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Originally Posted by Fear The Ibis
Somebody cut me off on i75 headed to Tampa, i swerved, car skidded and lost control....went head on into a cement divider going 80.
Glad your okay.
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Originally Posted by Fear The Ibis
Somebody cut me off on i75 headed to Tampa, i swerved, car skidded and lost control....went head on into a cement divider going 80.
Originally Posted by LifeLessons
I swear miami gets no respect but its koo...i can't wait to talk my $@%$
Kadron Boone to texas tech.
Yeah, saw that on the ESPNU ticker last night and I thought I was seeing things.
HELL OF A pickup for the Red Raiders
Bowl (Matchup) Mark Schlabach Bruce Feldman Citi BCS National Championship Game
(BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2)Florida vs. Texas Florida vs. Texas Tostitos Fiesta
(BCS vs. BCS)Oklahoma vs. Boise State Oklahoma vs. Boise State Allstate Sugar
(BCS vs. BCS)Mississippi vs. Pittsburgh Mississippi vs. Brigham Young FedEx Orange
(BCS vs. BCS)Virginia Tech vs. Penn State Virginia Tech vs. South Florida Rose Bowl presented by Citi
(BCS vs. BCS)Ohio State vs. USC Penn State vs. USC GMAC
(ACC vs. MAC)Maryland vs. Buffalo Maryland vs. Western Michigan International
(Big East vs. MAC)Cincinnati vs. Western Michigan Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo AutoZone Liberty
(C-USA vs. SEC)East Carolina vs. Auburn Houston vs. Arkansas AT&T Cotton
(Big 12 vs. SEC)Oklahoma State vs. Alabama Oklahoma State vs. Alabama Konica Minolta Gator
(ACC vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame Miami (FL) vs. Notre Dame Capital One
(SEC vs. Big Ten)Georgia vs. Iowa Georgia vs. Ohio State Outback
(Big Ten vs. SEC)Illinois vs. LSU Illinois vs. LSU Chick-fil-A
(SEC vs. ACC)South Carolina vs. Florida State Tennessee vs. Clemson Insight
(Big 12 vs. Big Ten)Missouri vs. Wisconsin Kansas State vs. Michigan State Gaylord Hotels Music City
(ACC vs. SEC)North Carolina State vs. Tennessee Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina Brut Sun
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame)Oregon vs. Kansas California vs. Kansas Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
(Mountain West vs. C-USA)Air Force vs. Southern Miss Air Force vs. Tulsa Pacific Life Holiday
(Pac-10 vs. Big 12)California vs. Nebraska Oregon vs. Nebraska Texas
(Big 12 vs. Navy)Baylor vs. Navy Baylor vs. Navy Roady's Humanitarian
(WAC vs. Mountain West)Nevada vs. Brigham Young Fresno State vs. Minnesota Valero Alamo
(Big Ten vs. Big 12)Michigan State vs. Texas Tech Wisconsin vs. Texas Tech PapaJohns.com
(Big East vs. SEC)West Virginia vs. Arkansas Cincinnati vs. Michigan AdvoCare V100 Independence
(SEC vs. Big 12)Kentucky vs. Colorado Auburn vs. Colorado Emerald
(Pac-10 vs. ACC)Oregon State vs. Wake Forest Oregon State vs. North Carolina State Champs Sports
(ACC vs. Big Ten)North Carolina vs. Michigan Florida State vs. Iowa Meineke Car Care
(Big East vs. ACC)Rutgers vs. Clemson Rutgers vs. North Carolina Motor City
(MAC vs. Big Ten)Central Michigan vs. Minnesota Central Michigan vs. Northwestern Sheraton Hawaii
(WAC vs. C-USA)Fresno State vs. Houston Hawaii vs. East Carolina San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)Utah vs. UCLA Utah vs. UCLA R+L Carriers New Orleans
(C-USA vs. Sun Belt)Memphis vs. Troy Marshall vs. Troy Eagle Bank Bowl
(ACC vs. Army)Miami (FL) vs. UTEP Wake Forest vs. Memphis MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
(Mountain West vs. Pac-10)TCU vs. Arizona State TCU vs. Stanford St. Petersburg
(Big East vs. C-USA)South Florida vs. Tulsa West Virginia vs. Southern Miss New Mexico
(WAC vs. Mountain West)Louisiana Tech vs. UNLV Nevada vs. Colorado State
Originally Published: August 11, 2009
[h2]Dyer, Lattimore top 2010 RB prospects[/h2]
Comment Email Print >http://a.espncdn.com/icons/share-i...moz-initial;">Share </div><cite class= By Billy Tucker
Scouts Inc.
Archive
[h5]ESPNU 150: RB Breakdown[/h5]
Tom Luginbill on the ESPNU 150 top recruits in the running back position.Tags: High School, College Football
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ESPNU 150: RB Breakdown
There is an obvious drop-off in upper-tier talent when comparing the 2010 running back group with the abundance of prospects graded in the four-star range in recent classes. Still, this class has some real advantages, most notably balance up top.
At different points throughout our six-month evaluation process, arguments were made for up to six running backs to claim the No. 1 spot. There currently are five running backs in the top 20 of the ESPNU 150, which is the most for any position. The parity among the elite backs in this class might stem from their different running styles and ceilings for development. Each shows flashes of being extremely productive in his own skill set as a future downhill, load, zone or multipurpose-type runner.
We might not know until three or four years down the road which one is the top back in this class. It might very well be dictated by the systems in which they land and, in some cases, how their bodies continue to develop.
[h3]Top prospects[/h3]
Michael Dyer
(Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Christian Academy)
College: Undecided
We feel this powerful, durable, compact back is the most college-ready, downhill, yards-after-contact runner. Dyer's great lateral agility, elusiveness and ability to make the first defender miss through the hole are what make him the premier runner in this class.
Marcus Lattimore | Highlights
(Duncan, S.C./James Byrnes)
College: Undecided
Lattimore is perhaps the most well-rounded back in this class at this time. His receiving skills are polished, and he has the size to be a more-than-competent blocker early on. If he broke initial contact on a more consistent level and had better long speed, this South Carolina native would be sitting at the top spot.
Mack Brown | Highlights
(Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King)
College: Florida
When it's all said and done, Brown could end up being the most prolific runner to come out of this class. We really like his upside. He's the load-back the Gators have been looking for, and he should give them the opportunity to take more snaps under center. This kid has it all: inside power, outside speed, elusiveness and explosiveness. At 185 pounds, his size is the only concern, but if he can get up to the 205-pound range, look out.
Jordon James | Highlights
(Corona, Calif./Corona)
College: Undecided
From a pure film evaluation standpoint, there were a lot of arguments for James to take the top running back spot. He has the best top-end speed and breakaway burst of this elite group, coupled with rare between-the-tackles running strength for a back with such suddenness through the hole. James played in only five games as a junior, and his ability to remain durable is his only real red flag.
Lache Seastrunk | Highlights
(Temple, Texas/Temple)
College: Undecided
If Seastrunk lands in an open spread offense that gets him touches in a variety of ways, he easily could end up this class' most productive space player and one of its biggest game breakers. While the Reggie Bush comparisons are out there, Seastrunk's main challenge will be his ability to square up through the hole and break first contact consistently -- an area Bush currently is having difficulty with at the pro level. [h3]On the verge[/h3]
Storm Johnson | Highlights
(Loganville, Ga./Loganville)
College: Undecided
A new crop of game film raised arguments that Johnson could be in the mix for one of the top spots. Backs with his blend of speed and power are a rarity, and this guy has some shake to make defenders miss. With a breakout senior season in which he carries the load for his new Loganville squad, he could see a move toward the top.
Roderick Smith | Highlights
(Fort Wayne, Ind./Harding)
College: Ohio State
From a pure size-to-speed ratio, you would be hard pressed to find a greater running back prospect than Smith. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a sneaky extra gear and very good top-end speed for his size when he breaks free in the second level. We would like to see more yards-after-contact production, but he certainly has great load back qualities and is a nice fit for the Buckeyes.
Malcolm Jones | Highlights
(Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian)
College: Undecided
He is another well-built running back prospect with the downhill strength to wear down a defense and develop into a workhorse. While a determined runner, his great physicality and range on defense are hard not to notice. We wouldn't be surprised if this West Coast athlete gets a look at linebacker as well during his college career.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comKen Malcome won't think twice about running over a defender.
Ken Malcome | Highlights
(Decatur, Ga./Southwest Dekalb)
College: Georgia
This explosive runner lacks only a bit of long speed; otherwise, he might be considered a more elite back in this class. He's a bowling ball of a runner with a powerful lower base and great balance. Malcome consistently breaks first contact, pulls through leg tackles and moves the pile, while showing he also can cut back through the small creases. He's physically ready to carry the load in a downhill role early in his career at Georgia.
Brennan Clay | Highlights
(San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch)
College: Oklahoma
The future Sooner is a multipurpose back and might be one of the more underrated backs in this class. Reaching the 1,000-yard mark as a rusher and pass-catcher in the same season is very impressive, but what makes this California native rare is his deceptive in-line strength and between-the-tackles power for a back with his polished receiving skills. He reminds us of former NFL running back Ronnie Harmon.
[h3]Don't sleep on these guys[/h3]
Dontae Williams | Highlights
(Houston/Aldine)
College: Undecided
Injuries limited Williams' production as a junior, but as with James, we saw enough ability in a handful of games to rank him as an upper-tier back. A well-balanced inside and outside runner, this explosive back could move up the rankings with a healthy and productive senior season.
Spencer Ware | Highlights
(Cincinnati/Princeton)
College: LSU
Employed as a dual-threat quarterback, Ware might not be getting the attention he deserves as a pure running back prospect. This talented athlete shows flashes of great running skills, hitting the hole with urgency while displaying great vision, quickness and burst for a compact 225-pounder. The future Tiger lacks great top-end speed but could develop into a workhorse in Baton Rouge.
Deontae Cooper | Highlights
(Perris, Calif./Citrus)
College: Undecided
He is an intriguing prospect to break down because he has a large frame and flashes good yards-after-contact production but seems to run at one speed. However, that speed still allows him to glide past most defenders at the high school level. He has a high ceiling for development, and could be a late bloomer physically and on the recruiting trail.
Anthony Wilkerson | Highlights
(Tustin, Calif./Tustin)
College: Stanford
When we first watched this prospect in the early spring, Chris "Beanie" Wells was the first back who came to mind. Wilkerson has very good feet for a power back. He can slide through the small creases with deceptive suddenness or run over smaller defenders with brute strength. He is a great get for Stanford and could be ready to take reps early.
Jamal Woodyard | Highlights
(Fairhope, Ala./Fairhope)
College: Undecided
One of the more versatile backs no one seems to know about. Woodyard lines up everywhere as a high school skill player and moves the chains with great vision, quickness, lateral agility and up-field burst. Expect this sure-handed athlete to heat up on the recruiting trail with another big fall.
[h3]Honorable mention[/h3]
• Giovanni Bernard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas) fell outside our ESPNU 150, but judging by his offer sheet, he has not gone unnoticed. The non-flashy, four-star back is growing on us with his well-rounded skill set and great production.
[+] Enlarge
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comRoy Finch amassed 2,000 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns in 2008.
• Oklahoma has a great future change-of-pace runner and worthy four-star back in the undersized Roy Finch (Niceville, Fla./Niceville).
• .J. Morgan (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft) was moved to the athlete category after our final evaluation process, but it wasn't because of a marginal running back projection. We feel he might be the most elusive runner in this class and the best scat-back prospect. However, his great feet and hips -- which are coveted in a college cover corner -- persuaded us to move the USC commit.
• The same can be said for Silas Redd (Stamford, Conn./The King and Low Heywood Thomas), but we feel he will be more of a complete back in Happy Valley.
• Andre Dawson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) might have been overshadowed by Under Armour All-American receiver Keenan Davis (Iowa) last season and plays in a non-hotbed state, but in terms of upside, we feel this kid has all the physical tools to develop into a very productive college running back once his tall frame fills out.
• Miami is well represented at the running back position again. Keep your eyes on Eduardo Clements (Miami/Booker T. Washington) and Brandon Gainer (Miami/Miami Central); both show flashes of being productive, every-down college backs.
[h3]Fullbacks[/h3]
As more teams open up and employ the spread from high school to the college level, the fullback position is slowly becoming obsolete. College programs are starting to focus more on recruiting jumbo athletes -- big, athletic and versatile prospects who can line up at fullback, tight end or H-back. This fullback class is comprised of good, midrange quality players who fit that mold but also has a few throwback, pure fullbacks up top that are ideal for any college program employing a lot of I-formation or pro-style schemes.
Zach Zwinak | Highlights
(Frederick, Md./Linganore)
College: Undecided
He's a two-way standout who plays the game fast, physical and with great instincts. He has some deceptive quicks and vision, but it's his rugged, powerful running style that jumps off film. An explosive, versatile athlete who plays the game the way it should be played.
Brandon Worle
(LaGrange, Ga./Troup County Comprehensive)
College: LSU
He's another massive, physical fullback who is a complete load to take down at the high school level. He's a great short-yardage guy and an equally impressive blocker with more than adequate hands. LSU has landed a prototypical fullback who is a great fit for its offensive scheme.
Zach Fogerson | Highlights
(Seattle/O'Dea)
College: Washington
A pure fullback with sought-after size and physical tools at the position, Fogerson just needs some refinement as a blocker and pass-catcher in Washington's scheme. He's a good in-state prospect who could see the field early.
Maurice Hagens
(Tampa, Fla./Tampa Bay Senior Tech)
College: Miami
He's another load of a back and powerful throwback-type of fullback. The future Cane already has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in his high school career, and most of that production has come after contact.
Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc.
Kiffin & Co. have stated since day one that every player would get an opportunity to earn playing time, and no one on the roster seems to be taking as much advantage of that sentiment as junior defensive end Gerald Williams.
On Monday Williams earned some praise from defensive line coach Ed Orgeron for his efforts, and on Tuesday those efforts were rewarded in with Williams leap-frogging up the depth chart at left end.
"We moved him to starting end today. He's played extremely well and continues to make plays. He was our starting left end today in practice," Kiffin said of Williams improvement. "We moved him ahead of the other two guys and he had a great day. We finally had to crack (block) him because we couldn't block him."
GDubLets GO!
Super Freak | ||||
Brown |
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Most football players would be satisfied with consecutive 40-yard dash times south of 4.3, but not Zach Brown. The sophomore weakside linebacker is determined to perfect his technique across the board, including dropping his 40 time to a time-traveling 4.21. | |||
If you've somehow missed the offseason tales of Brown's 4.26 40 during North Carolina's strength and conditioning testing period, be sure to click here to get the full details. But the comedy surrounding the event ratcheted up a notch on Wednesday morning, when the penciled-in starter indicated that he's expecting to shave hundredths of seconds off that posted mark. "I've known I was always fast, but I wasn't that fast," Brown said following the early practice of UNC's first two-a-day session. "But I know I can get faster. So I told Coach [Jeff Connors], 'I'm trying to get down to a 4.21,' and he said, 'That's possible - all you've got to do is straighten up these mechanics a little bit.' I was leaning a little bit too far forward when I was running, and he said to lean back a little bit more and I can hit a 4.21" It appeared as though starting quarterback T.J. Yates was exaggerating at the ACC Football Kickoff several weeks ago when he mentioned that Brown was off-balance during one of the runs, but in this ever-growing comic book rendering, that too was confirmed on Wednesday. "The first one I started, I tripped - almost stumbled out - and then I kept going and just picked it up," Brown said. "At the time, after the spring game, I had messed up my hamstring and I didn't know if I was going to run it that day or not, depending on how my hamstring felt… Then with the second one, I veered off to the left like two yards and then came back and kept going. Then everybody said, 'Well, you weren't even in a straight line.' And I said, 'I finished in a straight line, and that's all that matters.'" So for those keeping score at home, Brown checks in at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds with a 4.26 40 and a max bench press north of 400. Take your time with those statistics - rinse and repeat, if necessary. But for Brown, who will join his teammates in full pads on Thursday after missing the first two days of practice while attending his sister's wedding, the 2009 season is about transforming that speed and strength into production on Saturday afternoons this fall. Playing primarily on special teams as a true freshman in '08, Brown totaled just six tackles, but he insists the exposure to the college game was crucial in his development. "The speed of the game helped me out a lot, because I knew what I had to do," Brown said. "So I had my mind set when the winter came that I would hit the weight room hard and watch film because I wanted to know what the quarterback was thinking when the sets come up." He's open about leaning heavily on current starting middle linebacker Quan Sturdivant, who was a roommate in '08 and UNC's starter on the weakside, as well as departed standout Mark Paschal. "Paschal helped me out with respect to what he was doing, too," Brown said. "So I'd call him sometimes and be like, 'Hey, what do you do on this play right here?', because I like to know what the [middle linebacker] is thinking. I ask Quan the same thing." It's one thing to be able to chase down a running back from behind, or run through an offensive lineman to get to the quarterback. But Brown's efforts in the film room have created an even more effective outlet for his immense physical traits, decreasing the need to think while increasing reaction time. It helps that Brown doesn't feel he overshadows his teammates with his athletic ability - he's just another weapon in Butch Davis's defensive arsenal. "We've got so much talent, and we've got depth," Brown said. "So if someone gets hurt or injured or tired, they can come out and know that they've got faith in their backup that they can do the job. We're dominant and we're relentless - everyone runs to the ball. Our defensive line is also running to the ball and they're doing some amazing things where we say, 'Wow, they're in great shape. They're ready to play a game now.'" While Brown's measurables may construct an atmospheric ceiling for his potential, the Columbia, Md. sophomore is determined to prove this fall that those physical attributes are utilized on the field to their fullest extent. |
I've seen the following HS running backs in VA: Tiki Barber, Lee Suggs, Macho, Kenny Lewis Jr., Terry Kirby, Marcus Parker, Ken Oxendine, and David
Wilson.
I've also seen Percy Harvin (WR/KR) and Allen Iverson (he was the
closest to Mike Vick's running ability) on the football field....and those
two are the only two that were even comparable to what I saw David
Wilson do.
Now granted, I saw Wilson's 340 yard 4 TD game in high school, but
he's simply breath-taking to watch. Get ready Hokie fans...#4 jerseys
will be in MAJOR demand in Blacksburg in a month or two.
There is hope after DE's terrible break.
P.S. Billy Hite said that he blocked very well in the scrimmage and is
not only fast but is being very physical.
Dude is gonna be special.
Originally Posted by 5am6oody72
I've seen the following HS running backs in VA: Tiki Barber, Lee Suggs, Macho, Kenny Lewis Jr., Terry Kirby, Marcus Parker, Ken Oxendine, and David
Wilson.
I've also seen Percy Harvin (WR/KR) and Allen Iverson (he was the
closest to Mike Vick's running ability) on the football field....and those
two are the only two that were even comparable to what I saw David
Wilson do.
Now granted, I saw Wilson's 340 yard 4 TD game in high school, but
he's simply breath-taking to watch. Get ready Hokie fans...#4 jerseys
will be in MAJOR demand in Blacksburg in a month or two.
There is hope after DE's terrible break.
P.S. Billy Hite said that he blocked very well in the scrimmage and is
not only fast but is being very physical.
nobody can EVER top Vteach and there tailsOriginally Posted by LifeLessons
guess unc getting their vtech on w/ these 40 times...in the nfl combine he won't break a 4.4
The Pac-10 is close to signing a contract that will send the conference's No. 2 team to the Alamo Bowl and will result in a demotion of the conference's present bowl partners, the Seattle Times reported.
Money apparently was the deciding factor. The Alamo Bowl offered $3 million per team, and the Holiday Bowl, which currently features the conference's No. 2 team, is unlikely to raise its payout from $2.35 million, the report said.
[h4] [/h4]
If the deal is finalized, it would begin with the 2010 season and would match the Pac-10 against the Big 12. The Pac-10's No. 3 team then would go to the Holiday Bowl and the No. 4 to the Sun Bowl.
The Pac-10's current bowl agreements with the Rose, Holiday, Sun, Las Vegas, Emerald and Poinsettia Bowls expire after this season.
This season's Alamo Bowl will feature the third pick out of the Big 12 and the No. 4 Big Ten team.
The bowl is scheduled for Jan. 2 after spending the previous 17 seasons with a late-December date. If that date holds, it would give the Pac-10 a second coveted post-New Year's Day bowl date.
Pac-10 teams won the first two Alamo Bowl games in 1993 and 1994. California beat Iowa 37-3 and Washington State beat Baylor 10-3.
Originally Posted by UCLAMIKE
The Pac-10 is close to signing a contract that will send the conference's No. 2 team to the Alamo Bowl and will result in a demotion of the conference's present bowl partners, the Seattle Times reported.
Money apparently was the deciding factor. The Alamo Bowl offered $3 million per team, and the Holiday Bowl, which currently features the conference's No. 2 team, is unlikely to raise its payout from $2.35 million, the report said.
If the deal is finalized, it would begin with the 2010 season and would match the Pac-10 against the Big 12. The Pac-10's No. 3 team then would go to the Holiday Bowl and the No. 4 to the Sun Bowl.
The Pac-10's current bowl agreements with the Rose, Holiday, Sun, Las Vegas, Emerald and Poinsettia Bowls expire after this season.
This season's Alamo Bowl will feature the third pick out of the Big 12 and the No. 4 Big Ten team.
The bowl is scheduled for Jan. 2 after spending the previous 17 seasons with a late-December date. If that date holds, it would give the Pac-10 a second coveted post-New Year's Day bowl date.
Pac-10 teams won the first two Alamo Bowl games in 1993 and 1994. California beat Iowa 37-3 and Washington State beat Baylor 10-3.
Gaskins Out for Season | |||||||||||||
North Carolina offensive tackle Carl Gaskins, a sophomore from Melbourne, Fla., tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Wednesday morning's practice and will miss the entire 2009 season. | |||||||||||||
Gaskins played in five games in 2008 and was competing for playing time this fall at left tackle. He was listed as the backup to Kyle Jolly on the two-deep heading into training camp.
|
LOS ANGELES (AP)-Southern California quarterback Aaron Corp has a small crack in his bruised left knee and will be out about two weeks.
An MRI taken Wednesday revealed the crack on the head of Corp's left fibula. The redshirt sophomore was rolled onto by a lineman during Monday's practice.
Doctors found Corp has no ligament damage and won't need surgery.
Corp was chosen by Carroll as the Trojans' first-string quarterback coming out of spring practice.
Freshman Matt Barkley will take all the first-team reps during Corp's absence. Veteran backup Mitch Mustain is also in the mix.
Good thing for Aaron Corp you can be a backup at USC and still go to the league.
Hopefully Barkley learns some things under the tutelage of Mitch Mustain so that when his time comes, he can have a great career.
Though he will never really measure up to Mitch.
Good thing for Aaron Corp you can be a backup at USC and still go to the league.Originally Posted by dreClark
LOS ANGELES (AP)-Southern California quarterback Aaron Corp has a small crack in his bruised left knee and will be out about two weeks.
An MRI taken Wednesday revealed the crack on the head of Corp's left fibula. The redshirt sophomore was rolled onto by a lineman during Monday's practice.
Doctors found Corp has no ligament damage and won't need surgery.
Corp was chosen by Carroll as the Trojans' first-string quarterback coming out of spring practice.
Freshman Matt Barkley will take all the first-team reps during Corp's absence. Veteran backup Mitch Mustain is also in the mix.
Originally Posted by Andrew630
NFL is starting, who cares about college
Originally Posted by Matt Barkley Heisman Number 8
Originally Posted by dreClark
Originally Posted by Matt Barkley Heisman Number 8
And who is this girl?
And after the one practice (the first day of pads) FSU is down to 1 healthy RB and may have lost the starting DT for the year