This Year Vs. Last Year Players

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

How can we be anywhere near last year's effectiveness after losing four of the top five receivers, who totaled 2,000 yards? If we are you can probably chalk it up to speed and talent.

2009

Tyler Stradford 5.6

Mike Outlaw 5.4

Sam Roberson 5.4

Jamaal Jackson 5.4

Desmon Brigham 5.4

Darius Carey 5.4

Breece Johnson 5.3

Kenny Barrett 5.3

Forrest Rucker 5.3

Austin Fitzpatrick 5.3

Willie Taylor 5.2

B.J. Lewis 5.1

Bryant Seidle 5.1

Chris Brainard 5.1

Alex Lott

Kevin Dickerson

Jamel Jackson

Bennie Jones

Losses from 2008

Casey Fitzgerald

Brock Stickler 5.1

Sam Dibrell 5.2

Roderick Johnson

On the surface it doesn't look as if we lost much talent but that is part of the flaw in the Rivals Rating System. Walkons and some transfers are usually not rated. Many were not heavily recruited so they were omitted from the database. That applied to HM All-American Casey Fitzgerald and Roderick Johnson. Sometimes a player is underrated such as Stickler and Dibrell. Dibrell, had he stayed and been able to maintain his average, would have been the fifth rated receiver in the SBC. Stickler was #9. Both deserved ratings of at least 5.3.

If Tyler Stradford is eligible this season then he will be the go-to receiver. He is the fastest of the receivers and supposedly possesses good hands. The second fastest is Jamaal Jackson. Their ability to get deep should improve the ability to stretch the field and cause more coverage problems for our opponents. Mike Outlaw was the 12th leading receiver in the NJCAA last year with 46 catches. Roberson was a disappointment last year but he may have been out of position. He is expected to move inside and become more of a possession receiver similar to Stickler's role last year. Those are the expected starters.

The race for the next eight (assuming Dodge uses 12 receivers as he once said) is tight and somewhat unknown. The only receivers with game experience are Breece Johnson, Alex Lott, B.J. Lewis, and Kevin Dickerson so they should have a leg up on the others. The redshirts from last year were Brigham, Barrett, and Taylor. All three had good high school honors and could/should figure in the three deep. JC transfer Bennie Jones impressed in the spring and could be in the mix. Darius Carey is an impressive recruit who may be good enough to bypass his redshirt year. Jamel Jackson is another speedster who transferred from FCS Northwestern State and was originally considered as primarily a return specialist but a season-ending injury last year deferred his competing for either receiver or return man. Chris Brainard has some talent but will likely be redshirted.

I included the possible tight end candidates with this group. Bryant Seidle, a very good blocker, is the likely starter when that formation is used. Newcomer Austin Fitzpatrick is mentioned for potential playing time. Lastly we welcome the return of Forrest Rucker who will likely be a candidate at wide receiver but, because of his size, be considered a tight end candidate. It could take him some time to get in playing shape but when he gets up to speed he will be a major player.

Edited August 3, 2009 by GrayEagleOne

[GrandGreen]

On paper there are no proven wrs on the team, and with the lost of Fitzgerald, it seems questionable that NT's receiving crops could be better in 2009. However, the receiving crop last year was really weak outside of Fitzgerald. Only Stickler among the other players was even average as a Belt receiver. Every year TD has gathered a large number of wr recruits and none as yet has proved to be significant factor, obviously that can't continue. This group of newcomers seems more capable than others with four redshirt freshmen returning and three transfers comming in. Hope primarily lies with the transfers Outlaw, Jackson and Stradford who all appear to be faster than any wrs on NT's recent teams. Roberson appears to be the best of the returning letterman. He has great size and adequate speed but last year he just did not make enough plays. Lewis is also apparently returning to the wr position, he had a few good moments there as a freshman.

Overall, I think that the receivers will be better as a group this year. The queston is who is going to immerge as reliable receivers. Out of Roberson, Lewis, Johnson, Jackson, Outlaw, Stradford, Brigman, Rucker, Taylor, Barrett, Lott, the other Jackson, Jones, Dickerson, Carey and others, surely TD can find a handful of capable receivers.

[UNT90]

How can we be anywhere near last year's effectiveness after losing four of the top five receivers, who totaled 2,000 yards? If we are you can probably chalk it up to speed and talent.

2009

Tyler Stradford 5.6

Mike Outlaw 5.4

Sam Roberson 5.4

Jamaal Jackson 5.4

Desmon Brigham 5.4

Darius Carey 5.4

Breece Johnson 5.3

Kenny Barrett 5.3

Forrest Rucker 5.3

Austin Fitzpatrick 5.3

Willie Taylor 5.2

B.J. Lewis 5.1

Bryant Seidle 5.1

Chris Brainard 5.1

You call those 40 times fast?!?!?!

[Travis]

You call those 40 times fast?!?!?!

If you are joking, that is funny.

If you are serious...I am pretty sure those are rivals rankings not 40 time.

[UNT90]

If you are joking, that is funny.

If you are serious...I am pretty sure those are rivals rankings not 40 time.