MOORHEAD, Minn. (8/18/06)-- Horan breaks down the linebackers: “Another season, another chance for a whole new crew to step into the spotlight.”

Horan’s optimism will be put to the test in 2006. For the second straight season, Concordia will have to replace all three starting linebackers. Last year Mark Halley, Matt Kleber and Ross Hebrink came up huge from the very first play and turned the question mark into an exclamation point. Like 2005, Horan will be able to count on many players who never started, but who saw plenty of game time and are ready to prove they can be counted on to anchor the defense.

The three leading candidates heading into training camp are Cody Martinson, Jeremy Christensen and junior captain Brennen Lewis. Martinson and Christensen were in the top 11 on the team in tackles. Christensen saw the most playing time out of the three as he played in 10 games and made 14.0 tackles. Martinson, the twin brother of nose guard Matt, was fifth on the team in tackles for a loss (6.0). Lewis, the least experienced of the three, might have the most raw potential of any player on the defensive side of the ball. He has been one of the leaders on special teams the past two seasons, and his speed and ability to land bone rattling hits could give the Cobbers another Josh Dietz type player.

“After the top three, we have so many players fighting for the other spots that it is hard to single out any one player,” added Horan.