Who is going to be the guy?

[eagle2001]

After watching the UGA and Austin Peay game, I can't help but wonder who our offensive "go to guy" is going to be. All of the great GSU teams of the past had this guy. Tracy Ham in the early to mid 80's, Raymond Gross in the late 80's early 90's, Roderick Russell in the mid to late 90's, of course AP in the late 90's early 2000, Jermain Austin, and then Jayson Foster the last few years. Who is going to be the guy on this team? I know it's early in the season, but I have not seen signs that anyone wants to take this role. Hopefully it will be Zeke when he gets back. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[gatadotcom]

After watching the UGA and Austin Peay game, I can't help but wonder who our offensive "go to guy" is going to be. All of the great GSU teams of the past had this guy. Tracy Ham in the early to mid 80's, Raymond Gross in the late 80's early 90's, Roderick Russell in the mid to late 90's, of course AP in the late 90's early 2000, Jermain Austin, and then Jayson Foster the last few years. Who is going to be the guy on this team? I know it's early in the season, but I have not seen signs that anyone wants to take this role. Hopefully it will be Zeke when he gets back. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I don't think, at this point, Zeke will see any considerable playing time in the near future. I would stick with Urbano until the cows come home. This kid can play, and he may end up becoming our "go to" guy. Give him a little time, he's still a wet-behind-the-ears freshman.

[Buzz Killington]

I think Marcus Russ and Leander Barney are going to become "the guys" on offense. Russ will likely become our all time receptions and yards leader and Barney will play about 15 different positions and probably have some gadget plays drawn up for him.

[half-n-half]

I think Andrews and Russ will be our two main targets on offense. But this offense is going to live or die with the quarterback. Right now, to me, it looks like Henton will eventually take over that role and become "the guy". He will have to be the playmaker that takes us to the playoffs.

[scooby]

LeAnder Barney

[trusty]

I don't think you can discount Zeke. He will quickly take over the main role. Split time with Urbano but Zeke will be the "go to" in the back field.

There is really just to much talent to pick one guy. The next 3-5 years are going to be fun to see.

[gasouthern01]

We have so much young talent on this team that many of them can be playmakers in the next few years. And if Hatcher is the great offensive genius that people think he is then hopefully he will draw up plays to get these young playmakers the ball over the next few years. But right now from what I have seen I will also go with Urbano and Barney.

Would love to see Henton hit Barney on a crossing pattern, no one would catch that guy.

[1peatfor7]

My gut tells me Henton but it could be any of our RB's.

[eagleskins]

Zeke will be our main guy once he gets acclimated back in the lineup. We need to find more ways to get the ball in Barney's hands. I'm really wondering why he isn't taking the return duties.

[half-n-half]

My gut tells me Henton but it could be any of our RB's.

I am feeling the same way. I think we have the talent there at RB and WR to have playmakers, but in any Hatcher offense in the past it has been the QB who has been the focal point of the offense. The offense comes and goes with the QB.

[kennesaweagle]

From what I saw last week, we are going to have a hard time finding "the guy" until our line learns how to pick up blitz's and stunts. Our backfield, QB included, needs about a second and a half longer than they have gotten so far.

If the line starts coming around, I think Rozier and Barney are going to be the most important parts to our offense. I know the QB is really key. But if those two become the focal points, it will give Henton/Chappell/Collins some relief. Which will in turn create more opportunities.

[pete4256]

I don't think, at this point, Zeke will see any considerable playing time in the near future. I would stick with Urbano until the cows come home. This kid can play, and he may end up becoming our "go to" guy. Give him a little time, he's still a wet-behind-the-ears freshman.

I think Urbano's got some talent, but I haven't seen big-play ability from him. Which is a must if one is 5'10" 185 lbs. or however big he is. If we expect him to carry us, we may be in trouble.

Here are his stats through two games:

18 carries, 61 yards, 3.4 ypc, long of 10, 1 TD, 1 fumble.

By way of comparison, last year's go-to guy had 450+ yards and 7 TDs after two games.

Personally, I'm not one of the "Zeke Rozier looked like the second coming of Joe Ross" crowd, but I hope that he can be a big-time playmaker right away (again, I'm not holding my breath on that one).

[Eaglegus2]

I really don't care about a go to guy at this point in time. All I want is for the TEAM to play together and score more points than the opposing team.

[PowerEagle]

Not knocking Leander Barney, because Hatcher has said he was as close to Foster as he could find, but what has he done to win so many people over?

I give him credit, he scored in both games so far. Once, on a 4th down prayer that he caught in stride and ran into the open field for a TD, and second on a WR sweep that was very well blocked. I have seen him catch a few passes, but he hasnt done THAT much more than say Raja, who had an amazing punt return for TD called back (not his fault) and caught about a 30yd pass falling down to set up a score. I think Raja also had a critical 3rd down screen pass that he fought by defenders to pick up the first down.

Point being, I think Raja will be the "go to" guy when its all said and done.

[garns 4]

#7 via arm and legs, getting the ball to the right guy at the right time, "It's just like the TO except we pitch it forward"

[Eagle22]

Not knocking Leander Barney, because Hatcher has said he was as close to Foster as he could find, but what has he done to win so many people over?

I give him credit, he scored in both games so far. Once, on a 4th down prayer that he caught in stride and ran into the open field for a TD, and second on a WR sweep that was very well blocked. I have seen him catch a few passes, but he hasnt done THAT much more than say Raja, who had an amazing punt return for TD called back (not his fault) and caught about a 30yd pass falling down to set up a score. I think Raja also had a critical 3rd down screen pass that he fought by defenders to pick up the first down.

Point being, I think Raja will be the "go to" guy when its all said and done.

Barney has impressed me with his vision on the field. He picked through some heavy traffic on a few plays last week, and is absolutely not shying away from the contact or looking to shoot out of bounds. He'll put his head down, keep those legs churning and turn upfield at the right time ... got several yards after initial contact.

Too early to say how it plays out in the long term, but I see him in a capacity similar to what ZZream Walden or Mark Myers provided us, though I see the light bulb coming on for Barney as a freshman .. with Walden, and some extent Mark Myers, it took them a little while to hone their speed into positive plays on the field.

Not saying Barney will be our go-to guy this year, but I see him being a steady playmaker for several years.

[pete4256]

Not saying Barney will be our go-to guy this year, but I see him being a steady playmaker for several years.

I like Barney. I also like nearly half a dozen other guys from his class. But none of them look ready--to me--to carry the load as freshmen. Who knows? 2008 is still early. Someone might come out and get 200 yards from scrimmage this week.

[GIEAGLE]

I think Urbano's got some talent, but I haven't seen big-play ability from him. Which is a must if one is 5'10" 185 lbs. or however big he is. If we expect him to carry us, we may be in trouble.

Here are his stats through two games:

18 carries, 61 yards, 3.4 ypc, long of 10, 1 TD, 1 fumble.

By way of comparison, last year's go-to guy had 450+ yards and 7 TDs after two games.

Personally, I'm not one of the "Zeke Rozier looked like the second coming of Joe Ross" crowd, but I hope that he can be a big-time playmaker right away (again, I'm not holding my breath on that one).Joe Ross. He was a good'un. Cryin shame he hurt the knee. Probably would've seen him in the NFL if he could've stayed healthy. Sure would be nice to see another "Joe Ross type" back playing for Georgia Southern again, however.

Urbano must have pretty good vision the way he runs inside. Can't tell about his speed, yet. David Arnold is supposed to have 4.55 speed, & Samir Baker & Barney both look pretty quick. Rozier better be pretty special to be able to land a starting role in Coach Hatcher's offense. I thought Darrell Norman looked good running the ball & catching the ball out of the backfield the first 2 games.

[kennesaweagle]

It's a funny thing about freshmen. In most cases they never get the chance to show what they are made of. In our case, they have no choice but to show what they are made of. We are cultivating leaders, whether they want to be or not.

My guess is that a couple of them pop up and take over in the next year. But it might take a few games to show and prove what they are made of.

[eaglesrthe1]

Walter Paytons first NFL game was 8 carries for 0 yds. Give the youngins some time.

[Raptor23]

I will say this I rarely saw any go down on the initial hit and they fought all the way down. I liked what little I saw of J. Crawford, my home town man. He was quick to the hole when he got it. I expect Zeke to come out and show us something this week when he gets in and Raja was superb last week and is a leader on this team.