Pre Season Top 10 BSC Position Rankings

[clawman1]

Defensive Backs: Two of ten good pics
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-defensive-backs/article_e963c982-bf19-11e1-804e-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1. T.J. LEE, CB, JR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 48 tkl, 2 int, 3 pass def, 1 breakup. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Lee, a Seattle native, is the only returning first-team All-Big Sky performer at the defensive back position from 2011. Last year was his first as a starter, and Lee showed his talent a solid cover corner. The Eagles are working in a new cornerbacks coach this year (Cherokee Valeria) and must fill in two new starters in the defensive backfield. But they'll be in good hands with Lee, who along with safety Jeff Minnerly helped the Eagles rank third in the league in pass defense. Lee has great work ethic and has visions of becoming an All-American this season. He'll at the very least be the best in the Big Sky in 2012.

6. JEFF MINNERLY, S, SR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 77 tkl, 5 tfl, 1 int, 3 pass def, 2 breakups. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Minnerly's experience is perhaps his best attribute, having played a big role in Eastern Washington's march to the FCS national title in 2010. He also might be the smartest defensive player in the Big Sky Conference. Minnerly injured his groin very early on in spring drills and had to miss valuable practice time, but he'll be ready by the opening game. Minnerly's 77 tackles were second on the team last year, but safeties coach Jeff Schmedding told The Spokesman Review that he expects Minnerly to have his best season as an Eagle in 2012.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Special Teams: No EWU players. hno:
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-special-teams/article_a569862c-b9c4-11e1-9374-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Linebackers: Zack Johnson
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/article_85b60044-c653-11e1-b77d-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz20XqfkkRY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

6. ZACH JOHNSON, SR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 20 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Like Montana's Jordan Tripp, Johnson missed tons of time last season due to injury. But Johnson, who has actually missed parts of two seasons, is back after being granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA in February. A second-team All-Big Sky performer in 2010, Johnson is a big-time contributor when he's on the field. Per the Eagles' website, Johnson has started each of the 30 games he's played, making 260 career tackles to rank 10th in school history. Johnson’s average of 8.7 tackles per game is the fourth-most in EWU annals.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Defensive Line: Paul Ena
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/article_1ce13ec2-cd41-11e1-8a24-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz2166Vox3P" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

8. PAUL ENA, SR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 48 tkl, 9 tfl, 3 sacks, 2 fum rec. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Ena is focused and ready for a big season. Eastern Washington's website says Ena was one of only three players on the team to earn an an “Iron Eagle” Award in the spring, which is given for achievements in the offseason in strength and conditioning. Ena doesn't get a ton of QB sacks but he sure has a nose for the ball. In three seasons Ena has already made seven fumble recoveries, which is just one away from the school record. The Montana Grizzlies wanted Ena in a big way when he came out of high school in 2009, and he's shown why as a star on EWU's defense ever since.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/article_1ce13ec2-cd41-11e1-8a24-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz218VtedMU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Offensive Line: Will Post
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/big-sky-conference/article_5ca64222-d2bf-11e1-bcbb-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz228N5HD5h" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

8. WILL POST, T, SR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 9 starts, honorable mention All-Big Sky. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Eastern Washington's offensive line was decimated by injuries last year, but Post stood his ground and established himself as one of the best in the league. The Eagles are expected to be very potent on offense again, and Post will be a key. He was named to the Big Sky's preseason all-conference squad, and was rated as the 34th best offensive tackle in the nation by Phil Steele’s FCS College Football Preview magazine.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Tight Ends: Zach Gehring
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-tight-ends/article_5044f99a-d9fb-11e1-bffd-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz22QCGkvmP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3. ZACK GEHRING, JR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011: 6 rec, 63 yds, 0 TD, 10.5 avg. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Gehring was on his way to posting some solid numbers before a shoulder injury forced him to miss the last half of the 2011 season. Gehring had surgery in the offseason but is back as the Eagles' top tight end. With dropdown QB Kyle Padron under center, Gehring should get plenty of opportunities in what will be a pass-happy offense again in 2012.

 

[EWURanger]

I really think we'll see more productivity out of the TE position this season. TE receptions last season were pretty much non-existent, but having Gehring hurt didn't help, plus I think Seto red-shirted last season as well. We should have three solid TE's this season between the above two and the Freshman that red-shirted last season...

 

[Spoeagle]

Ranger-
Besides Gehring, Seto and Withnell also watch for Terry Jackson #89, 6-4, 250, redshirt frosh from Sacremento at Tight End. He wasn't on the Feb. 2011 list of recruits, but looked good in scrimmages last spring and is on the fall roster.

I am anxious for football, and one of the best things about football season it keeps the Zags off the Review sports page!

 

[EWURanger]

Ranger-
Besides Gehring, Seto and Withnell also watch for Terry Jackson #89, 6-4, 250, redshirt frosh from Sacremento at Tight End. He wasn't on the Feb. 2011 list of recruits, but looked good in scrimmages last spring and is on the fall roster.

I am anxious for football, and one of the best things about football season it keeps the Zags off the Review sports page!

Thanks for the reminder about Jackson, haven't heard too much about him yet. So, it would appear that we will be very deep at that position this season with no fewer than 4 active players there.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Ranger-
Besides Gehring, Seto and Withnell also watch for Terry Jackson #89, 6-4, 250, redshirt frosh from Sacremento at Tight End. He wasn't on the Feb. 2011 list of recruits, but looked good in scrimmages last spring and is on the fall roster.

I am anxious for football, and one of the best things about football season it keeps the Zags off the Review sports page!

Thanks for the reminder about Jackson, haven't heard too much about him yet. So, it would appear that we will be very deep at that position this season with no fewer than 4 active players there.

A lot of big targets for Padron. :nod: :twisted:

 

[clawman1]

Ranger-
Besides Gehring, Seto and Withnell also watch for Terry Jackson #89, 6-4, 250, redshirt frosh from Sacremento at Tight End. He wasn't on the Feb. 2011 list of recruits, but looked good in scrimmages last spring and is on the fall roster.

I am anxious for football, and one of the best things about football season it keeps the Zags off the Review sports page!

Thanks for the reminder about Jackson, haven't heard too much about him yet. So, it would appear that we will be very deep at that position this season with no fewer than 4 active players there.

A lot of big targets for Padron. :nod: :twisted:

Does Baldwin tend to use the TE as a target very much, or mostly as a blocker?

 

[EWURanger]

Ranger-
Besides Gehring, Seto and Withnell also watch for Terry Jackson #89, 6-4, 250, redshirt frosh from Sacremento at Tight End. He wasn't on the Feb. 2011 list of recruits, but looked good in scrimmages last spring and is on the fall roster.

I am anxious for football, and one of the best things about football season it keeps the Zags off the Review sports page!

Thanks for the reminder about Jackson, haven't heard too much about him yet. So, it would appear that we will be very deep at that position this season with no fewer than 4 active players there.

A lot of big targets for Padron. :nod: :twisted:

Does Baldwin tend to use the TE as a target very much, or mostly as a blocker?

I think in this system they're meant do act primarily as check-down receivers. Look at how effective Nate Overbay was in that role. We haven't used them much in the passing game the past couple of seasons, but I think that's more to due with circumstance than the offensive system. When Overbay was a Senior in 2009, he had a ton of receptions under the same system.

Last season with injuries to both TE's we didn't really see many TE receptions since we were going downfield almost every play. You also need a healthy line and running game to use TE's effectively in the passing game, IMO. We haven't really had a running game to speak of since 2010, IE the strength of last season's team was the QB/Receivers/Vertical passing game.

But with a better line/running game and healthy TE's, I think we will get more productivity out of the TE's in 2012.

 

[Dozy]

Don't forget Cody Humphrey. Got a lot of time last year at guard but with everyone healthy he's at tight end. Soft hands, experienced run blocker, 6'5", 260lbs. We'll be set at TE...

 

[EWURanger]

Don't forget Cody Humphrey. Got a lot of time last year at guard but with everyone healthy he's at tight end. Soft hands, experienced run blocker, 6'5", 260lbs. We'll be set at TE...

Yeah, I was going to mention Cody, but I knew he had played a lot of time on the O-Line last season because of all the injuries. That's great he's moved back over to TE. :thumb:

So, we appear to be veeery deep at this position this year. :shock:

 

[EWURanger]

Wide Receivers: #1 Nicholas Edwards, #3 Brandon Kaufman, #6 Greg Herd :nod: :nod: :nod:

No team in the Big Sky Conference has more pass-catching weapons than Eastern Washington. That should make new Eagles quarterback Kyle Padron very happy.

Padron has dropped down to EWU from Southern Methodist -- making him the second consecutive SMU transfer to bolster the Eagels. Bo Levi Mitchell was the first, and he ended up winning both a national championship and a Walter Payton Award, becoming the first Big Sky QB to win one of each since Montana's Dave Dickenson.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/#ixzz235cAg4D4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Wide Receivers: #1 Nicholas Edwards, #3 Brandon Kaufman, #6 Greg Herd :nod: :nod: :nod:

No team in the Big Sky Conference has more pass-catching weapons than Eastern Washington. That should make new Eagles quarterback Kyle Padron very happy.

Padron has dropped down to EWU from Southern Methodist -- making him the second consecutive SMU transfer to bolster the Eagels. Bo Levi Mitchell was the first, and he ended up winning both a national championship and a Walter Payton Award, becoming the first Big Sky QB to win one of each since Montana's Dave Dickenson.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/#ixzz235cAg4D4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

So excited to watch Padron slinging to our WRs. If we can establish some semblance of a run game, this offense is going to be unstoppable. :twisted:

 

[clawman1]

Wide Receivers: #1 Nicholas Edwards, #3 Brandon Kaufman, #6 Greg Herd :nod: :nod: :nod:

No team in the Big Sky Conference has more pass-catching weapons than Eastern Washington. That should make new Eagles quarterback Kyle Padron very happy.

Padron has dropped down to EWU from Southern Methodist -- making him the second consecutive SMU transfer to bolster the Eagels. Bo Levi Mitchell was the first, and he ended up winning both a national championship and a Walter Payton Award, becoming the first Big Sky QB to win one of each since Montana's Dave Dickenson.

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/#ixzz235cAg4D4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
So excited to watch Padron slinging to our WRs. If we can establish some semblance of a run game, this offense is going to be unstoppable. :twisted:

Can you say dominance at a particular position?? 3 of the top 6 being Eagles. Holy hsit Batman, it is going to be a wonderful year!!

 

[marceagfan5]

http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-running-backs/article_8492dc28-8f4e-11e1-b975-0019bb2963f4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bronson listed at #9, fair considering our running game, or lack thereof last year. I think one of our backs is poised to breakout this year. Bronson could be the bruiser and Talley and Forte the speed. Bronson and Talley seem to be the main backs getting the attention, but I wouldn't sleep on Forte, he had a good 2nd half last year and I think he will make a difference somewhere (run or return game).

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Final one, QBs: #1 Kyle Padron
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-quarterbacks/article_5c994398-89ad-11e1-943e-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz24JcBuPuj" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1. KYLE PADRON, JR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011 (at Southern Methodist): 45.0% 152 yds, 0 TD, 3 INT, 78.8 efficiency. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Can the Eagles strike gold twice? Padron is transferring to EWU from Southern Methodist, just like last year's Walter Payton Award winner (Bo Levi Mitchell) did a couple years back. Padron has already proven he can play. In 24 starts at SMU. Padron threw for 5,902 yards and 41 touchdowns. But he was benched last year, and his transfer to EWU was held up until late April as he awaited an eligibility ruling by the NCAA. Padron has since been cleared and Eagles coach Beau Baldwin is licking his chops to mold the same results he got from Mitchell in what is a very QB-friendly offense. The formula worked once before, and there's no reason to think it won't again.

 

[EWURanger]

Final one, QBs: #1 Kyle Padron
http://billingsgazette.com/sports/college/blogs/catgrizinsider/big-sky-position-rankings-quarterbacks/article_5c994398-89ad-11e1-943e-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz24JcBuPuj" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1. KYLE PADRON, JR., EASTERN WASHINGTON 2011 (at Southern Methodist): 45.0% 152 yds, 0 TD, 3 INT, 78.8 efficiency. THE BUZZ FOR 2012: Can the Eagles strike gold twice? Padron is transferring to EWU from Southern Methodist, just like last year's Walter Payton Award winner (Bo Levi Mitchell) did a couple years back. Padron has already proven he can play. In 24 starts at SMU. Padron threw for 5,902 yards and 41 touchdowns. But he was benched last year, and his transfer to EWU was held up until late April as he awaited an eligibility ruling by the NCAA. Padron has since been cleared and Eagles coach Beau Baldwin is licking his chops to mold the same results he got from Mitchell in what is a very QB-friendly offense. The formula worked once before, and there's no reason to think it won't again.

#1? Wow, that is really surprising for a guy who has not played a down of football in the Big Sky yet. Figured Sorenson would be the easy pick here. But hey, still nice to get the recognition.