Thoughts On Recruiting

[hickoryhouse]

Last year I looked at the draft not as if the Cowboys didn't have a first round pick, but more as that first round pick was the now failing receiver known as Roy Williams.

I think that in this years recruiting class, while looking pretty strong albeit small at this point, we should look at William Cole and Tyler Stradford as recruits this year. Perhaps use them in our 2010 recruiting class when we are looking around at the competitions recruits and comparing results. Neither guy played here last year, both have 2+ years of eligibility, isn't basically the same thing as bringing in a JuCo guy?

I could be off base but when I look at our class so far, especially with these guys being considered as a part, I think that we are developing one hell of a class this year.

[UNT90]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aISkVvi5iI8

Just sayin...

Edited December 29, 2009 by UNT90

[Harry]

I don't have a problem including them in this class. Personally I am not too concerned about getting 3 and 4 star players. You could argue that Dodge has done better at getting the high Rivals ranked guys but he has struggled getting playmakers and addressing key need areas, especially on defense. I just want to see playmakers, in particular on defense.

This is not a lost cause. We have our entire offensive line returning and one of the best running backs in the nation returning. Riley - if healthy - will make better decisions. My concerns lie with the defense. Replacing Tobe, getting some multipurpose defensive ends and secondary help will go a long way. Most of all, we need hitters guys that will knock your socks off. We have been a very soft defense throughout the Dodge era and that has overshadowed some of the good things he has done for us offensively.

[Quoner]

I don't have a problem including them in this class. Personally I am not too concerned about getting 3 and 4 star players. You could argue that Dodge has done better at getting the high Rivals ranked guys but he has struggled getting playmakers and addressing key need areas, especially on defense. I just want to see playmakers, in particular on defense.

This is not a lost cause. We have our entire offensive line returning and one of the best running backs in the nation returning. Riley - if healthy - will make better decisions. My concerns lie with the defense. Replacing Tobe, getting some multipurpose defensive ends and secondary help will go a long way. Most of all, we need hitters guys that will knock your socks off. We have been a very soft defense throughout the Dodge era and that has overshadowed some of the good things he has done for us offensively.

Do we really want more playmakers? Could the board handle it?

[BIG DAWG]

I really think that the additions that are being made, and some of the guys we have coming in, we have some tools to work with to get this thing going next season.

The offensive names have been mentioned, but there are still some names on defense that I think people are forgetting...Anyiam (sp) could be a beast for us, we haven't seen what Webber can do, and I know he played in one game, but the young DT, White, has some real size to him.

Then you have to consider having Cantly back at his natural position at DT

This team has some pieces, and I still think DeLoach is one hell of a coach that will be in his 3rd year with this group...he shaved 10 points a game off the defense last season, shave another 10 points off, and that wins you some extra games by itself.

[NT80]

My concerns lie with the defense. Replacing Tobe, getting some multipurpose defensive ends and secondary help will go a long way. Most of all, we need hitters guys that will knock your socks off. We have been a very soft defense throughout the Dodge era and that has overshadowed some of the good things he has done for us offensively.

Dodge's big focus when he came to NT was all on offense. He had to very slowly and stubbornly learn that lack of defense and special teams were actually the missing components with his college teams. Is it too late to right the ship? Guess we'll soon find out.

Edited December 30, 2009 by NT80

[Greendylan]

Dodge's big focus when he came to NT was all on offense. He had to very slowly and stubbornly learn that lack of defense and special teams were actually the missing components with his college teams. Is it too late to right the ship? Guess we'll soon find out.

I've heard this statement numerous times, and there's certainly some truth to it. However, isn't it possible that Dodge has had more recruiting success on offense simply because quality offensive players are more interested in playing for a spread team than defensive standouts? As I understand it, premium D-linemen are extremely difficult for non-powerhouse programs to recruit, even under the best of circumstances. Yes, we could be better at evaluating talent and find a one or two star DL who turns into an all-conference performer, but I imagine there's a certain amount of luck involved in this. We can't just demand even the best of recruiters to take this route and expect it to work every year.

[Side Show Joe]

I like this class, but I'd like it more with some quality DTs, DEs, and OL. Games are won and lost at the line. I've always felt the lines are the most important areas to address in recruiting.

[NT80]

As I understand it, premium D-linemen are extremely difficult for non-powerhouse programs to recruit, even under the best of circumstances. Yes, we could be better at evaluating talent and find a one or two star DL who turns into an all-conference performer, but I imagine there's a certain amount of luck involved in this. We can't just demand even the best of recruiters to take this route and expect it to work every year.

Yes, defensive standouts are harder to come by. But it's logical that a famed offensive-minded head coach (and former college qb) with famed rising qb son would be more concerned with and have more fun in finding surrounding offensive players. Hiring DeLoach was an admission to a needed fix, now the search continues for the components to make that side of the ball work as intended.

Edited December 30, 2009 by NT80

[LoveMG]

I like this class, but I'd like it more with some quality DTs, DEs, and OL. Games are won and lost at the line. I've always felt the lines are the most important areas to address in recruiting.

major help needed on the d line.

[BIG DAWG]

major help needed on the d line.

New: LaChris Anyiam, John Webber, Kyle White

Tevin Cantly back at original position

Atkinson, Jackson (healthy), and AK with another year of training in the off-season

I know we could get better in the D-line, but I am not as worried as I was going into this last season. We are not in as bad as shape as everyone thinks IMO

[SilverEagle]

I don't have a problem including them in this class. Personally I am not too concerned about getting 3 and 4 star players. You could argue that Dodge has done better at getting the high Rivals ranked guys but he has struggled getting playmakers and addressing key need areas, especially on defense. I just want to see playmakers, in particular on defense.

This is not a lost cause. We have our entire offensive line returning and one of the best running backs in the nation returning. Riley - if healthy - will make better decisions. My concerns lie with the defense. Replacing Tobe, getting some multipurpose defensive ends and secondary help will go a long way. Most of all, we need hitters guys that will knock your socks off. We have been a very soft defense throughout the Dodge era and that has overshadowed some of the good things he has done for us offensively.

BINGO! I really miss players like Burks Washington, J.T. Smith, Danny Whitaker (I had to include a Decatur player in there) Lester Harper, Byron Gross, Lance White,

Corbin Epps/Montgomery, and Jonas Buckles. All of them are players that will absolutely dislodge important parts of your body when they hit you.

[wardly]

major help needed on the d line.

hopefully we can get some juco help on both sides of the line.

[greenminer]

hopefully we can get some juco help on both sides of the line.

I like our current o-line. Did we lose someone?

[Stan R]

Do we really want more playmakers? Could the board handle it?

This is unquestionably weak. You will now be escorted to the GMG.com training shed. You'll be forced to stay there in the dark until you can come up with wittier banter.

[Quoner]

This is unquestionably weak. You will now be escorted to the GMG.com training shed. You'll be forced to stay there in the dark until you can come up with wittier banter.

You get what you pay for. And you'll be hearing from my dad shortly.

I also agree that we need to get some hard hitters and defensive linemen. I also want to exhume Korey Stringer and see how he plays on our o-line.

[Side Show Joe]

New: LaChris Anyiam, John Webber, Kyle White

Tevin Cantly back at original position

Atkinson, Jackson (healthy), and AK with another year of training in the off-season

I know we could get better in the D-line, but I am not as worried as I was going into this last season. We are not in as bad as shape as everyone thinks IMO

I'm looking forward to seeing if a full off season with a full time strength coach will result in lines that are stronger and more explosive. I do think our o-line is good, but I feel we should always be working to improve in every area of the game.

[FirefightnRick]

I've heard this statement numerous times, and there's certainly some truth to it. However, isn't it possible that Dodge has had more recruiting success on offense simply because quality offensive players are more interested in playing for a spread team than defensive standouts? As I understand it, premium D-linemen are extremely difficult for non-powerhouse programs to recruit, even under the best of circumstances. Yes, we could be better at evaluating talent and find a one or two star DL who turns into an all-conference performer, but I imagine there's a certain amount of luck involved in this. We can't just demand even the best of recruiters to take this route and expect it to work every year.

I would like to see us go the route TCU used in developing Jerry Hughes from high school fullback into projected first round draft pick DT.

Lets recruit the best possible athletes and develop the ones that fit our mold. Deloach did the same thing with Brad Kassel. So it can happen again. We should expect great things to emerge this next year.

Rick

Edited December 30, 2009 by FirefightnRick