New And Improved Front Four

Harry · August 7, 2009

Group I

DE - John Weber 6-3, 265

DT - Eddrick Gilmore 6-4, 270

NT - Shavod Atkinson 6-1, 300

DE - Brandon Akpunku 6-1, 215

Group II

DE - Tevinn Cantly 6-4, 310

DT - Kyle White 6-2, 318

NT - Kelvin Jackson 6-2, 320

DE - Tyler Washington 6-1, 225

Group III

DE - Lechristopher Anyiam 6-4, 287

DT - Draylen Ross 6-4, 286

NT - Jesse DeSoto 6-1, 286

DE - Kenechukwu Obi 6-2, 215

Group IV

DE - Mack Cole 6-4, 245

DT - Joe Hawthorne or Charlie Brown 6-4, 258

NT - Troy Franklin 6-4, 270

DE - Sam Owosu Hemming 6-1, 215

BIG DAWG · August 7, 2009

I would say that looks a tad bit better than what we were rolling out last year based on size alone...(understatement???)

DE - Lechristopher Anyiam 6-4, 287 is going to be a HUGE get in the long run I think...

I am also pretty sure that I read on one of the new MeanGreenSports articles that Franklin would be moving back to O-Line...for good this time

Edited August 7, 2009 by BIG DAWG

Harry · August 7, 2009

The key is coming up with two groups that can platoon without too much dropoff in production. I think that is possible with this group of players. On a sidenote, we are quickly moving from a team top-heavy on skill position players (wide receivers, secondary) to a team that has a larger number of big athletes and linemen which is more in line with what you need at the D-I level. I am thrilled at the recent additions on the DL and can't wait to see the competition at positions.

BIG DAWG · August 7, 2009

we are quickly moving from a team top-heavy on skill position players (wide receivers, secondary) to a team that has a larger number of big athletes and linemen

This is a shift that wins ball games...and leads to QUICK turnarounds!!!!

NT03 · August 7, 2009

Group I
DE - John Weber 6-3, 265
DT - Eddrick Gilmore 6-4, 270
NT - Shavod Atkinson 6-1, 300
DE - Brandon Akpunku 6-1, 215
Group II
DE - Tevinn Cantly 6-4, 310
DT - Kyle White 6-2, 318
NT - Kelvin Jackson 6-2, 320
DE - Tyler Washington 6-1, 225
Group III
DE - Lechristopher Anyiam 6-4, 287
DT - Draylen Ross 6-4, 286
NT - Jesse DeSoto 6-1, 286
DE - Kenechukwu Obi 6-2, 215
Group IV
DE - Mack Cole 6-4, 245
DT - Joe Hawthorne or Charlie Brown 6-4, 258
NT - Troy Franklin 6-4, 270
DE - Sam Owosu Hemming 6-1, 215

I

DE - Gilmore

DT - Ross

DT - Shavod

DE - Cantly / Weber / Anyiam

I think Franklin moved back over the O - side did he not ?

with a good dose of speed : AK & Washington on passing situations

with a good dose of Jackson & DeSoto keeping fresh bodies

What once looked like a very scary situation ( d-line) is now filled with several capable players to fill certain roles.

We look to be pretty deep and I'm sure DeLoach & Nelson will rotate several guys to keep every1 fresh.

SUMG · August 7, 2009

Harry.....I think that Troy Franklin has been moved back to O line.

good_ken · August 7, 2009

And Vito just posted that Charlies Brown has left the team.

TheTastyGreek · August 7, 2009

And Vito just posted that Charlies Brown has left the team.

This sucks.

I can't really blame the guy, but I'm very sorry to see him go.

H-towngreen · August 7, 2009

I've liked the signing of Kyle White from the get go. I think this kid will be good!

Green P1 · August 7, 2009

I can't really blame the guy, but I'm very sorry to see him go.

Why? Not trying to be at all insensitive, are there extenuating circumstances I don't know of?

NT03 · August 7, 2009

Why? Not trying to be at all insensitive, are there extenuating circumstances I don't know of?

Charlie has been thru a few different positions and coaches in his time here and that has to be hard for someone. He probably wasn't going to get the playing time maybe he was hoping for as we have added a lot of depth along the line. Maybe he wants to take the time off to concentrate on graduating and/or looking for a job/internship. If that's the case I can't blame the guy and wish him nothing but the best.

TheTastyGreek · August 7, 2009

Why? Not trying to be at all insensitive, are there extenuating circumstances I don't know of?

This is all coming from memory, so anyone who wants to fix mistakes or clarify any confusion on my part, feel free...

Out of high school, Brown was a pretty well regarded prospect as a TE and a DE. Had offers from bigger programs, but the deciding factor was that he didn't want to be a defensive lineman. Because the coaches recruiting him did a pretty good job of winning him over, AND promised him that he'd play as a TE rather than a defensive lineman, he chose us.

There was some on-and-off flirtation with his brother a year or two later. Talked about offering a scholarship, but ultimately only extended preferred walk-on status. Brother wound up going 1-AA, I believe to Northern Colorado, as a WR. First year, little brother gets knocked out for the season in their opening game against Hawaii, and I don't think he's been able to get back his athleticism. Not sure if it was implied as a recruiting pitch that the brothers might get to play together here... But I do recall Papa Brown being pretty disappointed when younger son didn't get an offer here.

Anyway, then the coaches who brought him here and promised him a shot as a TE are canned, and now it's Dodgeball time where the TE is only getting lip service as an offensive tool in year three. So Charlie winds up switching over to the defensive line. Remember, if he'd wanted to play there, he could have gone to a bigger program than ours, and now he's two years behind in his development and "learning" from Drake and Mendoza. Barely plays in 2007.

2008 rolls around, much of the 2007 defense is gone, and now he's pressed into service. But very soon, he ends up getting shifted over to DT to compensate for injuries and lack of depth. So now he's playing a position that (I believe) he never even played in high school, and he's doing it at 250 pounds. For perspective... Several folks are worried about how Gilmore might not be able to make the most of his skills at the DT spot, and Gilmore outweighs Charlie Brown by 20 pounds.

Anyway... Because of the beating he takes, the guy ends up playing through some injuries and still misses 3 or 4 games.

If things had gone a little differently, I think the guy could have been the next guy in the Muenchow/Blount tradition, and a fan favorite. Instead, he gets shuffled around and (in my opinion) ends up with kind of a raw deal.

If I were him and I stuck it out through the four years that he's been through, I probably wouldn't want to come back for year five, either.

MeanMag · August 7, 2009

This is all coming from memory, so anyone who wants to fix mistakes or clarify any confusion on my part, feel free...
Out of high school, Brown was a pretty well regarded prospect as a TE and a DE. Had offers from bigger programs, but the deciding factor was that he didn't want to be a defensive lineman. Because the coaches recruiting him did a pretty good job of winning him over, AND promised him that he'd play as a TE rather than a defensive lineman, he chose us.
There was some on-and-off flirtation with his brother a year or two later. Talked about offering a scholarship, but ultimately only extended preferred walk-on status. Brother wound up going 1-AA, I believe to Northern Colorado, as a WR. First year, little brother gets knocked out for the season in their opening game against Hawaii, and I don't think he's been able to get back his athleticism. Not sure if it was implied as a recruiting pitch that the brothers might get to play together here... But I do recall Papa Brown being pretty disappointed when younger son didn't get an offer here.
Anyway, then the coaches who brought him here and promised him a shot as a TE are canned, and now it's Dodgeball time where the TE is only getting lip service as an offensive tool in year three. So Charlie winds up switching over to the defensive line. Remember, if he'd wanted to play there, he could have gone to a bigger program than ours, and now he's two years behind in his development and "learning" from Drake and Mendoza. Barely plays in 2007.
2008 rolls around, much of the 2007 defense is gone, and now he's pressed into service. But very soon, he ends up getting shifted over to DT to compensate for injuries and lack of depth. So now he's playing a position that (I believe) he never even played in high school, and he's doing it at 250 pounds. For perspective... Several folks are worried about how Gilmore might not be able to make the most of his skills at the DT spot, and Gilmore outweighs Charlie Brown by 20 pounds.
Anyway... Because of the beating he takes, the guy ends up playing through some injuries and still misses 3 or 4 games.
If things had gone a little differently, I think the guy could have been the next guy in the Muenchow/Blount tradition, and a fan favorite. Instead, he gets shuffled around and (in my opinion) ends up with kind of a raw deal.
If I were him and I stuck it out through the four years that he's been through, I probably wouldn't want to come back for year five, either.

Incredible that you remember all that about his brother. I just remember him being shuffled around the whole time he's been here, when years ago everyone on this board was happy to see someone like him come here. I doubt any of these factors was intentional. Some tough breaks, and some bad luck must have surely taken their toll. Best of luck.

BIG DAWG · August 8, 2009

DE - Gilmore
DT - Ross
DT - Shavod
DE - Cantly / Weber / Anyiam

Gilmore WILL NOT be a DE...he is going to be a 3-tech...Nelson said that is the only way he is going to see the field...Gilmore has apparently bought into the switch

TheTastyGreek · August 8, 2009

Incredible that you remember all that about his brother. I just remember him being shuffled around the whole time he's been here, when years ago everyone on this board was happy to see someone like him come here. I doubt any of these factors was intentional. Some tough breaks, and some bad luck must have surely taken their toll. Best of luck.

Yeah, it's not that anyone intentionally did him wrong or anything... Just a series of tough breaks that add up to a disappointing four years for the guy. Wish him the best in whatever the next stage of his life turns out to be.