The off-season is officially over. I thought I would make a new thread to start off the season. Looking forward to some camp reports starting with Rookie camp today.

5 hours ago, wbbfan said:

All our imp dl played well. Thing is, playing well against starting rider ol vs 4th string riders ol is a big difference. 
 

Is there really much of a difference?

Just now, MrFreakzilla said:

Is there really much of a difference?

Oh yeah. Their 3-4th guys wouldn’t be on any one else’s roster. 
 That’s part of the trouble with a weak ol. You can realistically only get your hands on soo much decent talent. The less you have the more slop you carry. The more slop you carry the worse your bottom end slop is. 

20 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Get with the program sailor, MCI is the abbreviated name now!

Which will then transform into a bus based nickname due to the association of MCI Motor Coach Industries in the Peg.

My proposed nicknames:

Michael "The Bus Driver" Chris Ike

Michael "Express Route" Chris Ike

Swapping arms: Bombers release QB Eric Barriere, sign Georgia State pivot Darren Grainger

I for one was disappointed. It was not just game performance that got Eric cut... tc was his try out and

 we definitely need succession planning for the most important position on the field… Streveler is a unique niche player but not the future of the team in two or three years

12 minutes ago, BigBlue said:

Swapping arms: Bombers release QB Eric Barriere, sign Georgia State pivot Darren Grainger

I for one was disappointed. It was not just game performance that got Eric cut... tc was his try out and

 we definitely need succession planning for the most important position on the field… Streveler is a unique niche player but not the future of the team in two or three years

Thank you for this scoop 

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

 

Haven’t scene much of any thing from mci yet. He has a tremendous tool set, but he’s far from a regular ball carrier. Tons of potential, and the ability to contribute right away with teams/blocking. I think we will start to see who he is as a ball carrier in the next tc. 
 If I was him, I’d be trying to learn all the niche jobs. Holder, long snapper, and etc. soak in as much as possible from guys like Brady, and the goat. Rb is his upside. But he can carve a very long and lucrative career out very quickly if he excel on teams and in the little tasks. Getting wr/db one on ones would be big too. 

Well as long as he can replace Jackson at FB, they come out ahead ratio wise if nothing else.

18 minutes ago, Mike said:

Thank you for this scoop 

not a scoop ... a lament ... sheesh

MCI will always be motor coach industries to me anyway. 

Wonder if Osh and Kyle and younger and miller x 2 and crew will make some surprise cuts. I mean. I’m talking some vets like Jake or maybe even BA. Maybe rosery stays over JA. 

Edited May 28, 20241 yr by Goalie

I definitely think they're looking at going with Oliveira, Smith, and Rosery at RB. Augustine is probably in the most danger of a surprise cut.

Could also see them going all-American on the DL, with Thomas and Schmekel backing up/rotating in. And use a DI as the third defensive end, whether that is Garbutt or someone else.

4 minutes ago, Atomic said:

I definitely think they're looking at going with Oliveira, Smith, and Rosery at RB. Augustine is probably in the most danger of a surprise cut.

Could also see them going all-American on the DL, with Thomas and Schmekel backing up/rotating in. And use a DI as the third defensive end, whether that is Garbutt or someone else.

My understanding is that Rosery isn't getting reps in the backfield at all.  He's playing receiver.

5 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

My understanding is that Rosery isn't getting reps in the backfield at all.  He's playing receiver.

Interesting, he definitely got reps in the backfield in the first preseason game 

13 minutes ago, Atomic said:

I definitely think they're looking at going with Oliveira, Smith, and Rosery at RB. Augustine is probably in the most danger of a surprise cut.

Could also see them going all-American on the DL, with Thomas and Schmekel backing up/rotating in. And use a DI as the third defensive end, whether that is Garbutt or someone else.

I think all American DL is not going to happen... maybe Augustine gets snipped but I am not convinced. Honestly I think if there's a surprise cut it'll be Alexander and he will slide into a coaching position. I mean maybe not cut cut but perhaps he's injured all year or something. 

8 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Interesting, he definitely got reps in the backfield in the first preseason game 

He doesn't need reps in the backfield...he does at reciever though 

This is fantastic and I love that Liam Dobson is being more integrated as one of the young faces of the club. He's got some star quality to him. Hope he kicks ass this year

31 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

I think all American DL is not going to happen... maybe Augustine gets snipped but I am not convinced. Honestly I think if there's a surprise cut it'll be Alexander and he will slide into a coaching position. I mean maybe not cut cut but perhaps he's injured all year or something. 

I thought we'd be starting a Canadian on the DL until Lawson got hurt. I really don't see them going with Thomas as a starter unless forced to by other injuries.

48 minutes ago, Atomic said:

I thought we'd be starting a Canadian on the DL until Lawson got hurt. I really don't see them going with Thomas as a starter unless forced to by other injuries.

But they damn sure might let Schmeckel slide into Lawson's spot ....

1 hour ago, Atomic said:

I thought we'd be starting a Canadian on the DL until Lawson got hurt. I really don't see them going with Thomas as a starter unless forced to by other injuries.

Really? You can't see it? Cause it's well within the realm of possibility with this coaching staff.

considering we dont need a canaduian there save for rotation...fact we brought in some new Dline guys....maybe we may just go that route...would make us a stronger defense...as we are likely to set our roster with Imports....using 2 Imp DT as starters....with say Ford at Corner is 15 Imports...so the 4 di's could be an End...castillo...a returner and one of Gemmel or Moses if one is rostered in Biggies spot...the other is Di'd....Or we use the 4th as a DB...so it is easily workeable

6 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Really? You can't see it? Cause it's well within the realm of possibility with this coaching staff.

yup....sadly its more than likely

Edited May 28, 20241 yr by Booch

43 minutes ago, Noeller said:

But they damn sure might let Schmeckel slide into Lawson's spot ....

never let a Schmeckel slide into anything....

If they hadn't brought in a highly regarded DL late I'd be 100% that Thomas/Schmekel would hold down one DT spot. now I'm 50/50 but probably leaning towards they might have 2 american DTs on the roster but the rotation would be heavy. But I guess we shall see.

9 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

never let a Schmeckel slide into anything....

more apt to slip into lol

9 hours ago, 17to85 said:

If they hadn't brought in a highly regarded DL late I'd be 100% that Thomas/Schmekel would hold down one DT spot. now I'm 50/50 but probably leaning towards they might have 2 american DTs on the roster but the rotation would be heavy. But I guess we shall see.

cautiosly optomistic we may roll with 2 import starting ends, and a Di'd rotation piece...2 import starting DT's and a Canadian back-up DT....Amazingly I hope it's Schmeck's as just maybe there is upside there.....if anything he offers more than thomas now....that gives us a solid 6 guy rotation...now do they Add another Canadian...Thomas?....most likely, as Havnt really seen Samson as being viable yet....And dont see Kornelson or Hubert as being anything as PR depth his yr...Reps on Dline there would be I think a waste...Use it on a National DB type

10 hours ago, 17to85 said:

Really? You can't see it? Cause it's well within the realm of possibility with this coaching staff.

It's definitely possible. I just don't think that's the way it's ultimately going to play out.

36 minutes ago, Booch said:

more apt to slip into lol

cautiosly optomistic we may roll with 2 import starting ends, and a Di'd rotation piece...2 import starting DT's and a Canadian back-up DT....Amazingly I hope it's Schmeck's as just maybe there is upside there.....if anything he offers more than thomas now....that gives us a solid 6 guy rotation...now do they Add another Canadian...Thomas?....most likely, as Havnt really seen Samson as being viable yet....And dont see Kornelson or Hubert as being anything as PR depth his yr...Reps on Dline there would be I think a waste...Use it on a National DB type

Totally agree with this... I think we start the season:

Jefferson-Fox-Woods-Haba, with Thomas, Schmekel, and Garbutt/Rivers forming a 7 man rotation.

13 minutes ago, Atomic said:

It's definitely possible. I just don't think that's the way it's ultimately going to play out.

Totally agree with this... I think we start the season:

Jefferson-Fox-Woods-Haba, with Thomas, Schmekel, and Garbutt/Rivers forming a 7 man rotation.

I think I am now lening thatway...if Not Woods...maybe that Adams...Curious to see the reps he gets and how they use him....he is that versatile Interior guy we seem to like to employ...can play multiple techniques

 

 

16 hours ago, BigBlue said:

Swapping arms: Bombers release QB Eric Barriere, sign Georgia State pivot Darren Grainger

I for one was disappointed. It was not just game performance that got Eric cut... tc was his try out and

 we definitely need succession planning for the most important position on the field… Streveler is a unique niche player but not the future of the team in two or three years

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© Ivan Konon (Georgia State Photog)

© Ivan Konon (Georgia State Photog)

© Ivan Konon (Georgia State Photog)

© Ivan Konon (Georgia State Photog)

Pause

 

3Darren Grainger

 

• Position

   

  Quarterback

• Height

   

  6-4

• Weight

   

  225

• Class

   

  Redshirt Senior

• Hometown

   

  Conway, S.C.

• High School

   

  Conway/Furman

 

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Biography

CAREER STATISTICS

ACADEMIC HONORS
• Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Fall 2022; Spring 2023

ATHLETIC HONORS
• 2023 All-Sun Belt Conference (honorable mention)
• 2022 All-Sun Belt Conference (honorable mention)
• MVP of 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
• MVP of 2021 TaxAct Camellia Bowl
• Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2023
• Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, Sept. 18, 2023
• Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, Nov. 15, 2021
• 2019 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team
• 2019 SoCon Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9)

• 2019 STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week (Sept. 9)

AT GEORGIA STATE: Two-time All-Sun Belt quarterback and two-time bowl MVP ... The only three-year starting quarterback in GSU history who started 36 straight games ... Dual threat who is Georgia State’s career leader in TD passes (57), total offense (8,909 yards) and TDR (76 - 57 passing/19 rushing) ... Second in school history in passing yards (6,779), fourth in career rushing yards (2,130), first among QBs, and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (19)  ... Set the GSU career record for completion percentage at .627 (554-for-883). Second in career pass attempts and completions.
    
Enrolled at GSU in January 2021 after transferring from Furman ... Including his time at Furman, he amassed 8,182 yards passing and 72 touchdowns, along with 2,483 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns for 10,665 yards of total offense and 96 TDR in 55 games. ... Played two seasons for the Paladins, starting in 2018.

2023: Honorable mention All-Sun Belt for the second straight year, team captain and bowl MVP ... Accounted for 3,357 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns ... Completed a school-record 68.2 percent of his passes (244-for-358) for 2,621 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Team’s second-leading rusher with 736 yards, 12th in the Sun Belt and the GSU season record for a quarterback. Rushed for 10 touchdowns ... Named to Preseason Watch Lists for the Maxwell Award and Manning Award and the Midseason Watch for the Davey O’Brien Award and the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023.
    
MVP of the 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl as he led GSU to a 45-22 win over Utah State. Completed 19-of-22 pass for 257 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and two scores for 368 yards of total offense. Tied his own school record by accounting for five touchdowns and set the GSU record for completion percentage at 86.4 ... Had one of the best games in school history in the win at Charlotte with 466 yards passing (second-best single-game total) with three touchdowns passing and one rushing. Went 27-for-33 (82 percent). Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week, Davey O’Brien Award Great 8, and PFF College Team of the Week ... Hooked up with Robert Lewis for a 97-yard TD pass vs. Charlotte that is the longest play in school history. Also threw a 78-yard TD pass to Tailique Williams, giving him two of GSU’s five longest passes in that game. Also had a 59-yard completion to Lewis down to the 1-yard line to set up another score ... Completed 16 of 20 passes for 193 and two touchdowns with no interceptions in win over Rhode Island. Also rushed for 51 yards. Connected on his first 14 passes, one shy of the school record for consecutive completions ... Rushed for 142 yards (one shy of his career high), including a career-long 65-yard TD run in win over UConn. Passed for 144 yards on 15 completions with one TD pass ... Passed for 191 yards and one TD while rushing for 47 yards and another score to lead GSU to win at Coastal Carolina ... Accounted for 296 yards and three touchdowns in win over Marshall. Passed for 234 yards, including a 74-yard TD pass to Tailique Williams and rushed for 62 yards and two scores ... Threw two TD passes, both to TE Ahmon Green, in win at Louisiana..
    
2022: Earned honorable mention All-Sun Belt recognition ... Passed for 2,443 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 58.6 percent of his passes with seven interceptions ... GSU’s leading rusher with 734 yards (No. 9 in Sun Belt) and six touchdowns. His rushing total is the most by a GSU quarterback and the program’s sixth-best season overall ... Second in the Sun Belt and No. 10 in FBS with 14.04 yards per completion ... Ranked third in the Sun Belt in total offense (264.8 ypg); his 3,177 yards are the fourth-best season total in GSU history.
    
Passed for a then-career-high 343 yards and four TD vs. Charlotte, going 22-for-34, also career highs. Threw TD passes of 32 yds (Jamari Thrash), 34 yds (Robert Lewis), 9 yds (Kris Byrd) and 6 yards (Kris Byrd), along with a 73-yard completion to Thrash for GSU’s longest pass play since 2016 ... Threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 75 yards vs. North Carolina ... Passed for 157 yards on just eight completions vs. Army, including the game-clinching, 57-yard TD pass to Ja’Cyais Credle on 3rd-and-5 with three minutes left. Also rushed for 48 yards with a 13-yard TD run ... Had 70 yards rushing and 186 yards passing with two touchdowns in win over Georgia Southern ... Passed for 175 yards and one TD and rushed for 104 yards and another score in 31-17 win over Old Dominion ... Rushed for a career-high 143 yards on 13 attempts in win at Southern Miss, highlighted by a 60-yard run to set up a TD. Passed for 133 yards and two touchdowns ... Career highs with 25 completions, 40 attempts and 349 yards passing vs. ULM, alo
    
2021: Enjoyed a strong season, capped by MVP honors in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl ... Passed for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 670 yards and three scores ... Made his first GSU start in Game 2 vs. Charlotte and led the Panthers to a 20-9 victory ... Threw 19 TD passes and just four interceptions in his 11 starts while leading GSU to an 8-3 record, including seven wins in the final eight games, capped by victory in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl ... Led Sun Belt quarterbacks with 670 yards rushing (11th overall)while ranking fourth with 19 TD passes ... His 19 touchdown passes are more than any GSU quarterback in a season except Nick Arbuckle and Dan Ellington.
    
MVP of the TaxAct Camellia Bowl after accounting for four touchdowns in the 51-20 win over Ball State. Completed 15-0f-19 passes for 203 yards and three TDs while rushing for a career-high 122 yards, including a 34-yard scoring run. Just the second GSU quarterback, and the first since 2011, with 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a game ... In GSU’s 28-point third quarter that blew the game open, he was 7-for-7 for 89 yards and two touchdowns while rushing five times for 57 yards and a score.
    
Named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Panthers to a 42-40 win at No. 22/21 Coastal Carolina, the program’s first-ever win over a ranked team, in his hometown of Conway, S.C. Completed 18-of-24 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Threw the go-ahead TD pass to Terrance Dixon on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line to give GSU a 35-34 lead with five minutes left. 
    
Tied the GSU record by accounting for five touchdowns while directing one of the top offensive games in program history in 55-21 win at ULM. Passed for 230 yards and rushed for 84 while leading GSU to 572 yards and school-record 55 points. Threw two TD passes each to Aubry Payne and Ja’Cyais Credle and scored on a 1-yard run ... Directed game-winning touchdown drive in final 1:39 for win at Georgia Southern. Rushed four times for 35 yards to set up Jamyest Williams’ 23-yard run for winning TD with 26 second left ... Passed for 200 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a career-high 91 yards in win over Texas State.
    
Made his first start in Game 2 vs. Charlotte and passed for 139 yards and two TDs while rushing for 64 yards on 16 carries. Threw TD passes of 35 yards to Jamari Thrash and 28 yards to Ja’Cyais Credle ... Rushed for 61 yards and threw a pair of TD passes at No. 23 Auburn ... Played off the bench in the first two games ... Rushed for 56 yards on five carries at No. 22 UNC, including a 36-yard run down to the 2-yard line to set up a touchdown ... Threw a 66-yard TD pass to Tailique Williams vs. App State.

AT FURMAN (2018-19): Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team while serving as Furman’s starting quarterback in 2019 ... Started 11 of 13 games, including the Paladins’ game against Georgia State, when he had his best game of the season ...  Hit 16-of-25 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 53 yards and a score in the Panthers’ 48-42 win and was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Week and STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week ... Helped Furman to an 8-5 record, at-large berth to the FCS playoffs, and No. 16 ranking in the AFCA Coaches final poll...Passed for 1,222 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 316 yards and five scores on the season ... Another top performance came against Samford as he passed for 183 yards on just six completions, four of them for touchdowns covering 38, 17, 25, and 61 yards ... Played in four games and made one start (vs. Elon) during a redshirt season in 2018 ... Threw a 16-yard touchdown pass against Clemson ... Came off the bench to pass for 92 yards, including a 77-yard TD pass, against Samford.
    
HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Conway High School for coach Carlton Terry ... Played wide receiver before making the switch to quarterback prior to his senior year of 2017 ... 2017 Myrtle Beach Sun News Toast of the Coast All-First Team honoree ... Also named to All-Region VI-5A, WPDE All-Zone, and WBTW All-Blitz Teams ... Completed 120-of-233 passes for 2,125 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed 115 times for 641 yards and four scores in pacing Conway to a 10-2 record, region championship, and second round playoff appearance .... Accounted for 307 yards in total offense and four touchdowns in a 40-14 first round playoff win over Wando ... Conway dropped a 35-28 decision to Spring Valley in Lower State semifinals the next week in a game that saw him rush for 108 yards and pass for 174 and a touchdown ... Also starred in basketball.