The Cardinal Countdown: 46 Days Until Kickoff

#46 Lamar Atkins

Class: RS Junior

Ht/Wt: 5-11/236

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Miami, FL

Twitter: N/A

Thoughts: Lamar played well last year on special teams and as the starting fullback for the majority of the season. I’ve always liked what Lamar has brought to the table since his RS Freshman season but as a fullback he always seemed to lack the "blow people up" attribute (that’s the technical term). While playing fullback Atkins blocked just fine and he was an okay weapon out of the backfield but I wasn’t over the top excited with him at the position. The coaches may agree with me in this case as it appears Lamar has now moved back to his high school position of inside linebacker. This move also makes Griffin Uhl the only fullback on the roster.

There can only be one!

Although we are deep at LB, some of the depth is unproven talent that has amazing potential but may need time to mature. The coaching staff knows they can put Lamar in there and get consistent play at the position on every down. His upside may not be the same as Stacy Thomas or some of the true freshman, but he knows the position well, which may be what we need early in the year against tough competition like Auburn and Clemson. Lamar is the epitome of a team player and has shown multiple times he’s willing to move wherever he is needed to help out. A special kid for sure, and glad to have him as a Cardinal.

Sweet Tweet: No twitter for Lamar but since I’m slightly superstitious I’ll take this time to mention that Lamar is Keith Brown’s brother. I’ve done it every single year in the countdown and I will not be held responsible for any type of poor play, illness or injury from either player. My conscious is now clear. It may sound silly to some but you never question a guy who has the same clap routine for made free throws and third downs.

It’s only weird if it doesn't work.

#46 Brendan Lowery

Class: Freshman

Ht/Wt: 5-11/205

Position: Long Snapper

Hometown: Barrington, IL

Twitter: @Lowery_LS

Thoughts: I just watched almost seven minutes of long snapping videos. The things I do for you all…

While I could spit out my two cents on what I saw from our new preferred walk-on Brendan Lowery why not let one of his coaches at the National Long Snapping Association (yes, it’s real) tell you more.

Brendan Lowery is truly becoming one of the top long snapping prospects in the nation for the class of 2015. He snaps a smooth ball that is easy to catch at .690 seconds for 15 yards (with no block). His consistency is easily one of the best in the country. Brendan is a worthy Division 1 Long Snapper, who takes pride in long snapping, and snaps stronger when under the pressure. Would like to see Brendan become a hair more comfortable with snapping and blocking as his snap times drop down to the .735 range when snapping against a live rush.

I couldn’t have said it any better myself coach. In all seriousness, it appears that Brendan could be the real deal, even though he is undersized. As with any college team there are limited roster spots available and we are actually carrying four long snappers right now. One would think Colin Holba has a decent grasp on the starting job but three underclassman will battle it out for the long snapper of the future and potentially put some pressure on Holba for the job in 2015. Good luck to you crazy "pass through my legs" aficionados. We love you…but frankly you scare the crap out of me sometimes.

Sweet Tweet: Lowery’s tweets are protected so once again, nothing here today from deep within the mind of a long snapper. As stated above I think these cats are a unique breed and it makes me wonder if they abide by the "Man Laws" internally known and accepted by those few people I have told. Let’s take a look.

As a grown man, you always use the large fork in the silverware set. Don’t point me to etiquette books or articles or mention salads. I will ignore all references. Always use the large fork, because that is what grown men do.

As a grown man, you do not ask your friends to help you move unless you are under the age of 25 or if this is your first home. If you’re a 30 year old man who has moved two or three times you pay someone else to do it. Beer and pizza will not get 32 yr old me out of the house to carry a dresser up a flight of steps.

As a grown man, if you are over the age of 30 you are not allowed to wear a ball cap backwards in a social setting. Hanging around the house? Fine. Need to for work? Fine. Going out to eat with the family? No.

As a grown man, you are never to purposefully order a cheese pizza that you plan on consuming yourself. Kids eating on it, sure I can buy that. Watching the game with a few buddies? Please don’t embarrass yourself. Save the cheese pizza for Kevin McCallister and order some damn meat.

The list is obviously much longer but this is a solid stating point. If you follow the countdown you know I’m not archaic in my thinking or very masculine for that matter…but rules are rules. At some point you have to grow up and be a man. Now excuse me while I go grab some Disney princess songs to add too my daughters playlist. I can’t believe I didn’t have ‘A Whole New World’ yet.Prince Ali is spitting fire in that classic.