Who Is Your Choice To Breakout?

[Danamal]

Before the season begins and were still looking over roster spots I thought it would be interesting to kind of get a feel for where everyone is on the 2010 version of this squad and who will be a surprise this year on both sides of the ball.
On offense my choice is Robo.
I have no factual basis for this and it might just be wishful thinking but my gut tells me this kid will show up this year and catch what comes his way.
Defense,
This one is a bit tougher but I think we have to hope someone in our linebacking corps steps up and becomes the dominant force we need,might we still have to draft him?,I hope not and for that reason I want to see Roth step and up and set the tone and be our sack leader in a big way this season.
What say you?
Don't be afraid to be totally off the wall,the bigger the surprise the better off we all are!

[Greythan]

Offense: MoMass (simply because he's the #1 going in AND we'll be better this year. He'll flourish.)

Defense: Ward (Just loving this kid so far)

[samoth]

I'm hoping TJ Ward becomes the elite saftey we have lacked since the early 90s.

[Shep]

Dan, I hope you're sitting down... because I think this is a great thread idea. Kudos.

That said, picking Robo is the safest bet. He's been the Golden Boy of summer in Berea.

I assume we're saying NOT rookies, right? We're talking about young vets who could take it to the next level?

I'd say the candidates are Robo, Mack, Mo, Moore, Hillis and Davis on offense. Wright, Adams, Ahtyba, Gocong, and Roth on defense.

The guys who are really intriguing me right now in that "breakout" area are Ahtyba, Gocong, and Moore. I have a feeling all three could elevate to the "Really Good" level.

[Danamal]

Its all good but I forgot the caveat you can only choose one on each side.
Ward is a safe choice,barring injury he will be a beast
Rookies, vets it doesn't matter,were talking who is going to step it up.

[Shep]

Then rookie wise, I see Ward, Hardesty, Haden, and Lauvao all making contributions.

But one guy on each side of the ball who becomes a semi-star?

I'm gonna say Hardesty and Gocong.

[Danamal]

Thats what I'm talking about.
Hardesty is definitely ballsy since the kid has yet to see the field but he does come with a good pedigree.
I hope your right,I was really hoping to see something out of James Davis but so far he has really been a disappointment and I wonder if he even makes the roster at this point?

[Shep]

I watched a lot of Hardesty footage after he got the "fast riser" love from SI... and I just loved the way he ran, with explosion and really decisive cuts at 220. That screams Franchise Back to me. I'm gonna stick with that until I really see otherwise.

Gocong seems like he was born for the spot he's still learning. He's VERY explosive playing forward, really strong, has great size, and plays mean. He's a 3-4 ILB who can blitz the middle.

[Fooleeze]

Offense, I vote Hillis. Defense, I'll go with Rubin.

Rookies, Offense will be Hardesty, Defense will be Ward.

My votes.

[hammertime]

Lauvao.

If this kids steps up and becomes a starter this year, then he is my winner.

If Lauvao is the real deal, then he's made our next draft that much easier to manuever in.

[BernietheKid]

Originally Posted by Shep

I watched a lot of Hardesty footage after he got the "fast riser" love from SI... and I just loved the way he ran, with explosion and really decisive cuts at 220. That screams Franchise Back to me. I'm gonna stick with that until I really see otherwise.

Gocong seems like he was born for the spot he's still learning. He's VERY explosive playing forward, really strong, has great size, and plays mean. He's a 3-4 ILB who can blitz the middle.

I agree with what you said here. I was actually talking to a friend the other day and I think that Gocong might end up being our best LB, maybe not statistically, but probably making the most plays at or behind the LOS.

[YtownBacker]

If your a glass half full guy then the obvious pick on offense you would hope would be Delhomme. And on defense you might have to say Brown or Roth.

My pick for two guys I think will step up and be leaders on each side of the ball will be Watson on offense and Gocong on defense.