Are You Ready For Some Football

Now that we know who's officially the starting quarterback and we're only a few days away from game week its time for a season prospectus.

I.

First the positives.

The Starting Offensive Line. The offensive line really came together last year by the end of the season and was a solid performing group that created a strong running game. 4 of 5 starters return. The Rebels loose Hacksaw Wicker who had a great senior year but the word is Reid Neely has turned the corner and they expect him to have a great year replacing Wicker. Micheal Oher is back and ready to show the world why they are making a movie about him. John Jerry is a beast and Mo Miller and Corey Actis shore up a veteran group. The key to this group is avoiding injuries as the Ogerzook himself noted the difference between the first and second unit's were "night and day."


Running Backs. Regardless its a solid first unit that should pave the way for a good running game. BenJarvis 'The Predator" Green-Ellis is one of the more durable backs in the SEC. He doesn't have true break away speed and won't burn you for the long touchdown nor is he amazingly elusive. But he's a grinder and great for SEC play. He keeps pounding on the defensive and usually has his best stats in the second half of the game as he's worn out the opponents defense. He should have a solid season once again and prove durable for a lot of carries. One of the better backs in the SEC. And the Rebels have great depth behind him. Don't bring me down Bruce Hall is a great change of pace back and has good hands in the receiving game. He's also and ex-quarterback which opens trick play opportunities. Cordera Eason is clearly the back of the future and should be one of the better backs in the SEC in a few years. Look for him to get more carries this year.

The Defensive Line. This is a solid mix of talented players. The Rebels have a number of veterans in Chris Bowers, Viciente DeLoach, Jeremy Garrett, Peria Jerry, Brandon Jenkins, Daverin Geralds, Marcus Tillman and Greg Hardy. This should give the Rebs some depth which they were sorely lacking last year and help them battle injuries and stay fresh. They also will add some good newcomers that should get playing time in Chris Herring Strong, Ted Laurent, and Kentrell Lockett. I would not be surprised to see Laurent play a lot as the season progresses.

However, I'm not as excited about this group as I was when I started writing this prospectus. I was shocked to hear Daverin Geralds was starting and I was hoping to have Jerrell Powe at that point.

Defensive Backs. The Rebels also return some experienced DBs in Nate Banks, Jarmaca Sandford, Terrell Jackson, Dustin Mouzon, and Cassius Vaughn. Jarmaca is one of the Rebels surest tacklers and a leader on the defense. Kendrick Lewis who was moved to defense in the offseason, and Johnny Brown have gotten good press as newcomers that should play this year.

II.

The Negatives.

Linebackers. The Linebacker core sounds like a disaster. The Coaching staff kept Chris Herring Strong there for two weeks after he reported at 282 pounds. This shows the desperation the staff has at finding linebackers that can play that they kept him there that long. Expect some spin about wanting speed on the defensive line but the truth of the matter is they obviously thought they needed him there and kept him there out of desperation. It doesn't bode well either for Tony Fein that a 282 pound linebacker had him beat on the depth chart. Converted Safety Ashlee Palmer will have to start at one of the linebacker spots. Look for walk on Jamie Phillips to either start at the other or be the top back up. Jonathan Cornell will have to start at middle or possibly weak side. Other backups are Tony Turner and Brandon Thomas and juco transfer Lamar Brumfield. The most important position on defense is missing playmakers, experience, and depth. With only Cornell returning from last year with any significant snaps expect some growing pains early in the season as they adjust to SEC football especially against spread offenses.



The passing game. Lets just say I'm nervous about the Seth Adams era. When your quarterback couldn't start for Delta State it makes me nervous. That said he'll be an improvement in this offense to Brent Schaeffer. But I'll always wonder if Schaeffer could be a decent quarterback in the right system, one like Virgina Tech's. The Rebels also have a great cast of secondary receivers but they don't have that one play maker who will always get the ball. Marshay and Dexter have good speed and Shay Hodge has pretty good hands, Michael Hicks has good size so its a serviceable unit. But with a quarterback like Seth Adams who admittedly doesn't have the greatest arm strength you'd like to have that one dominate number one receiver. I think Mico McSwain could have been that guy but he was ruled academically ineligible. Tightend is a non issue in this offense so it doesn't matter how athletic Robert Lane is. Goes to show why they have three scholarship tightends on the roster and only one of them, Robert Hough, was signed to play tightend. (David Traxler is the other.)

In the SEC quarterback play separates the good teams from the poor and mediocre ones. The problem is that when you become overly one dimensional on offense then defenses can scheme against you and stop your strengths. So good teams should be able to stop our running game and force the passing game to beat us which could put the whole offense in trouble.

III.

The Season Projection

My realistic season projection is 3-9 but if I had to go out and pick games I can only honestly see the Northwestern State game and La Tech as sure victories. I can't pick us as a favorite over any team that runs the spread offense so Memphis is out. Missouri would be regardless of what offense they run but with their playmakers in the spread offense I see a reenactment of last years disaster.

I think they could slip up on someone but in the Ogerzook era we haven't managed to show the Rebel's are capable of a big upset. Everybody gives the Croomdog a hard time, and rightfully so for any team that can't beat Tulane, but at least the term "Croomed" came out because he pulls a big upset every year.

LSU, Missouri, Florida, Georgia, Bama, Arkansas, and Auburn are sure defeats. Vandy, Memphis, and State are possibles. I don't think we win at Vandy this year as they should be improved. Memphis the aforementioned spread offense, and Croom's 2005 egg bowl whipping keep me from penciling those in as wins.

So final season prediction 2-10.

(Of course this is also a little reverse jinx because whenever I pick the Rebels to win they blow it. So you'll thank me later.)

IV.

The Red and Blue Glasses Season Projection.

Before the Chris Herring Strong revelation I was starting to build a little hope. He'd take the SEC by storm and dominate the middle of the field. Jerrell Powe would team with Peria Jerry to stop the rushing game. Marcus Tillman would get into the opposing team's backfield. Seth Adams could be the next Stewart Patridge and do the little things and not make mistakes. Well not so much become Stewart Patridge but bring down the number of interceptions.

Well at least Marcus Tillman kept on track. Peria's fighting injuries, Powe didn't get eligible and Chris turned out to be overweight significantly. But if the team pulls together around Seth. Ted Laurent is the man beast in the middle. Fein figures out SEC play and locks down the MLB spot. Cornell and Palmer take care of the outside spots. Greg Hardy does what he does. Jamarca and crew shut down the passing game and figure out the spread offense. Markeith Summers becomes the go to receiver and Lane becomes the great redzone tightend. The Predator runs all over the SEC.

Then things start looking better. We go to the Bluff City and rightfully take our SEC pride to the Memphis tigers and start the season with a victory. We keep history in our favor and give Vandy back their spot at the bottom of the SEC. Take care of business over La Tech and Northwestern. Upset Alabama with a new coach at home. Finish off the season with a win over State in the EGG bowl.

We're 6-6 and bowling! Shreveport baby!