Notes and Quotes from USAToday

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/kansas.htm

I don't recall seeng some of these quotes and info, though some has been discussed here previously. The article does seem to have info on weights that are consistent discussions, but not reflected in the "latest" roster.

-- With fall camp approaching, Kansas coach Turner Gill did not want to address the legal situation involving freshman QB Brock Berglund."I'm not going to share what or how we're going to handle our business. I'm going to handle it the right way,'' Gill said. "Brock is just one guy on our football team. We've got other good, quality young guys who going to be very, very important to our program.''

-- Coming off back-to-back 1-7 finishes in the Big 12, the Jayhawks were picked last in the preseason conference poll. Asked if that could at least afford his team the element of surprise, Gill did not jump at the suggestion. "That's not going to necessarily be one of my speeches, to be a surprise team," he said.

SPOTLIGHT ON SEPTEMBER: Although Kansas struggled to just one Big 12 victory in Turner Gill's first season, there is no administrative push to find only home patsies in non-conference play. A Sept. 17 trip to Georgia Tech fulfills a two-year deal, which began with a stunning 28-25 upset win for the Jayhawks last season. Do not look for any such miracles on the road this year. Kansas will be hard-pressed to beat Northern Illinois the week before. A bye is built into the schedule before Big12 play begins.

KEYS TO SUCCESS: A considerable number of players have swapped positions and landed on different sides of the ball since Gill's hiring. That's fine. But the mix-and-match process needs to stabilize so players are allowed to grow. Potential exists, particularly on defense, where former WRs Bradley McDougald and Keeston Terry could develop into fine safeties, and former RB Toben Opurum could become the Jayhawks' top pass rusher. Now, as much as in year one under Gill, the need to coach up players is evident, and so far, this Kansas staff is unproven in that capacity.

AREAS OF CONCERN: Name a position group and you can make a case. Moving the football more effectively over longer stretches is a must offensively and will also help keep the defense, which improved late last season, fresh. Kansas has talented backs to turn to in the run game, beginning with James Sims, who as a true freshman led the team in rushing last year. The lack of a proven quarterback places more uncertainty on the passing game, though WR Daymond Patterson and TE Tim Biere are capable targets. To complete the offense, however, Kansas must find a way to get needed yards on the ground. Identifying playmakers will help immensely.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Our expectation is to win the Big 12 championship. What is more a reality, and more likely to happen, is to be bowl-eligible. I'd be disappointed if we don't get this done fairly quickly, to be bowl-eligible." -- Kansas coach Turner Gill

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

after the jump.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: LB Steven Johnson -- Led the Jayhawks in tackles last season, and the next five tacklers on the list exhausted their eligibility. Granted, if a quarterback steps up to ignite the Kansas offense, he will be considered the team's key player. For now, however, the Jayhawks must build on strides made last year on defense, and Johnson is the natural leader as a senior. There is actually some promise within the unit, with many potential breakout stars. But consistency is needed too, and Johnson provides it.

BREAKOUT STAR: LB Huldon Tharp -- After missing all of last season with a leg injury, Tharp again is something of an unknown as a sophomore. However, he was a Freshman All-American when he started seven games and was in on 59 tackles. With two of the team's leading tacklers gone off last year's squad, Tharp will jump back into an outside spot. If he exhibits the same range as he did his freshman year, and also benefit from more experience, Tharp will solidify the defense.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: QB Brock Berglund -- Although the incoming freshman encountered summer legal problems, the situation was not expected to delay his arrival, or emergence, at Kansas. He did not participate in spring drills, and because he didn't, a starting quarterback was not named. The general assumption is the job could be handed to Berglund, which will create incredible pressure. Still, the Kansas offense must be revived, and if Berglund develops into a dependable passer, other backs and receivers can help provide a spark. A sizable line possesses experience and talent and will be key to any immediate ascension by Berglund.

Hmmm.

They do acknowledge Brock not being around in the Spring, as well as his legal issues, but seem to think that Coach Gill didn't identify a starter in order to leave an opening for Brock. They apparently missed Gill veering away from the Berglund question and mentioning that Cummings, the other (TX, Rivet) freshman, looked good.

I can see Johnson's place as MIP, though an arguement could be made for Hatch or the entire OL.

Breakout Star - Tharp is a valid candidate, tho his importance is muted a bit (IMO) by the abundance of new, fast LB's. It seems to me that Toben is the more likely candidate as the leader of more limited options on the DL.

Kale Pick would seem to fall into this category as well. There is definitely a need for a WR to step up, he showed the requisite athleticism 2 years ago, and Spring Ball/Gridiron provided plenty of fuel. Just the fact that he could lead the group in blocking (/gridiron) on a team looking to run the ball would seem to indicate he'll get plenty of PT. Will Christian Matthews translate Spring success into real FB success this year?

Terry and McDougald would seem like canidates here as well.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH - I don't see how Brock can even be in the picture here. Particularly with the abundance of candidates to offer.

Darrian Miller - Rebuilt OL, interest and need for a strong running game, interest in and ability for homerun potential, Spring Ball experience.

Willis, Walker, Bakare - Previous experience and void of returning players, along with switch to 3-4 would seem to open things up for the exposure of this group.

WR's - Jackson or Shepard?

Tony Pierson and Lewandoski - Would seem to have some potential in this category due to ability and PT opportunity respectively, but I don't see either of these 2 stepping ahead of the group above. Does Tony P belong above with Jackson & Shepard? I realize he is listed a variety of ways, including RB, though the field seems more crowded there. It would seem hard to leave someone with his talent on the sidelines.

Hopefully the new kicker/punter/LS will be significant enough to not have their names mentioned much in either of the above categories.

Are there others that I haven't mentioned?