BIG DAWG

ahhhh...the good 'ol days It seems we can never have the best of both worlds...a stingy defense and a high power offense...together on the same team

You have to

Another ridiculous post...look at the hires he has made at this university...many of them have brought alot to the programs they have been hired for...Basketball, softball, swimming, soccer...and YES...football. The Dodge hire was good for the universoty at the time, and may still be good for the program. If he rights the ship, he would have brought money in, fans in, and wins. RV can hire coaches well

Ridiculous post...of course RV has plans in place in case things don't go as planned, as does every AD with a coach in Dodge's position. That goes for all sports. Why the hell do we continue to beat this dead horse. The AD is completely aware of the situation as well as information that even the hardest core of gomeangreen.com don't have at their disposal. I know there are hundreds of armchair coaches on this board who believe that they could do better than Dodge at this point, they really don't have a damned clue, couldn't really coach a middle school team, and have no idea what the inner circle is doing and what timeline Dodge was really given. The horse is dead...let it RIP I am getting tired head over the pointless Dodge talk...he is our coach this year and more than likely the year after...deal with it. If he gets canned it is going to be another unproven guy so get used to that as well

Did anyone notice the statement...Kelvin Drake "may" start??? This guy has got to be good enough to play somewhere on that line!?!?!?!?!?

That sounds good!

How painful it is to look at it that way...I know just like the next guy we got killed last year, but man that makes it feel even worse...OUCH!!! I agree with you though that we will not the next version of the Green Curtain, but I still believe that we can be much improved, and by that I mean a competitive defense

This team is going to be vastly better for a couple of reasons... 1) I agree with the previous post, this defense is going to be much improved. I don't know if it will be as good as some people are predicting, but definitely middle of the pack, and that will result in some wins 2) I really think Riley is going to be good...I agree that he may be a little more likely to get injured than others, a little due to his size and that combined with him going to be running the ball more, but do not think he is necessarily injury prone 3) I think Tune is a very capable backup...more so than some we have had in the past. 4) Todd Dodge's Learning Curve: As much as some people say that he thick headed, and doesn't change, I think he is making changes..TE play for an example, and I think that this is the year that we really see some things mclick 5) 6 wins is very successful...I think having the right benchmark in mind is key for all of us diehards...if you think we are going to the New Orleans Bowl this year, you are going to be disappointed again...this team can be competitive in all games except the Alabama game, win 6 games, and I will be feeling great about the season and the direction of the program!

As a hard core Bears fan, I take offense to this statement...The Bears will be contenders in 2009!

He is referring in regards to what every college football publication in America is going to be writing about us. There is not going to be anyone taking us to finish any better than the bottom 2 in our conference. These are the publications many of our new fans will be reading, and therefore, in spring the team needs to show those fans something...Vito is right in what he is stating. Not everyone knows the team like many of us on the board...many fans don't see that we "might" have filled several holes on this team through our most recent recruiting class...many don't have a clue about the changes on the coaching staff...therefore, in spring the team needs to show those fans something!!! GO MEAN GREEN!!!

Anthony Sowe was someone we recruited pretty hard when he was coming out of high school

What is the purpose of this thread? Nothing has bit the dust yet...from everything I gather he is coming back in the fall

There is a team every year that turns out better than people thought. I know due to our prior body of work, some wish to think this is impossible for us, but...I get the feeling we could surprise. I do want to go on record as stating that I am not going to predict a 9-10 win season or anything. I would be really excited with 6 wins!

WOW!

I haven't forgot about Ross, but my money on the DT who starts on the other side of Atkinson will be Cantly...this guy is going to be a 4-year starter for us. I was pissed when he redshirted, but now I couldn't be happier!!!

Possibly the most underrated comment of the converstation. Maybe there is something to the whole excuse that Dodge didn't get enough time to evaluate the 2007 class...it is good to hear that with all the bad crap with turn over that the 2008 class is all here

I think Santiago is underrated...this kid has the frame to beef up and be an all-conference type of tackle I think...we will see what kind of numbers we see as far as weights when the season begins and these guys have a solid period period of time with this new strength coach

Nothing specific, I am just not ready to write off a kid that is just getting his career started. This guy has all the tools, he just wasn't able to develop them all yet...he still has three years to do so, and he isn't all so different from many others at this stage...we still have a ton of time with this kid, and I think he shows us what he is made of this year.

Gutsy as he is, I do not see Gill starting next year...look for Bean to play in this slot. I also don't see DeSoto being a starter at DT. We will definitely need him to be a contributor at the position, but I don't see him starting. If he were ready to start, you wouldn't have seen such a push to get JUCO DTs. Look for the other JUCO to start alongside Atkinson. I also see Roberson getting things together in his redshirt-Soph season, and having a hell of a year at WR.

I am looking forward to seeing Cantly...this kid has the size, and I have heard some really good things about this guy. Lets see if it translates to the field...

I would think it very appropriate for Cam and Tobe to be on the schedule, but I am betting on... Todd and Riley...that is what is going to be no doubt about it!!! Let gomeangreen.com go crazy!!!

good call

Who are they going to put on the schedule magnet this year??? Vizza gone...Fitz gone...we really don't have a face of the program. Can they really use Dodge's mug again??? Use Riley before he has even thrown a pass in a game (at QB anyway)??? Who can you use to promote the team??? Just a thought???

I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about my post on the "fake-Brett Vito" write up. I am a Vito backer...I think he does a good job. He writes about what we are at this point...my post was intended to take a pot-shot at those who bust Vito's balls. I get tired of people who go on rants about him writing things the way they are instead of trying to make the feces not stink (how's that for not using foul language and not getting a "vacation")

CB - Bush: 4yr starter, rock of the secondary BU - R. Hill: So. future at the position, will be able to sit back and learn a little this year CB - Smith: JUCO kid who needs to produce in a starting capacity...we beat out Ole Miss for him BU - Adams: Could start if needed...played better as the year progressed S - D. Williams: This kid is a player...some green left in him, but got better as the year went on...hitter...much needed hitter BU - Agbottah: Senior...role player S - K. Hill: Shown he can be a playmaker...solid player in the secondary BU - Shorter: See Royce Hill...will be able to learn this year as he is counted on less As a unit, I think this group will be much better this season...could be a strength of the defense