[Rally]

I think this is sort of an odd way to analyze it, comparing our expectations of players in 2010 to our expectations of how guys will perform this season just tells me that we'd better hope that our team exceeds our expectations like they did in 2010.  Yes, we didn't think Baldwin would be a star going into that season because he hadn't been the year before, but he still came out and had an amazing year.  Similar to low expectations for some of our defense, like Marecic.  But by the end of the year, for example, I would say Bulcke was very good, and I'm not sure I'm ready to think that Lueders or Shittu will outperform how he did.  But if they do show the same improvement, I think you might be right Hulk.  It's just hard to say that we're necessarily going to do that.

I would say even based on our preseason prediction, the guy I think should be there is Konrad Reuland.  He had started 3 games in 2009, and was a key player in 2010.  I'd certainly put him above any of the current TEs.  I'd also consider Gaffney and Wilkerson.  I think by then Gaffney was more than a highly rated FB prospect, and Wilkerson was a highly rated RB frosh that people thought could be big.  Both were major contributors.  The one other guy is Ryan Hewitt.  I don't remember thinking about him much back then, but as our back-up FB I probably thought at least as highly as I do about Pat Skov or Marx.

Anyways, the real question isn't can this be our best team ever, but will they.  If the roster gels and improves as much as 2010, I think the certainly will be.  I am bullish on this years performance, but I'm not sure I'm ready to say we might be the best team in the country yet :)

edit:  Oh, and I'd definitely say the combo of Zychlinski and Green over Rhyne.  But all are very capable.

I think the Oline is going to be great, right out of the gate.  I think these guys get it, have been thinking of nothing else all summer or longer, and will shock the world.  Remember, you read it here first.

Starting the season, I think the less-than-NC-caliber expectations serve us well, but by the time we are 7 - 0 the pressure will be building.  That's when the boys have to believe they still must go 1 - 0 each week, right up to the end.  That may be when the cheese, as they say, may get a little binding.  Go Stanford!

[Rally]

I think this is sort of an odd way to analyze it, comparing our expectations of players in 2010 to our expectations of how guys will perform this season just tells me that we'd better hope that our team exceeds our expectations like they did in 2010.  Yes, we didn't think Baldwin would be a star going into that season because he hadn't been the year before, but he still came out and had an amazing year.  Similar to low expectations for some of our defense, like Marecic.  But by the end of the year, for example, I would say Bulcke was very good, and I'm not sure I'm ready to think that Lueders or Shittu will outperform how he did.  But if they do show the same improvement, I think you might be right Hulk.  It's just hard to say that we're necessarily going to do that.

I would say even based on our preseason prediction, the guy I think should be there is Konrad Reuland.  He had started 3 games in 2009, and was a key player in 2010.  I'd certainly put him above any of the current TEs.  I'd also consider Gaffney and Wilkerson.  I think by then Gaffney was more than a highly rated FB prospect, and Wilkerson was a highly rated RB frosh that people thought could be big.  Both were major contributors.  The one other guy is Ryan Hewitt.  I don't remember thinking about him much back then, but as our back-up FB I probably thought at least as highly as I do about Pat Skov or Marx.

Anyways, the real question isn't can this be our best team ever, but will they.  If the roster gels and improves as much as 2010, I think the certainly will be.  I am bullish on this years performance, but I'm not sure I'm ready to say we might be the best team in the country yet :)

edit:  Oh, and I'd definitely say the combo of Zychlinski and Green over Rhyne.  But all are very capable.

I think the Oline is going to be great, right out of the gate.  I think these guys get it, have been thinking of nothing else all summer or longer, and will shock the world.  Remember, you read it here first.

Starting the season, I think the less-than-NC-caliber expectations serve us well, but by the time we are 7 - 0 the pressure will be building.  That's when the boys have to believe they still must go 1 - 0 each week, right up to the end.  That may be when the cheese, as they say, may get a little binding.  Go Stanford!