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Conference
USA Preview
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Pirate Notebook
By Denny O'Brien |
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In 2001, ECU Has Its Eye on the Prize
©2001 Bonesville.net
East Carolina
Pirates: Will 2001 be the year that the Pirates win the title that has
eluded them since joining C-USA? With his fastest, deepest team, this could
be head coach Steve Logan’s best shot yet. The schedule is more favorable
than in years past, as ECU faces its two biggest rivals at home –
 Louisville
and Southern Miss. Quarterback David Garrard returns for his senior
campaign, leading an offense that is certain to produce its share of
fireworks. But for the Pirates to finally get over the proverbial hump,
they need to win all games in which they are favored. Games at Tulane and TCU immediately come to mind.
Strengths:
It’s hard to talk about East Carolina without mentioning Garrard. The
Pirates’ success will depend largely on the senior quarterback, who will
likely shatter every ECU passing record this season. The defense returns
nine starters, including its entire linebacking corps and secondary. Speed
and an aggressive mentality could bring a bounty of turnovers, while
occasionally yielding the big play.
Weaknesses:
Since returning to Greenville, offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler has
stabilized what was a shaky situation along the offensive front. With the
losses of Sherwin Lacewell, Samein Jones and Shaun Rose, Shankweiler again
faces a stiff challenge. The Pirates have enough seasoned athletes to be
successful, though injuries could prove detrimental. The kicking game is
still unproven, and must be consistent for the Pirates to break through as
C-USA’s best.
Ready to shine:
CB Kelly Hardy knows something about making impressions. On the third play
from scrimmage, he intercepted a Spencer Romine pass and returned it for a
touchdown, igniting a 38-0 rout of Duke. Hardy also scored the regular
season’s final touchdown, returning a fumble against rival Southern Miss.
Hardy led the Pirates with ten pass deflections in ‘00, and closed out the
season with a two-interception performance in the galleryfurniture.com
Bowl. With 4.3 speed, it’s hard to imagine Hardy not playing at the next
level.
On the bubble:
FL Arnie Powell has the size and speed of an NFL first rounder, with the
consistency of the Dow Jones. For four years, Pirate fans have waited for
Powell to step up and provide a consistent threat. With the loss of Keith
Stokes and Marcellus Harris, 2001 would be better late than never.
Cut to the
chase: ECU is the deepest, most talented team in the league. Barring
significant injuries and mid-season mental lapses, the Pirates have an
excellent shot at getting Logan his first championship.
Louisville
Cardinals: The U of L will no doubt be a media favorite to repeat as
C-USA champs. With the return of offensive player-of-the-year QB Dave
Ragone, RB Tony Stallings and a host of talented receivers, the Cardinals
may have enough firepower to do just that. John L. Smith has worked wonders
in the Bluegrass state, taking a program from C-USA’s worst four years ago
to first last season. After three consecutive bowl berths, and a conference
title, fans are ready for bigger and better things. Winning a bowl game
would be a nice start.
Strengths:
Ragone has added 15 pounds, while reducing his 40-yard dash time. The
junior quarterback has great command of John L. Smith’s system, which has a
history of piling up yards and points. Deion Branch is perhaps the league’s
best receiver, and Stallings is arguably the best all-around back. Tight
end Ronnie Ghent is making folks in the Bluegrass State forget about former
All-American Ibn Green.
Weaknesses:
Defensive tackles Donovan Arp and Derrick Kennedy were stalwarts on a unit
that ranked 4th nationally in rushing defense. They have since
graduated and Chad Lee has moved to linebacker. The Cardinals got
inconsistent play from their successors during the spring, meaning they
could be vulnerable to the run. Anthony Floyd led C-USA with ten
interceptions from his cornerback position last year. This season he will
move to safety, meaning two spots must be filled on the corners. With too
many questions to answer, Louisville’s best defense in ’01 could be its
offense.
Ready to shine:
Wide receiver Deion Branch is probably the best receiver you’ve never heard
of. Last season, Branch quietly slithered through defenses, hauling in 71
passes for 1,016 yards and nine touchdowns. Defenses will take notice of
Branch this season, but chances are that won’t stop him.
On the bubble:
CBs Josh Minkins and J.T. Haskins must step up if the Cardinals hope to
repeat last season’s performance. Louisville finished 20th
nationally in pass efficiency defense, relying heavily on press coverage
from its corners. If Minkins and Haskins come through, Louisville could
repeat as conference champs. If not, the Cardinals will have to settle for
one of the league’s other bowls.
Cut to the
chase: The offense will pick up where it left off from last season, but
defensive holes put Louisville a notch behind East Carolina.
UAB Blazers:
What a difference a decade makes. Perhaps no program has made more
strides in the past ten years than UAB. In 1990, the Blazers didn’t have a
football program of which to speak. In 2000, they beat LSU in Baton Rouge.
UAB fans are still bitter that they didn’t go bowling last Christmas, but
are optimistic that this could be their year. Plenty of experience returns
on a defensive unit that ranked eleventh nationally last season. The next
step for UAB is finding an offense. If that happens, it could contend for
the C-USA crown in ’01.
Strengths:
With ten starters returning from one of the nation’s top defenses last
season, points will be tough to come by against the Blazers. Though coach
Brown is often known for his innovativeness on offense, defense has carried
this program since its inception. The Blazers aren’t afraid of close games,
and like to keep the score low. Returning both kickers certainly helps in
those nip-and-tuck battles.
Weaknesses:
The lack of an offensive identity has plagued the Blazers for years. In
1998, UAB ran the wishbone. In ’99 and ’00, it operated out of the pro
set. Neither system proved formidable, prompting Brown and offensive
coordinator Pat Sullivan to re-invent the wheel. Senior quarterback Jeff
Aaron will try to grasp his second offense in as many years. He never fully
grasped the first.
Ready to shine:
DT Eddie Freeman is an immovable force on the Blazers’ defensive front. At
6’6”, 300 lbs., Freeman has Leon Lett-like size, and is quick enough to
garner comparisons to the “Big Cat.” Though virtually unknown, Freeman is a
potential NFL first rounder.
On the bubble:
Sullivan introduces a new offensive attack in ’01. The Blazers will use
a one-back set, operating with a no-huddle attack. The Blazers may not have
enough athletes to make this work, meaning Sullivan may be job-hunting next
spring.
Cut to the
chase: UAB catches a break with both Louisville and East Carolina absent
from the schedule. Don’t be surprised to see the Blazers rubbing elbows
with the Pirates and Cardinals.
Southern Miss
Golden Eagles: Southern Miss is traditionally known for its defense.
In 2001, there could be a changing of the guard. The Golden Eagles lost
several standouts from a stingy defense, but return nine starters on
offense. If Southern Miss is to contend for the C-USA crown, it must get a
solid effort from its newcomers. Offensively, Southern Miss returns ten
starters, including senior quarterback Jeff Kelly. Kelly is an efficient
passer, but his lack of mobility was evident last season. Poor offensive
line play often left Kelly running for his life, rarely escaping. The
Golden Eagles will be without the services of running back running back Derrick Nix,
who is still plagued with a blood-related disorder. But the success of the offense will no doubt lie on the
shoulders of the offensive line.
Strengths:
Wide receivers Dannye Fowler and LeRoy Handy are back, giving Kelly
dependable options on the outside. Tight end Bobby Garner also returns, who
really came on toward the end of last season. Though Southern Miss must
replace much of its defense, it’s hard to imagine the Golden Eagles not
being strong there. Head coach Jeff Bower has made a habit of reloading on
that side of the ball.
Weaknesses:
After a dismal 2000 campaign, the offensive line has a lot to prove in
’01. The unit lacks great size, which suggests that it won’t push opposing
defenses around. Kicker Brant Hanna has been inconsistent during his
career, connecting on just 63 percent of his attempts. With no clear-cut
favorite to win the title, several games could be decided by a field goal or
less.
Ready to shine:
Safety Chad Williams is a superstar-in-the-making. With size, speed, and
fierce tenacity, Williams has the skills to cover like a corner and hit like
a linebacker.
On the bubble:
Without question, the offensive line will be under the microscope this
season. If the unit plays well, the Golden Eagle offense should be
productive. If not, fans are in for a long season in Hattiesburg.
Cut to the
chase: The Golden Eagles lost too much on defense to be in the title
mix. But they certainly have enough to grab one of C-USA’s four bowls.
Tulane Green
Wave: If you’re looking for a dark horse, look no further than the ‘Big
Easy’. Tulane has arguably the nation’s best quarterbacking duo in senior
Patrick Ramsey and redshirt sophomore J.P. Losman. Head coach Chris
Scelfo’s third Green Wave outfit should be his best. With the development
of a running game last season and the emergence of Mewelde Moore, Tulane
proved it is not one-dimensional. Still, the Green Wave must find a defense
to have any hopes of a C-USA title run.
Strengths:
Few teams can move the ball and score points like the Green Wave. Tulane is
particularly strong at the skill positions, led by Ramsey and Moore. Losman,
a transfer from UCLA, could start for most teams, and the receiving corps is
equally as strong as last season. The offensive line will be solid, and
kicker Seth Marler is a valuable weapon that can hit from 50-plus. All in
all, the offense may be C-USA’s best.
Weaknesses:
Statistically, Tulane had one of the worst defenses in C-USA last season.
If Tulane is to make a run at one of the league’s four bowl slots, it had
better improve immensely on defense. However, little suggests that they
will. While Tulane will be somewhat better up front, its linebacking corps
is one of the league’s smallest. That doesn’t bode well for a team that
yielded 180 yards per game on the ground.
Ready to shine:
Terrell Harris has spent the last two seasons in the shadows of receivers
JaJuan Dawson and Adrian Burnette. Now, the senior looks to lead the Green
Wave receiving corps, and better last year’s output of 64 receptions.
On the bubble:
The defense must come through for Tulane to accomplish many of its
goals, which includes a trip to the postseason. This unit doesn’t have to
be great, but it needs to be good enough to compliment an offense that
figures to score a plethora of points.
Cut to the
chase: The Green Wave will sing a similar song this fall – plenty of
offense, but not much defense.
TCU Horned
Frogs: The Horned Frogs received a bitter first taste of C-USA football
with a loss to Southern Miss in last season’s GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl.
Now, TCU must adjust to its new conference without the services of
All-America running back LaDainian Tomlinson and head coach Dennis
Franchione. Tomlinson was a first round draft pick of the San Diego
Chargers, while Franchione took the vacant post at Alabama. First-year
coach Gary Patterson will try to build on the program’s recent success,
though the task of conquering a tougher league appears daunting. Having
junior quarterback Casey Printers back certainly helps.
Strengths:
Defensively, the Horned Frogs were the nation’s best last season. Though
only four starters return, there is plenty of talent here. The defensive
line will be equally as strong as last season, led by defensive end Bo
Schobel, who tallied five sacks last season. If there is a weakness on this
unit, it would have to be the secondary where three of four starters were
lost.
Weaknesses:
The receiving corps returns only one proven performer – LaTarence Dunbar.
If TCU doesn’t get production out of this group, defenses will stick eight
in the box to stuff the run. That spells trouble for the Horned Frogs.
Ready to shine:
Printers has spent his first two seasons in Tomlinson’s shadow. Now,
the offense will revolve around the junior quarterback. Printers is a solid
run-pass threat who can be deadly on the option or efficient in the pocket.
If Printers gets help from the running game, he could be in for a big
season.
On the bubble:
RB Andrew Hayes-Stoker averaged more than five yards per carry
last season, while spelling Tomlinson. If he can’t shoulder the load, the
Horned Frogs have other viable options in Ricky Madison and Corey Connally.
Cut to the
chase: TCU will discover that C-USA is much tougher than its old
conference – the WAC. Much tougher.
Memphis Tigers:
The Rip Scherer era ends, making way for former Clemson head coach Tommy
West. West spent the last two seasons constructing the Memphis defense that
relied heavily on zone blitzing. West would like to bring that same
mentality to the offensive side of the ball, where he will incorporate a
one-back, wide-open attack. Oft-injured quarterback Travis Anglin will be
given the keys to the new offense. The same aggressive schemes will be
incorporated on defense. With plenty of talent returning, the Tigers should
again field a very stingy unit. Place-kicker Ryan White gives the Tigers a
nice dimension, especially in close games.
Strengths:
Defense and special teams were the emphasis during the Scherer days. Both
will again be strengths in ’01. Defensive tackle Albert Means is a load up
front, and the rest of the line looks solid too. The Tigers must replace
all-everything linebacker Kamal Shakir, which doesn’t look to be a problem.
DeMorrio Shank returns from injury, and the linebacking corps looks to be
even deeper this season.
Weaknesses:
West hopes to bolster the offense with his switch to a pass-oriented
attack. The talent is best suited for the running game, so the new offense
will struggle. Anglin spends more time nursing injuries than he does
leading the offense. A healthy Anglin, who seems at his best when handing
the ball to Jeff “Sugar” Sanders, could make the transition smoother.
Ready to shine:
Just a sophomore, Means has lottery pick written all over him. At 335,
this former high school All-America has NFL scouts foaming at the mouth.
Fans of rival schools might want to get a good look at him this season.
Chances are he won’t be around for another.
On the bubble:
Memphis fans have waited a long time for Anglin to develop, but injuries
have been a hindrance. If healthy, Anglin’s mobility could be deadly in the
Tigers’ new spread attack. If not, West will look to slower, less talented
signal callers.
Cut to the
chase: Memphis once again boasts a stout defense. And once again, it
will disappoint on offense.
Cincinnati
Bearcats: Cincinnati was, perhaps, the surprise team in Conference USA
last season. Following a 3-8 ’99 campaign, the Bearcats rebounded last year
to finish tied with East Carolina for second, earning a Motor City Bowl
berth against MAC champion Marshall. With six starters gone on both sides
of the ball, including quarterback Deontey Kenner, the Bearcats look to
embark on another sub-.500 campaign. Adam Hoover is set to inherit the
vacated quarterback post. Hoover, who is smaller and less athletic than
Kenner, will hand the ball to running backs Ray Jackson and DeMarco
McCleskey. Jackson and McCleskey will have to carry the load for the
Bearcats to be successful.
Strengths:
With the one-two punch of McClesky and Jackson, Cincinnati will gain the
bulk of its yardage on the ground. The offensive line returns three
starters, and has plenty of beef to open the necessary holes. A solid
ground game will only make things easier for Hoover, who will rely heavily
on speedy receivers LaDaris Vann and Tye Keith.
Weaknesses:
The defense lost its top six tacklers. The Bearcats must replace all three
linebackers and both safeties. The defensive line returns three starters,
but too much pressure will be put on them to fill the holes. There are just
too many question marks to expect the Bearcats to be solid on defense.
Ready to shine:
RB Ray Jackson may be the most talented back in the league. Jackson, who
began his career at Michigan, has the size and speed to excel at the next
level. Though McCleskey will get his share of carries, look for Jackson to
be the more featured of the two. When comparing apples to apples, the
Michigan transfer clearly has more to offer.
On the bubble:
Rick Minter has struggled to provide a consistent winner in Cincinnati.
If there is a huge drop off from last season, Minter’s job could be in
jeopardy.
Cut to the
chase: Hopefully, Bearcat fans enjoyed last season’s success. It won’t
be repeated in ’01.
Houston
Cougars: Following a disappointing 2000 season, things can only get
better for head coach Dana Dimel and the Houston Cougars. For the first
time in four years, Jason McKinley will not be the starting quarterback.
Bubba Teague, who played sparingly toward the end of last season, will
battle Kelly Robertson, Alvin Lee, and junior college transfer Nick Eddy for
the starting quarterback job. Regardless of who wins, he will have a
talented receiving corps with which to work. The running game will be down
again, as Dimel continues to search for a consistent performer in his
one-back set. The defense returns six starters, but must improve
tremendously for Houston to be competitive.
Strengths:
In Orlando Iglesias, Brian Robinson, and Brandon Middleton, the Cougars have
the best collection of starting receivers in the league. Iglesias and
Robinson were sorely missed last season, as injuries kept both out of action
the majority of the year. Their return will give Dimel’s wide-open offense
a huge boost. Covering the Cougar trio will be a tall order for C-USA
defenses.
Weaknesses:
Houston doesn’t boast a lot of size defensively, which means it could get
pushed around regularly this season. To improvise, it will use a 4-2-5
alignment to get more speed on the field. The Cougars must replace
co-defensive player-of-the-year Wayne Rogers, who led Conference USA in
tackles from his middle linebacker position. His replacement, likely Justin
Davis, will lack experience, as will much of the Cougar defense.
Ready to shine:
Robinson posted solid numbers last season, hauling in 77 passes for 870
yards. Robinson (6’4”, 204) has the size and speed to flourish in Dimel’s
pass-happy offense. And with the return of Iglesias and Middleton, defenses
will be unable to double-up on Robinson.
On the bubble:
Teague missed spring drills due to academic woes, though he is the only
returning quarterback with game experience. Dimel may not show much
patience if Teague can’t deliver, turning quickly to one of three other
options. Junior college transfer Nick Eddy could be next in line.
Cut to the
chase: Houston will score more points this season, but not nearly enough
to compensate for its porous defense.
Army Black
Knights: Don’t tell head coach Todd Berry that you can’t win at West
Point, because he won’t buy it. Year two of the Berry regime figures to be
better than the first, as the Black Knights are more familiar with the
schemes. Quarterbacks Chad Jenkins and Curtis Zervic got their share of
snaps last season, and hope that experience translates into production in
’01.
Strengths:
Few programs have the history and tradition of Army, and perhaps no college
football cathedral is as hallowed as Michie Stadium. History and tradition
can get you only so far, though, as few opponents will get caught up in the
mystique. Berry is an Xs and Os type of guy, and his aggressive style on
both sides of the ball is a breath of fresh air along the banks of the
Hudson. Army is always a disciplined bunch, and mistakes are kept to a
minimum. Still, this team is at least two years away.
Weaknesses:
The Black Knights simply don’t have the athletes right now. Berry inherited
an offense that was tailored for the triple option, but he’s running a
modified version of the west coast attack. The receivers lack size and
speed, and quarterbacks Chad Jenkins and Curtis Zervic lack arm strength.
The defense is small and will get pushed around by most C-USA offensive
lines.
Ready to shine:
Berry is a rising star in the coaching world. At Illinois State, he took a
perennial loser and made it into one of the best I-AA programs in America.
The challenge is even tougher at West Point, where academic standards and
character must come before athletic ability. Berry probably won’t restore
Army to its glory days, but odds are he will take somebody else to the
promised land.
On the bubble:
Jenkins and Zervic were a part of a three-man quarterbacking carousel last
season. Joe Gerena has departed, meaning the rotation will probably consist
of just the two. Jenkins is the senior and will get the initial nod, but
don’t be surprised if Zervic gets an early call from the bullpen. Last
season, the duo threw more interceptions than touchdowns.
Cut to the
chase: The Black Knights are in for another long season.
Send an e-mail message to
Denny O'Brien.
02/23/2007 01:41:11 AM
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