Who will be the most critical Seniors next year, in order? List as many as you like. My guesses. 1. Rahim Alem, DE - pass rush, for Pete's sake - PLEASE! 2. Brandon LaFell, WR - needs an all-SEC year 3. Charles Scott, RB - leadership, ball security, tough yards 4. McCray/Hawkins/Coleman, DB - lead the young talent 5. RJF, DT - needs to dominate the middle lane like Dorsey 6. Cutrera/Riley, LB - one of them needs a great year 7. Hitt and Black, OL - cover/tutor Hebert and new LG 8. Richard Dickson, TE - just keep being solid Notes: Alem showed signs of promise this year. If he can get some LB help, I think he can be all-SEC as a pass rusher. Better than T. Jackson. Lafell and Scott seem obvious. 4, 5, and 6 are copouts - but this is our biggest issue next year and the lynchpin to a run at the Top again. No defense, no championships. 7 and 8 seem obvious as well.
1. Charles Scott - With another year of young QBs, Scott will again be the go-to guy. 2. Brandon LaFell - The young QBs will need a solid WR to throw to. 3. Rahim Alem - Will have to continue his solid play into next season in hopes of sparking some life into a currently lackluster d-line. 4. Al Woods - Will definitely have to live up to the hype that he came in with to add to Alem's performance. 5. Richard Dickson - Will hopefully be utilized better next season and provide for a good resource to next season's QBs. 6. Chris Hawkins/Harry Coleman - Should play even more solid football in a maturing defensive backfield.
There is talk that Alexander could get a 6th year. That would help shore up the DL. We also need someone to step up at linebacker. A lot of those big plays have come when our DL gets turned and we do not fill the hole with a LB.
I don't know what RJF's academics are looking like, but he has NOT had a year to go pro on AT ALL. It would be as bad as when Trev Faulk left a year early.
from what i understand the commissioner of the nfl is pushing to put a cap on the amount of money rookies can make. Obviously this wont be able to happen for the 2009 draft but it could happen in the 2010 draft. this could really hurt the pocket of any jr. planning on staying around for their senior season. but your point is well taken, he hasnt had a great year what so ever.
The difference between late third-round this year with no cap and potentially first-round next year WITH a cap is still huge. I say he stays. In fact, I don't think any of our Juniors have had the kind of year that would justify them leaving early...except maybe CS, but it's projected to be a light year for RB demand and there are about four or five that would go before him. He'd be second-round at best this year and first-round EASY next year...on top of his Heisman campain! :hihi:
I'm not sure about nor am I overly concerned about our seniors next year. My main concern is the guy who lines up under center, he will be the most important part of our team next year. Having said that I would like to see some seniors step up and lead this team next year like Dorsey did last year.
