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(written before the Kent Game, completed after the Miami game). I just wanted to expound a little bit about this and crystal ball the next few seasons. I found it fascinating to see plain and simple the roller coaster BG has been on since 1982. I think we could be headed down that direction again. Could be.....Or, we could have two "hiccup years" followed by continued success as our coaches and players mature. Pardon me for doing this when much more important things are going on. I started it when we were 4-4 and just after 1987 had discussed recruiting, about 2 weeks ago. It was my intention to put it out then, obviously that didnt happen. This is in no way meant to be much of an analysis, more just a visual to show what the rosters may look like down the road because of todays recrutiing.

1982-1985: 4 very successful seasons followed by 5 losing seasons
1991-1994: 4 very successful seasons followed by 6 losing seasons
2001-2004: 4 very successful seasons followed by...

I loved 87's article about the defense and I think it brought to light the reactionary nature of fans to pin blame on someone and the circumstances that Coach Brandon, the DC (Lovett?) and the Defense have been under trying to mesh a unit in very short time. I think that it shows that we need to do a little less chicken little and have a little more patience with the understanding that we may be down for a year or two but that the programs direction is still solid. AND, AND AND..... Down for a year or two could still mean bowl games.

Lets go with this year first.

The rest of this season.....We stand at 6-4 5-2 in the league. With Toledo left. We as far as I can tell are eligible for a bowl. This is ignoring the potential MAC championship birth and victory that automatically sends us. A firm possibility.

As far as Bowling goes.
Good News: Last year just one team who was eligible for a bowl game stayed home. At one point I heard that the number of teams eligible for a bowl currently was 3 less than the number of overall bowl spots. We also have a national star and a high powered offense (or we did anyway) that will probably give us a very good chance to go bowling should we be eligible.

Bad News: Last year that was a MAC team that sat at home (Akron). We are 6-4 with 1 game to go and 2 MAC teams already have 7 wins. "We will likely need to split our games with Miami and Toledo in order to play this postseason. Not any easy task with this defense." Written prior to Kent. We don't have the same defense now.

Down the road:
1987's snippet and his analysis of the recent recruiting got me thinking and I am now going to jump into next season and after.
"found this quote from the post-Akron press conference very interesting.

"We do have some great young guys that will be great for us next year. The tendency is to play those guys, but I don't want to. I want to red-shirt them. We are still good enough on both sides of the ball, including the injuries, to win games. I'm not willing to cash in the chips and burn guy's years. I am not going to sacrifice the farm. I am in it for the long haul."

Makes me think we may have more talent on the roster than we think and that Brandon is taking the correct approach in regard to roster & eligibility management, building for the long-term."

When I saw the post about the last two recruiting classes I thought to myself that Brandon has actually done a solid job recruiting. I am going to now dive into next year position by position of what I expect adn outline plain and simple what we will have the next two years at each spot, ignoring injuries, departures adn recruitment. Overall I expect 1 of 2 things. A down year no matter what with the loss of Sharon, Warren, Pope and Sanders and a brutal OOC schedule. A very down year should Omar leave. With Omar I expect to squeak into a bowl game with an improved defense and emerging skill players. Without Omar I expect a big drop off.

2006 (no recruits mentioned) My expectations: A down year, if Omar stays we sneak into a bowl. If he leaves we are very poor and battle but are just under .500 as the Defense improves substantially but the offense has growing pains.

QB:The Players
Omar Jacobs, Sr(r):Will be a name in the heisman race next year as well as potentially a 1st round pick, should he return. Will provide stability to an offense that will sorely need it with the rest of the skill position players leaving.
Anthony Turner, So(r):Turner may start game one next year if Jacobs turns pro. And it will be a baptism by fire with OSU and Wisconsin on the docket early. With a couple of starts and solid playing time under his belt Turner should hit his stride by MAC play.
Freddie Barnes, Fr(r):Athlete who will likely stay at QB if Jacobs leaves, but may move(DB?, anyone have any info on him in HS) should Jacobs stay and Sheehan show something.
Tony Hunter, Fr (r):Walk-on will provide depth
WILD CARD: Van Johnson: Penciled in to start at Corner but here is a scenario that played out for me in NCAA 2006 (If it happened in a video game it must be real) Jacobs went pro. Turner came in and played ok but then got hurt, out 9 weeks. My recruits were not ready to go. Van started the rest of the season and played well.

RB:The Players (A 2-back backfield again next season?)
Dan Macon, Jr(r):I believe I am correct when I say he has not played a down this year and it will be his redshirt year. He will take over for what may have been the best back in BG history. Hopefully he will be an adequate back and atleast be able to block, his ability (if I remember correctly what some have said) has been flashed in spring games and late minutes.
Bobby Thomas, So: Thomas has shown flashes and those flashes have kept Macon's redshirt on while Pope was out. Option 1A for 2006
Chris Bullock, Fr(r): The case for why I/we as fans know nothing about recruits. I read this guy as possible star. And then Bobby Thomas (A DB on there recruit list) was put in??? Still could really be something. at 5-10 220 he provides something a little different. 2 years from now we could have a banger and a scat back.

TE:The Players
Sean D'Obriniak Jr(r):Good sized solid player at a little used position. Nice Goal line threat
Ruben Ruiz Sr: Ability is making us use the TE more.
Andre Boomer So(r): ?He scores a bunch of Tds as my FB in NCAA 2006.
Jimmy Schiedler Fr(r): Frosh who will be redshirted.?. Caught 16-307 and had 102 pancake blocks as a senior. That sounds good to me.

WR:The Players (*should be very interesting to see who the 3-4-5 WR's are. A group of 4 vets will vy for the position with 3 frosh)
Corey Partridge So(r): Solid Wideout will be a key to this offense for 3 years. Has battled injuries but produced when in.
Brandon Jones Sr(r): Caught 1 ball this year but the undersized senior will be that, a senior. We should and will need to see more of him.
Marques Parks So(r): Has been in the starting lineup this season. Second leading receiver amongst the returnees.
Kenneth Brantley Sr(r): No catches
Benjy Kennedy Jr(r): No catches * Have a feeling he will step up next year
Matt Emmans Jr(r): No catches
Aaron Davis Fr(r): Athlete who could be special after playing in a run first offense in HS * Have a feeling he will step up next year
Rhett Magner Fr(r): Who? I have never heard anything about this kid? Who's brother what? JK all you have to do is look at his last name to pencil him in at WR next year * Have a feeling he will step up next year
Kollin Hancock Fr(r): Walk-on

OL:The Players
C: John Lanning Sr(r): Lost to Culp this year, will be anchor next
RG: Derrick Markay Sr(r): Started every game so far this year. Solid player
LG: Kory Lichtensteger Jr(r): S-T-U-D
RT: Drew Nystrom Jr(r): Could emerge into Stud O-lineman
LT: Kevin Huelsman Jr(r): Must take over for **** Warren. Has he played?
Patrick Watson Jr(r): 1 of the 5 blocks of Granite. Will likely be starting C or G in 2007
Edmond Massey Jr(r): Backup G
Andrew Stafford Jr(r): Backup G
Jeffrey Fink So(r): Backup RT
Aaron Kent So(r): Backup
Shane Steffy Fr(r); Guy Williamson Fr(r); Kevin Mahoney Fr(r); Phillip Pollard Fr(r); Richard Solak Fr(r); Jarret Buckosh Fr(r); Anthony Parkison Fr(r)(walk-on), Scott Albert Fr(r)(walk-on)

DL:The Players
DE: Devon Parks Sr(r): Likely our best defender 252lbs
Brandon Mack Jr: Shown flashes as a solid pass rusher 257lbs
DT: Nick Davis So(r); 280 lb Tackle has 30 tackles this year. Should see substantial time next year with 2 starters gone
Brad Williams Sr(r): I don't likeit but I expect him to move inside next year after a season at DE. He has experience inside even thought he lacks size 256lbs
Brandon Curtis, So(r) Will see substantial time as a run defender 280lbs
Joe Schaefer, So(r) Will be a solid end 247lbs
Dyrial Briggs So(r) Could be way undersized solid rush end 217lbs
Thomas Smith Sr(r) Vet inside player
Don Sprenkel So(r); Michael Ream Fr(r); Thomas Jones Fr(r); Jacob Harwick Fr(r)Brady Mintrum Fr(r); Trevor Frericks Fr(r); Walk-Ons Duane Miller Fr(r); Grant Hartung Fr(r)

LB:The Players
Terrell White Sr(r):Leads team in tackles. Will likely lead the 2006 D.
Pete Winovich Jr: Showed flashes as a Freshman on ST's, solid in 2nd term
John Haneline So(r): Decent Production
John Jakubowski Sr(r): Walk on earned schollie will provide nice depth
Adrian Baker So(r); Will Myles Sr(r); Scott Goodwin So(r); Nick Lawrence Fr(r); Cordelle Thompson Fr(r); Cody Basler Fr(r); Jarrod Wells Fr(r)

S:The Players
Deaudre Perry Jr(r): Started good deal at SS
Erique Dozier So(r): Experience at FS 2 deep this year
Loren Hargrove Jr(r): Solid Depth
Nate Waldron So(r);Calvin Wiley Fr(r); Jeremiah Tucker Fr(r); Walk-ons: Travis Moody Fr(r); Maurice Hillman Fr(r)

CB:The Players
Antonio Smith So: True Freshman has been this years best surprise.
Van Johnson Sr(r): QB transfer should be a key db contributor
Kenny Lewis So: True Freshman has had limited production but has played
Ed Hood So(r): Big things expected from big recruit
Stephen Thompson Fr(r); Chris Wright Fr(r)


2007 (no recruits mentioned) My expectations: Back on track. Growing Pains done. Defense has improved after two years under same DC. offensive skill players mature. (I beleive this is the senior year for Brandons first class.)

QB:Anthony Turner, Jr(r); Freddie Barnes, So(r); Tony Hunter, So(r)
RB:Dan Macon, Sr(r); Bobby Thomas, Jr; Chris Bullock, So(r)
TE:Sean D'Obriniak Sr(r); Andre Boomer Jr(r); Jimmy Schiedler So(r)
WR:Corey Partridge Jr(r); Marques Parks Jr(r); Benjy Kennedy Sr(r); Matt Emmans Sr(r); Aaron Davis So(r); Rhett Magner So(r); Kollin Hancock So(r)
C: Patrick Watson Sr(r); RG: Edmond Massey Sr(r); LG: Kory Lichtensteger Sr(r); RT: Drew Nystrom Sr(r); LT: Kevin Huelsman Sr(r)
Andrew Stafford Sr(r); Jeffrey Fink Jr(r); Aaron Kent Jr(r); Shane Steffy So(r); Guy Williamson So(r); Kevin Mahoney So(r); Phillip Pollard So(r); Richard Solak So(r); Jarret Buckosh So(r); Anthony Parkison So(r)(walk-on), Scott Albert So(r)(walk-on)
DE: Brandon Mack Sr; Joe Schaefer, Jr(r)
DT: Nick Davis Jr(r); Brandon Curtis, Jr(r)
Dyrial Briggs Jr(r); Don Sprenkel Jr(r); Michael Ream So(r); Thomas Jones So(r); Jacob Harwick So(r); Brady Mintrum So(r); Trevor Frericks So(r); Duane Miller So(r); Grant Hartung So(r)
LB:Pete Winovich Sr; John Haneline Jr(r); Adrian Baker Jr(r); Scott Goodwin Jr(r); Nick Lawrence So(r); Cordelle Thompson So(r); Cody Basler So(r); Jarrod Wells So(r)
S:Deaudre Perry Sr(r); Erique Dozier Jr(r); Loren Hargrove Sr(r); Nate Waldron Jr(r);Calvin Wiley So(r); Jeremiah Tucker So(r); Walk-ons: Travis Moody So(r); Maurice Hillman So(r)
CB:Antonio Smith JR; Kenny Lewis Jr; Ed Hood Jr(r); Stephen Thompson So(r); Chris Wright So(r)

2008 Just for fun. Todays' Freshman and reshirts will be the nucleus of the team. Biggest Hole will likely be O-line, potentially replacing every starter. D-Line could be one of the best we have had.

QB:Anthony Turner, Sr(r); Freddie Barnes, Jr(r); Tony Hunter, Jr(r)
RB:Bobby Thomas, Sr; Chris Bullock, Jr(r)
TE:Andre Boomer Sr(r); Jimmy Schiedler Jr(r)
WR:Corey Partridge Sr(r); Marques Parks Sr(r); Aaron Davis Jr(r); Rhett Magner Jr(r); Kollin Hancock Jr(r)
OL: Jeffrey Fink Sr(r); Aaron Kent Sr(r); Shane Steffy Jr(r); Guy Williamson Jr(r); Kevin Mahoney Jr(r); Phillip Pollard Jr(r); Richard Solak Jr(r); Jarret Buckosh Jr(r); Anthony Parkison Jr(r); Scott Albert Jr(r)
DE: Joe Schaefer, Sr(r); Dyrial Briggs Sr(r)
DT: Nick Davis Sr(r); Brandon Curtis, Sr(r)
Don Sprenkel Sr(r); Michael Ream Jr(r); Thomas Jones Jr(r); Jacob Harwick Jr(r);Brady Mintrum Jr(r); Trevor Frericks Jr(r); Duane Miller Jr(r); Grant Hartung Jr(r)
LB:John Haneline Sr(r); Adrian Baker Sr(r); Scott Goodwin Sr(r); Nick Lawrence Jr(r); Cordelle Thompson Jr(r); Cody Basler Jr(r); Jarrod Wells Jr(r)
S:Erique Dozier Sr(r); Nate Waldron Sr(r);Calvin Wiley Jr(r); Jeremiah Tucker Jr(r); Walk-ons: Travis Moody Jr(r); Maurice Hillman Jr(r);
CB:Antonio Smith Sr; Kenny Lewis Sr; Ed Hood Sr(r); Stephen Thompson Jr(r); Chris Wright Jr(r)

Gfitch: In-depth stuff here.

If we are going after any JUCOs this year, I would suspect DT, LB & K would be high priorities.

I was amazed by how things don't seem so bad down the road. we have so many young guys contributing that if we don't lose Omar next year I think we don't drop off to far. If we do we should be back up the next year anyway. Another thing I noticed that I had not thought about was that a 2008 senior line of Schaefer, Briggs, Davis and Curtis could be very very nice. The 2007 line of the 5 blocks of granite should be nice but hard to replace. A DB'field of Lewis, Hood and Smith should be very nice as well.

Germainfitch1 wrote:I was amazed by how things don't seem so bad down the road. we have so many young guys contributing that if we don't lose Omar next year I think we don't drop off to far. If we do we should be back up the next year anyway. Another thing I noticed that I had not thought about was that a 2008 senior line of Schaefer, Briggs, Davis and Curtis could be very very nice.

One small detail - Briggs has been moved to LB. I like the idea of Winovich and Briggs at LB next year.

I thought Briggs came in at LB and then was moved to DE. At one point he was on the 2 deep at End.

Germainfitch1 wrote:I thought Briggs came in at LB and then was moved to DE. At one point he was on the 2 deep at End.

Actually, he came in as a TE/DE, was moved to DE and then moved to LB.

He seems to have some nice pass rushing ability, if he can add weight who knows.

I like Briggs. He's quick and athletic. He'll probably bulk up as he progresses.

Looked like Briggs was lined up as a DE in passing situations at KSU...at least his sacks were coming from a 3 point

hammb wrote:Looked like Briggs was lined up as a DE in passing situations at KSU...at least his sacks were coming from a 3 point

Really? Cool! I'd love to have a guy who can play OLB and line up as a rush end in passing situations. I like Briggs.

With 4 senior LBs and White playing I imagine he would get most of his time as a rush end on passing situations. He may still be a LB but it Might be hard to get on the field with Arnold, Johnson, White, Piepkow

Germainfitch1 wrote:With 4 senior LBs and White playing I imagine he would get most of his time as a rush end on passing situations. He may still be a LB but it Might be hard to get on the field with Arnold, Johnson, White, Piepkow

Not to be a bummer, but Arnold is a recent move to LB and Johnson, well, hasn't exactly lit the world on fire.

I don't mean to say they are great by any means, But both Arnold and Johnson are at the top of the depth chart or have been. There just can't be that many minutes to go around at LB.

Ruiz has been moved to WR. Not sure if this will stick, but since O'Drob. has done well they may look to have Ruiz stay in that slot receiver position.

Dan Macon is the man. I don't think there will be too much of a drop off at tailback next year.

How has Ruiz played in the slot?

PS, Did anyone else notice Andrew Clarke on D for toledo last night?