Taylor Rank -- split from Taito injury thread

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:48 pm

Article I dug up on Rank. Sounds like he played fairly well in a scrimmage earlier this year, at least against the 2nd team.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/my ... 128706.htm

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:49 pm

Congrats on getting Rank. I know the Griz wanted him out of H.S., who didn't in I-AA that looked at him. As Safety or RB he spells trouble for the rest of the Sky. Kramer is building himself quite a team, and starting to get more quality transfers than he did his first few years. I guess we'll see how the newer crop works out, but its looking good for you kitty fans.
Everybody knows the cats D will be good this year, but if Kramer truely wants to go to more of a ground game O until the QB and WR establish themselves, then Rank will be a nice addition to compliment Groves. Taito and others may have trouble getting on the field as a RB if Rank is at RB with Groves, that is for sure.
I like a few teams in the Sky this year, and there are always surprises, but if I had to put money down this early, I'd have to put that money on UM and MSU as two BSC playoff teams.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:52 pm

JahGriz wrote:Congrats on getting Rank. I know the Griz wanted him out of H.S., who didn't in I-AA that looked at him. As Safety or RB he spells trouble for the rest of the Sky. Kramer is building himself quite a team, and starting to get more quality transfers than he did his first few years. I guess we'll see how the newer crop works out, but its looking good for you kitty fans.
Everybody knows the cats D will be good this year, but if Kramer truely wants to go to more of a ground game O until the QB and WR establish themselves, then Rank will be a nice addition to compliment Groves. Taito and others may have trouble getting on the field as a RB if Rank is at RB with Groves, that is for sure.
I like a few teams in the Sky this year, and there are always surprises, but if I had to put money down this early, I'd have to put that money on UM and MSU as two BSC playoff teams.

I'd probably put UM for sure, then it'd be a toss-up between Weber, ISU and MSU, and I'd give the nod to MSU, but I couldn't say that with any certainty.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:20 pm

That is pretty much how I have it celtic. The uncertainty of a new QB (though at least one has been in the system for some time) and basically new WR's is the only knock I can see on the cats. I've kind of lost track of where MSU is CB wise, with all the transfers and injuries there.
ISU is looking pretty tough, they never seem to have a shortage of playmakers, but seem to struggle when they shouldn't more than a quality team should.
Weber has a fine coach, and some players. They lost their best WR, but they were pretty impressive last year. They won't be able to sneak up on anyone this year, but I don't suspect that will be a problem.

Kramer was lucky to have Lulay, prior to that I thought he was a QB killer. And I even had suspicions Lulay's second year, that Lulay might fall the same way. We'll see how it works out with the new guys. He's not afraid to lay some pressure on a guy, and if they can't step up and embrace the pressure then they could fall the way pre-Lulay QB's did. I forget the two QB's that seemed to NOT embrace the Kramer style. One was a transfer from a PAC 10 school and pretty good, possibly over hyped, but seemed to get worse.
Off topic a bit, sorry for the detour.

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:38 pm

Among the things that separate the 1A's from the 1AA's is not only talent, but depth. There's not much of a drop-down between the ones and twos. It makes for fierce competition. It makes everyone better! It looks like we may be approaching the 1A level at RB.
Still, at the end of the day it comes down to the offensive line.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:42 pm

I agree Raincat, but I think the differance between the 1's and 2's on the Cats O line is begining to blur as well.

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:01 pm

I hope you're right Robcat. I gotta say...we appear to have had as much talent up front the last couple of years as anytime I can remember but somehow have not been able to consistantly take command. It truly appears the talent, size, experience and depth are in place.
But, to get this thread back on track...Rank also has the ability to be the best DB in the BSC. It's interesting to note he came to Washington from Georgia in his sophmore year. He could be MSU's version of Champ Bailey.