#25 - Missouri
Missouri Tigers
2006 Record: (8-5, 4-4)
Coach: Gary Pinkel (37-35 at Missouri, 110-72-3 overall)
Starters Returning: 15 (8 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: WR Brad Ekwerekwu, OL Joel Clinger, OL Mike Cook
Offensive Starters Returning: QB Chase Daniel, RB Tony Temple, WR Tommy Saunders, WR William Franklin, TE Martin Rucker, OL Tyler Luellen, OL Ryan Madison, OL Adam Spieker
Defensive Starters Lost: DE Xzavie Jackson, DE Brian Smith, LB Marcus Bacon, LB Dedrick Harrington, S Brandon Massey, S David Overstreet
Defensive Starters Returning: DT Lorenzo Williams, DT Ziggy Hood, LB Brock Christopher, CB Darnell Terrell, CB Hardy Ricks
Starting Specialists Lost: none
Starting Specialists Returning: K Jeff Wolfert, P Adam Crossett
2007 Missouri Offense:
Chase Daniel threw for 3,527 yards and 28 touchdowns as a sophomore and it will only get better for Daniel after having a great spring. But what makes Missouri’s offense so dangerous is one of the deepest and talented group of receivers in the nation. Will Franklin is the big play threat and led the team with 829 receiving yards in 2006. Tommy Saunders, Jared Perry and Danario Alexander bring the depth. The Tigers utilize their tight ends amazingly well and Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman will have another great season. Coffman and Rucker led the team with 58 and 53 receptions respectively and are superb targets in the red zone.
The conference’s returning leading rusher adds another dimension to the offense. Tony Temple ran for 1,063 yards and seven touchdowns and it is his consistent performance that really opens up the entire offense. Losing Joel Clinger and Mike Cook off the line hurts, but they still will not have any problems opening up holes for Temple. Center Adam Spieker is very talented and will lead the way during his senior campaign.
2007 Mizzou Defense:
It was a poor defensive effort that sprung the late season losing streak in 2006. By the end, everybody and their brother were running for over 100 yards against the Tigers defense. With six starters gone, coordinator Matt Eberflus has some work to do. The return of tackles Ziggy Hood and Lorenzo Williams should help out the run defense, but Coach Gary Pinkel will also depend on some junior college transfers to help solidify the line.
Brock Christopher is moving to the middle linebacker spot to lead the unit. The return of Van Alexander, who missed much of 2006 with an injury, and the emergence of Sean Weatherspoon will make the linebackers just as good as last year despite the loss of starters Marcus Bacon and Dedrick Harrington. Weatherspoon has a ton of potential after playing as a reserve last year as a freshman. Missouri returns both starting corners, led by the talented Darnell Terrell, but the secondary will need to improve under new safeties Pig Brown, William Moore and Justin Garrett.
The Bottom Line for the 2007 Tigers:
The offense will be explosive and the defense will be better than they were at the end of last season. The Tigers found a great kicker in Jeff Wolfert, but the rest of the special teams is a concern. Punter Adam Crossett returns, but his productivity was shaky at best and junior college transfer Jake Harry will get a shot at the job. The return game was pathetic as well, but with Nebraska coming to Faurot Field, Missouri has no excuses not to win the North.
INSIDE SLANT
The biggest challenger within the North Division of the Big 12 comes to Missouri next season. The Tigers will be waiting with a veteran team that returns eight starters among a promising offense.
Expectations, indeed, should be high, and the Tigers seem determined not to let people down as they look ahead at a home date with Nebraska while figuring on chasing the Huskers.
"If they want to put expectations on us, then bring it on," said Chase Daniel, the returning quarterback who will spearhead Missouri's bid to break from the pack after the Tigers went 9-4 last season but were only .500 (4-4) in league play.
"I'm more than willing to take it on my shoulders, and I know this team is. We've been saying we're going to do a lot of stuff the last couple of years ... but now it's time to do it."
In six seasons under coach Gary Pinkel, the Tigers have upgraded their talent, upgraded their facilities and upgraded impressions, only to come up short in the Big 12.
Could Daniel be right? Could this season be different?
Well, one key will be whether Daniel himself delivers as expected. A gritty Texan who doesn't mind tucking the ball and turning upfield, Daniel could possess the kind of leadership qualities that makes Missouri a contender. He's surrounded by ample talent on the line and at the skill positions.
How well-suited is the Missouri defense for stopping opponents, or at least giving Daniel and the offense enough of a chance to win shootouts? Just five starters return from a group that surrendered far too many rushing yards last season and was frankly manhandled too often in Big 12 play.
That could serve as incentive for the Tigers, though depth could be an issue.
"I don't think we're the weakest link," said nose tackle Lorenzo Williams. "I continue to say this, but if you watch the ones, we're not really giving up too much. It's the twos, threes and fours that are really having some problems."
NOTES, QUOTES
— The Missouri coaching staff pays a visit each offseason to the staff of two NFL teams — Indianapolis and Chicago — to exchange ideas and get pointers. Those two teams happened to meet in the Super Bowl this past season. The coaches offered few hints into any ideas they may implement.
— In an effort to become more physical, the defense often practiced against two-back sets for some smash-mouth contact during spring practice. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus sensed the Tigers got somewhat soft last season practicing constantly against a spread offense.
— Missouri announced players who were named as the most improved in their particular position groups over the course of spring practice. The honorees were Steve Redmond (linebackers), Chase Patton (offensive backs), Danario Alexander (receivers), Dain Wise (offensive linemen), Tommy Chavis (defensive linemen), Pig Brown (safeties) and Castine Bridges (cornerbacks).
SPRING MOVERS:
DT Andy Maples — The Tigers have prospered by placing Juco transfers into their defensive front, with the likes of Atiyyah Ellison, Zach Ville and Jamar Smith. The 6-4, 295-pound Maples may be the latest in that line after arriving from the College of the Sequoias in time to participate in spring drills.
WR Greg Bracey — It could be difficult for Bracey to crack a rotation that includes three talented sophomores — Jared Perry, Danario Alexander and Jeremy Maclin — but the senior is ready if called. The top sprinter on the Missouri track team, Bracey could find a role either with the offense or special teams.
LB Steve Redmond — Recorded nine tackles and forced a fumble in the spring game. Redmond, who was recruited as a cornerback, is hoping to crack the MU rotation but could settle on being part of special packages.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You can talk about winning Big 12 championships and all that other stuff, but the bottom line is, you've got to go do it. We don't need to do any talk." — Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2007 OUTLOOK: If not for a history of near-misses, the Tigers could be rated as a contender in the Big 12 North. With a vast array of offensive firepower, the Tigers should be tough to stop and could be dangerous as long as the defense plays solid. But the prospect always exists of a stunning defeat, such as the one last season at Iowa State when the Cyclones were on the verge of going winless in the Big 12.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: QB Chase Daniel not only turned out to be a suitable replacement for multiple record-holder Brad Smith, the sophomore turned out to be a gutsy leader his teammates respect mightily. Daniel should only improve as a junior, and his stable of playmakers includes TB Tony Temple and a pair of outstanding tight ends, Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker. Missouri's offense should flat roll.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense is the biggest concern for Missouri after allowing 184.1 yards per game on the ground against Big 12 opponents. The defense often withered because it was unable to get off the field against superior opponents. Seven opposing rushers enjoyed 100-yard games against the Tigers in conference play, and there are no assurances Missouri's front seven will be better.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: A walk-on who came to Missouri as a diver on the swim team, Jeff Wolfert, was awarded a scholarship during the spring after setting MU records for field goals (18), points by a kicker (99), consecutive PATs (45) and field-goal percentage (.900). After struggling to field a consistent kicker throughout his tenure, coach Gary Pinkel was happy Wolfert came to the rescue and gladly rewarded him with a scholarship.
ROSTER REPORT: Two linebackers who graduated early from high school to enroll in time to participate in time for spring practice, Michael Keck and Luke Lambert, each advanced to the second team and likely will not redshirt as freshmen.
OT Kurtis Gregory was prohibited from contact drills during the spring after undergoing surgery to repair minor shoulder and knee ailments. OG Monte Wyrick also was delayed in the spring after recovering from offseason knee surgery. Another lineman, OT Colin Brown, practiced after recovering from a torn labrum.
After leaving in February for undisclosed reasons, CB Domonique Johnson transferred to Division I-AA Jackson State.
- Rangers crawl into the fetal position after taking 2 of 3 in Cleveland (Well), and get swept in Toronto. Brandon McCarthy continues his stretch of strong pitching, although offense bites the big one and can't support him. I like his long term future here, he's shown me enough in the past month or so to warrant some decent hope for him.
Jays sweep slumping Rangers
11:33 PM CDT on Sunday, August 5, 2007
By RICHARD DURRETT / The Dallas Morning News
rdurrett@dallasnews.com
TORONTO – Brandon McCarthy is a believer in do-it-yourself repair work. It's a skill he's learned in the three months between starts in Canada.
In Sunday's 4-1 loss to Toronto, McCarthy figured out what he was doing wrong after the first inning and quickly corrected it. Making the necessary fix allowed McCarthy to do what manager Ron Washington had asked of him: Pitch six innings and leave with the Rangers still in the game.
McCarthy couldn't do that at Toronto in late April, when he walked three Blue Jays and gave up three runs in the first inning. Things didn't get any better, and McCarthy was pulled after throwing 86 pitches in three innings.
He had a similar first inning Sunday, but he didn't allow it to end his day early again. McCarthy walked two of the first three batters he faced, allowing a run, and threw 31 pitches in the inning.
But after the first, McCarthy found a way to pitch out of jams. He allowed three leadoff doubles, usually a formula for a short outing, but only one of those batters scored.
"Making adjustments on the fly has been big for me, and I think I'm doing a better job of it," McCarthy said. "I thought I did a good job later in the game of getting off-speed pitches over, and that's something in the past I hadn't been able to do if it hadn't come early."
McCarthy wasn't the only Rangers starter who struggled in the first in Toronto. Kevin Millwood, Willie Eyre and McCarthy threw a combined 108 first-inning pitches in the series. The Blue Jays outscored Texas, 10-3, in the first in the three-game sweep.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, catching for the first time as a Ranger, said he and McCarthy settled into a rhythm in the second and third innings, and that led to good pitch selection and better results. McCarthy ended up allowing just two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks in six innings.
"He did what he was supposed to do," Washington said. "When you get in trouble, you make pitches. He made pitches. Before this year's up, I hope we can go through a stretch where little things don't bother him and he can keep doing what he's doing."
McCarthy has put together a string of solid starts. His ERA has decreased by more than a run in his last six starts, going from 6.17 on July 2 to 5.04. McCarthy has four quality starts in his last six outings.
But he has just one win in that span, partly because opposing pitchers seem to perform well when pitted against McCarthy.
Erik Bedard pitched a shutout for Baltimore this month to hand McCarthy a loss. And Dustin McGowan looked great Sunday. He gave up a leadoff homer to Frank Catalanotto, but didn't allow the Rangers to do anything else. He pitched into the ninth inning before giving way to closer Jeremy Accardo.
Toronto starters held the Rangers to seven earned runs in 20 innings in the series.
"It's the middle of August and you have five wins, and that's tough," McCarthy said. "But if I keep throwing well, things will turn around. We've got a young lineup right now, and we've faced some studs lately. I keep it on myself to go out and allow a few runs as possible, and hopefully we'll score more."
- Eddie Jones signs with Mavs. Decent signing, he's getting up there in age, but he can still defend pretty well, can knock down long-range jumpers, and hopefully will stay healthy. Dallas needs big guards and he definitely qualifies. I guess those Pietrus dreams can be dashed now. Oh well.
Now go get a back up to Dirk immediately. That mid-level is collecting dust, Donnie.
Mavericks to sign veteran Eddie Jones
11:57 PM CDT on Friday, August 3, 2007
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
ccarlton@dallasnews.com
Coach Avery Johnson said Friday that the Mavericks will add two veterans before the season begins.
They're halfway to fulfilling Johnson's prediction.
The Mavericks upgraded their depth at shooting guard and small forward, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with three-time All-Star Eddie Jones.
Owner Mark Cuban and Jones' agent, Leon Rose, confirmed the pending deal.
Jones, 35, is expected to fly Monday to Dallas where he'll take a physical and officially sign. He'll receive $1.83 million in the first year from the Mavericks' bi-annual exception and holds a player option for the second season.
The team retains its $5.3 million mid-level exception to use for another free-agent acquisition.
Rose said Jones was drawn to the Mavericks as a title contender.
"Obviously, it's a top-flight organization," Rose said. "It's a team to which he believes he can contribute and help take to the next level."
Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks president of basketball operations, declined comment until the deal is official.
Earlier Friday, Johnson made no secret of the team's plans in a telephone interview from his office.
"Before training camp, we're going to add two key veterans to our team," Johnson said. "It's not going to be anybody that's going to necessarily lead to a championship, but two key veterans who we think can help us achieve our goal of winning a championship."
With Jones aboard as an outside presence, the Mavericks will almost certainly start focusing on a veteran unrestricted big man.
Chris Webber and P.J. Brown each meet the criteria. Johnson acknowledged making a sales pitch to each, as he did with Jones before he signed.
"It is a necessity now because of the salary cap," Johnson said. "It's not like the Yankees who can outspend everybody, or the Red Sox. When you're over the cap, you all have the same exceptions to work with.
"Recruiting is a big part of it, selling players on our system, our environment, our fans, our selling out every night and having one of the best owners in pro sports."
Webber, a one-time elite power forward, has listed his hometown Detroit Pistons and the Mavericks as preferred destinations. Brown is deciding whether to play another season or retire.
The Mavericks also might pursue a sign-and-trade for a restricted free agent such as Golden State's Mickael Pietrus or Cleveland's Sasha Pavlovic.
But the addition of Jones takes away much of the urgency. The Mavericks pursued him last season when he was released by Memphis and eventually signed with Miami.
The 6-6 Jones carries a career average of 15.4 points per game and has been considered an excellent outside shooter and defender.
Even though he averaged a career-low 7.7 points a game last season with Memphis and Miami, he showed that he could still deliver in stretches.
When Miami lost star Dwyane Wade with a shoulder injury, Jones played a key stopgap role late in the season. He started all 15 Miami games in March with Wade sidelined, averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He shot 46.2 percent from the field, including 41 percent on 3-pointers, during that span.
"If you look at the contribution he made when he went to Miami, it was significant and helped them at a key time," Rose said.
With the Mavericks, he'll give the team another look to go with players like Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, Greg Buckner and second-year guard Maurice Ager.
EDDIE JONES
Age: 35 (turns 36 in October)
Ht.: 6-6
Wt.: 200
College: Temple
Years pro: 13
Notable: Ranks seventh all-time in 3-pointers made. ... Will be playing for his fifth franchise. ... Made the NBA's all-defensive second team three consecutive seasons, 1997-2000. ... Averaged double-figures scoring his first 12 NBA seasons, including a career-best 20.1 ppg for Charlotte in 1999-2000. ... Considered a solid playoff performer (13.2 ppg) but struggled last season.
Personal: He and wife, Trina, have three children. ... Jones co-authored a book on his college coach, John Chaney, in 2003.
- Who hasn't posterized Shawn Bradley?
- Avery backs his team. I happen to agree. Roll with this team, they were on the cusp 2 years ago and last year was a fluke. In my mind, they had the title won in 2006. So even with the choke job, they've proven to me they are right on the brink.
Climbing the mountain requires experience and failure. I think they're ready to break through all the way.
Coach sticks by current group
Even with a veteran acquisition or two, next season's Mavericks will look a lot like their 2006-07 predecessor.
That's just fine with coach Avery Johnson.
"They've won 127 games in the last two years," Johnson said. "We feel we've been very competitive. This group deserves another chance."
Johnson discussed several Mavericks topics during a phone interview Friday. Among them:
•On standing pat this summer.
"We feel Devin Harris can be 25 percent better and Josh Howard can really move to this next level where I want to go to and Jason Terry can shoot the ball like Jason Terry. ... We feel that's better than us going out, getting rid of four or five guys to get one guy."
•On the playoff loss three months ago to Golden State.
"We just made a lot of poor decisions and we missed a lot of layups. They made every shot. They made 30-footers. They made 50-footers. Baron Davis was probably the MVP of the whole playoffs at that point. It was a situation where they got really hot and we aren't on top of our game."
•On the missing ingredient.
"More than anything, we need some battle-tested veterans who can get it done for us in the playoffs."
- Mavs set to sign C-Webb? Would have rather had used the mid-level on Pietrus, but since that deal looks dead because of the Eddie Jones signing, might as well get on the ball to find the Dirk back-up.
What's sad is, Webber immediately becomes this team's best passer. For my sanity, I hope he has cut that behind-the-back crap out of his game.
Mavs To Sign C-Webb?
Aug 6 - So the Internet's blowing up tonight (Sunday) with reports that an LA radio station has C-Webb, yes, Chris Webber, ready to sign a deal with the Mavericks, with the Mavs giving him the full mid-level exception, $5.36 million...hey, why not? might as well spend the thing, and C-Webb could become a signature add if his veteran body can hold up and if he's ready to embrace a reserve role on a team led by a coach with unwavering championship aspirations.
-Nebraska/Collge Football news/notes
- The World Herald details 5 things to watch
1. Sam Keller's development: Among the 13 returning Huskers with featured bios in the team's media guide, you won't find Keller listed. Why is it then that nearly every conversation about the approaching season starts with the fifth-year senior who's about to play his first and only season at NU after transferring from Arizona State? Keller is that important to the success of the Huskers. Coach Bill Callahan's decision to keep Keller even with junior Joe Ganz through the offseason served as motivation for both quarterbacks. Its now time to get serious. The strong-armed, 6-foot-4 QB came to Nebraska to start, win games and earn his shot at the NFL. It was nice to see Keller sacrifice for the team last year in practice and run the scout team. He's been a leader in offseason workout programs. The next step starts now. Keller has already learned that he'll face more scrutiny than any of his teammates. Let's see how he handles it.
2. The changing fullback position: Dane Todd doesn't get enough credit for the work he did in helping Nebraska rush for 2,387 yards last season - a 107 percent increase over the Huskers total from 2005. Todd carried the football just one time, and that came on a busted fake field-goal try in the Cotton Bowl. But the fullback opened holes like a sixth offensive lineman. He was the unsung hero of the Huskers Pound the Rock campaign. Just one problem: Nebraska never groomed a backup and has nearly ignored the position in recruiting. Veterans Matt Sense, Andy Sand and Thomas Lawson may get a look. Another option is to move senior J.B. Phillips from tight end into a hybrid position, the H-back. Phillips is capable but inexperienced as a lead blocker in the way Nebraska has traditionally relied on its fullbacks. And speaking of tradition, there's always Justin Makovicka. The 235-pound redshirt freshman follows brothers Jeff and Joel as an NU fullback.
3. Inexperience on the defensive line: Don't look now, but the Huskers front four looks like a potential problem spot. Adam Carriker, Jay Moore, Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer last year formed such a strong group that Nebraska failed to develop much depth. Sophomore Ndamukong Suh headlines the group and looks like a future star. Hell start at nose tackle, likely alongside junior Ty Steinkuhler, a workhorse who gets everything out of his talent. Defensive end Barry Turner has yet to prove hes an every-down player, and fellow junior Zach Potter is untested at the base-end position. Clayton Sievers and Pierre Allen provide depth at the end spots. Interior backups Seth Jensen, Ben Martin, Brandon Johnson, Shukree Barfield and Kevin Dixon have combined to make one career tackle. Any August injuries among the top unit could present a major stumbling block for a defensive unit that aims to stop the run above all else.
4. Status of the cornerbacks: Interesting question about the NU cornerbacks: Are they a strength or a weakness? The Huskers return starters Cortney Grixby and Andre Jones. Both seniors are proven commodities despite troubles a year ago. Nebraska struggled in particular against big-bodied USC, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma receivers who exploited Grixby and Jones for their lack of size. Nebraska simply needs to find more players here. The hope is that Zack Bowman, a 2005 starter who tore his patellar tendon in March, makes a near-miracle recovery to play early. If it's going to happen, Bowman will need to practice this month and show some of the form that had him pegged as a potential high draft pick before he redshirted last year following an ACL tear in August. Newcomer Armando Murrillo looked promising in spring practice. The Huskers could benefit from a contribution out of a true freshman, perhaps Anthony Blue. Improved safety play should also help.
5. The kicking situation: At the risk of dredging up painful memories, think back to the end of Nebraska losses last season against Texas (22-20) and Auburn (17-14). Remember how the Huskers didn't even attempt last-second field goals. It would have taken a 58-yard kick to beat UT and a 40-yarder to force overtime in the Cotton Bowl. NU lost confidence in Jordan Congdon - part of the reason he left school after his sophomore season. Enter Adi Kunalic, the freshman from Fort Worth whose accuracy remains a question. His leg strength is not. Kunalic booted a pair of field goals from longer than 50 yards in high school and has reportedly made a habit of splitting the uprights from 60 this summer at Memorial Stadium. Redshirt freshman Alex Henery, a former first-team All-Nebraska kicker, will challenge for the place-kicking job. So will junior Jake Wesch, who has handled kickoff duties for much of the past two years.
- Position by position analysis by the Lincoln paper, read this and you'll be up to speed. I'll have my personal Nebraska preview later in the month.
Position-by-position analysis
By STEVEN M. SIPPLE and BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Sunday, Aug 05, 2007 - 12:05:39 am CDT
Offensive line
Starters returning: Brett Byford, sr., center; Matt Slauson, jr., guard; Mike Huff, jr., guard; Andy Christensen, jr., guard.
In the mix: Carl Nicks, sr., tackle; Lydon Murtha, jr., tackle; Mike Smith, rfr., tackle; D.J. Jones, Rfr., tackle; Jacob Hickman, so., guard/tackle; Keith Williams, Rfr., guard; Cruz Barrett, Rfr., guard; Victory Haines, sr., center; Jordan Picou, sr., guard/center.
Newcomers: Jaivorio Burkes, fr., guard/tackle; Marcel Jones, fr., tackle.
The skinny: Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner feels depth has improved here significantly. NU will enter fall camp with a first-string line that has Nicks at left tackle, Christensen at left guard, Byford at center, Slauson at right guard and Murtha at right tackle. Williams will push hard for time at guard. Hickman, Huff and Christensen apparently have recovered well from injuries.
Tight ends
Starter returning: J.B. Phillips, sr.
In the mix: Josh Mueller, sr.; Sean Hill, sr.; Hunter Teafatiller, jr.; Mike McNeill, rfr.
Newcomer: Ryan Hill, fr.
The skinny: Phillips could get ample time in an H-back or fullback role, but likely will be used on the line as a tight end in many sets. The Huskers have sufficient depth here, but could use some more playmaking ability. That’s why NU coaches eagerly await the return of the 6-foot-4, 225-pound McNeill, who was sidelined all spring by a shoulder injury.
Wide receivers
Starters returning: Terrence Nunn, sr.; Maurice Purify, sr.
In the mix: Frantz Hardy, sr.; Dan Erickson, sr.; Nate Swift, jr.; Todd Peterson, jr.; Menelik Holt, so.; Chris Brooks, so.; Wes Cammack, so.; Will Henry, rfr.
Newcomers: Curenski Gilleylen, fr.; Niles Paul, fr.
The skinny: Wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore expressed concern during the spring about dropped passes. He said Purify was among the few receivers who caught the ball consistently. But Purify’s summer conditioning efforts were waylaid by two arrests, so it will be interesting to see how well he comes back. He has been suspended from the opener. Meanwhile, quarterback Sam Keller says he developed good chemistry with Peterson.
I-backs/fullbacks
Starter returning: Marlon Lucky, jr. I-back (six games)
In the mix: Cody Glenn, jr., I-back; Major Culbert, so., I-back; Matt Senske, sr., fullback; Andy Sand, sr., fullback; Thomas Lawson, jr., fullback; Justin Makovicka, rfr., fullback.
Newcomers: Marcus Mendoza, I-back, fr.; Roy Helu, I-back, fr.; Quentin Castille, I-back, fr.
The skinny: Lucky may be poised for a breakout year. He received the majority of the carries throughout the spring before suffering a sprained ligament in his left knee late in the Spring Game. He said last week he has fully recovered. Meanwhile, Glenn has made a strong recovery from a right foot injury that dates to last November, said running backs coach Randy Jordan. The race for playing time at fullback appears to be wide-open in the wake of Dane Todd’s graduation.
Quarterbacks
Starter returning: None.
In the mix: Sam Keller, sr.; Joe Ganz, jr.; Beau Davis, jr.
Newcomers: Zac Lee, so.; Patrick Witt, fr.
The skinny: Coach Bill Callahan said he won’t name a starter until a week before the Sept. 1 opener against Nevada. Keller and Ganz are regarded as clear front-runners. Keller, who transferred from Arizona State last August, possesses a stronger arm and better physical tools overall, but Ganz has become a respected veteran on the team and has an exceptionally strong grasp of the offense. Junior college transfer Lee may have the strongest arm of anybody in camp.
Punters/kickers
Starter returning: Dan Titchener, jr., punter.
In the mix: Jake Wesch, jr., place-kicker; Alex Henery, rfr., place-kicker.
Newcomer: Adi Kunalic, fr., place-kicker.
The skinny: Titchener, who last season averaged 39.3 yards per punt, is the only punter listed in the Huskers’ preseason media guide. Redshirt freshman Michael Such, who averaged 48.4 yards on seven punts in the Spring Game, recently transferred to Tulsa. Wesch handled kickoff duties much of the time during the past two seasons but has never attempted a field goal or extra-point kick in a game. NU needs to improve its length on kickoffs because they have been pushed back 5 yards to the 30-yard line.
Defensive line
Starters returning: None.
In the mix: Ndamukong Suh, so., nose tackle; Ty Steinkuhler, jr., defensive tackle; Barry Turner, jr., open end; Zach Potter, jr., base end; Brandon Johnson, sr., nose tackle; Clayton Sievers, jr., open end; Pierre Allen, rfr., base end; Seth Jensen, rfr., defensive tackle.
Newcomers: Shukree Barfield, jr., nose tackle; Jared Crick, fr., base end; Kevin Dixon, jr., defensive tackle; Terrence Moore, fr., defensive tackle; William Yancy, fr., open end.
The skinny: This position has the most question marks of any on the team but with some potentially good answers. Suh, in particular, could be the cornerstone of a defensive line that’s replacing four starters. Steinkuhler will play inside but also will see time at base defensive end. Turner missed all of spring because of shoulder surgery but will battle Sievers at open defensive end. Barfield and Dixon are jucos who look to provide depth along the interior.
Linebackers
Starters returning: Bo Ruud, sr.; Corey McKeon, sr.
In the mix: Steve Octavien, sr.; Lance Brandenburgh, sr.; Phillip Dillard, so.; Nick Covey, so.
Newcomers: Blake Lawrence, fr.; Austin Stafford, fr.
The skinny: This figures to be a good group. It could be an exceptionally good group if the oft-injured Octavien fulfills expectations of being a havoc-wreaking, play-making linebacker. He’ll play the WILL position, but look for him to come off the edge in the nickel package. Ruud transitioned to SAM linebacker in the spring and replaces Stewart Bradley. McKeon, the emotional leader of the group, returns at MIKE, and Brandenburgh is experienced at all three spots. Dillard, who missed all but one game last year with a knee injury, is healthy and will rotate at MIKE on short-yardage plays.
Cornerbacks
Starters returning: Cortney Grixby, sr.; Andre Jones, sr.
In the mix: Zackary Bowman, sr.; Anthony West, rfr.
Newcomers: Armando Murillo, jr.; Anthony Blue, fr.; Shawn Sullivan, fr.; Prince Amukamara, fr.
The skinny: The million-dollar question: When will Bowman return? The 10 million-dollar question: Will he be the same player after suffering two knee injuries? The general timeline seems to be a late-September return for Bowman, whose most recent setback was a ruptured patellar tendon during the spring. Nebraska’s success at cornerback figures to hinge on Bowman’s health, although coaches were impressed in the spring with Murillo, a juco transfer with big-play ability.
Safeties
Starter returning: Tierre Green, sr.
In the mix: Bryan Wilson, sr.; Rickey Thenarse, so.; Ben Eisenhart, sr., Eric Hagg, fr.
Newcomers: Larry Asante, jr.; Latravis Washington, fr.
The skinny: Asante, a juco transfer, turned some heads in the spring and could give a play-making spark to Nebraska’s secondary at strong safety. Developing younger players, like Thenarse, a converted cornerback, is key. Coaches have also been pleased with Wilson at free safety.
- RB Jonas Gray, the #1 player in Michigan commits to Nebraska.
Wow, what a 2008 class Callahan is accumulating. The top players in Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, and Iowa have all committed for 2008. Say what you want about Billy C, but he is doing an excellent job at re-stocking the cupboard with top-tier talent. And in his own backyard, a place where Nebraska dominated for many years with Tom Osborne, but fell off with Frankie baby. Looks like they're trying to get back to that level.
Detroit RB to sign on with Huskers
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Friday, Aug 03, 2007 - 10:24:10 pm CDT
Scanning Nebraska’s 2008 football recruiting class, running back Jonas Gray of suburban Detroit sees much promise, particularly on his side of the line.
“The thing that definitely impresses me is the o-line class,” Gray said. “That was the biggest thing to me, and also having Blaine Gabbert in there.”
Nebraska to this point has attracted verbal commitments for 2008 from a pair of four-star offensive linemen (Bryce Givens and Dan Hoch) and another with the maximum five stars next to his name (Baker Steinkuhler of Lincoln). The class also features a pledge from one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in Gabbert.
Friday, Gray entered the picture.
Saying Nebraska’s glorious football tradition played a prominent part in his decision, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Gray gave the Huskers his verbal commitment, announcing the decision before about 50 people in Country Day High School’s commons area.
Rated by Rivals.com as the nation’s No. 4 running back and No. 10 by Scout.com, Gray narrowed his final list to Michigan State and Nebraska. He received scholarship offers from several other schools, including Michigan, Florida, Louisville, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“Just the overall tradition of winning on and off the field — the excellence and tradition were my main reasons for choosing Nebraska,” Gray said. “Also, when I went there (to Nebraska last month), I just kind of got a gut feeling. I was looking for that gut feeling every place I went to.
“I said if I got that gut feeling, I would probably cut my decision early. I heard from many recruits that once you go to Nebraska, it is not like no other place, and they were exactly right.”
Gray said he didn’t feel pressure to attend Michigan or Michigan State.
However, “There were definitely a lot of people who wanted that to happen, just to be able to see me play,” he said.
Ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 1 prospect in Michigan, Gray helped lead Country Day to an 8-3 record last season by rushing for 1,252 yards and 19 touchdowns. In nine games as a sophomore, Gray ran for 797 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Rivals.com rates him as the nation’s No. 47 prospect overall, and the two major recruiting services both made him a four-star prospect. He reportedly has run the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds.
“Jonas has a unique combination — speed and power,” said Country Day coach Dan MacLean. “He’s strong and well-built. And to this point, he hasn’t done a ton of weightlifting, so he can get even stronger. He can break tackles, get into the second level (of the defense) and go the distance. He has sprinter’s speed.”
Said Gray: “I have a lot of explosion and a lot of speed and also a lot of toughness. It’s definitely what these guys need, a little bit of toughness and explosion and excitement as well.”
This season, Nebraska will be led at I-back by juniors Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn. Senior Kenny Wilson, part of a four-man rotation last season, will sit out this season with a leg injury, but plans to redshirt and hopes to return in 2008. Also in the current mix is sophomore Major Culbert, a converted safety, plus true freshmen Marcus Mendoza, Quentin Castille and Roy Helu.
Collins Okafor, a three-star recruit from Omaha Westside, is the only other running back who has pledged to Nebraska’s class of 2008.
“I think I’ll come in and compete for the starting job,” Gray said. “My freshman year, if I don’t win the starting job, it’ll be great to learn under somebody like Cody Glenn or Marlon Lucky, and then eventually try to take over the starting spot as a sophomore and have three great years.”
Gray leaned toward Florida early in the recruiting process. Later on, however, Michigan State moved to the forefront. But Nebraska ultimately prevailed in picking up Gray’s verbal commitment. Such commitments become binding when recruits sign national letters of intent in February.
Outside linebacker Kenny Demens, a four-star teammate of Gray’s at Country Day, also has Nebraska on his final list of schools. As Gray was making his announcement Friday, Demens was visiting the Michigan campus.
“I’m going to work on him,” Gray said. “I’ll make sure I get him on my team.”
Gray became the 20th player known to have committed to Nebraska’s class of 2008.
- Some quotes from heavy metal rocker/former top QB recruit for Nebraska, who is now out east at NC State trying to win the QB job.
From NC States site.
Sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck transferred into NC State last year after a spending his freshman season at Nebraska. How does the weather in Lincoln, Neb., compare to Raleigh?
"The heat in the Midwest is a little different because it's like a 105-degree dry heat," Beck said. "Here it's real humid so you sweat a lot more here than you do at Nebraska. The thing about Nebraska is you go out there in the heat but you might be sweating that much, so you don't think you are as thirsty as you really are. It's different.
I don't know I think Nebraska heat is worse. I kind of like to sweat, get a good sweat in and the body heats up a little better."
There is another big difference between Nebraska and NC State.
"I think when you look at Nebraska their football is a little different," Beck said. "I mean that's all they have in the state. There is a media out there that stretches the whole side of the football field. It's more of a circus over there than it is here. It's a different approach in styles. Coach [Bill] Callahan is a little more in your face and a little more trying to pressure you and stuff, and here they are just trying to set it up for you to play football and make everything easy for you."
- Mack gets tough.
Brown suspends UT pair for arrests
03:33 AM CDT on Monday, August 6, 2007
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
E-mail chipbrown@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN – Texas coach Mack Brown on Sunday suspended sophomore linebacker Sergio Kindle of Woodrow Wilson and junior defensive end Henry Melton of Grapevine for three games after both were charged with driving while intoxicated this summer.
The suspensions represent what Brown hopes is the end of a summer of negative news made by players off the field. Brown said a "zero-tolerance" policy resulted in the three-game suspensions, whereas in the past the players might have missed only one game.
Kindle and Melton will be required to perform community service and meet with a mother whose child was crippled by a drunk driver. They will not be with the team for its first three games, against Arkansas State (Sept. 1), TCU (Sept. 8) and at Central Florida (Sept. 15).
"Obviously, this penalizes our team, because both guys are really good football players," Brown said. "But with the problems we have with drunk driving and with drugs in our society right now, we thought it was a great opportunity for our team to stand up against both of those actions.
"It's a time where I need to stand up as a head coach and take responsibility for anything that's negative, be a strong leader, send a strong message and move forward with our football team."
Over the past two months, five arrests have brought negative attention to UT. The most recent came last week, when freshman Parade All-American defensive tackle Andre Jones joined former Texas safety Robert Joseph in being charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The two are accused of breaking into an east Austin apartment July 27 and stealing cash, cell phones and video game equipment.
Joseph was kicked off the team after being charged June 9 with two counts of burglary of a vehicle. Jones is suspended indefinitely. Both men remain in the Travis County Jail.
What was supposed to be a routine press conference Sunday about the start of fall camp today turned into a cross-examination of Brown and several of his senior leaders about the character of the UT program.
"Most of our issues have been with younger players who were not on the national championship team [in 2005]," Brown said. "That's why our slogan for the year is going to be 'Earn The Right.' Because some people seem to be taking advantage of being at the University of Texas on a great team without taking advantage of it the right way."
Senior defensive tackle Derek Lokey, from Denton Ryan, said there is no character crisis at Texas.
"There are so many guys here who do the right things," Lokey said. "So it's disappointing when the actions of a few represent the whole like that."
Senior defensive tackle Frank Okam, from Lake Highlands, said senior leaders began meeting with younger players shortly after Melton's DWI arrest June 1. Kindle's DWI arrest came July 28.
"This will bring us closer together," Okam said. "It already has."
Brown said he wonders if some off-the-field incidents are tied to freshmen being allowed to enroll in summer school before their first season, when the head coach and position coaches are prohibited from contact with players.
"We have always told our kids we are the most scrutinized or among the most scrutinized programs in the country, and if you do something wrong, it will be public," Brown said. "And I think that's a good thing. If you're doing something wrong, it should be public and there should be punishment."
Brown said there would be no team punishment for the actions of those arrested this summer.
"Our team is punished by negative publicity and by young guys who will no longer be playing," he said. "But to punish players who have done the right thing for a long time because of the actions of others is pretty unfair, too."
Brown announced that running backs coach Ken Rucker has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery Aug. 27. Rucker, who will return to work during the season, said his cancer was discovered in a routine physical because his PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) was elevated. Doctors have said it was caught early and expect a full recovery.
"I want to be strong at the end of the season," Rucker said. "We expect a great year, and I want to be there at the end of the race."
Brown said receiver Jordan Shipley has aggravated a hamstring injury and will be limited at practice. Offensive guard Cedric Dockery (knee) has been cleared to practice, Brown said.
- Picks O'the Day
Weekend record - 0-0
YTD - 102-87
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