Things Im Looking For This Spring

[aggiepride1985]

The things im going to be eyeing this spring are..

What reciever will step up & becomes Kindle go to man since the departure of Wallace Miles. Larry Raper has the potential to be that guy, but he is not consistent every game. Torry Warrian seems like he has just been lost in the shuffle. He has not lived up to the hype yet at the reciever postion, he's one helluva returner I might add.

What running back will provide that key back-up role for Mike Mayhew. I believe Dominic Drake will show alot of people what he is made of this Spring. Chauncey Burgess should get alot of carries also.

Who will step-up and be the leader of Defense since the departure of Justin Ferrell? Travis Crosby, Isiah Martin both played good but not great last season. At the cornerback position is a huge question mark! Donald Mattocks started the season at cornerback but was relieved of his duties by Terrence Webb. Mattocks, a freshman was not ready for the bright lights of college football last year. Webb, started off rough but came on at the end of the season. I wonder has he gotten any better since the season. Im hearing rumors that D'Vonte Graham, The guy that lead the entire MEAC in interceptions & was 3rd in the nation in INT's as a SOPHMORE.yeah that guy. I heard he will be returning to the team. If That is great if it true, then our defense will be solidified! I recall one of the coaches calling him the best corner in the MEAC and in the Top 10 in the entre FCS!!!

All our linebackers are returning. Im looking forward to seeing the up and coming star D'Vonte Grant in action considering he was a Jerry Rice Award Finalist, an award for the best Freshan in the FCS. Darion Mays, Brandon Hover , and Devin Ray should provide a strong linebacking corp.

Well thats bout all im looking for this spring!

P.S..Spring practice starts today.

[ohsixrain]

If I were there...I'd be looking for backups at qb as well as the defensive line. Even though they play well last year , I'd like to see whose added along the defensive line.

[Aggie One]

You won't be able to tell much on any positions especially at depth at QB until the newbies arrive. The big differences will be along the D-Line ,wide receivers, DB's and two new tightends where the transfers and red shirts will be the most noticeable. and yes Graham is back 100 % and in good standing again with the staff and most importantly with the university.

[Aggie Monster]

This needs to be Raper's year! That is all. Decks dont you say nothing, LOL. Senior year! It's time to put up or shut up. 21 or 22 years old now. He can take it. 3 years of experience at almost all the skill positions on offense minus QB. Oh yeah, he need to bring it.

[ohsixrain]

Warren can stand to catch a few more passes too...he fades to black throughout the course of a game. It's time to step up...

[saabman]

was warren not injured most of the season???

[ohsixrain]

Warren just needs to make an impact on the game when he's in. He cannot fade to black because he knows the ball isn't coming his way. Then when the ball finally comes his way, his head isn't in the game and he drops passes. See, his game or lack thereof, is more mental than anything at this stage. With his physical tools, he could be a beast in the MEAC...but he has to bring the mental aspect as well as the work ethic everyday. This should be his year...all-conference, no less, it's there for the taking.

[saabman]

Then that can be said of all the returning receives then! I agree 100% that someone needs to step up their game because from with I saw from the receives (with one being the exception ) last year they all did that!!! I would just say someone needs to up their game this year!!

[oleschoolaggie]

Mar 19, 2012 15:35:53 GMT -5 Aggie Monster said:

This needs to be Raper's year! That is all. Decks dont you say nothing, LOL. Senior year! It's time to put up or shut up. 21 or 22 years old now. He can take it. 3 years of experience at almost all the skill positions on offense minus QB. Oh yeah, he need to bring it.

that young man made a lot of progress last season, but he still hasn't lived up to his "pre-hype" expectations coming out of high school. by now, he should have easily been on the all conference team based on his high school hype and his 4.24 forty speed.

i think he has all of the physical tools, but lacks the "toughness" tools. and you must admit, you yourself use to call him larry "paper", as in "soft as paper". if he had the "toughness" that miles had or ricky lewis has, he'd be "all world". based on pictures i've seen of him, it appears that he does get into the weight room like he should which should help his toughness to some degree. so his issues are "upstairs", not physical.

if raper has an "all meac" season this year, i'd consider it a "breakout" year for him. much the same as thomas coleman did his senior year in basketball. we've seen raper's movie for 3 years now and we know what to expect from him unless he has a "breakout" year this coming season. he needs to be "tougher" and let his physical tools will take care of the rest...

[Aggie Monster]

Raper did make strides(see Deck's photo signature). I stopped calling him "Paper" because I did see improvement. Hopefully he keeps it up. I'm rooting for him. Your biggest critic normally WANTS to be your biggest fan. I'm the toughest on my kids that I see the most potential in.