ESPN: Top 10 players: Minnesota Golden Gophers

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Wolitarsky has had some bad drops, most memorably in bowl games but has otherwise been solid and he's a big body for blocking purposes. Poock had some rough games last season, and Pirsig is slow-footed and injury-prone which might be synergistic. IMO all have their pluses and minuses thus far, so not so crazy.
 

Travis is underrated. Still is a better WR than Wolo. Poock is our best linebacker
 


Still, as good as some seem to think he is, only had 18 catches and wasn't particularly dynamic or good at getting separation against good DBs. Non-factor in most games. I think he makes a good step forward this year. Woli has been clutch at times and a goat at times and had over 300 yards more vs Still last season. He was a factor.

Personally, as of now, I put both Lynn and Celestin as 1 and 2 over Poock. Not to say that can't change. Seemed like he was out of position far too much last season.

Seeing as how most of us feel Travis is probably our best and most experienced defensive player and a future NFLer I don't think he is underrated. If you mean on this list then yeah, probably he's number two.
 

Pompous Elitist said:
Still, as good as some seem to think he is, only had 18 catches and wasn't particularly dynamic or good at getting separation against good DBs. Non-factor in most games. I think he makes a good step forward this year. Woli has been clutch at times and a goat at times and had over 300 yards more vs Still last season. He was a factor.

Personally, as of now, I put both Lynn and Celestin as 1 and 2 over Poock. Not to say that can't change. Seemed like he was out of position far too much last season.

Seeing as how most of us feel Travis is probably our best and most experienced defensive player and a future NFLer I don't think he is underrated. If you mean on this list then yeah, probably he's number two.
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I think Woli's production is merely a product of playing time. I think other receivers on the roster maybe could have produced as much given similar playing time. Clutch is not a word I associate with him.

I think Jonah is going to have a big year under Miller. I just view him and Poock as much more valuable to the team's success, but I guess that wasn't the title of the article.

Anyway, hoping they all have great years. I have high expectations for this year.
 

My take:

1. Richardson
2. Lynn
3. Travis
4. Lingen
5. Myrick
6. Moore
7. Poock
8. Brooks
9. Pirsig
10. Smith
 

I just think people are projecting a little bit in regards to Still, which is fine because I'm doing the same thing with Celestin once he becomes the starter. I think the jury is out on Still as his sample size is so small, and I hope for the best. Agree Woli has been a disappointment but he still plays a valuable role. WR will be very interesting this year. Lots of unknowns. KJ really came on his SR year. He hadn't shown the best hands either.

If we're going off production then Mike Rallis would have been our best LB in 2012. The ILB in the 4-3 I'll normally have the highest percentage of tackles amongst the LBS, around 12 percent.

So, all opinions and we probably see different things when we watch games. The coaches are studying the tape and will have to decide on the best overall options.
 



If this list is based on value to the team rather than overall athleticism/player instincts then old #7 has to be #1. Given that we will probably need to score points (even against the Kent States) and given that passing will be a vital part of our play action game then I'll be a bit worried if we have to lean on Croft or Green.
 

Still was better than Woli by the end of last year. No reason to think he won't be this year.
 

Well, I'm not going to argue too vigorously because Still was just a freshman and has a lot of potential.

That said, looking at the numbers Woli had as many yards in the last 4 games as Still had all season. Still had 4 catches for 20 yards over the last 4 games. So I'm not sure where the "he was the better receiver stuff" is coming from. Better blocker? No. Faster? Yeah maybe a bit. Woli isnt particularly fast for an X. Is Still fast? Routes? Doubtful at this point? Body control? I don't know yet. Hands? I don't know yet. Looks taller and more impressive? Yep.

The most recent game I watched, and I would guess this held true all season, Woli played most of the snaps at the X receiver, and was spelled by Still. It will be interesting to see who the starter is or whether they continue to alternate them. Blocking is a pretty big for the receivers and that might play a big part in who plays the most. if Still is clearly better in all phases then their roles will flip-flop this year. I presume Carter will be the starter at Z and the other guys will play as needed.
 

My take:

1) Mitch
2) Travis
3) Myrick
4) Richardson
5) Lingen
6) Brooks/Smith (I view them as interchangable)
7) Poock
8) Moore
9) Calhoun
10) Ju Huff
 



I also think Moore cracks the Top 10 this year. Hope his nasty streak rubs off on some of his fellow lineman and translates into setting a tone for the year.
 

Pompous Elitist said:
Still, as good as some seem to think he is, only had 18 catches and wasn't particularly dynamic or good at getting separation against good DBs. Non-factor in most games. I think he makes a good step forward this year. Woli has been clutch at times and a goat at times and had over 300 yards more vs Still last season. He was a factor.

Personally, as of now, I put both Lynn and Celestin as 1 and 2 over Poock. Not to say that can't change. Seemed like he was out of position far too much last season.

Seeing as how most of us feel Travis is probably our best and most experienced defensive player and a future NFLer I don't think he is underrated. If you mean on this list then yeah, probably he's number two.
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We like fast MLBs, and sometimes fast MLBs use speed too much. Wilson in his first year and Poock last year sometimes took themselves out of position. I expect to see that improve a lot this year.
 

Otis said:
Maybe they were going by height!

Never good to have a kicker in the top 10. A holder yes, but not a kicker.
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I might look at it a little different on the kicker side.

Kickers routinely score more points than anyone else on a team and a good kicker converts points from a distance. I would put our highest scorer last year in the top ten, considering that.

In NO WAY is this saying he is one of the best athletes on the team, for that is clearly ridiculous.

But a guy that was perfect on PAT and inside 40 yards, plus hit 7 /11 from outside 40. I can see him in the top ten on the team in that way.
 

It's funny to me how Mitch can be rated #1 by some and not even on the list by others. Is that a reflection on Mitch, or on the listmaker?
 


I would say it depends on whether the list is supposed to be the 10 BEST players, or the 10 MOST VALUABLE players, or just the 10 guys you like the most. One could argue that some players may be more talented, but not as valuable in the overall scheme of things, depending on the position, depth, etc.
 


short ornery norwegian said:
I would say it depends on whether the list is supposed to be the 10 BEST players, or the 10 MOST VALUABLE players, or just the 10 guys you like the most. One could argue that some players may be more talented, but not as valuable in the overall scheme of things, depending on the position, depth, etc.
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Agreed. I have a hard time putting any linebackers in for that reason. I actually think Vince Calhoun might be top 5 but too early to tell.
 

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