Difference between this year and the last 3, IMO

[ksuno1stunner]

We never had so many guys who have the potential to make big plays on offense and defense.  These are guys I expect to make a difference.

Freeman, Patton, Johnson, Nelson, Hogan (mentioned by Prince!), Brown, Pierce, and Woods.

Jackson, Campbell, Abana, Walker, Roland, Moore, Watts, and Chandler.

Guys in purple are the ones that are PROVEN playmakers (or at least ones we have a very good feeling about).  Guys in black are the guys who should step up.

Is the general consensus here that Hogan, Pierce, Woods, Abana, and Chandler are the newcomers that should make the biggest splash?

I think so! 

Unfortunately, we still have a piss-poor offensive line.  The positive is that yes, we did and still do have a @#%$ty line, but we have all these PLAYMAKERS! 

[Poopley]

You guys need to start preparing yourselves for the reality that Chris Patterson sucks balls. He's the next Marvin Simmons.

But otherwise, you're right, we do finally have a few guys who might be playmakers. I'd like to see Josh Moore go from being an unexpectedly good freshman who could be counted on for solid coverage to a real playmaker -- a guy who makes some big plays on 3rd down while covering the other team's top WR, some good run support, and some INTs. Rob Jackson has a chance to be a playmaker, and then we need one of the LBs to step up like I thought Diles or Walker would last year but did not. Archer was solid, but we need someone from that position to make the occasional show-stopping play like Josh Buhl.

Chandler -- just have to hope he beats out Erker. It's usually too hard for new guys to come in and be outstanding. If a couple of the new guys can play at the same level Josh Moore did last year, we'll be fine on defense.

[ksuno1stunner]

You guys need to start preparing yourselves for the reality that Chris Patterson sucks balls. He's the next Marvin Simmons.

But otherwise, you're right, we do finally have a few guys who might be playmakers. I'd like to see Josh Moore go from being an unexpectedly good freshman who could be counted on for solid coverage to a real playmaker -- a guy who makes some big plays on 3rd down while covering the other team's top WR, some good run support, and some INTs. Rob Jackson has a chance to be a playmaker, and then we need one of the LBs to step up like I thought Diles or Walker would last year but did not. Archer was solid, but we need someone from that position to make the occasional show-stopping play like Josh Buhl.

Chandler -- just have to hope he beats out Erker. It's usually too hard for new guys to come in and be outstanding. If a couple of the new guys can play at the same level Josh Moore did last year, we'll be fine on defense.

Done.  That would be awesome though if he somehow got it together.

[The Minister]

Playmakers are the way to go.  Anyone have any thoughts on who will eventually replace Figurs as the dynamic return guy next year?

Hogan? Pierce? Patton? McKinney*?






*If true, I will light myself on fire.

[S. Parker]

Unfortunately, we still have a piss-poor offensive line.

Last year, your line was hampered by injuries (Meyer), inexperience, and the natural problems that can occur with a new coach.

Haven't these factors improved? Is your line still struggling this spring or something?

[ksu_FAN]

1st, 1 thing to remember about Chandler; though he may be behind in D1 experience, he is coming in pretty even with the rest of the guys b/c of the new defensive system.  In fact, its highly likely he played in a scheme much more like we are now b/c I doubt if he played in any version of the Tampa 2 which forces the safties to play way different than most other man or zone schemes. 

I'd say top candidates to be the next returner; Patton, Johnson, Murphy.

I've liked what I've seen from Walker and Roland at the ILB positions.  These two have adapted well IMO.  With those two and Campbell and Jackson we could have 4 real playmakers in our front 7; when was the last time we could say that?

[cireksu]

Our secondary should be the real deal if Chandler is as good as we think he is, we've got like 5 guys that have started the at least a season.  I'm hoping that Manu can make a big impact.  I think roland and Walker will be fine, I always kind of thought that walker was a little better suited to be in the middle.

[catzacker]

Our o-line and d-line (specifically tackle) still suck.  Our "ends" are good, but with the 3-4 we'll have to see how they play.  Our o-line is just flat our terrible.  I know we "improved" our rushing stats from the prior year, but essentially all that means is we sucked less at running the ball.  And if the Turnover Machine keeps operating at full capacity (as some practice reports indicate) it'll be a long year.  We still have about the same question marks we've had since 2003. 

[cireksu]

I actually thought our guards were the worst position last year.  Hopefully the JUCO lineman make an impact.

[Legore]

Unfortunately, we still have a piss-poor offensive line.

Last year, your line was hampered by injuries (Meyer), inexperience, and the natural problems that can occur with a new coach.

Haven't these factors improved? Is your line still struggling this spring or something?

The line has had good days and bad days this spring.  It sucked the last open practice so everyone is in panic mode again but we'll just have to wait and see how it goes.  We still have a couple of guys out with injuries from the fall and we had a starter who's fiance died so he hasn't been practicing and one other starter was in class at the last open practice.  So it's really hard to say how the line is looking because we have not seen the starting group together yet. 

Injuries were a huge problem last year with the entire team.  Meyer, Bedore, Frieson, Rooker, Stringer all those guys started in the o-line at times last year and missed games with injury.   Some of it may be bad luck but I also think the physical practices that Prince runs has something to do with it.  He's got them going live full out contact every day.  By the end of the year we were so banged up we could hardly put a team on the field.  In the ku game we were missing 5 defensive starters and in some spots we were down to our third string guy because the back up was hurt too. 

[WildCatzPhreak]

Don't be surprised if Woods takes some returns.  I think he will be the fastest person on the team as soon as he sets foot on campus.  Maybe Pierce.

[cireksu]

Deon Murphy and Leon Patton SHOULD be the main return guys.

[coitus]

antwon moore made some plays as a 3rd down specialist last year, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him do the same this year.  hard to imagine we'll stick with the base package in third/long situations.

[ksu_FAN]

antwon moore made some plays as a 3rd down specialist last year, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him do the same this year.  hard to imagine we'll stick with the base package in third/long situations.

Yeah, and Moore's abilities will fit even better in the 3-4 look.  He can basically come into one of the OLB spots but be on the field as a 5th DB. 

[coitus]

antwon moore made some plays as a 3rd down specialist last year, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him do the same this year.  hard to imagine we'll stick with the base package in third/long situations.

Yeah, and Moore's abilities will fit even better in the 3-4 look.  He can basically come into one of the OLB spots but be on the field as a 5th DB. 

my imagination sees moore firing in behind abana on third and long....

[ksu_FAN]

He could do either really.  He can cover and he could bring it off the edge or on a stunt.  We'll be able to do more with him as an OLB in the 3-4 compared to the WLB in the 4-3 IMO.

[coitus]

He could do either really.  He can cover and he could bring it off the edge or on a stunt.  We'll be able to do more with him as an OLB in the 3-4 compared to the WLB in the 4-3 IMO.

and he's on the second string defense for tomorrow's game, so he'll get his shot.

[ksu_FAN]

He's been hurt most of the spring.  He hasn't played in any of the practices I've seen.