Any reports from the Recruiting Reception?

[hammb]

Overall, I'm stoked about this class, though somewhat nervous that we're talking about so many freshmen getting a lot of playing time. Looking at the glass as half-empty, 2006 may be something of a rebuilding year.

I think anyone with any sort of realism had to see that 2006 was going to be a rebuilding year. As much as we hate to admit it we were not good last year. At times we were downright bad. When you step back and look at the season as a whole you have to say we were, at best, mediocre. We beat a lot of lousy teams, and lost to the quality teams we played. The closest to a quality win was the Miami game.

Now you take that team and subtract a lot of their offensive stars, I think a rebuilding year is the best you can hope for.

As for a lot of kids getting playing time, I'm not sure how to take this. Looking at these kids on paper it looks like one of our best recruiting classes ever, so perhaps they're just that good. On the other hand, it most likely goes back to his comments from this past year about our struggles in recruiting the past couple years. Even the most ardent Brandon supporters have to admit that his recruiting classes have yet to really develop many stars. Devon Parks & a few OL guys are the best he's done, really. Hopefully some of his other recruits will step up this year, but it appears that Brandon is starting to question some of the past kids and thinks these new kids are more talented.

Not really sure what to make of this team next year. I'm pretty anxious for the spring game to see what some of these young players can do. I'm not convinced that an above .500 record won't be overachieving next year.

[Germainfitch1]

Almost forgot...Winovich will line up at TE some, in the slot some and in the backfield some. He's a talented kid who they have to find a spot for.

Just an observation on Winovich, if he is so talented, why can't he excel at any of the positions we have tried him at so far? :shrug:

And why dont they redshirt him this year and then have him play whatever position he practices at all year next year?

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Almost forgot...Winovich will line up at TE some, in the slot some and in the backfield some. He's a talented kid who they have to find a spot for.

Just an observation on Winovich, if he is so talented, why can't he excel at any of the positions we have tried him at so far? :shrug:

And why dont they redshirt him this year and then have him play whatever position he practices at all year next year?

Can't say I disagree here. The coaches have either really overestimated his talent and ability, or they have severely misused it. I hope he can bounce back and contribute this year, wherever he ends up.

[San Diego Falcon]

Winovich back to TE? As we've discussed before, I'm not convinced he has the wheels to be more than a blocking TE. In the slot? I dunno. I've been a very strong supporter of Pete thus far and am still hoping he'll be a productive player.

Nothing wrong with being a blocking TE - we may need more of that next year.

I think route-running ability and a knack to find the open seam are more important than speed for a pass-catching TE anyway. Let's see how he does.

[Falconboy]

I absolutely loved the highlights on Sean Ellis and Alonso Rojas. They have monster legs. I still can't believe we got the #1 rated punter in the nation. This changes the dynamic in our games when we can hit a 45 or maybe 50 yarder in games to give us some momentum instead of a total stall in drives like we've had a trillion times last year.

DJ Young looks like a beast for sure. The other D-lineman Orlando Barrow has good size as a incoming freshman for DT as well at 6'2 and 270. One thing about this class that makes me wonder is the lack of a obvious saftey prospect. I know PJ Mahone has been a possible at that position but I think he could be a total stud at rb. Its possible we could be shuffling more players around. I just hope we don't try to transform some spindely cornerback into a saftety that has to be in on run support.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I'm very interested in seeing Jahmal Brown at safety. I think between Brown and Mahone, we can find a RB and a safety that can really solidify those positions for a few years. Safety is more of a need because we have Macon and Thomas already in the offensive backfield.

[1987alum]

I'm very interested in seeing Jahmal Brown at safety. I think between Brown and Mahone, we can find a RB and a safety that can really solidify those positions for a few years. Safety is more of a need because we have Macon and Thomas already in the offensive backfield.

And we have Bullock, too, at RB...

[orangeandbrown]

Overall, I'm stoked about this class, though somewhat nervous that we're talking about so many freshmen getting a lot of playing time. Looking at the glass as half-empty, 2006 may be something of a rebuilding year.

I agree totally. Back in December suggesting this brought a lot of criticism on some people, though. There's no reason to think 2006 team is going to be better than 2005. Happy if it is, but there's no reason to expect it.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I have a good feeling about next year, at least for MAC play. Even though there is no real logic behind it, besides the MAC East being terrible, I think we're going to compete for the title.

Like I said, my head says it could be painful, but I've decided to be optimistic for the time being. It's hard to force myself to think like that, but I'm trying it out for a change.

[always a falcon]

Winovich back to TE? As we've discussed before, I'm not convinced he has the wheels to be more than a blocking TE. In the slot? I dunno. I've been a very strong supporter of Pete thus far and am still hoping he'll be a productive player.

BTW, couldn't they still redshirt him like they did with Macon?

Overall, I'm stoked about this class, though somewhat nervous that we're talking about so many freshmen getting a lot of playing time. Looking at the glass as half-empty, 2006 may be something of a rebuilding year.

87- it will be interesting to see how our redshirts do. There are supposed to be some studs in there who have had a year to get stronger and learn the system. So maybe there won't be quite as many TRUE freshmen in there? Not that it makes me any difference what year they are! I'll take 'em where we can get 'em.

[Falconfreak90]

Thanks to all for the info provided. Sounds like we have quite a talented bunch arriving!

While 2006 may, indeed, be seen as a rebuilding year....I still love our chances in the MAC East. Just win the East and get a chance at the title.

GO FALCONS!!

[Schadenfreude]

Edit on that post it should have been 370 not 270. This is what i get for trying to post when sick :L:

Wow. That's enormous. Too big.

[Falconboy]

Edit on that post it should have been 370 not 270. This is what i get for trying to post when sick :L:

Wow. That's enormous. Too big.

Totally. We dont' anyone getting heart attacks here. Drop that weight down to 335-340 or so and get speed and agility back.

[San Diego Falcon]

quote:
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Originally posted by bg sports fan:
Edit on that post it should have been 370 not 270. This is what i get for trying to post when sick :L:
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Wow. That's enormous. Too big.

How about we just switch to the 3-4 and flip him over to nose tackle?

[Flipper]

At 335-340 lbs, terms like speed and agility are largely relative...

I'm not all that freaked out by the notoin of 10-12 true freshmen playing. DJ Young has a shot to play a lot and he should because he's a "special" player by our standards physically. The three LB's will probably get some time on special teams because of their speed and size...with Winovich moving and Piepkow and Johnson graduating, we'll need som edepth there beyond the conveted DB's we played there last year. In the secondary, one of the signees counted on to see action is in school now and will particiaptre in spring ball. Mahone and Brown bring a mix of size and speed and Marshall can really run. I don't know if we can afford to leave that kind of talent on the bench.

On balance, I think we'll be OK this year. We may be better, but not as successful given our brutal OOC schedule. The defense should be improved. Even if only because the coaching staff will have spring ball to work with.

On offense, if Macon and Thomas play to their potential, the running game will be improved over a gimpy PJ. Davis and Pronty are a pair of true freshmen with very good speed. If they or one of the kids already in the program can provide the deep threat to stretch the field and open things up underneath for Ruiz, Partridge and Parks...we'll be alright. If not, we're going to have a difficult time moving the ball because we are not a line them up and pound it out kind of offense.