The King
Starter
So then, the team we have now isn't the team we will have next year - since 7/11 starters are graduating...What are the excuses this year? I thought we had depth this year - wasn't that the talking point all offseason? Peat, Rome, Stein, Guy, Randle, Williams, Carter, Ankrah, Martin, Meredith, Vestal? This is the exact same thing we (myself included) were all saying at the beginning of the year. Most of us weren't entirely unrealistic because of the schedule we faced (which has since turned into a joke)....but not a single person on this planet thought we'd be fielding one of the worst defenses in the B1G. I don't see a lot of "hope" with the defense at this point. Maybe they'll turn it around in the second half like 2008 and we'll be looking forward to next year. But I'm sorry, the above remarks are a recurring theme in the Pelini era. I live in KC. I know what it's like to be a fan of a team that is perpetually stuck in the "we'll be better next year" BS. To think the "verbal commits" are going to have any impact on the team is almost completely ignoring the last 5 years of this football team. Unless we raid the Kansas JUCOS (which i don't know why we aren't)...this class and last class won't be doing much for us. The team we have now, is the team we'll be competing with next year -> minus most of our LBers, 3/4 of the line, and almost all our depth at safety. Who knows, maybe cleaning house is what they need.Next year, there will be no excuses. If the verbal commits stick, and the depth we have next year, we should have a very decent defense, and even a better offense. Losing Rex will hurt us, but I think Janovich and Cross/Heard/Ameer combo will fill those shoes plus more. If Valentine can remain healthy, with Rome, Moss, Ankrah, Curry & Williams, our Dline will be stout. Our LB crew, I believe will also be better, especially if we plan on giving Santos, Pirman, Roach and Gangwish some more playing time. I don't know why, but my stomach tells me one of those last 3 players will show some unexpected talent.
And between last years class (redshirts) and this years class, I'm sure we are bound to see some new faces...out of a class of 20, I'm sure we might see at least 1 true freshman playing.
Also, Zaire will most likely be back.