt. We may also lose some people that were potential fullbacks or tight ends. Not saying we will, but it's possible.

Last year at Eastern Illinois, Coach Babers ran the ball 563 times and passed 557 times. Seems pretty balanced to me!

Last year at Eastern Illinois he didn't have a TE or a FB that he had recruited on his entire roster.

If you read the entire post rather than the last sentence, you will understand my post!

The tight end and fullback positions are the ones I'm concerned about. I understand last year EIU had a balanced offensive attack, but certain positions don't play well in the rapid fire offense. Also, certain styles of players (large, pounding running backs for example) probably don't play well in this style offense. It's a shame, but I could see Houston as not fitting well, either. He has a ton of talent, but he may just be too slow for this style offense.

footballguy51 wrote:The tight end and fullback positions are the ones I'm concerned about. I understand last year EIU had a balanced offensive attack, but certain positions don't play well in the rapid fire offense. Also, certain styles of players (large, pounding running backs for example) probably don't play well in this style offense. It's a shame, but I could see Houston as not fitting well, either. He has a ton of talent, but he may just be too slow for this style offense.

I think with his ability that he is a complete game changer and allows you to switch your entire offenses focus in short yardage situations.

Something Babers said was the offense would be very similar in terms of play calling, balance, etc., but would be lightning fast. To me that indicates he wants to create an offense based off what players he inherits. To me the idea of putting four receivers out there and Houston in the backfield against a nickel set could be pretty fun. The very thought of Houston blowing up a safety makes me a little bit giddy

We have about 40% of the roster in their 3rd or 4th year of eligibility. I don't think we're going to see large scale attrition there because the clock is almost up for those guys. Besides, who wants to walk away from a winner. The underclassmen are looking at a chance to win multiple titles and earn bowl bids to some awesome locations....some even more glamorous than Detroit.

You'd have to be a crazy person to bail on this team....