Tuesday August 25, 2009

Offensive Depth Chart Notes

Offensive Depth Chart Notes
Sunday the sports information office released the first official depth chart of the season. There were a couple of surprises but I just wanted to review the depth chart as the Tigers head into the final preparations for the season opener. Tomorrow we will look at the defense but for today, here are a few thoughts about the offense:

Offensive Line
LT-61 CHRIS HAIRSTON 6-7 325 *Jr.
79 Phillip Price 6-6 265 *So.

LG-65 THOMAS AUSTIN 6-4 310 *Gr.
70 Jamarcus Grant 6-5 320 *Sr.

C-62 MASON CLOY 6-4 310 *So.
55 Dalton Freeman 6-5 280 *Fr.

RG-74 ANTOINE McCLAIN 6-6 320 So.
73 David Smith 6-5 290 *So.

RT-76 CORY LAMBERT 6-6 300 *Sr.
72 Landon Walker 6-6 305 *So.

Offensive Line Notes: This is a unit that is more experienced and more mature than last year’s group. Hairston is a talent but depth is a concern at left tackle. If an injury occurred there, Lambert would have to move over and that did not work last season. Right tackle looks like a shared role but Lambert is still ahead of the incumbent Walker. Hairston, Lambert and Walker give the staff three options and even though Price is listed as a back up, I think Grant would be the fourth tackle. There are depth issues here and J.K. Jay’s injury is a bigger deal because of the depth concerns. At guard, Austin is an NFL prospect and some think McClain may eventually be better. I think a healthy David Smith is a pretty good third option at guard. I am a little concerned after him though. The battle at center was won by Cloy. Freeman is talented but experience won out here. Danny Pearman will improve this unit but his influence will be more evident in time.

Tight End, Full Back, H-Back
TE-86 MICHAEL PALMER 6-5 260 Sr.
83 Dwayne Allen 6-4 255 *Fr.
82 Durrell Barry 6-4 250 *Gr.

FB/TE
5 RENDRICK TAYLOR 6-2 265 *Sr.
30 Chad Diehl 6-2 255 *So.

Tight End Notes:This is a pretty deep and talented grouping. Palmer had a very good camp and could have a breakout season. Allen has a ton of talent but has to become more consistent. Barry is a weapon down field. Taylor is a beast that the staff will incorporate into the gameplan. I still think Diehl maybe the toughest player on offense and will have a big role. This unit is deep and talented. Their blocking is a huge key to the offense. Also this unit gives the staff some third down and short-yardage options.

Wide Receivers
WR-X-21 XAVIER DYE 6-4 210 Jr.
85 Brandon Clear 6-5 210 *So.
80 Brandon Ford 6-4 210 *Fr.

WR-Z-87 TERRANCE ASHE 6-2 190 *Jr.
81 Jaron Brown 6-2 195 *Fr.
88 Kyle Johnson 6-3 205 *Gr.

WR-A-6 JACOBY FORD 5-10 185 Sr.
26 Marquan Jones 6-0 195 So.

Wide Receiver Notes:There is no doubt that this group is the biggest question mark on the offensive side of the ball. I am still concerned about Jacoby Ford. He has not worked a lot yet and hamstrings can linger. Without his speed, this unit is not the same. Dye has been inconsistent. Clear has been injured. Brandon Ford is a new injury. Ashe is dependable but not special. Brown is inexperienced. Jones has ability but has been a little inconsistent. There are answers among this group because there is talent but inexperience and injuries are a major concern.

Quarterbacks
QB-11 KYLE PARKER 6-1 200 *Fr.
3 Willy Korn 6-2 215 *So.

Quarterback Notes:Parker won the job a little earlier than expected and has gotten the majority of the work with the first team since. His arm strength has been noted but so has his inexperience. Korn should be a solid back up but he says he will play a role in the offense. Anytime you break in a new signal caller there is concern. This is a young group with a freshman starter and a sophomore back up. However, I am more concerned about the protection and the receivers than I am the guys that will be delivering the ball. The plan is to red-shirt true freshman Tajh Boyd so Michael Wade is the number three quarterback.

Running Backs
RB-28 C.J. SPILLER 5-11 195 Sr.
8 Jamie Harper 6-0 230 So.
23 Andre Ellington 5-10 180 *Fr.

Running Back Notes:This is the deepest and most talented group on the offensive side of the ball. Spiller has to be considered the focal point of the offense, especially since Jacoby is hurt. Spiller will touch the ball in several different capacities and the offense will go as far as he can take them. Harper is back healthy and should be a weapon. He has terrific feet for a big back. I look for big things out of him and the explosive red-shirt freshman, Ellington. This group of backs posses power, speed, athleticism and are good receivers out of the backfield. I am looking forward to seeing how their roles will develop as the year progresses. Each has unique abilities but they are versatile enough to be involved in different ways. I am not sure the staff would trade this set of backs for any in the country.

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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
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Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy.