A Look at the Golden Gophers: Running Backs

Here is a quick look at my assumed depth chart…

		Height	Weight	Year	Hometown (Previous School)
22	Bennett, Duane	5-9	210	RJr.	Fairview Heights, IL (O’Fallon Township)
23	Eskridge, DeLeon	5-11	205	Jr.	San Francisco, CA (Junipero Serra)
32	Edwards, Lamonte	6-2	215	Fr.	Woodbury, MN (Woodbury HS)
25	Wright, Devon	6-0	190	Fr.	Coral Springs, FL (Taravella HS)
20	Kirkwood, Donnell	5-10	200	Fr	Delray Beach, FL (Atlantic HS)
18	Buckner, R.J.	5-11	202	Sr.	Keller, TX (Harvest Christian Academy)
33	Gatling, Cameron	5-10	200	Fr.	San Antonio, TX (Nikki Rowe)
34	Donner, Joe	6-0	242	Fr.	Delafield, WI (Kettle Moraine)

(Pulled these from Gophersports.com)

Let me just say that as far as the depth chart goes the order of the first five could be mixed up into any order by the end of the season.  That’s how uncertain the RB situation is.  While I believe carries will be split between Bennett and Eskridge at first, any or all of the next three freshman backs could see snaps or be starting by the season’s end.

The only two knowns in the Gopher’s running backs corps are returning juniors Duane Bennett and DeLeon Eskridge.  They are serviceable backs that give you nothing special.  Bennett probably has more upside given the fact that he was recovering from his surgery from the previous year.  But the long term answer doesn’t seem to be either of these guys.  Maybe I’m taking something away from the guys because of the awful run blocking.  All in all I’d say they have a lot to prove and it remains to be seen if they can be big-ten caliber backs.

Probably the most important part of last year’s recruiting class was getting a solid option at the running back position.  Rather than grab one, the powers at be took three running backs.  These guys are going to push the starters for touches.  Each of these backs have a different run style about them and it will be interesting to see how these guys progress.

Lamonte Edwards is the guy who I think has the best chance of the three freshmen to become to starter by the end of the year.  Hes got great size for a running back and ran track for Woodbury this past year.  What’s not to like about an athletic running back with size?  He also played linebacker in high school and for awhile was being considered as a linebacker over a running back. I’d like to see how he could handle the pressure of big ten football as a true freshman.

Devon Wright was a pretty highly recruited back from Florida with reported offers from Michigan State, UConn, Indiana, Rutgers, and Boston College (Also reported that Michigan and Wisconsin offered).  Supposedly Wright runs a 4.5 40 and has good quickness and speed for a back.  He has everything you’d want in a back and would probably benefit from a redshirt season to get in the weight room and add some muscle.

Donnell Kirkwood is a big power back with the ability to break tackles and get yards the hard way.  Kirkwood lacks breakaway speed and could probably use a redshirt to improve his ball carrying abilities and gain even more strength in the weight room.  Kirkwood is probably that goal line back that will get you that two or three yards for the score.

As for the rest of the backs, R.J. Buckner is a senior that I would guess won’t get any playing time, serving as a Practice squad guy or he might see some time in special teams.  The remaining two backs are probably walk-ons that will either take a redshirt, or serve on the practice teams.

Gopher's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

As excited as I am for Football season I have no problem looking into the future a little ways for Gopher’s Basketball.  Those guys over at the Gopher’s athletic department final got the non-conference schedule finalized and well… here it is…

Date		Opponent	Location
Nov. 2	Tuesday	Northeastern State (Ex)	Williams Arena
Nov. 8	Monday	Winona State (Ex)	Williams Arena
Nov. 12	Friday	Wofford	Williams Arena
Nov. 15	Monday	Siena	Williams Arena
Nov. 18	Thursday	Western Kentucky	Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 19	Friday	Hofstra/North Carolina	Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 21	Sunday	TBD	Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Nov. 24	Wednesday	North Dakota State	Williams Arena
Nov. 29	Monday	Virginia	Williams Arena
Dec. 4	Saturday	Cornell	Williams Arena
Dec. 8	Wednesday	@ St. Josephs	Michael J Hagan Arena
Dec. 11	Saturday	Eastern Kentucky	Williams Arena
Dec. 15	Wednesday	Akron	Williams Arena

*There should be 12 games, and the last would be the 23^rd or 24^th vs South Dakota St. although im not to sure why it’s not on here.

A couple of things…

This schedule looks awfully similar to last year’s schedule, no one spectacular is coming to the barn and we should sail pretty smoothly through the majority of the schedule.  We get a favorable draw in the Big/Ten ACC Challenge (vs. Virginia) and we will have a very good chance to notch a win vs. the Cavaliers.

This schedule leaves very little room for error, like the last couple years we really can’t afford to slip up here because there’s no real chances for big wins to make up for a bad loss.  Even more than the last couple years, how we do in the Big Ten will be more important than ever.

Our best chances for marquee victories come in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off (like Butler last year in the 76 Classic) if we can get past Western Kentucky (and North Carolina can beat Hofstra) we will have a big matchup against North Carolina and regardless if we lose or win that one, we have another shot at a solid win against teams like Vanderbilt, Davidson, Nebraska, or West Virginia.  I think we need 2 wins in this tournament so that when Selection Sunday comes our resume doesn’t completely rely on our big ten performance.

I think to come out successful from our non-conference play, we need a record of 11 – 1 (add another 10 or 11 during big ten play and 1 from the big ten tournament, 22 or 23 wins will get us to the dance).  We’ll probably end up 10 – 2 as somehow we will lose a game we shouldn’t, but as long as we can notch a solid win over a team like North Carolina, Vandy, or West Virginia that would be ok.  And who knows maybe a couple teams we beat like Siena, Cornell, Virginia, or Wofford does well and helps our RPI out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Couple other unrelated things…

Here’s a post I started over at the GopherHole about what upsets would be the most fulfilling.  You can read about that by clicking here 

Big Ten Title Game to take place in Lucas Oil Stadium

I’ve only seen it from the outside but it’s a cool looking place.  I don’t have any problems with them putting the game there.  It would be kinda cool if they would rotate the game location year to year, like the super bowl (Fingers crossed for Soldier Field)

A Look at the Golden Gophers: Quarterbacks

I’m going to do a breakdown of each position on the Gopher’s football team as I see it.  Let’s start with the Quarterbacks…

Before I even say anything about the Quarterbacks let’s look at the depth chart.

		Height	Weight	Year	Hometown (Previous School)
8	Weber, Adam	6-3	221	Sr.	Shoreview, MN (Mounds View)
5	Gray, MarQueis	6-4	230	So.	Indianapolis, IN (Ben Davis)
12	Alipate, Moses	6-5	235	RFr.	Bloomington, MN (Bloomington Jefferson HS)
19	Lueck, Adam	6-0	187	So.	Eden Prairie, MN (Eden Prairie)
16	Parish, Tom	6-3	200	Fr.	Hartland, WI (Arrowhead HS)
13	Pride, J.D.	6-1	190	Fr.	Brooklyn Park, MN (Totino-Grace HS)

(Pulled these from Gophersports.com)

Let me start off by saying I’m glad Brew decided on going with the veteran Weber to be the starting QB this year.  As much as I think Gray is an amazing talent and a tremendous athlete, he wasn’t ready to be the starter.  Overall I like the depth at QB and wouldn’t be completely crushed if Weber went down as I think Gray and Alipate are both capable backups. So what do I think about each individual QB?  We'll let me tell you.

Adam Weber certainly has been through a lot over the years, all the different coordinators, going from spread to pro, dealing with Jedd Fisch’s hieroglyphic offensive system, and the constant attack by the fans (some of which is justified).  So what will his final season hold?  I’m thinking its going to be good, but not great.  I don’t think he’ll get all big ten honors, but he’s going to be solid at the helm of this offense.

So would you like an example of what I think Weber’s season will be like?  Try the Syracuse game.  He struggled at times, but when it mattered he could put together some respectable drives.  I think at first he’s going to miss Decker, I mean he did miss him at the end of the 09’ season (except for the Michigan State game).  I think the receivers won’t be as big of a problem as many think.  Da’Jon McKnight is a good sized target and turned things up at the end of the season last year.  Weber shouldn’t have any excuses when it comes to the receiving core, as the Gophers bring back most of the main receivers from last year.

So what about the backups?  Maybe I’m a little different, but I would like to see Gray moved to WR, like McNutt down in Iowa. Or maybe make him a gadget player like Keshawn Martin over at Michigan State (the guy who had those two huge runs for TDs during the Michigan State game last year).  Gray has unbelievable potential but he’s much more suited for the spread and we no longer run that offense.  I like either Alipate or Parish to beat out Gray for the job next season when Weber graduates, but that’s just my opinion.

Moses Alipate reminds me of Daunte Culpepper in some respects, big body, big arm, a pocket passer.  To me that’s what you want in a pro-style offense, a guy who can make all the throws that big and strong in the pocket.  I expect Moses will be on the bench, work on his game and continue to learn the offense.  He will get his shot to get the starting job next year.

The rest of the Quarterbacks on the roster include Adam Leuck, Tom Parish, and J.D. Pride.  Leuck was the third string last year and to my knowledge will be a practice guy and bench warmer for the rest of his career as a Gopher.  Tom Parish was a solid 3-star recruit out of Wisconsin and if I had to guess I’d say he’ll be taking a redshirt this year.  J.D. Pride was offered a scholarship to bring this guy to the Gophers.  That didn’t work out so were stuck with J.D.  I think hes going to see a position change, much like David Pittman did a couple years ago, and much like David Pittman I don’t like J.D. will see much playing time in his career as a Gopher.

A Few Things I'm Looking At 8/03/10

Damian Johnson will be playing in Japan

After getting looks from NBA teams like the Heat and T'Wolves, DJ has gotten a spot in a Japanese league.  This is great news for Damian, he was one of my favorite players last year and I'm glad that he will get to continue his basketball career, even if it can't be in the States.

Big Ten Media Day

Here's good old Tim Brewster giving his speech at big ten media day.  I never thought Big Ten Media Day was that interested, but it's just another reminder of how close the football season is.

Adam Rittenberg over at ESPN interviews Brandon Kirksey and Kim Royston, just scroll down a bit.

...side note, I like Rittenberg's blog over at ESPN, check it out

Pre-Season Scrimmage

I won't be able to attend, but that shouldn't stop you.  Check out all the details