Talking to myself. Part Deux. OK, OK. I'm going to try to be more succint here. Good chance of succeeding. I know squat about offensive linemen too. Other than hunches, reputations, and whimsy.
Offensive Line:
Birch rating-3
I may be crazy, and my psychiatrist says that I am, but I think the OL is going to be better than billed. Am aware that that is not saying much as nobody I've seen has billed them as being better than "poor" or even "urine" poor. Campos is solid, and could end up being all-conference. Jaypee Philbert is an animal. Or, let me clarify, he looks like an animal when he lines up. Whimsy tells me that he'll surprise this year. If Brian Bobek can get a healthy season in, he'll be tough. Probably won't happen. Just a hunch. Nick Fett was said to have played decently last year. In one game. Big deal. But, he's big. Scoggins has been in the program for two years. Maybe he'll be solid. How the hell would I know. Off the bench, we have Julian Good-Jones who has been described as having NFL potential. That's great unless you factor in that it was my grandmother that said it. But, reputations rule with me. I like him off the bench. He may be great in a few years. Maybe undersized Karson Green will be solid. Unfortunately, from my observation, Juco's often come in weak and out of shape. Hope he proves me wrong. Bryce Meeker and the rest...how would I know?
My rating-2
Defensive Line:
Birch rating-6
Demond Tucker is an NFL player in the making. No doubt. ZERO doubt. If only he were coming off the bench. (i.e.,this rating would be a lot higher.) Pierre Aka's big. Vernell Trent's undersized, but a tough hombre, I think. Jhaustin Thomas reminds me of David Irving, sans the light pole. J.D. Waggoner, another DE is somebody I don't know much about, nor do I know much about DE Gabe Luna. I do know something about Mitch Myers. If there's a god in heaven he'll be a stud this year on the field. Whether he is or not he's a stud.
My rating-6
Linebackers:
Birch rating-6
Loves me some Willie Harvey. A star in the making. (Hunch based upon uneducated observational data.) (Completely subjective)Kane Seeley, experienced, but not a proven B12 player, so far. The staff is high on Northrup and McMillan the III. If tiny Josh Jahlas or Ty Sutton, the true freshman end up playing a lot...that ain't good.
My best guess-5
I know, I know, I'm being a real Debbie Downer here. I know. Believe me I know. Before all of you start screaming at me again as being a troll because I live in Iowa City, back off. Have been watching my Clones since Clyde Williams days. Love em.
If you have nothing better to do, see Part 3.
Offensive Line:
Birch rating-3
I may be crazy, and my psychiatrist says that I am, but I think the OL is going to be better than billed. Am aware that that is not saying much as nobody I've seen has billed them as being better than "poor" or even "urine" poor. Campos is solid, and could end up being all-conference. Jaypee Philbert is an animal. Or, let me clarify, he looks like an animal when he lines up. Whimsy tells me that he'll surprise this year. If Brian Bobek can get a healthy season in, he'll be tough. Probably won't happen. Just a hunch. Nick Fett was said to have played decently last year. In one game. Big deal. But, he's big. Scoggins has been in the program for two years. Maybe he'll be solid. How the hell would I know. Off the bench, we have Julian Good-Jones who has been described as having NFL potential. That's great unless you factor in that it was my grandmother that said it. But, reputations rule with me. I like him off the bench. He may be great in a few years. Maybe undersized Karson Green will be solid. Unfortunately, from my observation, Juco's often come in weak and out of shape. Hope he proves me wrong. Bryce Meeker and the rest...how would I know?
My rating-2
Defensive Line:
Birch rating-6
Demond Tucker is an NFL player in the making. No doubt. ZERO doubt. If only he were coming off the bench. (i.e.,this rating would be a lot higher.) Pierre Aka's big. Vernell Trent's undersized, but a tough hombre, I think. Jhaustin Thomas reminds me of David Irving, sans the light pole. J.D. Waggoner, another DE is somebody I don't know much about, nor do I know much about DE Gabe Luna. I do know something about Mitch Myers. If there's a god in heaven he'll be a stud this year on the field. Whether he is or not he's a stud.
My rating-6
Linebackers:
Birch rating-6
Loves me some Willie Harvey. A star in the making. (Hunch based upon uneducated observational data.) (Completely subjective)Kane Seeley, experienced, but not a proven B12 player, so far. The staff is high on Northrup and McMillan the III. If tiny Josh Jahlas or Ty Sutton, the true freshman end up playing a lot...that ain't good.
My best guess-5
I know, I know, I'm being a real Debbie Downer here. I know. Believe me I know. Before all of you start screaming at me again as being a troll because I live in Iowa City, back off. Have been watching my Clones since Clyde Williams days. Love em.
If you have nothing better to do, see Part 3.
