By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
Below is my very unofficial preseason First-Team All-Big 12 offense for the 2011 season.
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma – 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010. A no-brainer.
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri – The class of the field. Nobody else is even in the conversation here.
OT: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State – He’s probably the best lineman in the Big 12.
OG: Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State – Beside Adcock, this line will be ridiculous in 2011.
C: Patrick Lewis, Texas A&M – Moves from guard to center in 2011. A real sleeper in my opinion.
OG: Austin Wuebbels, Missouri – His third season as starter on one of the top lines in the Big 12.
OT: Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State – I’ll give him the love that many refuse to give.
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State – Averaged 16.2 yards per reception last year with 20 touchdowns.
QB: Robert Griffin, Baylor – Who is tougher to game plan around? Exactly.
RB: Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M – Cleared 100 yards in final seven games last season. Should continue to improve.
RB: Roy Finch, Oklahoma – Coming off of injury, but the 5-foot-8 Finch defines explosiveness. Watch out.
Notes:
*** I found it hard to leave Missouri offensive tackle Dan Hoch off of my list. Like Wuebbels, Hoch is a three-year starter on one of the best line’s in the conference.
*** I consulted former Cyclone Ben Lamaak on my lineman picks.
*** Taking Roy Finch as a running back selection might raise a few hairs. You’re right. Finch hasn’t proven anything. As a true freshman, the 5-foot-8 Sooner only ran for 398 yards and two touchdowns, while being injured for half of the season. But when you look at the team surrounding him, Finch will have every opportunity in the world to have a breakout sophomore season. I like his talent. I love his chances.
*** Landry Jones vs. Robert Griffin. The debate goes on. Jones is great. So is Brandon Weeden. The quarterbacks in this league will be top-notch in 2011. You really can’t go wrong. But if I’m starting a team, I want a dual-threat home run hitter. I’m taking a healthy Robert Griffin.
*** Notice that I didn’t name one Texas Longhorn in my poll. With that much talent on board, it is impossible for Texas to not make a bowl game for two years in a row. But the fact of the matter is that as we sit here in early July, on paper, this offense still stinks.
