GREATEST Rutgers Football Team EVER Assembled

[RUNYGDVLSFAN]

if he is right it will be the first time, hardly worthy of being the Jersey oracle.

all in good fun.... broken clock is even right twice per day !!

 

[Brisket and Bourbon]

Wait until we play the Rutgers (USC) of the west…

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Clueless as usual. I’ve been actively since ‘96. Prior to that was on the AOL messageboards.

Numb nuts, I wasn't aiming to give him your whole sordid history just when people started taking issue with these Don Quixote missives.

He can find out about your cringey Savon Huggins love song video on his own.

 

[Shelby65]

Teams underperform to expectations all the time. Our 2007 team with Ray Rice, Kenny Britt, and Tiquan Underwood only won 7 Games, and ended up in the Toronto Bowl. Games are opportunities, not guarantees.

For us, any winning season is a good season, considering we’ve had so few of them.

Toronto Bowl ? Show your work Fieldhouse Al of La Mancha. Shelby was there with Finkenstadt and none of their souvenirs cite that name of the highly prestigious but now defunct contest.

 

[LeapinLou]

We’re not going to be destroying teams 42-10, because we’ll be destroying teams 52-10. We have better talent than Notre Dame. Better talent than Alabama. Better talent than USC.

Most of our opponents this year, cannot stop the run, which just happens to be our strength. Ohio State could not stop our rushing attack last year, as they yielded 243 rushing yards to us. The only reason we didn’t beat them was because we didn’t have a passing game, and turned the ball over. This year we have the passing game we lacked last year. I expect the offense to be incredibly productive.

Monangai is a Heisman Candidate, and the leading returning Big Ten rusher. Dymere Miller put up near Heisman numbers at Monmouth, catching 90 balls for 1,295 yards, a mere 1.1 yards off the Heisman pace established by the last WR Heisman Winner, Devonta Smith, in 2020. If the quarterback can throw accurately, he will put up huge numbers.

The OL and running back are the heart and soul of this team. Hollín Pierce is an All American Candidate. Felter is an All Conference Candidate as is Zilinskas. Not a coincidence that our biggest runs have been towards the left side of the line or up the middle. Kobe Asamosh
has played some, but is going to need time to acclimate, but will be a good player someday. Transfer Shedrick Rhodes is a Monster Tackle, who is going to bolster our run game, while providing better pass protection. Reggie Sutton, who has been hampered by a knee injury, will be the first OL off the bench and has a ton of experience.

The quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, is capable of throwing accurately and making the easy throws. I’m looking for a 58% completion percentage from him with 20TDs and 7 ints. He will be supported by an exceptionally talented WR Corp. Dymere Miller is a true WR1, is fast and has exceptional hands. Ian Strong is a future Superstar, capable of dominating opposing DBs. Christian Dremel has worked his way into becoming a consistent WR, who has displayed good hands and runs good routes, and knows how to get open. Naseim Brantley is going to contribute something as will Long. Toure is just getting his feet wet, but he is going to dominate opposing DBs with his superior size and strength. Korey “SpiderMan” Duff has a huge ceiling, but is probably going to need timé to acclimate to this level. Ben “The Flash” Black and his 4.37 speed, are going to be impossible to stop. They will probably ease him in, just like Tim Brown during his freshman year.

Kenny Fletcher will be the main tight end, and should be able to contribute something. The rest of the tight ends are a question mark, but hopefully some emerge. Konopka seems most likely, having previously contributed.

The defense could be the nations best, with 315 lb NT Zaire Angoy, anchoring the middle of the defensive line. He is going to be Rutgers Vince Wilfork, and was specifically called out by Schiano for his terrific Miami bowl game performance. He is going to be backed up by FSU transfer Malcolm Ray. He is complemented by future NFL starter, DT Kyonte Hamilton. They are sandwiched by a pair of All American potential Ends in Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey. They weren’t quite as productive as we hoped last year, as their coach was taking care of health issues. This year, will be much different.

The Linebackers might be the best in the nation. Tyreem Powell is an All American and Butkus award Candidate. Mohamed Toure was very productive and demonstrated terrific instincts last year. Igbinosun plays a hybrid LB-DB position and was exceptionally productive last year, with 64 tackles and 6.5 tfl.

The secondary could also be the nations best, with Flip Dixon and Shaquan Loyal vying for All American honors. As will Robert Longerbeam, who has slowly but surely built himself into one of the best DBs in the game. The other CB could be Bo Mascoe, who will be getting his feet wet.

The only competitive games I see are Nebraska, Wisconsin, and USC. We should DESTROY everyone else.

We are going to DESTROY Virginia Tech, and everyone else, because their lines will be dominated by ours, just like what we did against Miami. ACC teams don’t have the talent, toughness, and level of execution to stay within 14 points of Rutgers. Last year we beat VT by 19. This year I expect to exceed that difference.

It’s not a coincidence that no ACC team has beaten us during Schiano 2.0.

Last year, we had too many deficiencies. This year, there are few, if any. We’ve got 12 opportunities. Time to make it happen!

I don't think we're as good as the 2006 team primarily for these reasons:
- Clark Harris at TE vs Kenny Fletcher
- Brian Leonard at Fullback vs no Fullback
- We had elite punt and kick coverage. This year it should be good and possibly great but not elite

That said, there are a lot of similarities:
- Teel was an unproven QB just being asked to manage the offense. We need more than that from AK but nobody expects him to be a star.
- We had Ray Rice then. We have Kyle Monangai now.
- Our defense was dominant. This defense should be dominant.
- We had a really good kicker then. We have a really good kicker now.
- We had good WRs on that team. I feel like we have good WRs on this team.

That team was 10-2 in the regular season. This team seems closer to 8-4 but we'll see.

 

[rutgersal]

I don't think we're as good as the 2006 team primarily for these reasons:
- Clark Harris at TE vs Kenny Fletcher
- Brian Leonard at Fullback vs no Fullback
- We had elite punt and kick coverage. This year it should be good and possibly great but not elite

That said, there are a lot of similarities:
- Teel was an unproven QB just being asked to manage the offense. We need more than that from AK but nobody expects him to be a star.
- We had Ray Rice then. We have Kyle Monangai now.
- Our defense was dominant. This defense should be dominant.
- We had a really good kicker then. We have a really good kicker now.
- We had good WRs on that team. I feel like we have good WRs on this team.

That team was 10-2 in the regular season. This team seems closer to 8-4 but we'll see.

That team might have been better in individual positions, but this team has much better depth across the board. We just got very lucky in 2006 with injuries.

 

[LeapinLou]

Penn State is spending $700M to upgrade their stadium. Such things don’t go unnoticed by recruits.

12% of PA residents live below the poverty line. Seems like the state University could make better use of this money.

 

[rutgersal]

12% of PA residents live below the poverty line. Seems like the state University could make better use of this money.

They are counting on $134M in donations/naming rights and will borrow the rest. Debt payments will be supported by revenue, so they will likely raise ticket prices .

 

[beaced]

I like that you keep ignoring the actual question and make up some weird post to respond to.
It's quite amusing.

If we go 10-2 this year then no that's not likely a huge failure - with the most talented team in the country. We're likely in the CFP.
Although, it could be a mild annoyance/failing for an expected Top 5 team to finish only Top 20.

What if we go 7-5 with one of the most talented rosters in the country?
If we have more talent than Bama and OSU what should be the minimum expected record?

Only at Rutgers could a team be most talented in the county, 9 expected blowouts but a 6-6 season would be acceptable.

If you actually believed your OP, then you would agree nothing short of 10-2 should be tolerated.

We win them All. Until we don't. Take them o one game at a time. And expect the best we are a different program than in the past. I expect a lot and I will look forward to the
W 's

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

That team might have been better in individual positions, but this team has much better depth across the board. We just got very lucky in 2006 with injuries.

The SOS isn’t remotely comparable though. Your really over valuing the toughest opponents at the top when thinking about schedules. WVU and UofL were very good - but go back and look at the rest of those wins. We lost to the next best team in Cincy and most of the opponents on our 2024 schedule are better than that Cincy team was. Every game counts the same - 1 loss or 1 win.

 

[RUSK97]

Why do I click this crap?

 

[50 yd line RR]

I don't think we're as good as the 2006 team primarily for these reasons:
- Clark Harris at TE vs Kenny Fletcher
- Brian Leonard at Fullback vs no Fullback
- We had elite punt and kick coverage. This year it should be good and possibly great but not elite

That said, there are a lot of similarities:
- Teel was an unproven QB just being asked to manage the offense. We need more than that from AK but nobody expects him to be a star.
- We had Ray Rice then. We have Kyle Monangai now.
- Our defense was dominant. This defense should be dominant.
- We had a really good kicker then. We have a really good kicker now.
- We had good WRs on that team. I feel like we have good WRs on this team.

That team was 10-2 in the regular season. This team seems closer to 8-4 but we'll see.

Here’s a question for you.
How many NFL players on the 2006 team?
How many NFL Players on this team?
We can guesstimate but we really won’t know for 3-4 years.
My guestimate is, that Rutgers to the NFL pipeline is starting to flow steady again.
Only time will tell right?

 

[50 yd line RR]

Wait until we play the Rutgers (USC) of the west…

Forgot that one. Classic!!!!
Other than USC being a private school Rutgers/public.
Al might be right!

 

[Section124]

Why do I click this crap?

It's like a car crash..you have to at least take a peek.

 

[rutgersal]

The SOS isn’t remotely comparable though. Your really over valuing the toughest opponents at the top when thinking about schedules. WVU and UofL were very good - but go back and look at the rest of those wins. We lost to the next best team in Cincy and most of the opponents on our 2024 schedule are better than that Cincy team was. Every game counts the same - 1 loss or 1 win.

The sos isn’t remotely comparable but neither is the depth of the team’s as Big Ten Membership and Schiano’s experience has helped us recruit at a higher level than ever before.

 

[rutgersal]

Here’s a question for you.
How many NFL players on the 2006 team?
How many NFL Players on this team?
We can guesstimate but we really won’t know for 3-4 years.
My guestimate is, that Rutgers to the NFL pipeline is starting to flow steady again.
Only time will tell right?

I’ll guestimate.

1. Monangai
2. Longerbeam
3. Powell
4. M Toure
5. Igbinoson
6. Dixon
7. Loyal
8. Sanders
9. Lewis
10. Angoy
11. Ray
12. Pierce
13. Felter
14. Zilinskas
15. Duff
16. Miller
17. Black
18. Hamilton
19. Bailey
20. F. Toure

 

[LeapinLou]

Here’s a question for you.
How many NFL players on the 2006 team?
How many NFL Players on this team?
We can guesstimate but we really won’t know for 3-4 years.
My guestimate is, that Rutgers to the NFL pipeline is starting to flow steady again.
Only time will tell right?

I'm not going to take the time to research it but pretty much every starter on the 2006 team got into an NFL camp when their eligibility was over. We'll see similar results on the defensive side of this team. But less than half of our offensive starters are getting drafted or becoming UFAs.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

The sos isn’t remotely comparable but neither is the depth of the team’s as Big Ten Membership and Schiano’s experience has helped us recruit at a higher level than ever before.

Right - I don’t disagree, but that just makes it apples to oranges doesn’t it? It’s not comparable because the 2006 team only had to face 2-3 comparable teams to 8 or so games on our schedule. Even the teams like USF and Navy that had decent records were not comparable to what we’ll likely face in Maryland, Michigan State, etc.

 

[rutgersal]

Right - I don’t disagree, but that just makes it apples to oranges doesn’t it? It’s not comparable because the 2006 team only had to face 2-3 comparable teams to 8 or so games on our schedule. Even the teams like USF and Navy that had decent records were not comparable to what we’ll likely face in Maryland, Michigan State, etc.

Yes, any comparison with previous teams is going to be apples and oranges. Despite the constraints, I still find it fun, nevertheless.

 

[rutgersal]

I'm not going to take the time to research it but pretty much every starter on the 2006 team got into an NFL camp when their eligibility was over. We'll see similar results on the defensive side of this team. But less than half of our offensive starters are getting drafted or becoming UFAs.

Lots of kids get into camps, but it’s the kids that stick which matters. These are the kids I have down from my imperfect memory

- Foster
- Depaola
- Rice
- Leonard
- Stapleton
- Zuttah
- McCourty x 2
- Britt
- Malast
- Underwood
- Teel
- Silvestro
- Haarlem

 

[RUGiddy777]

Well done, Al. But come on, 2006 still the greatest.

 

[LeapinLou]

RU 2006 starting offense:
QB - Teel - made NFL roster
FB - Leonard - solid NFL career
RB - Rice - solid NFL career
WR - Willie Foster - NFL camp (Britt was not a starter)
WR - Shawn Tucker - injuries shut down NFL aspirations (Underwood was not a starter)
TE - Clark Harris - solid NFL career, primarily as a long snapper
OT - Sosa - NFL camp
OG - Fladell - NFL camp
C - Stapleton - Super Bowl Champion
OG - Stephenson - no NFL
OT - Zuttah - solid NFL career
K - Ito - NFL camp

So 10 out of 12 guys, not counting Britt or Underwood. You can have an opinion, but this current roster has maybe five starters that will go as far as these 10 guys.

 

[ScarletDog]

Yes, any comparison with previous teams is going to be apples and oranges. Despite the constraints, I still find it fun, nevertheless.

This year’s team might just mop the floor with the 2006 team. Wish we could see.

 

[NickRU714]

I agree you cant compare different teams and different schedules.

But that also would imply you can't base next year's success indicators with comparison to previous teams either.
That's also apples and oranges.

So if for example, you think we have a Top 5 talented team in the country then finishing 7-5 would seem to be a huge failure.
Regardless of any historical team success.

Take the basketball team.
If they missed the tournament next year, you couldn't really say "Well look at the last 30 years. We've only made the tournament 3* times and only won 1 game. Being on the bubble/getting knocked out in the play-in was still a good season"

 

[ScarletDog]

I agree you cant compare different teams and different schedules.

But that also would imply you can't base next year's success indicators with comparison to previous teams either.
That's also apples and oranges.

So if for example, you think we have a Top 5 talented team in the country then finishing 7-5 would seem to be a huge failure.
Regardless of any historical team success.

Take the basketball team.
If they missed the tournament next year, you couldn't really say "Well look at the last 30 years. We've only made the tournament 3* times and only won 1 game. Being on the bubble/getting knocked out in the play-in was still a good season"

This is a good point. But I don’t think Al needs to temper expectations. This is a really good team and we should have big expectations. If QB play is pretty good, we will win a lot of games. Just need pretty good. Looking forward to this season more than any in a while. We have something to get excited about for a change.

 

[MADHAT1]

Well done, Al. But come on, 2006 still the greatest.

In the D-1A era, but the best is yet to come.
We must remember
When Rutgers was considered a D-1AA type of program, it had had a 9-0 season in 1961 under Bateman that we should consider one of the best and Burn's 1976 squad that went 11-0 wasn't a second rate team by any means

 

[RUGiddy777]

In the D-1A era, but the best is yet to come.
We must remember
When Rutgers was considered a D-1AA type of program, it had had a 9-0 season in 1961 under Bateman that we should consider one of the best and Burn's 1976 squad that went 11-0 wasn't a second rate team by any means

Definitely fair. By no means meant to dismiss the teams from earlier eras - but also really hard to compare them to today’s sports industrial complex. That 2006 team probably could have won the natty had we not choked in Cincy and got the right calls at WVU.

 

[MADHAT1]

Did Al convince someone?
Kirk Herbstreit picks Rutgers as 'dark horse' for College Football Playoff out of Big Ten - On3
>Could Rutgers actually make a run to the College Football Playoff? Kirk Herbstreit thinks there’s a chance the Scarlet Knights might be in the bracket.
In a wild and new Big Ten this year, featuring 18 teams, Rutgers’ schedule is finally lax enough to consider the possibility. Coming off a 7-6 season with a Pinstripe Bowl victory, Rutgers could take a monumental leap in program history.
Herbstreit mentioned others in the Big Ten that could surprise and make the CFP, but Rutgers stood out.<

Kirk Herbstreit picks wild, potential College Football Playoff dark horse out of Big Ten

.

www.on3.com

 

[wisr01]

RU 2006 starting offense:
QB - Teel - made NFL roster
FB - Leonard - solid NFL career
RB - Rice - solid NFL career
WR - Willie Foster - NFL camp (Britt was not a starter)
WR - Shawn Tucker - injuries shut down NFL aspirations (Underwood was not a starter)
TE - Clark Harris - solid NFL career, primarily as a long snapper
OT - Sosa - NFL camp
OG - Fladell - NFL camp
C - Stapleton - Super Bowl Champion
OG - Stephenson - no NFL
OT - Zuttah - solid NFL career
K - Ito - NFL camp

So 10 out of 12 guys, not counting Britt or Underwood. You can have an opinion, but this current roster has maybe five starters that will go as far as these 10 guys.

Stephenson was in the NFL for four season on practice squads. Willie Foster was not a starting WR. He started two games all season at WR and played the fewest snaps. Dennis Campbell started 4, Underwood started 9 and Britt 6.

 

[rutgersal]

Well done, Al. But come on, 2006 still the greatest.

Sure, but 2024 has an opportunity to be better. We make the playoffs, and ‘24 is better

 

[rutgersal]

Did Al convince someone?
Kirk Herbstreit picks Rutgers as 'dark horse' for College Football Playoff out of Big Ten - On3
>Could Rutgers actually make a run to the College Football Playoff? Kirk Herbstreit thinks there’s a chance the Scarlet Knights might be in the bracket.
In a wild and new Big Ten this year, featuring 18 teams, Rutgers’ schedule is finally lax enough to consider the possibility. Coming off a 7-6 season with a Pinstripe Bowl victory, Rutgers could take a monumental leap in program history.
Herbstreit mentioned others in the Big Ten that could surprise and make the CFP, but Rutgers stood out.<

Kirk Herbstreit picks wild, potential College Football Playoff dark horse out of Big Ten

.

www.on3.com

Not only Kirk Herbstreit but Adam Breneman too, whom I’m certain read my post on the Mainboard.

 

[Purple-Ed]

I post because I love Rutgers. It’s that simple.

Geez, and I thought it's because you don't have a girlfriend, wife, significant other, kids or grandkids.

 

[rutgersal]

Geez, and I thought it's because you don't have a girlfriend, wife, significant other, kids or grandkids.

Thanks JD Vance. I would find time to post even if I had all of those

 

[RUGiddy777]

Sure, but 2024 has an opportunity to be better. We make the playoffs, and ‘24 is better

That’s still a huge ask - we’re not a cellar dweller anymore, but 8-10 wins would be amazing. We’re still not in the top 5 of the conference.

 

[rutgersal]

That’s still a huge ask - we’re not a cellar dweller anymore, but 8-10 wins would be amazing. We’re still not in the top 5 of the conference.

I’m not worried about Top 5 because we have an opportunity to be #1

 

[LeapinLou]

Stephenson was in the NFL for four season on practice squads. Willie Foster was not a starting WR. He started two games all season at WR and played the fewest snaps. Dennis Campbell started 4, Underwood started 9 and Britt 6.

You are correct. I was going off of a link I found that gave the two deep as of the start of the 2006 season. Using a starting lineup from the Louisville game would have been a better list to work from, to further prove my case.

 

[RUforester72]

Just watched 2 Minnesota games from last year, vs. Nebraska and vs. MSU. We’re getting a pretty good upgrade at QB IMHO. His completion % really impacted by dropped passes. Chop!

 

[Purple-Ed]

Thanks JD Vance. I would find time to post even if I had all of those

You're welcome, Savon.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Just watched 2 Minnesota games from last year, vs. Nebraska and vs. MSU. We’re getting a pretty good upgrade at QB IMHO. His completion % really impacted by dropped passes. Chop!

He’s a real QB whereas Gavin was more an athlete playing QB. Our better pass protection and upgraded receivers should result in better numbers/metrics for him.

 

[Brisket and Bourbon]

He’s a real QB whereas Gavin was more an athlete playing QB. Our better pass protection and upgraded receivers should result in better numbers/metrics for him.

So what kind of general numbers would you expect? Expect him to be more of a game manager (not meant derisively) vs someone who’ll necessarily take over a drive?