Originally Posted by Go Lehigh TU owl
One example is that the article is mistaken on at least two starters on the OL, listing starters who aren't even in the mix. In any case, the OL will be better than last year but not a strength. Also the article talks about what Chiarolanzio needs to do to hold onto the starting QB job, when in fact he lost the starting job in the spring. Bitikofer was #1 on the depth chart after the spring. It is also unlikely Earle will see much playing time at QB as a frosh.
Not sure why LB Simeon Page is referred to as a DE. He was a LB last year, made All-PL as a LB, and is listed on this year's roster as a LB. True, he sets up at multiple spots but very rarely as a DE. Also to call Moore-Greene a "special teams ace" is silly. He was on one special teams unit - KR return - and was OK there but nothing special. He didn't return punts or cover any kicks. Also Max Bunzel, the pick for "freshman to watch" - called a player who could "find himself on the field early in the season" at LB - was very lightly recruited out of HS and wasn't even announced as a recruit until May - which is the norm for walk-ons. Maybe he'll earn some time covering punts but it is very unlikely he will be on the field at LB or be the top BU freshman.
No mention at all of what may be the key to the Bison defense - whether two DT's who have started in the past, Alex Jordan, and Nick Zarkoski, will be recovered from offseason surgery. With them, the DL could be OK. Without them, it will be weak. However, despite what the article says, LB will not be a weakness if players stay healthy. One other thing - Aaron Brown is said to be a starter at safety when he's not even on the team. And no mention in the safety discussion of Joe Lauro, who has started the past two years and will start again if healthy.
As for the kicking game, it says "Bucknell does need to replace reliable place kicker Josh Burdick.". Burdick, whose first name actually is John, was reliable only on very short attempts - going 14-20 on FGs despite almost never being asked to attempt a kick of over 41 yards and making 14 of 17 PAT's. The average length of his made FG's was 30 yards, and he was 1-5 from beyond 38 yards. His lack of leg strength meant the Bison often went for a 1st down on 4th and long from between the 24 and 35, and they actually punted on occasion when inside the 35. For his career, btw, Burdick went 18-32 on FG's. This position will probably be a weakness for about the fourth straight year. Pechin is a good FG kicker, but after losing a year to a torn hamstring, they have opted to limit him to punting - where he is a All-American.
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