I am extremely excited about what this recruiting class could mean for the Bobcats moving forward.  We addressed an obvious area of need on the Defensive Line.  I would have preferred that we address that last year so that we weren't in a position where they HAD to play and contribute right away.  The two questions I am anxious to get the answers to, are Jamal Tarrent(2010) and Kyle Kozak(Indiana Transfer) ready to step in as replacements for a Williamson, Gatling, Notestine or Hodge?  If they are, I feel more comfortable already.  If they aren't, I pray our 2011 recruits(Crutcher, Purdum, Price, Davis, Haser and Spivey) are ready to step up in a big way!

I think we have achieved what I mentioned above when it comes to the Offensive Line.  We are in a position where they will play if they are ready and if they aren't we will give them a year to develop and get reps.  Either way, we just got a lot deeper on the OL!  I am looking forward to seeing what role/impact John Prior(Transfer from Florida State) and Mark Smith will play/make.  The depth, size and athleticism on our OL is outstanding!

The area I am most concerned about is our secondary because there are so many unknowns.  Posey, Ballard, Fletcher and Jackson are all big losses.  I am sure we have the athletes to fill these vacancies, but you can't underestimate the experience and leadership we are losing.  Gerald Moore being healthy will be huge, but I just don't see the depth/experience combination to make me feel good about our secondary at this point.

We certainly have a lot of options at quarterback.  With our offensive line, I am hoping that Snyder or Tettleton are ready to lead this team.  While I love the athleticism that Bates has, I think we have a line that is going to make a decent passing QB an outstanding one!  I still love the idea of bates being used in a similar role as this past year, but would like to see that a little less.  I really want to see what he is capable of at RB.  I think he could run over people in the MAC with his size and speed.  It would be great if Bell or Vick were able to play right away, but I don't see that happening given the options we have.  I don't think we are in a position where we need to rush them, but I could be wrong or they could just be that good.

I am not to worried about receivers.  We seem to be able to just constantly reload in this position.  We have Brazill, Dunlop, Foster, Bussey and Thompson returning.  We are in good shape!  However, I am hoping the N'goumou is able to replace McCrae as our red-zone target.

It certainly appears as though we are thin at Running Back, but if Harden stays out of trouble he will be a workhorse for us.  Boykin and Brown both showed us glimpses of what they can do with a 5.2 and 4.1 Avg per carry.  All three have good size and have shown the have some explosiveness.  Clearly Hammonds will be bringing a little more in the speed and quickness categories because he certainly doesn't have the size.  Throw Bates and Blakenship in the mix here and we may be better off than appear.  Again the OL could is key here! 

Amen.

Crutcher and Spivey should contribute.  As Voice pointed out some of the guys on last years roster should be able to take over. Kozak and Myers could dominate at times.  Scott and some of the true freshman could give us a decent pass rush.

The D backfield....even though some of the guys are untested....should be OK.   Carrie and the Leftwich brothers and Kenny Jackson all have some pt under their belt.  Jamil Shaw and Xavier Hughes have the skills....Gonzalez-Santos has been injured but may surprise.  At safety of course Moore returns and with a plethora of CB's maybe one of them could slide to safety.  Issa Braithwaite has been a special team hoss and my have a shot.   Carpenter and Ingol are excellent athletes and true freshman Aaron Macer has the size and speed and smarts.

2 words tell me the D will be OK this year....Noah Keller.

The offense doesn't scare me...but if it doesn't click then we're in trouble.  The best defense sometimes is a good offense.....too many 3 and outs will kill us.  I'm hoping for a sustained running game and an effective passing game.  The receivers with Brazill/Foster/Bussey/NgOUmOU/Dunlop/Gross/Thompson/Dovell  are there...we just need a QB to get the ball to them.  I'm hopin it's Bates...but if not Tettleton or Roback or Snyder should do it.  True freshman Vick and Bell look outstanding.

Is it football yet?

Come on April 16th!!!

Good call on Braithwaite's contribs to special teams, Doc.

The key is winning--and winning decisively--right out of the gate.  Yeah, we're young.  But the importance and impact of the opener cannot be over-emphasized.  The muddling thru against Wofford and the loss to Toledo that we started last season with--those were who we were.  You pretty much are what you start with.

We need a big start for the momentum it will provide and for the way that it should engage students and alumni.  There seems to be a lot to like about the squad which will take the field next season.

That slow start really hurt.  Nothing against Wofford....but I remember watchin that game and sayin to myself that something just ain't right.

+1