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Three players you hope to see step up this spring?

Duff Man

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1. Bryce Givens-Would like to see him solidify his starting spot at RT and head into the fall confident. The success of the OL is going to determine our fate in 2010.

2. Toney Clemons-With questions surrounding Simas, we need a WR to step up to be a playmaker. Clemons can hopefully be that guy and the spring should allow him to develop some chemistry with Hansen.

3. Zach Grossnickle-I have little to no confidence that Goodman can turn it around, so hopefully a fresh start at punter will be a welcome change. Things need to change on special teams, and getting more of the punting game than a last-place average in the Big 12 seems like a logical start.

I realize that spring will not tell us too much about this team, but I do think it can be helpful for players like the ones listed above. I would have put on Tyler Hansen on this list, but I am not sure how the reps are going to divided.
 
Jon Major. We need a "new" leader at LB and I hope he can be the man.

Tyler Hansen. For many many many obvious reasons.

Anybody at LG. Solder's only struggles last year seemed to be due to trying to help out the interior linemen and do his own job. With lack of TE depth our guards are going to be the make/break position to establish any running threats.
 
Hansen, Kasa, Miller.

For all the hype, Miller regressed last year, IMO. That could have to do with him being shuttled around from RT to RG, but this kid should be an all-American by now, and he's not even All Big 12. Coaching probably has a lot to do with it, but sometimes you have to play well in spite of your coaching. I'm really hoping to see him dominate people this year.
 
Kasa, Miller, Major: not sure these are my "3", but it's time to get some 4/5 star type production out of the local marquee recruits...if only in the wake of the Katoa/Scott situations. we need to have our best players on the field and being leaders and making plays.

we don't currently have the depth to not suffer a pretty serious talent drop with these guys on the sidelines or not lunchpailing it enough.
 
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Kasa, Hansen, Deehan.. one of the TE's needs to step up it will be interesting to see if it's Deehan or Thorton
 
1. Givens - I think he can be great, and hopefully we start to see it this year. I know he's young but BB is right, we need consistent play from the OL this year to have any success on offense.

2. Herrod - The DL played better than I expected last year, but we still didn't put any consistent pressure on opposing QBs last year. Kasa will be mentioned a lot, but he's still young and coming off injury so I'd like to see Herrod emerge as a senior leader on this team.

3. Polk - All the talent in the world and got more playing time last year than I expected after a position change. If Polk can emerge as the big hitter with speed, it will go a long way towards avoiding those "gashers" that plagued us early in the season last year.

Honorable mention:

Sipili
Iltis
Deehan
Major

I left Goodman off the list because by all accounts he's "money" in practice, so even if he has a monster spring, I'm not convinced until he does it in a game that counts.
 
hansen, major, polk. i want polk to turn into a bad mother ****er out there. someone who causes guys to think twice before crossing the middle.
 
From a leadership standpoint:

On offense we need Hansen and Miller to be vocal, in-your-face guys.

On defense, I'm not sure who fills that role. Ideally, I'd hope it could be Sipili and Herrod.

As far as guys stepping up and owning their positions, I agree with people above that it's time for the 4*s to make an impact. Clemons, Givens, Major, Deehan, Polk and Kasa were mentioned. I'd add Max and Simmons to that mix.
 
Hansen, or any QB for that matter. We need a big jump there.
Clemons would be nice. Again, or any WR. Would like to see a big play maker here.
Anyone on the D-line, to get into the backfield and blow **** up.
 
Polk is a good one. If we can enter the CSU game with him, Perkins, Smith, and Brown as a strong starting four back there, I feel pretty good. It would probably be the most athletic secondary group we have had in years.

Deehan is another good one. I think he has all the potential in the world, but he got lost in the shuffle as a sophomore with the two seniors leading the way at TE. He will have every opportunity to prove himself this season though.
 
Normally I'd say, "Why just three?" But with this staff, I have to ask, "You think we'll get three?"
 
1. Miller - Healthy and ready to lead at whichever right side position they need him. Establishes good protection for the runners and helps make Hansen a running threat on that side.

2. Cunningham/Bonsu - I'm comfortable with the DE position, now let's see some interior pressure that can stuff the run and get to opposing QBs quickly. An inside tandem that can pass rush will be a huge advantage in the Big 12 schedule.

3. Simmons - After all we've heard about the speed and his return ability, I just want this staff to find any way they can to get him in the game. Hopefully he's taking the steps the coaches want to see to reward him with more field time and gets to show off his talents in a big way in his final year.
 
1. Miller - Healthy and ready to lead at whichever right side position they need him. Establishes good protection for the runners and helps make Hansen a running threat on that side.

2. Cunningham/Bonsu - I'm comfortable with the DE position, now let's see some interior pressure that can stuff the run and get to opposing QBs quickly. An inside tandem that can pass rush will be a huge advantage in the Big 12 schedule.

3. Simmons - After all we've heard about the speed and his return ability, I just want this staff to find any way they can to get him in the game. Hopefully he's taking the steps the coaches want to see to reward him with more field time and gets to show off his talents in a big way in his final year.

Simmons, Clemons and McKnight should be formidable (hopefully)if Hansen has time. This would open things up for Lockridge/Stewart aswell.
 
Defensive side I would love to see Polk be the intimidator back there. On offense I want Tyler to take control and be the man. Whoever the punt returner is I want to see some production.What I really want is some vocal leaders to step up, get in players faces if they aren't doing their jobs and just get some emotion back on this team. It was like watching the Living Dead last year.
 
1. Hansen: I just want to see him play and lead so well that the staff has no choice but to name him as the starter sometime during the Spring. Football is a QB game these days, so like it or not a lot is on him. I think he will bring it, but he could use some help from the OL this year, though.

2. Clemons/Simmons: One of these guys needs to step up and become the deep threat type of guy across from Scotty. Their production will be essential to our offense not being offensive yet again this year.

3. Kasa: We need a pass rushing threat and I think this guy has the most potential we have had in a DL in a long time. If he can step up and play to his potential this year, Hawk might just have his job saved again. Kasa has that kind of ability imo.

Others:

Sipili: We need some leadership at LB, he's the most logical to bring it. If not, hopefully Major is ready to step in.

J. Brown: I think teams realize that Jimmy Smith is an amazing cover corner so they're going to be attacking Jalil a lot this year. He needs to have a good year.

Deehan: Well we need a TE and he's the most logical guy to step up. If he or Thornton don't, then we might have some issues.
 
1. The guy who everyone says looks great and then we never see him in the fall.
2. The guys who say they are really getting it now. They were just lost last season.
3. The guys who say the new coaching staff member(s) are really making a difference.

Yep. Cannot wait for spring ball to blot out reality.
 
Miller - Has been good here but he hasn't reached his all-american potential.
Major - I am excited to see what he can do on the field.
Clemons or Simmons or both - We know Simas can play. We know McKnight is good. Simas can't seem to keep on the field, though, and who knows how much he will play next year. McKnight has been great but he isn't a huge threat... we need someone opposite Simas that is a true burner.
 
For the 3rd year in the row, our OL is the key. We need a bunch of guys to step up, but if I pick three they are:

1. Givens - RT. A lot of improvement is possible here (called potential).
2. MTM - guy was a beast as a true-frosh until the injury. Could be a huge positional improvement for us.
3. RB - need 1-2 to step up here and become major contributors.

If the O-Line can get improvement at all 5 positions (which they should), this will be the unit that leads the offense out of the cellar.
Depth is there with plenty of guys having some level of experience. We now need dominance. That level of play makes everyone else look that much better. Without major improvement, we will wallow below .500.
 
Id go with Kasa, Clemons, and Major. Other picks would be Hansen, Polk, Bosnu, and any of the rb's. Where is Givens weight right now, anybody know?
 
I'd like to see Katoa, Scott, & Simas step -OOOOps! Sorry, their no longer around.

No, actually this is an easy one. I hope MTM can fill any void in the O-line, and I EXPECT Grossnickle to unseed Goodman. Last but not least, Simmons, or one of the other WR's has to step it up BIG TIME. I'm pretty sure the rest of the usual suspects will rise to the occasion.

It's the coaching that worries me, top to bottom!
 
I'd like to see Katoa, Scott, & Simas step -OOOOps! Sorry, their no longer around.

No, actually this is an easy one. I hope MTM can fill any void in the O-line, and I EXPECT Grossnickle to unseed Goodman. Last but not least, Simmons, or one of the other WR's has to step it up BIG TIME. I'm pretty sure the rest of the usual suspects will rise to the occasion.

It's the coaching that worries me, top to bottom!
grossnickel won't be kicking field goals from the sound of it, he will be punting though.
 
1. Clemons. (just don't know if Simas can keep his head on straight....and I'm still waiting for Simmons to explode, but who knows when that will be.....WillJeff???? Maybe....). Clemons should be hungry to see the field and make an impression.

2. Bonsu/Cunningham. (depth is a question at DT). These 2 are young, strong and athletic. Nice base in the middle for now and the future.

3. A darkhourse at DB (I know, I know...we're supposed to name someone....just can't say who right now). Someone to step into the nickle role, or compete at safety. The NJ gray(shirt)-rider? How 'bout the TX speedster? Or perhaps the OH assassin? Someone else? Don't know, but this role is a key for the defense this year.
 
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