Most important senior?

[RI Domer]

Who is the most important/ will have the biggest impact of Sr.'s this year?

 

[TexasNDFan]

I think the most important and possibly biggest impact will be Trevor Laws.

 

[RI Domer]

Laws and possibly Travis Thomas depending on his position at times he played very well at both LB and RB. I do think it is extremely important to have an experienced center. football fans tend to overlook what may be one of the most important offensive positions.

 

[sportallyr]

Carlson is the most important because he is the best returning offensive player and he could really help bail out the new QB by making more of those spectacular catches that he made this past year.

 

[Vince Young]

Tommy Z. He'll be the emotional anchor for this defense.

 

[kjones]

I have to pick Sullivan, that or Laws, but I think it's sully by a long ways. How can you estimate the presence of a veteran at center with 3 rookie lineman and 1 sophomore? His impact is uncalculable. Carlson is awesome, but you can have other tightends. They might not be as good, but it won't handicap your team a whole lot. Without an OLine though... what are you gonna do? Punt on first down? Laws should help be a similar anchor on the defense, but I think he's more replacable than Sully, though not by much.

 

[brownkj002]

I will go with Carlson. A good TE is critical for an inexperienced QB.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

Most important and biggest impact may in fact be two (or more) different players.

Most important? Sullivan and Laws. Their leadership and experience will be the only glimmers of stability on an o-line and d-line filled with inexperience.

Biggest impact? Carlson, hands down. And I'll throw out a different angle on this one...Carlson is not gonna throw down the stats he did in '06, because defenses will no longer be surprised and may even key in on him, opening up more opportunities for Grimes and the young WR's to see more single coverages and make some plays.

 

[GoshenGipper]

I voted for Sully. The center calls out the blocking assignments for the OL, and with a very yound and inexperienced OL I think he could help guide them to better play than the OL had the past several years. Which would create holes for the RBs, and time for the inexperienced QB to make his reads and throw the ball where it needs to go.

 

[onenybrother]

I would be surprise if Tommy Z doesn't have a great season.

 

[tgolden]

I'd say Thomas and Zibby from a leadership standpoint as well as a playing standpoint (depending on what position Thomas ends up playing). also, I think Crum could have a big impact as a senior with another year left.

of course, all the people listed will be very important as well.

 

[iloveirish_12]

I want to see Tommy Z. on O. I want to see him some how get the ball like 5 to 10 times a game.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I think the most important and possibly biggest impact will be Trevor Laws.

Agreed 110%!

 

[gboroirish]

i vote laws

 

[RI Domer]

I want to see Tommy Z. on O. I want to see him some how get the ball like 5 to 10 times a game.

That could be fun but it could never work you cannot play every down. He plays most plays on d half the special teams plays and O as well that would be one tired man. Also 5-10 times is a lot I am not sure but I guarantee there were games where Rhema did not see the ball that many times and he was a top option.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I have to pick Sullivan, that or Laws, but I think it's sully by a long ways. How can you estimate the presence of a veteran at center with 3 rookie lineman and 1 sophomore? His impact is uncalculable. Carlson is awesome, but you can have other tightends. They might not be as good, but it won't handicap your team a whole lot. Without an OLine though... what are you gonna do? Punt on first down? Laws should help be a similar anchor on the defense, but I think he's more replacable than Sully, though not by much.

I luv zibby, carlson, and laws, but ullivan coming back will allow us to utilize carlson more, run more, and keep zibby off the field longer!

 

[SillyIrish]

I think Zibby needs to step up and he will be a leader on this team. Zibby needs to have a year with at some special teams returns and some big plays on on D.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Zibby is very important as well because every good team has ONE player on defense that is a difference maker. The attitude he possesses is instrumental, especially for next year.

 

[RI Domer]

Zibby is very important as well because every good team has ONE player on defense that is a difference maker. The attitude he possesses is instrumental, especially for next year.

That is the same logic that makes me think Laws. Everyone will be talking about Zibby and Laws should be able to quietly go about his buisness making him the D Line anchor. Two difference makers are better than one. Besides an offence can go away from Zibby but Laws will always be in your face (hopefully).

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Most important and biggest impact may in fact be two (or more) different players.

Most important? Sullivan and Laws. Their leadership and experience will be the only glimmers of stability on an o-line and d-line filled with inexperience.

Biggest impact? Carlson, hands down. And I'll throw out a different angle on this one...Carlson is not gonna throw down the stats he did in '06, because defenses will no longer be surprised and may even key in on him, opening up more opportunities for Grimes and the young WR's to see more single coverages and make some plays.

I agree w/ you. I think most fans are assuming Carlson will build on last years stats, but w/ a green offense, he'll be counted on to do it all: block, divert attn from WR/RB, senior leadership &, of course, catching passes.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I think Zibby needs to step up and he will be a leader on this team. Zibby needs to have a year with at some special teams returns and some big plays on on D.

I think Zibby needs to quit biting on the play action & defend the damn pass. Maybe put boxing on hold & concentrate on his overall game if he truly wants to be a 1st day draft pick at safety. Otherwise, bulk up & move to LB where he can put that run stopping ability to even greater efficacy. I'm no expert & it's only opinion, but I don't know why he doesn't follow in the shoes of an Urlacher (who played a little receiver & returned punts in addition to playing safety in college). Obvoiusly, the staff thinks he'll serve well at safety & I realize the porous pass defense can't be blamed on one player. He just seems like he has all the intangibles of a LB. On a similar note, I'm wondering if they'll move Lambert to free safety to replace Ndukwe or plug in one of the young guys.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I think Zibby needs to quit biting on the play action & defend the damn pass. Maybe put boxing on hold & concentrate on his overall game if he truly wants to be a 1st day draft pick at safety. Otherwise, bulk up & move to LB where he can put that run stopping ability to even greater efficacy. I'm no expert & it's only opinion, but I don't know why he doesn't follow in the shoes of an Urlacher (who played a little receiver & returned punts in addition to playing safety in college). Obvoiusly, the staff thinks he'll serve well at safety & I realize the porous pass defense can't be blamed on one player. He just seems like he has all the intangibles of a LB. On a similar note, I'm wondering if they'll move Lambert to free safety to replace Ndukwe or plug in one of the young guys.

I would definitely give Lambert a shot at safety in spring practice, but i would want to make sure his tackling is up to par, especially against the tougher teams.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I would definitely give Lambert a shot at safety in spring practice, but i would want to make sure his tackling is up to par, especially against the tougher teams.

I agree but wouldn't it be nice to have an alleged pass defender as a safety? Ndukwe, like Zibby, could lay the wood, but together they combined for a horrible last line of defense when it came to the pass. Hindsight being 20/20, I wonder how Ndukwe would've fared at LB where he was originally moved to from WR? I'm sure this topic will be one of many this spring.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I agree but wouldn't it be nice to have an alleged pass defender as a safety? Ndukwe, like Zibby, could lay the wood, but together they combined for a horrible last line of defense when it came to the pass. Hindsight being 20/20, I wonder how Ndukwe would've fared at LB where he was originally moved to from WR? I'm sure this topic will be one of many this spring.

If we do go to a 3-4, the LB corp could be the biggest ingredient to an overall successful campaign. I am looking for speed and aggressiveness next year, along with some attitude! I expect our DB play to improve (holding my breath), but I truly believe that as our LB go, so goes our defense.

 

[Junkhead]

Carlson will be important, but not knowing who or how the QB'ing will be makes that tough. Laws should have a good year, and anchor the D. Zibby had a bad year, but then again, the whole D did. I'm counting on Zibby to have a true All-American year with a new scheme for the D. He was one of the few D players to show any emotion at all. Thomas....not sure. I'd rather see Aldridge start, and get some Allen, Prince, or Hughes carries in. He can definitely help somewhere with his attitude and versatility.

 

[goirish#1]

It's got to be Carlson the way he can catch and block. although I think Tommy will have a big year in the return game Carlson can move the chains to get big third downs.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

A return game would be nice, especially on kickoffs!!