Break-out player(s) for 08

snowcraig2.0

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If you had to pick two current players (and only two) that need to have break-out seasons (one on offense and one on defense) in 2008 in order for us to make a bowl game, who would they be? Here are my picks:

Defense: Bailey Johnson. Johnson has a ton of physical talent. With another year under Shep, he should come back north of 280 next year. We absolutely need to get some kind of a pass rush up the middle, as that facet was completely lacking in 07. Johnson has the talent to do it, ISU needs him to put it together on the field and become a force at the d tackle spot to be successful.

Offense: Alexander Robinson. Obviously we saw sparks in 07, but for the team to be strong on offense in 08 the Clones need him to turn those sparks into a all out fire. Robinson needs to be a 100 yd per game back to take the heat off Arnaud and co while they get into a passing rhythm. With a strong offensive line, ARob should be able to handle that and more. If he can turn into a star, we could have a very good offense next year.


Anyone have any opinions???
 

psycln11

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Offense: Arnaud...He has to show he can make the reads and get the ball down field. We need some big plays instead of this dink and dunk stuff we've done the past two seasons. It would be nice to actually hit a few homerun balls ala Texas aTm a few years ago.

Defense: I can't argue with Johnson. We need someone on the D-Line to step up and be a menace like Berryman was.
 

clones11

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im going to have to agree with Robinson or any of our backs to have break out years next year in order for us to be successful. we need a back that can get us 100yrds plus every game and hold on to the ball. the Davis brothers would go 600 carries without a fumble this is somthing we need to have again. on defense i agree we need to find a defensive pass rusher to take the pressure off of our D-backs a little bit. I could really see us improving a lot next year with so many coming back.
 

BryceC

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I'll go with Arnaud and a D-Lineman too, we'll say Bailey Johnson. Jarrod Black could be a huge help too, he's got the size.
 

snowcraig2.0

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I thought about Arnaud, but my rational was this, if Arnaud struggles early, we could still be okay if we have a strong ground game. However, if the ground game struggles early, we are in big trouble no matter what.
 

intrepid27

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Break Out Players: Domonique Douglas and Anthony Bowman. My prediction is by the end of the 3rd game in the "Yard" Douglas will drop a pas near the fence. His butt buddy Tony will come over to help find the ball and both will tunnel out. They will plant a trail of stolen CDs near the opposite corner of the prison to confuse officals and hid out at Grandmas house. Later they will be discovered by the NCAA in Hawkeye uniforms under the alias's of D-Bone and A-Ram. The NCAA will allow this since none of the other players on the team bear any resemblance to professional atheletes.:biglaugh:
 

dinger

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offense: hamliton...i know he pretty much "broke out" this year, but i think he will be all-big 12
defense: raven, garrin or bell or some Lb will need to step up
 
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Wesley

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On defense, we need another linebacker (Garrin?)to break out since we lost so much talent.

On offense, Wallace Franklin speed finally makes an mpact.
 

woodie

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bates at qb.with more weight work this winter ,next spring,summer and with spring ball he will be the next great qb at isu.
 

Benny34

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I hope on offense we can get a consistent running game to help us score once we get to the 20. On defense we are gonna need an OLB to step up and fill some shoes.
 

cmoore_23

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bates at qb.with more weight work this winter ,next spring,summer and with spring ball he will be the next great qb at isu.

bates? wow thats somthin i wasnt expectin.. i see bates switchin positions honestly.. i think he will give a hell of a run for qb.. but i dnt think he will end up startin
 

psycln11

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I thought about Arnaud, but my rational was this, if Arnaud struggles early, we could still be okay if we have a strong ground game. However, if the ground game struggles early, we are in big trouble no matter what.

Howerver, if Arnaud struggles early it will be next to impossible to have a strong ground game. Teams will load the box to stop the run knowing the QB isn't going to hurt you with his arm.

This is of course only if Arnaud struggles early as you stated.

Personally, I don't think Arnaud will struggle in the early games. He showed promise against quality Big 12 opponents and I think with another Spring and Fall camp he will be fine.
 

cloneu

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I will go with whoever the kicker is, getting points from the 30 and in almost a gimme will help as well as not letting the other team start their drive on the 40, maybe even dare I say a touchback when there is no wind.

Defense, I think it would be more important for a CB or pass rusher to make the big plays, so I hope that Bell/Singleton/Johnson/Taylor/Parker can do this. But I will go with Chris Brown to have the break out year in 08.
 

KMAC_ATTACK

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Offense - Easy Big Trey, Trey Baysinger...He will be the best tackle our program has seen maybe ever. Prototype size and athletic, this guy will be a beast....Cornerstone Left Tackle, but i think he starts next year at RT and then moves to Left after DD is gone.

Defense - Bibbs, i think he was a lil slow to pick up the system, but, now he's got the system, he's got another year to work on "Body By Shep" and i think he comes in and fills Banks shoes with no drop off and possible an improvement - thats how good of an athlete i think Bibbs will show.

Special Teams - I think we sign Grant Mahoney as our kicker and i think he wins the job day one and improves our kicking game from day one....anything including my niece would be an improvement over shaggy...instead of shaggy could it have been shanky????

Honorable Mention - IF and its a big IF, but there's been rumblings out there that Bates may be moving to Safety - if that happens, he could be a star and has the tools to maybe even have sunday potential with Chiz's mentoring.....I think with AA play down the stretch and the incoming freshman Tiller and Jordan, there will only be so many spots for qb and i think Bates will want to be on the field not watching - can he beat out AA, if he does, i would be surprised because some of the things that AA showed down the stretch was very impressive and if Bates could have done them, he would have seen the field.

Should be fun at spring ball.....