gobears2010
Active member
My thoughts on the Bears in '08:
First, we've got a QB, Brian Waggener can play. He reminds me of a (very) poor man's JaMarcus Russell/Daunte Culpepper. I watched him quite a bit in spring practice and arm strength is not a question. He is definitely an upgrade from Breazeale, who was slightly less mobile in the pocket than a statue, and Vlahogeorge who could barely catch a snap in the shotgun. (How Downing expects him to be a TE I have no idea.)
The RBs, Woods and Wilson, will be passable, but the passing game needs to be the focal point of our offense.
If used correctly, our undersized receiving corps can be deadly. Downing and Darnell need to use their speed with both deep routes and little quick slants. No more of the 5 yard out route crap we saw last year.
Tight end is solid with first team All-Big Sky Ryan Chesla. That's really all that needs to be said about that.
Our offense comes down to the line, which has seen a shake-up. If Thornbrue and the boys can keep Waggener on his feet, the offense has the potential to be great.
The line is also the biggest question on defense. The loss of Joe Silipo hurts. (Where did he end up, anyway?) John Eddy now has to step up as the leader of a relatively inexperienced group.
The linebacking corps is undoubtedly the strength of defense, with captains Joe Kenney and second team All-Big Sky performer Christian Sarmento. We also saw some big plays from some of out other linebackers last year.
The secondary showed perhaps the biggest strides toward the end of last season. Every CB that saw time last year is back and the Bears return safeties Max Hewitt and Stephen Michon. This secondary made some big INTs last ear but also had a tendency to get burned.
Zak Bigelow returns as the kicker and redshirt freshman Cameron Kaman will step in as punter. Return man Eric Brown is close to a school record for return yards.
I feel safe saying this is the year we climb out of the Big Sky cellar. How far out, I can't say.
First, we've got a QB, Brian Waggener can play. He reminds me of a (very) poor man's JaMarcus Russell/Daunte Culpepper. I watched him quite a bit in spring practice and arm strength is not a question. He is definitely an upgrade from Breazeale, who was slightly less mobile in the pocket than a statue, and Vlahogeorge who could barely catch a snap in the shotgun. (How Downing expects him to be a TE I have no idea.)
The RBs, Woods and Wilson, will be passable, but the passing game needs to be the focal point of our offense.
If used correctly, our undersized receiving corps can be deadly. Downing and Darnell need to use their speed with both deep routes and little quick slants. No more of the 5 yard out route crap we saw last year.
Tight end is solid with first team All-Big Sky Ryan Chesla. That's really all that needs to be said about that.
Our offense comes down to the line, which has seen a shake-up. If Thornbrue and the boys can keep Waggener on his feet, the offense has the potential to be great.
The line is also the biggest question on defense. The loss of Joe Silipo hurts. (Where did he end up, anyway?) John Eddy now has to step up as the leader of a relatively inexperienced group.
The linebacking corps is undoubtedly the strength of defense, with captains Joe Kenney and second team All-Big Sky performer Christian Sarmento. We also saw some big plays from some of out other linebackers last year.
The secondary showed perhaps the biggest strides toward the end of last season. Every CB that saw time last year is back and the Bears return safeties Max Hewitt and Stephen Michon. This secondary made some big INTs last ear but also had a tendency to get burned.
Zak Bigelow returns as the kicker and redshirt freshman Cameron Kaman will step in as punter. Return man Eric Brown is close to a school record for return yards.
I feel safe saying this is the year we climb out of the Big Sky cellar. How far out, I can't say.
