I had 2 wisdom teeth cut out so as Hunter Thompson once said "the drugs kicked in somewhere around Barstow". I'm sure I left out a few players so we can blame that on the laughing gas and the codeine. Just kidding of course....erveryone gets 2 teeth cut out without anesthesia (Wasn't she the Czar's daughter?).




MAINTAINERS

Not mountaineers but those who were at a decent level last year and who may need to step it up as well.

DEFENSE

Looks like D will make or break us so lets look at some main characters:

Antwan Crutcher on the D-line coupled with Russell at MLB and Kristoff and Carpenter make a decent middle....Carp mostly a 5th DB or extra OLB somewhat maligned on this board mainly because of his lack of size.  Strength up the middle though important in most sports.

Bass looks like the best CB and he'll need to be with TC gone.

Saved the best for last as Basham  bashes them again.  Hopefully he'll need to be double teamed  from his DE/OLB position which should free someone else up.


OFFENSE

Not as many returning stars here so lots of guys will need to step up.

Cochran leads the pack for the game changers....hope he stays healthy.  He should have help from WR Landon Smith.  The O-line will be lead by Powell and Lucas as the new O-line coach has his hands full.

Yazdani looked good kicking field goals in the spring game.



STEPUPPERS

This bunch will be the key for success or lack of same this year.

OFFENSE

Vick (Derrius not Michael) is the most important stepperupper.  He has the most experience and has some quality receivers which include Cochran and former Purdue Boilermaker Cam Wilson and Sebastian Smith.  Other WR's may come from a group that could include Brendan Cope....Ian Dixon...Justin Wyatt....Jordan Reid...Cedric Brown....Kwame Sawyer and Jared Marhefka.   The TE's including Troy Mangen should help the passing game.

3 guys will be critical in the running game as everyone else will be a newbie. Patterson and Brown and Edmund should all see some PT.

Tackles McQueen and Watson must stay healthy...Zach Murdock seems to be ready to help.  Everhart has played a lot and should help at C/G.  Wood should start at G with former DL Williams as depth and Bubba Williams at C depth.



DEFENSE

DE'S Sayles and Laseak showed promise and must continue to improve.  The D-line needs little help but Tony Porter may push for PT.

Linebackers  B. Brown and Poling as well as Schany  and Cody Grilliot could make this a strong position. Safeties Ingol and Macer and Toran Davis do also at their position. Ian Wells needs to step up at CB.





NEWBIES


OFFENSE

Most say Joey Duckworth sits the entire year and I hope he does which means the other QB's are adequate...but as my oft-quoted pitcher Juaquin Andujar would say "junevano".

Running back has the greatest game changer group and 1 or more could see the field this year. If Maleek Irons only reaches half of his 20 ypc. average in high school then we'll be in good shape...he also has some size at RB which we need.  Papi White has some speed and Robbie Walker plays WR and all 3 could return kicks.

We need some O-line depth bad and I hate to use true freshmen but we did last year. Wouldn't surprise me to see 6'5"-320 pound  Jared McCray starting at RG before the season is over.  Like Frank said.."He's Big!"   Joe Lowery also has some size and 3 stars and could play some RT.  

 JUCO Brennan Boland should get lots of PT at TE.


DEFENSE

Not a big group here since we have such a large group returning.  Chad Moore looked good at LBer in the spring game.  JUCO Brett Layton should get some PT at CB. Hopefully  JUCO punter Mitch Bonnstetter can provide some competition for Grant Venham.






TAILGATES AND PUBS

TAILGATES

No competition here and none needed.  G-man's gate under the trees at Tailgreat even made the Best Fans n the MAC video.  His cowboy beans are the schnizzle...meat is good too as long as u ask what it is.  Those ole boyz with Scioto County ties know how to eat....which way...Otway!

PUBS

We sorely need some help here.  Jackie O's came to the rescue last year but the others have their problems.  The Pub as Yogi would say "is too crowded and no one goes there."  The others have either the "open too late in the afternoon" problem or the "Too much Meechigan or OSU crap" on the telly.  This must stop...even had a bartender with all Meechigan gear and the 2 big screens had the Meechigan game on. Sacrilege.

To tell you how bad the  the bar scene was for us old farts last year....Club Vinton in Vinton County was voted as OUr favorite bar....ouch.




GO CATS!!!

U are correct about Aloese....he's 1 reason I said the D line is loaded....but I think Hassr is out for the year.

If Haser can get back to help with Buffalo/NIU later I will be giddy.

Weird teeth I guess Robert.

When I told my dentist that my baby teeth had roots he didn't believe me until I let him look at one that my mom had saved.

Hey, it could happen.....

Interesting (and humorous) analysis. That said, Jake Pruehs at center will be the biggest newbie addition. I'd love if they'd red shirt him, but they may not be able to afford that luxury. Jake is going to put a huge smile on the faces of the Bobcat faithful. If you haven't seen him play, you have no idea what you're in for. Jake played at a top Ohio D-1 HS school (St Edward) against top competition and losing was not a regular experience. Here's a few clips of Jake playing at LT at St Ed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzr9VtMkltE

Frank mentioned at the Dayton caravan that more   true freshman than ever could play this year.  With that said Pruehs has a good chance to see the field.

He also mentioned Papi White and Maleek Irons and if they lose their redshirt there's also a possibility that WR/RB/KR Robbie Walker could get a look. Sounds like Frank is looking for playmakers.

The defense as Frank mentioned will get their fair share of redshirts and will hopefully be as strong as it has been in some time.  With that in mind I don't see many if any true freshman seeing the field on D.  Since Frank mentioned passing concerns with Vick I wouldn't be totally shocked to see Duckworth get some QB time, but redshirt time would be better.  With the above mentioned Pruehs I see McCray at RG and 3 star Joe Lowery at RT as 3 true freshman who could see some O-line pt.

This all gets back to a very thin class recruited that year.  This is also why I think we are really gonna struggle against every opponent this year.  I'm trying to be optimistic but I just see a bunch of losses this year.  Just hope I am wrong.