FlashFan Wrote:1. How good is Antwon Smith? How do you assess his chances as a starting QB next season?
2. How good will the O line be next year?
3. What are the prospcets for our running game? Do we know anything about Alston's potential return?
4. Assess the chances that the defense can raise its game to "average" in the MAC. As much as I hate to see Elam in the program, I have to admit ND was disappointed that they had to dismiss him because he showed some promise as a red shirt freshman- the only year he played.
5. Has anyone bolted from last year's team?
1. I think Antwan can be just as good a true "quarterback" as Cribbs, or even better. He is not real big, which hurts, but has good vision, a strong arm, and great touch. He is a passionate player and always wanted the ball this past year, and was upset when he had a chance to score and he didn't. He has not played enough reps at QB so I am not sure of his decision making or poise in the pocket, but can be a good leader. If he ends up the starter, you won't see the improvising, and magical plays Cribbs makes, but he will move around, escape pressure and make plays. Doug Martin's offensive system will continue to be a good fit for Smith as it is for Cribbs, a strong running game with good route running receivers and the frequent long balls to make plays should only get better. Antwan came into the Penn State game after Josh was hurt and led a good drive down the field in the first quarter until he dislocated his shoulder and his throw wasn't the same until the last few games. It was almost a seamless transition when he came in if I remember correctly, if he had not gotten hurt, that game may have been another Big 10 upset. Now if Daryl Polk has to start, its a different story. He can throw a good long ball and is good as a back up, but his will not be a complete starting quarterback.
2. The OL graduated 2 seniors this year. Center Steve Smith was robbed in not getting any post season MAC recognition, he went from a scrawny 215 freshman year, lighter than me, to arguably the best center in the MAC. Shaun Sarrett also a key loss, he had great desire and would always hit you in the mouth, he complimented the line well at guard. So they return 3 full time starters with 1 that started when Jason Andrews was hurt. Andrews, Bandiera, Rafdal, and Carter all have alot of experience, quickness and strength and will only get better. They have to step up to improve the running game. The guys that have been backups have to step up too. We will need another starter who has yet to emerge. There are some guys that have potential, Geohagen, McKenzie, Manning, and the redshirts and true freshman. Maybe even the one lineman from Hargrave, he may be able to make an instant impact but who knows. I see the line being just as good or most likely better than last year, they have great coaches working with them. I think they will play better as a unit but they need individuals to step up to the challenge.
3. The running game will be they key to the O next year. The young guys like Beverly and Tillman got some great experience this year being thrown into the fire and they will be much better, they are fast. Eddie Beccles also rejoined the team midway through last year after quitting the year before, call it a bad decision and immaturity. He missed it and wanted back bad, so coach Pees brought him back on the scout team and there are some things between them that Eddie must satisfy. Once he gets back in the games, he will be a huge boost for the running game. As a defensive player it was a huge challenge each week going against Beccles and Alston (once he was mostly healthy) on the scouts. They are the fastest and quickest backs on the team, and they greatly helped the D, though it may not have shown on Saturdays :crying: I have not heard anything definite on Alston's return yet. I am pretty sure he must graduate this summer to regain another year of eligibility, he was a Prop 48 his first year. But we cannot count on his return ... it is up in the air and the injury bug always gets him.
But the key to the running game is the line. When we were successful last year on O we could run it, and when we weren't we couldn't run the ball. For as many big plays as Cribbs and the receivers made, it always comes back to running the ball. The line needs to be more consistent, and use their lack of size to their advantage by being quick and in the right position. Recruiting size this year helps, but it probably won't show this season. Its hard to say how good the running game will be, we have excellent backs, its a matter of getting the line to work as a unit and take pride in their work. Things like that will be developed this offseason.
4. I see the defense much better this year. It hurts to say that now that I have left
I think a simple change in philosophy and attitude will go a long way. Basically two new DC's, Retskis and Wauford, will change the outook. It will be interesting to see if there is a new or modified defensive scheme or if Pees keeps the same scheme. It will be difficult for him to keep his hands out of the D, because that is what he is, but I hope he realizes that a more hands off approach will be better. It is important when you bring in a new coordinator to give him control, so he can make a real impact.
Even though defense is a team oriented task, we had and still have some bad attitudes that are very individual. That was a big problem last year, guys were making bad decisions and were not doing what they were supposed to be doing. When everyone had their job done, we were great, like against Akron in the end, UCF, or at times against UCONN and Miami. Depending on the style of D this is good or bad. Pees D was gap responsibility oriented, everyone had a gap, area, or zone. You did your job knowing that the next guy would do the same. Well the problem was the next guy was sometimes trying to do everything, and in doing that he opens something up and bam, big play. We have great athletes all over the field on D, we just have to use them correctly. We still lack size everywhere on D, but are fast. I guess its hard to have both, but tough to compete with the large lines and receivers you run into now and then. The secondary looks like it will get a boost from recruits and additions, the LB will be solid, but the DL needs improvement. They lost some key leaders, Williams and Crock, and they still lack size. But athletes like Muir, Attieh, Rice will only get better and there are alot of redshirts ready to step in. The new DL coach Wauford will make a huge impact. Many of the DL were upset when Kurt Barber left for Utah and was replaced by Larry McDaniel. After Barber, who played at USC and the NFL and was an excellent coach, left, there was a big dropoff. In the end, we will be at least "average" if they can learn to just play together, play fast, tackle, play intense, and do what they are supposed to do every play. Hopefully the new blood will start that change. We will see in the spring game!
5. The only loss I currently know of is Elijah Brooks, RB. A tough loss for us because he was such a tough guy. May not have been the fastest, quickest, or biggest, but he was very difficult to bring down. I think he was up upset that the freshmen were playing more than he was and didn't feel he was treated right. I think he was going to either Delaware or Vermont? I'm not sure. Anthony Henriquez was also trying to regain another year of eligibility by graduating in 4 years as a Prop 48, but I don't think that is going to happen from what I have seen and heard. I have not talked to any of the guys about this in awhile so I am not sure of anyone else being off the team, and maybe Elijah changed his mind, but I doubt it.
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2004 Football Recruiting Class
