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On the Front Row radio show (Norm Wager-sp?) they had taped interviews with Coach Stud and Coach Brandon-enjoyed listening to that, especially Coach Stud-he is quite entertaining. But, after playing the interviews, Norm had to put in his two cents worth and said that he didn't understand why BG was picked to win the conference. He thought Toledo should be the favorite. He intimated that the only reason people are picking BG is Omar, and they are not considering all of the holes they have to fill. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Toledo also graduate a number of key performers?

nwofalconfan wrote:On the Front Row radio show (Norm Wager-sp?) they had taped interviews with Coach Stud and Coach Brandon-enjoyed listening to that, especially Coach Stud-he is quite entertaining. But, after playing the interviews, Norm had to put in his two cents worth and said that he didn't understand why BG was picked to win the conference. He thought Toledo should be the favorite. He intimated that the only reason people are picking BG is Omar, and they are not considering all of the holes they have to fill. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Toledo also graduate a number of key performers?

UT lost some starters on the O line, especially Nick Kaczur (sp?). Man, am I glad to see him gone...he was a BEAST and one of the best O linemen in MAC history. I really mean that. He may have played at UT but he kicked azz. Now he's with the Patriots.
UT also lost Lance Moore who is trying to make the Browns roster but they do have Steve Odom back.

That's about the extent of what I can remember. Perhaps our good friend TJRocket would like to help us out.

That is what I thought-I know that with the Toledo connection, they have to downplay anything positive about BG, but to completely ignore the fact that in college football it is a given that there will always be turnover of key players, is just stupid. Yes, BG lost some key players on the line and at receiver especially, but so did Toledo. Maybe if he had said that Toledo should be the favorite as the defending champion, I could buy it, but his position is that BG lost players and everyone is simply jumping on the Omar bandwagon. If that was the case, why aren't they jumping on the Brucie bandwagon? And before anyone says anything, yes I know it is just the idiot Norm, but my position is that if he is on the radio he should at least try to be professional.

The Rockets do lose alot on the Oline with the loss of Nick Kazcur. An of course the Rockets lose the greatest reciever to ever wear the midnight blue and gold, Lance Moore. In my opinion those two losses in addition to losing Patrick Body at FS will be the hardest to overcome. Toledo also has to replace David Odenthal who played center on the Oline, and big Phil Alexander who played DE is also gone. Im confident their replacements will be able to perform near or at the same level.

Im not sure why Norm would say that Toledo should be the favorite, I suppose he forgot the fact that Toledo has to play at Ball St this year and as everyone knows, the Rockets have not fared too well there lately. Plus the Battle of I75 takes place in BG this year, an obvious advantage to the Falcons.

Perhaps Norm is just trying to take some of the pressure off the Falcons?

I didn't hear the interviews, but those of you complaining should realize that Norm usually seems to favor BG. I'm sure that if he's saying that UT should be the underdog he actually feels that way. Of course he's an idiot too, so who cares

BG returns a TON of talent at the skill positions, but I think we do have a lot of holes to fill. We lost 3 starters on the best OL in the conference. I think we can reload those positions, but it should still be a preseason question mark. We also lost 2 of our best DL players to go with Mitch Hewitt & Keon Newson. You could argue we lost our 4 best players on a below average defense.

Sure, I think we can see ourselves as favorites, but at the same time I think we did lose a LOT more than some of us want to admit. If we don't find a way to get more pressure on QBs, clog the rushing lanes, and actually cover some receivers we're going to have a hard time winning this conference. I love reading all the props as much as anyone, but the ONLY reason we're being talked about so highly is because we return stars at the "name" positions. As great as it is to have 1000 yard rushers & recievers back, along with Omar, we do still have some talent to replace.

hammb wrote: Mitch Hewitt

Jovon Burkes?

Sophomore John Greco (6-5, 315) is replacing Nick Kaczur at left tackle, Bruce's blind side. Greco was great at right tackle last year as a freshman and I don't expect to lose a beat at the LT position with him filling in.


We have more talent at receiver than ever before, but outside of Steve Odom there isn't a lot of experience. Lance's leadership will be missed.


Some wide receivers that look to step in this year for UT:

Junior Steve Odom (5-10, 169)
Senior Pete Lepley (6-1, 200)
Sophomore David Washington (6-5, 220)
Sophomore Andrew Hawkins (5-8, 176)
R-Freshman Trumaine Smith (6-3, 200)
R-Freshman Nick Moore (6-4, 190) - Lance Moore's brother
Freshman Robin Bailey (6-5, 187)
Freshman Stephen Williams (6-5, 185)


My guess right now is that Odom, Lepley, Hawkins, and Smith will be the starters in 4 wide-out sets. Moore, Washington, and true freshman Stephen Williams should play alot. Williams has really impressed the coaches since 2 a days started and he showed up on campus. No matter what, we have a lot of height and a couple of burners as well.

I think going from Kaczur to just about anybody should cause a missed beat or 2.

Isn't smith some sort of stud prospect with freakish measurables? I thought I read that somewhere as I remembered being scared.

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:I think going from Kaczur to just about anybody should cause a missed beat or 2.

Isn't smith some sort of stud prospect with freakish measurables? I thought I read that somewhere as I remembered being scared.

No doubt that Kaczur was a great player, but John Greco was just as good last season IMO. He was named the top freshman on the team last year. I don't know his exact stats, but I don't believe he gave up a sack all year in 2004.


Smith was clocked at 4.37 in the 40 and 10.7 in the 100 meters, so he can definitely run. He was the 33rd ranked player in the state of Ohio by Rivals when he was recruited in 2003/04. He redshirted last season. He is pretty tall at 6-3 and has a long reach. CFN listed him on their Redshirt Freshman All-America Team.

As much as I enjoy the analysis of Toledo football, anyone have a summary of the Brandon and Stud interviews?

Some wide receivers that look to step in this year for UT:


Senior Pete Lepley (6-1, 200)
Sophomore David Washington (6-5, 220)
R-Freshman Trumaine Smith (6-3, 200)
R-Freshman Nick Moore (6-4, 190) - Lance Moore's brother
Freshman Robin Bailey (6-5, 187)
Freshman Stephen Williams (6-5, 185)


My guess right now is that Odom, Lepley, Hawkins, and Smith will be the starters in 4 wide-out sets. Moore, Washington, and true freshman Stephen Williams should play alot. Williams has really impressed the coaches since 2 a days started and he showed up on campus. No matter what, we have a lot of height and a couple of burners as well.

Jeeze the size at wideout the Rockettes have this year is ridiculous!! This is the kind of size we need to get more of. UT's has 4 guys 6'4 or taller? Man, our db's our gonna have huge load again this year, even though we're at home this year. Not knocking our recievers but it would be nice to get some of these tall and speedy possesion receiver that can just jump over a db and get the ball.

I don't think our offense is built upon big WRs. We are better served with the smaller, quick guys who can get tons of YAC. If we had a more vertical game I'd agree that it'd be nice to have at least one taller guy to outjump the defense, but that's not our style.

TJRocket wrote:The Rockets do lose alot on the Oline with the loss of Nick Kazcur. An of course the Rockets lose the greatest reciever to ever wear the midnight blue and gold, Lance Moore. In my opinion those two losses in addition to losing Patrick Body at FS will be the hardest to overcome. Toledo also has to replace David Odenthal who played center on the Oline, and big Phil Alexander who played DE is also gone. Im confident their replacements will be able to perform near or at the same level.

Im not sure why Norm would say that Toledo should be the favorite, I suppose he forgot the fact that Toledo has to play at Ball St this year and as everyone knows, the Rockets have not fared too well there lately. Plus the Battle of I75 takes place in BG this year, an obvious advantage to the Falcons.

Perhaps Norm is just trying to take some of the pressure off the Falcons?

Thanks TJ.

Should be one hell of season! GO BG!