I just read an interesting topic on ESPN and since I have no journalistic ties, nor journalistic pride I can admit that I stole [copied] this idea from Adam Ritenburg. Which player on defense and which player on offensive for any team, do you think will be the latest and greatest and give me your reasons why. Furthermore, I will expound on his idea since this is THE OHIO STATE FOOTBALL site, which players on our team do you think take the honors? I'll start things off with my predictions.
All conference:
1. Marcus Coker - This Iowa Running Back has a new starter at Quarterback in Vandenburg. While I think he can be effective at quarterback as the year plays on I think the Hawkeyes are going to ease him into the position and will utilize Coker in abundance. I have to admit Iowa is more than capable of forging themselves an impressive offensive line and this can only benefit a capable Marcus Coker.
2. Chris Borland - This Wisconsin Line Backer was a phenomenal do it all athlete for Wisky in his freshman year. He was sidelined by injury last year and my decision and its accuracy is contingent upon his healthy return to the field. I saw it in his recruiting tapes, I saw it in his play on the field. What makes him special is not just his tackling ability and hitting prowess, it is his ability to cover the pass and read defenses. JJ Watt is gone and that means other people will have to step up and I don't see anyone on the defensive line that will fill the void left by Watt. That means that at the next level, the Line Backers will have to step up. This gives Chris plenty of opportunity. I forgot to mention the best thing about Chris. He is a native Ohioan. Who do I want the Buckeyes to destroy more than anyone else? Nick Saban, but a close second is Wisconsin. I can't root against this guy though.
Now for our team:
1. Jordan Hall - While I admit that Jamaal Berry will likely be the most productive Running Back, followed closely by Hall and Smith, I think that Hall tips the scales by use of his hands and catching balls in the flats. I see our offense with a young Quarterback utilizing a lot of screens and quick pitches to our Running Backs. Hall is electrifying in the open field but even more so in traffic. He has moves that remind me of Barry Sanders yet lacks Barry's ability to break away with excellent speed. Great vision and feet doth this one have.
2. Storm Klein - Like Chris Borland, my opinion on Klein is wholly dependent upon him making first string and seeing if he can rebound to 100% coming off of his hamstring injuries. That type of injury sidelined Jamaal Berry for an entire season the year before last. Here is to hoping Storm heals quicker, especially with the swirling rumors that state Dorian Bell will soon be leaving our Warriors. I fell quickly into fandom with Storm after watching him play on special teams. His speed and ability to hit are top notch but what gives him the edge, in my opinion was that he always had a nose for the ball. Every tackle on special teams held Storm in the ball carriers presence. Maybe that was because no one else wanted to tackle the return men or maybe he is just that good? Time will tell.
I am interested in hearing the opinions of every Blogger on this board [Except for Denny]. What say you mighty Buckeyes? Who will rank greatest amongst your brothers? Who will rank greatest amongst your peers?
No offense but I enjoy the slight ribshots in a certain persons direction. All in good fun.
I don't always take names when I kick ass but when I do, they most often belong to a Wolverine.
You know, I hope some of the staff from 11W read this. You wonder why people interject personal opinions or news onto blogs or "jack" anothers blog? It is because no one reads the forums. Very rarely does any topic on the bottom right side of the main page get any attention or comments from the readers. Everyone wants to be where the action is and that is on the main posts, where visibility is optimal. There are no comments attached to any post in "Active in the Forums" save my own. Just a heads up.
I don't always take names when I kick ass but when I do, they most often belong to a Wolverine.
I can understand the frustration. For me personally I tend to follow where the Recent Comments are going, disregarding at first which article they are from. It's how I just came to your most recent comment and to this post. I can see how something that doesn't get placed on the front page would be shoved to the side and forgotten completey. But truth be told I, and I'm sure others, had read this already but I'm not one who thinks everyone needs to know my opinion about everything so I don't comment that much.
I know it may not be the case for everyone else, and since no one has responded I suppose I will present mine now.....
Jordan Hall won't be the guy on offense, Pryor will. Hall may be for that first five games, but once Pryor comes back I see his involvement diminished some. Terrelle's favorite targets will be Posey and Stoneburner and the top RB will be Boom, and with less reliable receiving options I see more rushing yards from Pryor. And besides, Pryor was fantastic the second half of last year and he has improved every year so I can only imagine how good he will be.
On defense it will be Etienne Sabino. Everyone talks about his athletic abilities compensating for his lower football IQ, and though that has apparently improved, if that were still true I think his athletic abilities are so great that he can still find him self involved in every play. It seemed that way last year. Storm Klein may "start" at the spot Sweat had last year, but with Tyler Moeller healthy (hopefully) I see Klein's involvement pretty small.
Same here I usually follow the recent comments link. For the Big Ten I'll say Dan Persa at Northwestern will be the most prolific offensive player, he easily puts up the most yards and scores the most, then again he has to because of Northwestern's mediocre defense. On defense I'd say Jared Crick, even though he is already so well known, he's easily the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten, and one of the top 3 in the nation. He'll put up huge numbers this year, maybe on par with the numbers Da'Quan Bowers put up.
For our team on offense I have a feeling that for the first five games it will be Jordan Hall since he will be an integral part in the passing, running, and return game. After the return of Pryor and company, the most prolific player will be Pryor, he becomes more dominant as the season progresses. On defense it will be Travis Howard I think, he seems to be our next shutdown corner, I think he's capable of having a good enough year to win the Thorpe Award.
Totally agree, Irricoir. I guess we just kind of hope that as we continue to grow, they will take off, so I guess you can kind of think of yourself as a pioneer. I guess it's also wroth pointing out that May/June are our two slowest months.
Honestly, do you guys have any ideas on how to get these more attention?
Jason,
I know elevenwarriors is an elite site and all, but maybe a credit system or something borrowed from another site with a similar rating system would improve the participation. I would assume that most readers are men and one thing most men do is compete in some form or fashion in almost everything they do. The female readers are most likely into sports or are here to view my beautiful avatar. Maybe awarding value to the contributions of members of this site will encourage more to participate more often. Thumbs up or down might also improve the effort put in to making an intelligent post as well. A ranking system with charts that show whom the most valuable contributors are maybe? Maybe cheap give aways to the top ten? You guys are more creative than I and I may not be the most "Interesting man in the world" [but my game face has won me trophies mind you] but I will try to contribute as much as possible into your forumns. It just seems like a sink hole for effort at times.
I don't always take names when I kick ass but when I do, they most often belong to a Wolverine.
I check out everything on the far right side of the main page everyday. I do appreciate all the contributors and their efforts. I (like probably more than just a few others) do not have much to say in this off-season with the dark clouds hanging over us all.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)