. . ... ,S 4B - The Michigan Daily - Kickoff 2005 - Thursday, September 8, 2005 Are Two Better Than With All-Everything Braylon Edwards departed, it is up to Jasc Avant and Steve Breaston to lead the receiving corps By Matt Venegoni Daily Sports Editor 0 0 The Michigan Daily - Kickoff 2005 raylon Edwards is like that older sibling who's nearly perfect. During his time at Michigan he accomplished practi- cally all the goals a college player could dream of: conference titles, rivalry game wins, All-Big Ten and All-American honors, Biletnikoff Trophy - and the list goes on. Steve Breaston and Jason Avant are the "little" brothers that must live up to the standard that Edwards set for Michigan receivers. They now bear the burden of scaring defenses enough to open running lanes for the ground attack. And while neither is as imposing, flashy .or experienced as Edwards, the duo has the talent and leadership to do more than just play a role. They each have their own defin- ing style. Breaston is the electrify- ing one. He can start and stop on a dime and make defenders look like kids. He sports the same big-play ability that Michigan legend Des- mond Howard displayed 14 years ago. And he knows that, with his talent, he needs to be the guy to replace Edwards in creating the game changing moments. "He brought the big play," Breaston said. "He was the best receiver in college football. But we still have high hopes. Me and Jason have been around, and we've accom- plished some things so far." And then there is Avant, he is the steady one. He may not be the fastest or quickest, but his hands are some of the best in college football. In the same way that Breaston can be com- pared to Howard, Avant's career bares a striking resemblance to that of former Wolverine Marquise Walker. Both had players overshad- owing their own accomplishments and a defining one-handed catch - Avant's against Northwestern in 2003, and Walker's was against Iowa in 2001. Their styles may differ, but their friendship should aid their transi- tion this season. "We're really close," Avant said. "He talks to me about everything, and I talk about problems and things like that." Said Breaston: "Me and J are very close. He's a great person, and he helps me out.a lot. It's hard for me to figure out anyone in my life like him and I'm fortunate to have him in my life." The two friends have also had similar career paths filled with both highs and lows. ed about playing in the Rose Bowl more than probably any other game. It was a great atmosphere, and I'm glad I performed the way I did." Setting a Rose Bowl record for total yardage with 315 yards could be the launching point for a season where he's expected to provide the big play. In every publication's list of col- lege football's gamebreakers, the North Braddock, Penn., native is STAFF PICKS Preseason selections Michigan final record Michigan final AP ranking Big Ten champion Big Ten second place Big Ten third place Surprise Big Ten team Michigan Bowl fate Michigan MVP Heisman winner National Champion National Runner-up ACC champion Big 12 champion Big East champion Pac-10 champion SEC champion Mid-major threat Most Overrated Player Most Overrated Team Gabe Edelson Ian Herbert Matt Venegoni Stephanie Wright 7 Michigan Iowa Ohio State Michigan State Fiesta (W) Mike Hart Reggie Bush, Southern Cal Southern Cal Tennessee Virginia Tech Texas Louisville Southern Cal Tennessee Fresno Statel Marcus Vick, Virginia Tech Matti Texas 11- 3 Ohio State Michigan Iowa Penn State Fiesta (W) Chad Henne Reggie Bush Virginia Tech Southern Cal Virginia Tech Texas Louisville Southern Cal Tennessee Bowling Green Leinart, Southern Cal Miami 10-2 10 Iowa Purdue Michigan Penn State Outback (W) Mike Hart Matt Leinart, Southern Cal Southern Cal Georgia Virginia Tech Texas Louisville Southern Cal Georgia UTEP Devin Hester, Miami Oklahoma 10-2 7 Michigan Ohio State Purdue Penn State Sugar (W) Mike Hart Reggie Bush Southern Cal Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Texas Louisville Southern Cal Florida Bowling Green Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State Boise State I RYAN WEINER/Daily Edwards and his big plays may be gone, but Avant and Breaston are ready to take over. BIT WAIT, LET US EXPLAIN The football writers break down some of the nation's top contenders outside the Big Ten Breaston thrilled the crowd dur- ing the 2003 season when he shared Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors with Minnesota's Laurence Maroney. But last season did not go as smooth- ly as Breaston - or the Michigan faithful - would have liked. He had a stress fracture in his foot, broke his finger and had a number of nagging injuries that kept him from making the impact many expected. The play- er who fans had nicknamed "Super- man" looked more like Clark Kent at times last year. But by the end of the season - culminating in his scintil- lating performance in the Rose Bowl - Breaston showed everyone that he was not just a one-year wonder. "(Before) Northwestern, we'd had a bye week, and I was able to rest just a little bit," Breaston said of the end of the season. "I took a whole month off (before the Rose Bowl), and I was very healthy. I was excit- mentioned along with college foot- ball's best. And although he has a reputation for being modest and quiet, he doesn't discount his abili- ties, even believing he's the fastest player on the team. "I feel I can turn a short gain into a long gain," the redshirt junior said. "I want to take a five-yard play and take it for a touchdown. That's the type of playmaker I want to be." And while Breaston may be the gamebreaker, Avant has the sticky hands and possesses the heart and determination that keep a team chugging during the year. When he sprained both his ankle and his knee against Ohio State in 2003, he was moved to tears because he was unable to play. But as he was carted off, he pumped his fists and raised his arms, urging the crowd to cheer and encouraging his teammates to keep going without him. "Jason Avant is the heart and soul of this team," Breaston said. "He's what Michigan's about; he goes out there with a great attitude." Much like Breaston, Avant's junior year numbers did not measure up to those from previous years., but he showed up when it counted most, including a five-yard touchdown catch against Michigan State last season. Avant and Breaston clearly have the -talent, but can they carry the receiving corps? Although that is a looming ques- tion for the Wolverines, neither Breaston nor Avant has changed his approach to the season. "I've been working to be ready at any point," Breaston said. "I just think this season is getting condi- tioning down because I'm doing punt returns, kick returns, doing all those things. Now I'm a full-time receiver. I'm getting my conditioning down." Said Avant: "I didn't really approach it different. I work hard in the offseason. Time goes on and keep doing the same things I've been doing." Their preparation may be the same but their roles are different. Avant is leading not only the receiv- ers but the whole team - his team- mates elected him offensive captain this summer. "I think he has abilities, but I think you have to start with a com- petitive attitude," coach Lloyd Carr said. "He makes it very obvious that he wants to win. If you really want to win, you put the goals of the team ahead of everything." Although Breaston is not a cap- tain, he has stepped up his leader- ship role as well, including helping the freshman receivers adjust. "Breaston helped with the trans- fer from quarterback to receiver," freshman Antonio Bass said. "That's somebody you can follow." Avant and Breaston have the tal- ent, attitude and leadership to make everyone forget - even if only for a season - that Edwards is gone. It's time for the younger brothers to grow up and take charge of the household. The Favorite: the definite possibility of a repeat trip to the Rose Bowl. But most people are not when your backup is Sugar Bowl MVP Justin Vincent. 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The mismatches he creates keep coordina- tors and players sleepless. But despite him and the rest of the Southern Cal offense, there are question marks that make the team vulnerable. We're just not ready to discount them yet. And the Rest of the Contenders: ICI 1'g i i a wll off the bench in lastya'Cpil One Bowl- Tennessee Marcus Vick probably has too much pres- sure just by virtue of his name. But then he went and smoked weed, had sex with an underage girl and got suspended last season. Now he's back for his senior year and can redeem himself by acting as the catalyst for the Hokies' national title run. Louisiana U State Their stacked back- field has allowed the Tigers to lose starting tailback Alley Broussard for the season and not even blink. That's what happens I ; 1: , The Volunteers have rstruggled the past few seasons, but they have the right pieces to get to Pasadena: a great running game (Gerald Riggs), experience, a talented quarterback (Erik Ainge) and a stout defense. 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