Will EWU be better this year, than last year?

[wineguy]

We lose TJ and JC. We can't replace them, but we gain RB - Bronson; WR - Mitchell; DLT - Pulu; LB - Walker; FCB - TJ Lee; CB - Stagg; and who knows who else will step up.
We have a huge target on our backs, so every team will be motivated to kill us. One important factor though; is that all the returning players have more experience and have the "HEART of CHAMPIONS". This team will not be satisfied with anything less than another National Championship and I wouldn't bet against them.

Answer: YES

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I don't know if I could say we're better or worse, but I would venture to say that we'll be more balanced, and grind up more clock this year. It was great having the homerun threat every play with TJ, but sometimes it seemed to bite us in the ass by scoring so quickly. Our D spent way too much time on the field.

 

[LDopaPDX]

It's hard to say... the truth is we were a team that simply knew how to win last year and proved it over and over again. That said, despite the National Championship, there were times where we looked like a mediocre team. We barely beat Central Washington, we played like ass against Montana State, we nearly lost to totally overmatched teams like Northern Colorado and blew big leads against Sac State and NAU. If someone only saw those performances, they wouldn't have believed in a million years we were going to contend- let alone win- a National Championship.

But when we got in against Villanova and Delaware, those games of rising to the top when we needed it the most really paid. Not to mention, it seemed like we were a better team when the weight was all on Bo Levi's shoulders. Having Taiwan in the backfield almost seemed like something that made him passive... he knew there was someone else to make the plays and carry the load. Once he became the Alpha, his game- and Eastern's as a whole- rose to a new level.

 

[MLEagle]

I think there is a real possibility that we are a better team this year then last, but that does not necessarily mean we win the title either.

 

[EWURanger]

With what we have returning, I wouldn't bet against us.... :thumb:

 

[bpcats1]

Of all the teams entering next season EWU has the fewest questions to answer.

Even with your turnover at the CB position you still have leaders to help at that position with Minnerly and Johnson at safety to help cover up any mistakes. Your young defensive ends were coming on strong toward the end of last season and while not dominant they are very opportunistic when it comes to making plays and capitalizing on mistakes.

You guys will miss T. Jones a lot but Mario has shown that he has great field vision and can find the holes when they are there. It also helps that Mitchell is now in sync with the WR's and you guys are operating efficiently in all phases. EWU will be better than last year but that goes for most teams in the Big Sky.

I catch a lot of grief but I believe that the winning the Big Sky is about which team can be mentally tough enough to show up each week and perform at a high level despite injuries turnovers etc. Your game changer is Renard Williams. When he wants to be unblockable then your whole team raises its level of play. When he is off a little bit then that opens the door for other teams to step through.

Either way EWU will be tough to beat.

 

[eaglesfootball]

been stated many times but hard to believe we could be better without jones and sherritt but its definitely possible. i also agree with the idea that we could actually end up being better than 2010 and not go as far since the conference as a whole will be better.

 

[clawman1]

IMHO we will be better, without question, but the competition will be better too and every team will bring their A game. We've lost Taiwan but will have more balance in the offensive effort. We lost JC and just as importantly, Tyler Jolley, Mr consistency.
Our D line will be scary good but without the stability and discipline Tyler provided we may not reach maximum potential.
QB- definitely better to start this year than starting last year.
Receiver corps- Even better than last year, best in the Sky.
O-line- more experienced and bigger stronger faster.
RB's - Nothing more can be said about Taiwan but we will be better balanced and more depth next year.
And most importantly- coaching staff- stable, committed, to excellence, and respected leaders.
Nuff said... Eagles #1

 

[EWOOfan73]

This is a team which should be good enough to make the playoffs and then from there with a little bit of magic anything could happen. Home games come playoff time is the key.