The Bone Yard

......The other two cottons on ship now have more than earned it, its your choice to not like Barney but actually look at the kids and watch them play before you judge them. They all have the pedigree, toughness, and will you want in quality football players, and they ALL will make impacts on this team.

Just sayin there are more deserving prospects who we are passing on because of it.

Is it possible Sam is underrated and has so little offers for a reason other than he is not that good? Maybe schools just don't even bother with him assuming they have no chance (from lincoln, coaches son, brothers in program)?

Like I said, any other year and I wouldn't question it.

We have had a few debacles at TE the last few seasons that has forced the coaches hand a bit this year.

I'll never forget Matt Millen during the Wiscy game telling fisher to go pick up his Jock Strap because he just dropped it at the 40. And then after that he got punched in the face in the endzone by ball.

After a RS 2012 season, we could be looking at Sam Cotton as a RS Freshman starter at TE. I'd just about guarantee that he'll be a 3 year starter at TE regardless.

Ben is one of the best blocking TE's in the entire country. He is the best man on man blocker on the team. Jake was nearly a starting OG as a RS Freshman prior to his injury.

I have no problem offering the youngest Cotton when nearly everybody I talk to says he is the best of the bunch.

This is completely unwarranted. Similar to the complaints when both Ben and Jake were given scholarships.

Funny, how those complaints turned into praise for each of the kids, isn't it?

First of all, there were many fans who complained when Sam got his offer, so why even bring this up?

and I got news for you, every player on scholarship is a role playing athlete. We needed a TE, especially after it was clear that David was not interested in NU. Strange how so many people were keen on bringing in Bush-Loo, who clearly is not as highly rated as Sam.

Yes I know this subject has been talked about already. It just occurred to me that there are people unhappy with Cross who think we should have grabbed curry etc. Well that wouldn't be a problem had we not picked up a TE who's only other offers were Ohio and Tulsa.

I have a different definition of role player. A good example is Ben cotton. His role is the run blocking TE where Kyler Reed's role is the receiving TE.

Bush-Loo and Sam Cotton have roughly the same value. Difference is Bush-Loo had 3 more D-1 offers from an arguably better group of suitors. (splitting hairs I know)

We need one DT this year. We absolutely need one TE as well. Curry came into the picture late, long after Sam committed. In fact, getting Cotton, although probably a foregone conclusion, is an essential addition to this class.

Curry is actually not an essential addition, and since it's pretty clear that Valentine is already N, then he becomes a bit superfluous to a class with limited openings.

Sometimes WHEN you make a commitment is more important than what your perceived value is.

As to the "unhappiness" about Cross, there is not a single fan who truly knows whether he has greater value than Curry or vice-versa.

As to your definition of role-player, you're reaching. A kid who only returns kicks, or only comes in to blitz on passing downs, or only gets a carry from the five yard line would be a "role-player".

A TE that plays most every down on offense is not a role-player, any more than a TE who is a receiving option on every down, like Reed.

By your definition, Eric Hagg and Dejon Gomes were "role-players".

Ben Cotton is not a role-playing TE.