Are You Ready?
It's about that time of the year again. Yes, football time. Baseball is starting to lose the appeal it had earlier this summer, basketball is in a dead period, and football is two months away. Being a life long Southerner I live for those Saturdays during the late summer and fall, especially now that I attend these games as a student of the best team in the land, Ole Miss.
There's something about the South and football, it like its own religion. This isn't a religion from the end of August to the beginning of January, it is a practice that requires a year long commitment. The "religious" season starts at the beginning of January when the coaches shift focus from on the field strategies to recruiting. It's first big holiday is in February on Signing Day. This is the day when all future players commit to the school of their choice. At times this recruiting process can be as heated as the game itself, especially among rival fans. Signing Day is followed by spring practice and the annual Spring Game, which features the first and second string teams, offense and defense, competing against each other. To me, this is the biggest tease in America, because it only makes us miss football more, when it is still months away. The summer is filled with worries over recruits making the grades and the beginning of trash talk for the upcoming season. September finally arrives and the games begin.
To me, there is nothing better than sitting in the stands and watching two SEC teams slug it out on the field. No other conference has the tradition, talent, or pagentry that the SEC boasts. The SEC produces some of the best NFL players, is the strongest conference in football, and has the best fans in the world. Where else can you see 50,000 packing The Grove taillgating before the game, even though Ole Miss is 3-5, or see 100,000 screaming hillbillies in Orange packed into a football stadium, what other school can boast their crowd is so raucous that they once made so much noise it measured as a small earthquake? You can only find this in the SEC, and that's why the SEC is the best conference in football.
So, we're at the end of July right now, and the season is a little over a month away, and tensions are already high with the anticipation of the approaching season. This season there are numerous things to be excited about, Nick Saban's return, Tim Tebow, McFadden's run at a heisman, a Florida repeat opportunity, and other stories relating to your team of choice.
The story Im going to be following the closest is the QB battle in Oxford between Seth Adams, Michael Herrick and Brent Schaeffer. Seth Adams emerged from the Spring as the apparent leader to be the starting QB for Ole Miss when they take the field September 3 against the Memphis Tigers. However, not everyone is thrilled with the thought of Seth Adams leading the Rebs all season long. Adams was not heavily recruited out of high school and walked on to the football team. He was the most accurate passer on the team last year, stastically, but posesses many similarities to a former Ole Miss QB named Seth Adams. Seth is basically a statue in the pocket and his game relies on being able to make quick, short passes to his recievers. Seth is going to have to improve on his medium range game and his long ball if he wants to be an effective QB in the SEC.
Brent Schaeffer, last year's stater, is another player vying for the starting job. Schaeffer was heralded as the savior of the program when he signed with Ole Miss out of JUCO. He was annointed the starter before anyone ever saw him take a snap and he was instantly loved by the Rebel fans. His relationship with the fans didn't last very long. Schaeffer quickly soured his reputation and became one of the biggest busts in football. A 5 star QB out of JUCO and a freshman standout at UT, Schaeffer is now a sub-par QB who couldn't handle the pressure and quickness of life as an SEC QB. The majority of Ole Miss fans have written of Schaeffer and are welcoming Seth in as the new starter, but I'm still not sold. Schaeffer still is ridiculously talented and has a cannon arm, he just needs to improve his decision making...quite a bit. I also think Schaeffer gives Ole Miss the ability to win games with his playmaking ability. This is something Adams does not have, Adams will be able to keep Ole Miss in games, but I'm not sure he has the ability to rise to the occasion and make the big play to win the game. With the ball in Schaeffer's hands you never know what is going to happen...
Michael Herrick is the third candidate for the job and the darkhorse to get it. Herrick owns the California state record for passing yards and has a strong and extremely accurate arm. The knock on Herrick is size and experience. Herrick has come along since when he first arrived on campus and has put on about 20 pounds and is now a legitimate 6'1". All of his hardwork and weight training may pay off and get him a shot at running the team in 2007. If Herrick steps in next season and takes over the team and performs well the Rebs will see another heated QB competition between Herrick and Jevan Snead the next year.
As it stands, I'm going to go with what I saw in the Spring and predict that Seth Adams is the opening game starter for the Rebs. I will not be surprised to see Herrick playing full time as the season goes along, and the same can be said about Brent. It will be an interesting season for the Rebs no matter who is behind the center.
Fortunately for the Rebs, the second part component of a backfield is going to relieve pressure from the quarterback the position. The Rebels are returning 1000 yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis for his senior year, and have fellow senior Bruce Hall as well as Sophomore Cordera Eason accompanying BJGE. Bruce Hall has put on weight this offseason, the good kind, in hopes of becoming a more powerful runner for the Rebs next year. Cordera Eason wowed both the coaches and the fans this Spring. In the Red/Blue game Eason erupted for 120 yards and was clearly the player of the game. Eason was a four star prospect out of high school and the number one rated back in Mississippi. The Rebs are hoping this three headed monster at tail back are able to carry them through this season and hopefully to a bowl game.
A major question mark for this Ole Miss team is its thin WR corp. The Rebs had a great class when it came to recievers in David Rue, Lionel Breaux, A.J. Jackson, and Roderick Davis, but it appears that only one of these player will qualify. Jackson, Rue, and Davis are projected as falling victim to grade casualties. This leaves Breaux who many have projected as a DB at the college level, but may see time at WR this year due to a lack of depth. The Rebs are returning some young talent at the position. Dexter McCluster will be back in action for the Rebs after he suffered a season ending injury off a vicious hit in the Vandy game. Marshay Green will probably the number one reciever for the Rebs and will have help from Mike Wallace, Shay Hodge, Mico McSwain, and Michael Hicks who all contributed last year. If A.J. Jackson and Rod Davis can get their act together and make it to campus the Rebs will change this current weakness into a major strength.
TE is one position the Rebels hope will be a bright spot next season. The two main targets will be sophomore Robert Hough and senior Robert Lane. Lane is returning from a disappointing junior campaign riddles with nagging injuries and inconsistent play. To Lane's defense, his lack of production can be attributed to the pathetic QB play the Rebs endured. Outside of these two the Rebs don't have any proven players. Former OL, David Traxler has been converted to TE and QB Billy Tapp will also be moved to TE. Greg Hardy can play TE if necessary as well.
The Offensive line, according to the coaches, is the strength of the team this season. Art Kehoe has done a great job transforming this line into a solid group of players. The Rebs are returning 4 of the 5 starters from last year, Andrew Wickers graduated, and they are looking to improve on their solid season last year. The line is anchored by Junior Michael Oher and Sophomore John Jerry. Both players have started as true freshmen and are expected to be high selections in the NFL draft when it's their turn to enter. Maurice Miller had a solid year last year and has made great strides in improving his footwork and mobility according to the coaches. Corey Actis is the heart and soul of the line. Actis is the senior and a blue collar type player who is going to give it his all on every play and try to lead his team to the best of his ability. The final spot on the line is still up in the air. The battle is between Reid Neely, the surprise of the spring, and Daryl Harris who missed most of last season due to a knee injury. The advantage appears to go to Neely, but having Harris on the bench will provide the Rebel O-line with even more depth. Thomas Eckers is another Rebel who saw playing time last year and is expected to contribute off the bench. The Rebels also added a quartet of solid freshmen via recruiting. The most heralded of these signees is Rishaw Johnson who may see some early playing time as a freshman this season. Mark Jean-Lewis is another player who may come in late and vye for a starting position in the fall. Bradley Sowell is the hardest worker out of this group and has gone to great lengths this spring and summer to lose weight and get in better condition to make an impact for Ole Miss. Alex Washington is the last OL signee of the 2007 class who has great size and potential. With the depth and youth of the line, the Rebs are hoping the line can continue to gel and become a dominant force over the next few years.
The Defensive line, like the offensive line, is the a position where the Rebs can pretty much guarantee consistency. The line did not lose any players last year and is returning freshmen All-Americans Greg Hardy and Marcus Tillman at the DE position. The Rebels are loaded at the DE position with Chris Bowers, Peria Jerry, and Kentrell Lockett. The Rebs may not have the biggest Dline in the league but they have a line that is full of speed and strength. DTs Brandon Jenkins and Jeremy Garrett will provide the Rebs with some beef in the middle to clog up the holes. Backing up these two will be Daverin Geralds, who had a great spring according to the coaches, and converted TE Cecil Frison. The Rebs also had a great signing class for DLs. They were able to sign 4 star DT, Ted Laurent, who will contribute immediately if he arrives on campus, Chris Strong who was an Army All-American and will be a monster on the line when he arrives, and two other DTs in Lawon Scott and Justin Sanders.
The LB corp is a major concern for the Rebs. Ole Miss lost Garry Pack, Quentin Taylor, and all-worlds Rory Johnson and Patrick Willis this past season. This has left the Rebs with only two returning LBs in Jonathan Cornell and Antonio Turner. The Rebs are going to rely on transfers and recruits to try to fill in the gap left by the departure of last season's LBs. Tony Fein, a four star JUCO transfer is expected to take over at MLB for the Rebs. Fein is 24, strong, athletic, fast, and a bruiser. While he has some huge shoes to feel, Fein should ease the Rebels concerns of having a player to replace Patrick Willis. Jonathan Cornell will undoubteldy be the second starter at a OLB position. Cornell played significantly last season and will add tremendous speed to the Rebels LB corp. Another JUCO transfer, Lamar Brumfield, is expected to recieve the final LB spot. Brumfield comes to Ole Miss from Compton CC and was named the team MVP while he was there. Also adding depth and speed to the LBs are converted safeties Allen Walker and Ashlee Palmer who will see the field plenty during this season. JAmie Phillips, a transfer from NWMCC, is another surprising player from this Spring who will vye for playing time come this fall. While the Rebels have been charged with the impossible task of replacing two NFL caliber LBs in Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson, Coach O and company have done a fantastic job of recruiting good, athletic, talent that can step in and perform at the LB position.
The Rebel secondary is going to have to replace Charles Clark and NFL draftee Trumain Mcbride this season, but it still returns plenty of experience. Jamarca Sanford is back at his natural position of SS after playing some LB last season, Kendrick Lewis seems to be holding down the FS position, and Cassius Vaughn and Dustin Mouzon are slated as the starting CBs coming out of the spring. Luckily for the Rebs, the depth does not end there. Ashlee Palmer and Allen Walker are Safety/LB combo players who can step in and provide more than adequately if need be, Nate Banks is a seasoned player who will be a great nickel back and back up CB, Terrell Suggs is another player who has seen playing time on the field and will compete for a starting position before the fall. The Rebs also added 4 DB recruits who will probably not see much playing time this season but are capable of coming and filling in if injuries get out of hand in the secondary this season.
Special Teams appears to be solid at Kicker and the return game, but the situation at Punter is iffy. Joshua Shene is coming off a freshman All-American season and hopes to continue his success as a Sophomore. Marshay Green and Dexter McCluster will be our return men, and with those two returning kicks opposing teams are going to have to be careful. While these two positions are more than locked down, the punter question is in the air. Rob Park has been the Rebs Punter the past two seasons, but he has been inconsistent and does not have a great leg. In the offseason, Ole Miss signed a Punter from a JUCO in CA who could come in and take the starting job away from Rob Park.
There's something about the South and football, it like its own religion. This isn't a religion from the end of August to the beginning of January, it is a practice that requires a year long commitment. The "religious" season starts at the beginning of January when the coaches shift focus from on the field strategies to recruiting. It's first big holiday is in February on Signing Day. This is the day when all future players commit to the school of their choice. At times this recruiting process can be as heated as the game itself, especially among rival fans. Signing Day is followed by spring practice and the annual Spring Game, which features the first and second string teams, offense and defense, competing against each other. To me, this is the biggest tease in America, because it only makes us miss football more, when it is still months away. The summer is filled with worries over recruits making the grades and the beginning of trash talk for the upcoming season. September finally arrives and the games begin.
To me, there is nothing better than sitting in the stands and watching two SEC teams slug it out on the field. No other conference has the tradition, talent, or pagentry that the SEC boasts. The SEC produces some of the best NFL players, is the strongest conference in football, and has the best fans in the world. Where else can you see 50,000 packing The Grove taillgating before the game, even though Ole Miss is 3-5, or see 100,000 screaming hillbillies in Orange packed into a football stadium, what other school can boast their crowd is so raucous that they once made so much noise it measured as a small earthquake? You can only find this in the SEC, and that's why the SEC is the best conference in football.
So, we're at the end of July right now, and the season is a little over a month away, and tensions are already high with the anticipation of the approaching season. This season there are numerous things to be excited about, Nick Saban's return, Tim Tebow, McFadden's run at a heisman, a Florida repeat opportunity, and other stories relating to your team of choice.
The story Im going to be following the closest is the QB battle in Oxford between Seth Adams, Michael Herrick and Brent Schaeffer. Seth Adams emerged from the Spring as the apparent leader to be the starting QB for Ole Miss when they take the field September 3 against the Memphis Tigers. However, not everyone is thrilled with the thought of Seth Adams leading the Rebs all season long. Adams was not heavily recruited out of high school and walked on to the football team. He was the most accurate passer on the team last year, stastically, but posesses many similarities to a former Ole Miss QB named Seth Adams. Seth is basically a statue in the pocket and his game relies on being able to make quick, short passes to his recievers. Seth is going to have to improve on his medium range game and his long ball if he wants to be an effective QB in the SEC.
Brent Schaeffer, last year's stater, is another player vying for the starting job. Schaeffer was heralded as the savior of the program when he signed with Ole Miss out of JUCO. He was annointed the starter before anyone ever saw him take a snap and he was instantly loved by the Rebel fans. His relationship with the fans didn't last very long. Schaeffer quickly soured his reputation and became one of the biggest busts in football. A 5 star QB out of JUCO and a freshman standout at UT, Schaeffer is now a sub-par QB who couldn't handle the pressure and quickness of life as an SEC QB. The majority of Ole Miss fans have written of Schaeffer and are welcoming Seth in as the new starter, but I'm still not sold. Schaeffer still is ridiculously talented and has a cannon arm, he just needs to improve his decision making...quite a bit. I also think Schaeffer gives Ole Miss the ability to win games with his playmaking ability. This is something Adams does not have, Adams will be able to keep Ole Miss in games, but I'm not sure he has the ability to rise to the occasion and make the big play to win the game. With the ball in Schaeffer's hands you never know what is going to happen...
Michael Herrick is the third candidate for the job and the darkhorse to get it. Herrick owns the California state record for passing yards and has a strong and extremely accurate arm. The knock on Herrick is size and experience. Herrick has come along since when he first arrived on campus and has put on about 20 pounds and is now a legitimate 6'1". All of his hardwork and weight training may pay off and get him a shot at running the team in 2007. If Herrick steps in next season and takes over the team and performs well the Rebs will see another heated QB competition between Herrick and Jevan Snead the next year.
As it stands, I'm going to go with what I saw in the Spring and predict that Seth Adams is the opening game starter for the Rebs. I will not be surprised to see Herrick playing full time as the season goes along, and the same can be said about Brent. It will be an interesting season for the Rebs no matter who is behind the center.
Fortunately for the Rebs, the second part component of a backfield is going to relieve pressure from the quarterback the position. The Rebels are returning 1000 yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis for his senior year, and have fellow senior Bruce Hall as well as Sophomore Cordera Eason accompanying BJGE. Bruce Hall has put on weight this offseason, the good kind, in hopes of becoming a more powerful runner for the Rebs next year. Cordera Eason wowed both the coaches and the fans this Spring. In the Red/Blue game Eason erupted for 120 yards and was clearly the player of the game. Eason was a four star prospect out of high school and the number one rated back in Mississippi. The Rebs are hoping this three headed monster at tail back are able to carry them through this season and hopefully to a bowl game.
A major question mark for this Ole Miss team is its thin WR corp. The Rebs had a great class when it came to recievers in David Rue, Lionel Breaux, A.J. Jackson, and Roderick Davis, but it appears that only one of these player will qualify. Jackson, Rue, and Davis are projected as falling victim to grade casualties. This leaves Breaux who many have projected as a DB at the college level, but may see time at WR this year due to a lack of depth. The Rebs are returning some young talent at the position. Dexter McCluster will be back in action for the Rebs after he suffered a season ending injury off a vicious hit in the Vandy game. Marshay Green will probably the number one reciever for the Rebs and will have help from Mike Wallace, Shay Hodge, Mico McSwain, and Michael Hicks who all contributed last year. If A.J. Jackson and Rod Davis can get their act together and make it to campus the Rebs will change this current weakness into a major strength.
TE is one position the Rebels hope will be a bright spot next season. The two main targets will be sophomore Robert Hough and senior Robert Lane. Lane is returning from a disappointing junior campaign riddles with nagging injuries and inconsistent play. To Lane's defense, his lack of production can be attributed to the pathetic QB play the Rebs endured. Outside of these two the Rebs don't have any proven players. Former OL, David Traxler has been converted to TE and QB Billy Tapp will also be moved to TE. Greg Hardy can play TE if necessary as well.
The Offensive line, according to the coaches, is the strength of the team this season. Art Kehoe has done a great job transforming this line into a solid group of players. The Rebs are returning 4 of the 5 starters from last year, Andrew Wickers graduated, and they are looking to improve on their solid season last year. The line is anchored by Junior Michael Oher and Sophomore John Jerry. Both players have started as true freshmen and are expected to be high selections in the NFL draft when it's their turn to enter. Maurice Miller had a solid year last year and has made great strides in improving his footwork and mobility according to the coaches. Corey Actis is the heart and soul of the line. Actis is the senior and a blue collar type player who is going to give it his all on every play and try to lead his team to the best of his ability. The final spot on the line is still up in the air. The battle is between Reid Neely, the surprise of the spring, and Daryl Harris who missed most of last season due to a knee injury. The advantage appears to go to Neely, but having Harris on the bench will provide the Rebel O-line with even more depth. Thomas Eckers is another Rebel who saw playing time last year and is expected to contribute off the bench. The Rebels also added a quartet of solid freshmen via recruiting. The most heralded of these signees is Rishaw Johnson who may see some early playing time as a freshman this season. Mark Jean-Lewis is another player who may come in late and vye for a starting position in the fall. Bradley Sowell is the hardest worker out of this group and has gone to great lengths this spring and summer to lose weight and get in better condition to make an impact for Ole Miss. Alex Washington is the last OL signee of the 2007 class who has great size and potential. With the depth and youth of the line, the Rebs are hoping the line can continue to gel and become a dominant force over the next few years.
The Defensive line, like the offensive line, is the a position where the Rebs can pretty much guarantee consistency. The line did not lose any players last year and is returning freshmen All-Americans Greg Hardy and Marcus Tillman at the DE position. The Rebels are loaded at the DE position with Chris Bowers, Peria Jerry, and Kentrell Lockett. The Rebs may not have the biggest Dline in the league but they have a line that is full of speed and strength. DTs Brandon Jenkins and Jeremy Garrett will provide the Rebs with some beef in the middle to clog up the holes. Backing up these two will be Daverin Geralds, who had a great spring according to the coaches, and converted TE Cecil Frison. The Rebs also had a great signing class for DLs. They were able to sign 4 star DT, Ted Laurent, who will contribute immediately if he arrives on campus, Chris Strong who was an Army All-American and will be a monster on the line when he arrives, and two other DTs in Lawon Scott and Justin Sanders.
The LB corp is a major concern for the Rebs. Ole Miss lost Garry Pack, Quentin Taylor, and all-worlds Rory Johnson and Patrick Willis this past season. This has left the Rebs with only two returning LBs in Jonathan Cornell and Antonio Turner. The Rebs are going to rely on transfers and recruits to try to fill in the gap left by the departure of last season's LBs. Tony Fein, a four star JUCO transfer is expected to take over at MLB for the Rebs. Fein is 24, strong, athletic, fast, and a bruiser. While he has some huge shoes to feel, Fein should ease the Rebels concerns of having a player to replace Patrick Willis. Jonathan Cornell will undoubteldy be the second starter at a OLB position. Cornell played significantly last season and will add tremendous speed to the Rebels LB corp. Another JUCO transfer, Lamar Brumfield, is expected to recieve the final LB spot. Brumfield comes to Ole Miss from Compton CC and was named the team MVP while he was there. Also adding depth and speed to the LBs are converted safeties Allen Walker and Ashlee Palmer who will see the field plenty during this season. JAmie Phillips, a transfer from NWMCC, is another surprising player from this Spring who will vye for playing time come this fall. While the Rebels have been charged with the impossible task of replacing two NFL caliber LBs in Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson, Coach O and company have done a fantastic job of recruiting good, athletic, talent that can step in and perform at the LB position.
The Rebel secondary is going to have to replace Charles Clark and NFL draftee Trumain Mcbride this season, but it still returns plenty of experience. Jamarca Sanford is back at his natural position of SS after playing some LB last season, Kendrick Lewis seems to be holding down the FS position, and Cassius Vaughn and Dustin Mouzon are slated as the starting CBs coming out of the spring. Luckily for the Rebs, the depth does not end there. Ashlee Palmer and Allen Walker are Safety/LB combo players who can step in and provide more than adequately if need be, Nate Banks is a seasoned player who will be a great nickel back and back up CB, Terrell Suggs is another player who has seen playing time on the field and will compete for a starting position before the fall. The Rebs also added 4 DB recruits who will probably not see much playing time this season but are capable of coming and filling in if injuries get out of hand in the secondary this season.
Special Teams appears to be solid at Kicker and the return game, but the situation at Punter is iffy. Joshua Shene is coming off a freshman All-American season and hopes to continue his success as a Sophomore. Marshay Green and Dexter McCluster will be our return men, and with those two returning kicks opposing teams are going to have to be careful. While these two positions are more than locked down, the punter question is in the air. Rob Park has been the Rebs Punter the past two seasons, but he has been inconsistent and does not have a great leg. In the offseason, Ole Miss signed a Punter from a JUCO in CA who could come in and take the starting job away from Rob Park.
posted by Jason Smith at 9:16 PM
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