Days 'til Spring Practice: 4 Days 'til the A-Day game: 32
So today we'll begin the season preview. We'll take a look at the offense first.
It's a scary thought to think that the offense will be the most experienced, and probably best part of our returning team. As weak and predictable as it was last year, the pieces are still there for this to be a remarkable unit - with playmakers and strong blockers all over the field. We'll focus on the skill positions today.
Wide Receiver: This position will, without a doubt, be the strongest on the field. We have a stable full of wide outs that have big play capabilities. DJ Hall and Keith Brown have been big play threats for the last two years, so this year should be no difference. Matt Caddell and Nakita Stover stepped up to be incredible clutch receivers last year, and Will Oakley is what I would like to call a "possession receiver."
So with 5 really good returning players, why do I think there's room for more? Incoming talents Marquis Maze and Johnathan Lowe both have the potential to be another "Prothro." They can juke anybody, and are quick enough to run past anybody on the field. Great hands and blinding speed are always a great combination. Just ask Florida.
Quarterback: John Parker Wilson is the only experienced quarterback we've got. Jimmy Barnes tore his ACL at the beginning of bowl practice, and Greg McElroy was a redshirt last year. Nick Fanuzzi is coming in, but he's just a freshman. He will have to learn the ropes in the SEC before we can really count on him.
I would think that we're going to be ok at this position. The Texas duo (McElroy and Fanuzzi) will be much better than most people give them credit for, and should make for better backups than Guillon or Barnes.
Running Back / Fullback: There are four billion horses in the stable on this one, and none of them really has game experience other than Jimmy Johns. Of course, there are rumors circling that Johns may not even play this position by the time spring ball is done, so we'll have to see what's going on with that. Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch are, I guess, the leading candidates to take over the starting job. Of course, it could be Ali Sharrief or Terry Grant as well. Needless to say, this position has the most potential of any on the field. We could see as many as 3 to 4 running backs carrying the work load this year.
As far as fullback goes, Baron Huber is built like a tank, and looks to be the favorite to take over as a starter. Don't necessarily count out Jeramie Griffin from South Panola, though. The freshman is huge, but has lightning fast gamespeed and could be a big time weapon if the coaching staff wants to use him that way.
¶ 8:56 AM
Comments:
What ever happened to Max Martin (I think that's his name?), the RB that transferred from Michigan and sat out last season? Is he still on the team? I'd think he would be heavy in the mix for a start at RB now that he's eligible. # posted by Todd Jones : 11:54 AM
I know who you're talking about, but don't remember his name. I'm not sure if there was an issue with grades or what, but I don't recognize him on any of the spring rosters right now. Of course, I don't think any "official" roster has been released as of yet, so I guess we'll have to wait and see.
If he was available, I'm sure he'd be right near the top. Not sure what happened there. # posted by Memphis Tider : 2:49 PM
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/columns/060929b.shtml
Martin's been gone. Broke team rules and Shula booted him, I guess. # posted by Steven S. : 6:53 PM
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