CSNbbs

What I was really looking for is who will be the sleeper of the year.

gcd Wrote:What I was really looking for is who will be the sleeper of the year.

I think TJ Griffen applies here as well.

My sleeper player is Greg Turner. He was grey shirted. He was all everything is HS. I feel he was overlooked during recruiting and NIU got lucky with picking him as a afterthought.

He had a great spring. He might not look good on paper but he is a football player. Sometimes, going on height, weight,strength and speed is ok but judging a players heart is more important. PJ and Dan are perfect examples. A lot of players look like world beaters in Shorts, put them on the field and they don't live up to expectations.

Let's not discount some of the incoming frosh. Melvin Rice could step up.

Who do you think it will be GCD?

My top three:

1. Larry English
2. Melvin Rice
3. Phil Brown

I do not consider Melvin Rice as a sleeper. He is supposedly our best recruit. I am expecting him to contribute right a way. This is not a definition of a sleeper. If he doesn't produce, it would be a dissapointment. I would consider Rice as a potential impact person.

If Joe has his choice, I am sure he'd love to redshirt him. (unless he has promised Rice he will not be redshirted, and would play this year).

Incomming Freshman Cory Hansen at OLB

I heard that the Morgan Park kids were up there this summer. I think Orlando Moore has a chance to make it academically.

gcd Wrote:Incomming Freshman Cory Hansen at OLB

Sounds like people think several true freshman will see action this year.

Now the question is will this because of need, or they are just ready right now (i.e. we are recruiting higher calibre players)?

gcd Wrote:Incomming Freshman Cory Hansen at OLB

After seeing your prediction, I had to go back and check Hansen's bio. Hansen looks like stud on paper, but isn't he a little light at 195 to play LB right away?

I'm attaching the link for all the incoming freshman's bios.



<a href='http://www3.niu.edu/athletics/football/agate05/2005%20Signee%20Listing.htm' target='_blank'>2005 Recruits</a>

Hopefully a CB, doesn't matter which one.

i just read the bios of the incoming class and on paper it sure sounds great. Looking forward to seeing them in Fall camp which is probably only 26 days away.

My prediction is Melvin Rice plays the most out any of the true freshman. I think we need the most help at CB and he'll start most of the season.
I can only hope that McCarthy can step up in the middle. More wishful thinking - I hope one of the other true frosh steps up in the secondary. We need help back there.
I think we're in good shape at DE, we'll be able to put more pressure on the QB this year. Overall we need to do a better job against the run this year. We need to make teams more one dimensional without having to sell out. I couldn't stand watching Toledo march all over the field being able to run AND pass with relative ease.
One more wish - I'd like to see Britt Davis play alot at QB because he'd give defenses fits with his athleticism, but I don't think he'll be ready to take over just yet.
Also I think play calling on offense and defense was too predictable last year. They need to open it up just a bit. In terms of blitzing it seemed to me the huskies went from one extreme in 2003(too much) to too little in 2004. I thought Miami put together a good blitz package when when played Toledo in their first game last year. It wasn't predictable because it wasn't excessive and a number of different positions were involved.

My pick is the QB, who ever it might be. Here's the thing: whoever is named the starter on opening day, there are going to be unhappy groups of people who wanted the other guy to start. I think that the unhappy groupls will be pleasantly suprised by the play of the QB whether it's Horvath, Davis or Nicholson. A few weeks into the season and we'll forget about our concern over who'll replace the guy from last year. Despite who's your favorite to start, all three have talent and with maturity and experience can develop into fine QBs. Furthermore, the team is in better shape than we were 3 years ago when the last guy took over. The talent and depth of talent continues to grow.

BobL Wrote:I think TJ Griffen applies here as well.

I like that pick. I think there's a good chance we could see some suprises from the Linebacker position this year. Mosmann looks like he could be a bigger Javan Lee. If he doesn't beat out Griffin this year, maybe he's the sleeper in 06. I also think there's potential that one of the younger guys might take over the MLB spot. Just not sure which guy.

I think Tim McCarthy is the back-up MLB. He looked good in the spring game, and was flying to the ball like a wild man. I think he could be a lot of fun to watch the next 4 years.

dynovinyl Wrote:My pick is the QB, who ever it might be. Here's the thing: whoever is named the starter on opening day, there are going to be unhappy groups of people who wanted the other guy to start. I think that the unhappy groupls will be pleasantly suprised by the play of the QB whether it's Horvath, Davis or Nicholson. A few weeks into the season and we'll forget about our concern over who'll replace the guy from last year. Despite who's your favorite to start, all three have talent and with maturity and experience can develop into fine QBs. Furthermore, the team is in better shape than we were 3 years ago when the last guy took over. The talent and depth of talent continues to grow.

I really hope you're right on this one. As much as I think lotto will lead our team to failure, I will be the first one to cheer him on if he leads us to a Michigan victory/MAC championship.