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Pre-Season Selections for Surprise Player of 2005

I'm going to go with Marcus Freeman at SLB. Close runner-up will be Fox's replacement at corner, whoever that will be. I also think Hoobler could make some noise at MLB if D'Andrea can't play (but I hope Mike can be back at the Mike).

I think there's going to be a few surprises on the offense also, but nothing big (hopefully I'm wrong). I don't see Lyons becoming a major factor, with Ginn and Holmes firmly entrenched as WRs with Gonzo as the clear-cut #3 WR, but I think he'll make his presence known. I agree that Haw will give Pittman a run for his money (bad pun, I know) at RB, but I'm not sure that he will be a big surprise unless he just tears up the conference. Something tells me that we also may be hearing a lot from Boeckman at QB.

Bottom line: Marcus Freeman will light it up at LB.
 
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As much as I find the concept difficult to accept right now, I think it could be Troy Smith at quarterback. The surprise is that I don't really expect him to play at all but, if the other guys can't rock and roll with mobility, then I think he might just be starting at QB by year end.
 
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I'd say Haw has a chance to make a mark for himself. I am really excited to see him get so9me carries. Imagine Haw and Ginn in the "Shot-Ginn" You've got two guys with sub 4.25 speed??? Like Tress said after a holding penalty brought back a Ginn TD against Penn State.... We should have our linemen take a knee, no one can catch 'em.

On D, I like the idea of SirJo Welch playing every down. I don't think he'll replace Salley or Whitner on the depth chart though. Still, if you recall, #30 on Defense, damn near made EVERY special teams tackle this year.

Freeman should excel, as Mili pointed out. Witht the LB's returning, I don't know if he'll get as many reps that he'll need to make the noise Mili predicts, but I also don't see any reason why we shouldn't expect Freeman to be a stud.

Speaking of Mili, I tend to agree with his WR analysis. The great thing about our WR situation is that if Lyons, or anyone else, wants to see the field more frequently than does the number 4 reciever, they'll be working thier pants off in practice. In the long rung, guys like Lyons, already damn good, get REALLY damn good.

As I sit here and think about it, just about every name on the roster jumps out at me.. The 05 team, from top to bottom, has got me as giddy as a teenager seeing twat for the first time.
 
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If he returns next year and gets his confidence, I am sure it will be EJ Underwood. I think he tried to do too much too early and paid dearly for it. I know a lot of people struggle to say anything good about this kid but he can play.
 
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Word from this part of the state is T.J. Downing is now ready to step up and win all Big 10 honors next year. The O-Line improved greatly when he started seeing a little playing time. Remember at all times, guys from NE Ohio are rough, and the guys from the greater Akron/Canton area are the roughest of the rough.
 
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I like many of the selections above (particularly SirJo - though his play on ST in '04 makes him less a surprise than an '05 confirmation) -- Still, I'm also hoping for a pleasant surprise in the kicking game.
 
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