[Belfry0304]

when is spring practice?

Like 2 months ago. I don't think it gave us any of the answers we really needed.

[Pirate1991#8]

I don't think we need to worry about the line.... plenty of kids who can and will step up....the biggest thing is depth...we have none....my biggest concern is the secondary...kids will step up at linebacker and DE....we will start out slow as we always do...and maybe lose a few games....but we will learn and grow from those mistakes and will be playin Bowling Green as always....

[PaytoPlay]

If I were guessing, I'd say Keaton Taylor will play safety or corner. Assuming Sani and C. Johnson retain their roles, that leaves one spot in the secondary. Should be lots of competition for that spot.

I hope 1991 is right about DE/LB. We know you can pencil in A. Hatfield but the other three spots are wide open.

[cuppett777]

Like 2 months ago. I don't think it gave us any of the answers we really needed.

ok, thanks , i keep asking and no one ever said and didnt see anything on it..

[Belfry0304]

I don't think we need to worry about the line.... plenty of kids who can and will step up....the biggest thing is depth...we have none....my biggest concern is the secondary...kids will step up at linebacker and DE....we will start out slow as we always do...and maybe lose a few games....but we will learn and grow from those mistakes and will be playin Bowling Green as always....

Gonna completely disagree... My biggest concern is linebacker and kids will step up in the secondary. Keaton Taylor, X Willis, Davontae Dari, Cameron Catron, TJ Dotson, and several others can play corner or safety (IMHO, Keaton should start corner and the competition be at safety).. whereas outside of Austin Hatfield linebackers are slim pickins. Perhaps we've gotten way too comfortable with 1 way players, Trenity may have to go both ways. Perhaps Joey Duty moves to LB and Richard Nelson takes his place on the defensive line? Rayquan Horton at LB? Regardless, it's a worrysome situation. I think we have comfortable depth in most spots, tbh. 2 SOLID QBs, 2 SOLID FBs, Johnson/Carr/Taylor/Willis/Dari HB options, Johnson/Taylor/Bostic/Williamson WR options. Defensively, the secondary guys I listed above, as well as Nelson, Duty, Barnes, Hatfield, Thompson on the defensive line... plus I may be missing a few.

[PaytoPlay]

Austin Hall looks to have a bright future at DE/LB as well but probably is a year away. Horton and Bentley may get forced into more action than you would prefer if no Juniors or Sophs step up. I would lay a bet Haywood plans to play Horton at DT, but I hope he gets a look standing up.

[99PIRATEFAN]

Great kids but at the high school level still one year away.

[PaytoPlay]

^ I am inclined to agree. Hopefully older kids step up and let them progress at the proper pace.

[Belfry0304]

IMHO, Catron and Horton are your most likely contributors as freshman due to strength. Hall and Bentley look to be a year away and the rest of the incoming freshman probably will really start to be a thick presence at juniors.

Actually, I would consider one freshman no doubt a starter and that's Austin Woolum at kicker.

[99PIRATEFAN]

IMHO that can step, Catron and Horton are your most likely contributors as freshman due to strength. Hall and Bentley look to be a year away and the rest of the incoming freshman probably will really start to be a thick presence at juniors.

Actually, I would consider one freshman no doubt a starter and that's Austin Woolum at kicker.

You know as well as i do Woolum is the only one that can step in and do it for high school this year they would be throwing them to the wolves if they try putting in good kids but not ready yet one year away for them.

[PaytoPlay]

^ I continue to agree it would be best to let those incoming Frosh have a year to adjust. But it wouldn't be unprecedented. Gary Runyon started LB as a Frosh. Peyton Mullins also started a couple games as a freshman. If one of those freshmen is the best of what is available at any given position, they should play - even if that means they take some lumps. Hopefully, the Pirates who have been waiting their turn are ready to step up.

[Belfry0304]

You know as well as i do Woolum is the only one that can step in and do it for high school this year they would be throwing them to the wolves if they try putting in good kids but not ready yet one year away for them.

Agreed, but if any ones were to be put in, it'd be those two.

[99PIRATEFAN]

Agreed, but if any ones were to be put in, it'd be those two.

I'll will agree with that.

[Leonidas]

Between 1985 and 2005 there were only 3 guys who started fulltime as freshman.

From 2005 until now here have been at least that many. It's going to happen more and more due to the increase in hold backs and decrease in numbers overall.

I wouldn't worry too much if I saw Horton, Bentley, Hall, Catron, etc., on the field because physically they are sophomores, with the exception of Horton (who is physically 24 years old).:biggrin:

[PaytoPlay]

^ Exactly. Ideally you would rather them have a year of JV, but being equivalent to Sophmores, if needed they need to be ready.

It is easy to get overly excited about these upcoming guys, but A. Hall looks like he could be a tackling machine if he commits to the weight room.

[Belfry0304]

Let me try to compile a list of underclassman starters since I was a freshman

2007: Chancey Cisco (SO), Thomas Varney (SO),

2008: Cameron Tackett (SO), Nathan Carroll (SO), Shane Blackburn (SO), Morgan Bentley (SO), Gary Runyon (FR)

2009: Gary Runyon (SO), Payton Mullins (FR), Tyler Williams (SO)

2010: Payton Mullins (SO), Madison Ghormley (SO), Tony Messer (SO), Sani Warren (FR)

2011: Joey Duty (SO), Sani Warren (SO), Justin Johnson (SO)

2012: Macky Francis (SO), Austin Hatfield (SO), Keaton Taylor (SO)

Anyone think of any more?

[99PIRATEFAN]

I know you people are looking for big things out of these kids right now but it's not going to happen for one or two years don't rush them they will get there.

[Pirate1991#8]

Gonna completely disagree... My biggest concern is linebacker and kids will step up in the secondary. Keaton Taylor, X Willis, Davontae Dari, Cameron Catron, TJ Dotson, and several others can play corner or safety (IMHO, Keaton should start corner and the competition be at safety).. whereas outside of Austin Hatfield linebackers are slim pickins. Perhaps we've gotten way too comfortable with 1 way players, Trenity may have to go both ways. Perhaps Joey Duty moves to LB and Richard Nelson takes his place on the defensive line? Rayquan Horton at LB? Regardless, it's a worrysome situation. I think we have comfortable depth in most spots, tbh. 2 SOLID QBs, 2 SOLID FBs, Johnson/Carr/Taylor/Willis/Dari HB options, Johnson/Taylor/Bostic/Williamson WR options. Defensively, the secondary guys I listed above, as well as Nelson, Duty, Barnes, Hatfield, Thompson on the defensive line... plus I may be missing a few.

OK I agree Taylor at corner with sani...but Keaton is a good cover corner...He is not gonna be as physical as thacker last year. then our safety positions...IMO Cameron Johnson is not a strong safety....he is not tuff enough he don't hit hard enough...and free safety will be inexperienced no matter who it is....Corners and safety areirateSho the hardest job on the field....and as far as the freshman go yes those boys have a bright future in RED...but none is ready for Varsity just yet...and if we are depending on freshman we are screwed....THat all being said is just my opinion but I believe that Coach hHaywood and his staff know exactly what to do and will make the right decisions to get to BG...

[PaytoPlay]

One thing is for sure. With so many question marks going into the season and so many unproven players, the summer practices and scrimmages will be exciting.

[Belfry0304]

PIRATEFAN99
My point was, very few kids even start as sophomores and even fewer as freshman, and the ones who have is a pretty elite list of Pirates.

[PaytoPlay]

Anyone know of any new kids coming out for football next season that might help the team? Or anyone choosing not to return?

[Belfry0304]

Anyone know of any new kids coming out for football next season that might help the team? Or anyone choosing not to return?

Fairly certain that outside of Timmy May, graduates will be the only changes from 2012.

[pirateforlife00]

What's the deal with Timmy May 0304? Did he get in trouble again and Coach Haywood finally get rid of rim or what?

[pirateforlife00]

*rid of him

[Belfry0304]

From what I've heard, he just quit. His heart clearly hasn't been in it most of high school.

[blu001]

Yes, I strongly agreed with Belfry0304.

[cuppett777]

From what I've heard, he just quit. His heart clearly hasn't been in it most of high school.

another waste of talent ,like Blake Newsome...

[pirateforlife00]

I just don't get why you would quit you're last and final year? I mean why play 3 years of high school football and then just not play the last year?

[PaytoPlay]

There is still a few months before the season. Plenty of time for May to reconsider. He would presumably start at DE.

[cuppett777]

There is still a few months before the season. Plenty of time for May to reconsider. He would presumably start at DE.

yea but if he dont do summer work out, then want to come back when practice starts for real and then think hes going start isnt fair to everyone they busted there hindend during summer..