There Is Always That One Player

[Harry]

Marquis Sykes at linebacker or in a three-point stance as a pass rushing specialist. The guy has good size and speed (6-2, 245) and has the potential to be a great pass rusher. The coaches see him as a big time talent that just hasn't yet figured it all out. He's close. I just keep hoping that he will have his breakthrough this season. It would be a huge boost at a critical need area.

Any others out there?

[Mean Green 93-98]

Riley Dodge would be good.

[meangreenacct]

Sam Roberson...

[Shuke-D]

The only game I've seen in the last couple years was the WKU recently, so this is just more of a wish than anything else, but I'd love to read on these boards that Jamel Jackson lights it up in the return game. I know he was injured last season and not 'lost.' But, starting field position is so crucial, and a great returner can give his team some energy by breaking off a big return occasionally.

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

A.J. Penson.

[MeanGreenEagle]

Any defensive lineman.

[H-towngreen]

Draylon Ross - He has all the physical tools he just needs to put it all together. If he does I think he could really surprise.

[LongJim]

I think there has to be a breakout for the defensive line. Someone has to step up and be the guy who will draw the double team, or at least be a threat to get to the passer and stuff the run. The secondary will only be as good as the pass rush this year, and the run defense will go as the DL goes.

[eulessismore]

Tevinn Cantly

[island eagle]

Tevinn Cantly

I'll second that. He probably has the best potential upside of any player we have. The main question is can he make use of it.

[Censored by Laurie]

Todd Dodge

[UNTLifer]

Can't list just one:

Sam Roberson, B J Lewis, Desmond Brigham, Marquis Sykes, Sam Owosu-Hemeng(sp?), Cantly, Ross, a hard hitting safety or two, don't care who they are.

[SUMG]

How 'bout Jeremy Knott? It'd be nice to have a year in which the PAT goes back to being almost automatic. Also, some more leg on the kickoffs would be nice.

[Green59]

I am hoping that probably the most athletic and talented defensive player we have, Eddrick Gilmore, has found himself academically and is eligible the entire season. I really feel that with the arrival of Coach Nelson, Eddrick is very capable of a great season. I am hoping that the JUCO DT's will make an impact so that Gilmore can play at DE.

[Charlie NT 73]

This season, I believe there will be several players on both the

offense and the defense that will come into their own. Just picking

one player that will become a stud player is difficult to chose.

Defense:

DT Jesse DeSoto- last year Jesse was double teamed alot. This

season the pressure will be off DeSoto because of Cantly comming

on to the scene. After the opponents DC's view Cantly at DE, the

double teams will drop off DeSoto. Big year for Jesse!

Close second- Safety, DaWaylon Cook.

Offense:

OT Victor Gill. Kind of a tweener. The former TE was moved to OT

because he was the best available OT at the time. Considered too

light, and inexperienced, Gill has held his own against very good DE's

and DT's. Gill has hit the weights, become bigger and stronger. This

is his third year at OT, so he knows what to do to become a dominate

OT, and he knows that he must protect Riley's back side. With Bean

and Tomlinson right behind Gill, the competition will make Gill a better OT!

Close second- WR Breece Johnson

[NT03]

entire team & coaching staff

[Mean Green 93-98]

OT Victor Gill. Kind of a tweener. The former TE was moved to OT

because he was the best available OT at the time. Considered too

light, and inexperienced, Gill has held his own against very good DE's

and DT's. Gill has hit the weights, become bigger and stronger. This

is his third year at OT, so he knows what to do to become a dominate

OT, and he knows that he must protect Riley's back side. With Bean

and Tomlinson right behind Gill, the competition will make Gill a better OT!

I thought Gill had as good a year as any offensive lineman last year. People kept taking potshots at his size, but they couldn't say much against his performance. With increased size and strength, I look for Victor to have a great year.

[TIgreen01]

Obviously defense and special teams are our biggest need areas....but I'll go with Cam Montgomery and Lance Dunbar. Behind a more experienced line, we need these guys to be steady and not turn the ball over (lots of fumbles last year). Controlling time of possession would go a long way to improving our defensive stats.