Hi Power. I have not posted in nearly a year, but since you have returned, I might drop by occasionally, at least until the haters crawl out of their holes.
I was also surprised that Bricillo stayed after Montgomery left. Bo must not blame him for the disastrous OL performance last season. Yet veterans remember how the OL was the bedrock of our championship teams. All those sacks last year were disgraceful.
On the other hand, it is a new season, and, as go guins just suggested, it is not wise to pass definitive judgments based on camp. We do have 2 out of the 5 first team, pre-season MVFC linemen. And Pelini acquired, even if an act of desperation, two transfers for tackles that had Rivals 5 star and 3 star ratings. Hard to believe that they are stiffs. Let's give them some time.
Speaking of ratings coming out of high school, how many FCS programs can acquire large numbers of players that were awarded multi-stars (two or more) from a recruiting service? I suspect only the elite can do this. Just looking up the high school ratings of some of our players, here is what I uncovered. This list is certainly not comprehensive. There might be more.
From the Rivals service:
5 stars Baldwin
4 stars Hawkins and Reeves
3 stars Farrar, Durkin, Yoboue, Cook, and Reed (darn shame about him)
2 stars Hrynkiewicz, Dellovade, Anderson and VanGorder
Ironically, we have three players who earned MVFC awards that were not rated or awarded no stars by Rivals (Wiggins, McCaster, Gibson.) Braxton Chapman who has impressed at rb also failed to gain a star from Rivals.
Bottom Line: there is talent on this team. But please, no more injuries!
