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It seems to me that folks around the MAC are harping on the fact that BG returns "only" 12-13 starters this year. Well, looking thru Phil Steele's preview issue, I'd like to point out that BG returns 51 lettermen this year...the MOST of any MAC team. Now, they may not be starters, but they've played enough football to earn letters.

That tells me we are a much deeper team than other folks want to admit. I keep hearing how we have so many holes to fill.

BG is gonna rock big time in 2005. MAC CHAMPS.

ONLY 63 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds til kickoff. Thanks again, TG, for putting that clock on the net

ROCK THE FLOCK!!! GO FALCONS!!!

Falconfreak90 wrote: ONLY 63 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds til kickoff. Thanks again, TG, for putting that clock on the net

ROCK THE FLOCK!!! GO FALCONS!!!

Anytime! Though could you please cut back on the smiley output? My eyes are bleeding.

Falconfreak90 wrote:It seems to me that folks around the MAC are harping on the fact that BG returns "only" 12-13 starters this year. Well, looking thru Phil Steele's preview issue, I'd like to point out that BG returns 51 lettermen this year...the MOST of any MAC team. Now, they may not be starters, but they've played enough football to earn letters.

I dunno, Freak. If I were writing a preview, I'd certainly make mention of the fact that the Falcons are only returning about half their starters. The fact that they have people ready to step in is reassuring, but are the new backups ready? Only time will tell.

I like what I've seen of some of this year's projected starters, but there's a certain comfort level with having returning starters.

This isn't meant as a slam on the incoming starters or to start a flame about whether or not we'll have a great season (I believe we will), just to say that we do have some question marks to erase. Some will be easier to overcome than others.

I think it is more important to focus on who the 12 returning starters are. The fact that we lost five offensive starters, on the face of it, seems problematic. But then you see the six that do return are all All-MAC selections. Well, I think that means something and needs to be taken into account.

Warthog wrote:I think it is more important to focus on who the 12 returning starters are. The fact that we lost five offensive starters, on the face of it, seems problematic. But then you see the six that do return are all All-MAC selections. Well, I think that means something and needs to be taken into account.

Warthog:

Yup, I won't argue that plenty of talent is returning.

But consider that our defensive losses include leaders like Keon Newsom and Jovon Burkes, our offensive losses include Scott M., Cole Magner and James Hawkins and we lost Shauh Suisham, well, I just don't think we can discount that. I believe that the folks stepping into those slots will prove to be more than capable and may even exceed the production of their predecessors. But they still have to do it.

1987, I didn't bring up the defense for a reason. I think we have issues there.

And anyone that attended the spring game will tell you that they aren't too concerned about replacing Magner and Hawkins. Not trying to discount what they did here, but we have depth at wideout.

I think Freak makes a good point.

The fact that we return 51 lettermen this year shows a lot of things. But the main thing it shows to me is that BG has something in its program now that it may never have had before--a lot of depth. Add last year's redshirts to the 51 lettermen and you can see that we're at around 70 players. Then, add the 15 or so players lost to graduation, etc. and we're coming close to the scholarship limit of 85.

What this all adds up to, as I've said, is that we're reaching a point where we have a lot of depth. You can bet this is going to pay off. And I hope it stays this way year in and year out.

Now, if we can continue to raise the talent level of our back up players, then I think we can legitimately claim to have a strong program all the way around.

My thought process is muddled, but someone clarify for me.

Are any of the true freshmen showing up on the depth charts? Brandon made a pretty public statement earlier that, if I remember correctly, he intended to redshirt this year's class. If he follows through on that, I would take that as proof that we have a lot more depth than we had in years in the not-too-distant past.

Don't think a depth chart at this time would include any true freshman except for Luke Alexander. He finished high school early and enrolled at BGSU for the spring semester. And performed quite well in the Spring game.

1987alum wrote:My thought process is muddled, but someone clarify for me.

Are any of the true freshmen showing up on the depth charts? Brandon made a pretty public statement earlier that, if I remember correctly, he intended to redshirt this year's class. If he follows through on that, I would take that as proof that we have a lot more depth than we had in years in the not-too-distant past.

And I'd take it as proof that last year's recruiting class wasn't quite as stellar as the past couple seasons' have been

Seriously, I think it's both an indictment on the star power of our incoming class AND the great depth we've built up. We are very deep and have talent through all parts of the depth chart (at least on offense). Still, this incoming recruiting class doesn't have me as excited as the last couple have.

That said, Luke Alexander definitely impressed the hell outta me in the spring game. He & Partridge made our WR future look VERY good. They were clearly a step faster than anyone on our defense. Then again, maybe we should start recruiting defensive players instead of just sending our lesser athletes over there...

Alexander and Partridge were awesome in the Spring Game. It would not surprise me at all if they are making a big impact immediately.

Salsa wrote:I think Freak makes a good point.

The fact that we return 51 lettermen this year shows a lot of things. But the main thing it shows to me is that BG has something in its program now that it may never have had before--a lot of depth. Add last year's redshirts to the 51 lettermen and you can see that we're at around 70 players. Then, add the 15 or so players lost to graduation, etc. and we're coming close to the scholarship limit of 85.

What this all adds up to, as I've said, is that we're reaching a point where we have a lot of depth. You can bet this is going to pay off. And I hope it stays this way year in and year out.

Now, if we can continue to raise the talent level of our back up players, then I think we can legitimately claim to have a strong program all the way around.

That was the point I was making....yes we lost some very important starters but that seems to happen almost every year. With 51 lettermen, I think we have guys that have game experience and can step in and contribute. With the depth we've developed over the last few years, it helps keep the program's momentum moving. And, in the case of injuries, it sure helps to have depth....and quality depth at that.

Just a discussion to get us closer to the opener!

GO FALCONS!!

TG1996 wrote:

Falconfreak90 wrote: ONLY 63 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds til kickoff. Thanks again, TG, for putting that clock on the net

ROCK THE FLOCK!!! GO FALCONS!!!

Anytime! Though could you please cut back on the smiley output? My eyes are bleeding.

Sure thing! 8)

Hey, let's not get into emoticon bashing!

Falconfreak90 wrote: Sure thing! 8)

That's great. Do we have to reserve "Odie3" for you?