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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

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.

Comments:

I really hope the O-line is better than last year. But the same things are being said this year as last, about how our d-line is unblockable. Last year we heard the same thing and it turned out they were average at best, getting almost zero pressure on opposing QB's. And the O-line was terrible, Tigers had a pitiful 3.7 yds per rush average. Thats pathetic when you look at who was RB's last year. Only dook and wf had worst yds per rush average. Also, the o-line nearly got cullen harper killed with their pass blocking skills. If we are going to be any better this year it'll all start with both lines.

Posted by DV_1981 on August 25, 2009 at 02:04 PM EDT #

Mickey:

From the fan's perspective, it seemed like the offense in recent years not only lacked a few important pieces ( offensive line ), but also you couldn't tell that a consistent offensive plan was in place. Even with the question marks on offense for this 2009 team, do you think us fans will be able to see that a plan is in place to consistenly move us in the right direction? In the past, the fans lost confidence in the coaching staff because there did not seem to be a winning plan for long term success. For example, the previous staff did not seem to think it was important to eat up the clock with long, sustained drives. We had way too many 3-and-outs, causing our D to spend too much time on the field, leading to exhaustion by the fourth quarter. We can put up with youthful mistakes, but we need to become believers in a winning plan for the offense. What do you think?

Posted by EGTiger83 on August 25, 2009 at 02:09 PM EDT #

Mickey:

Posted by EGTiger83 on August 25, 2009 at 02:28 PM EDT #

OL and more specifically OT has been an issue for over a decade, at LEAST from a depth standpoint in the good years and at MOST talent and depth in bad years.

Year after year we move guys to guard, move them back and forth, and under recruit tackle. Then we hear excuses like "well this guy didn't pan out" or "this guy never made it in school", well you have to account for those things in your recruiting numbers and factor in attrition. You also need to be recruiting NOW for 3 years down the road, not for the coming season. You don't want true freshman being relied on in developmental positions such as OL.

We brought in only 2 total OL in Hairstons class and one no longer plays (Medlin) and we brought in only 2 last year (Jay and Thomas). You NEVER bring in only 2 OL in ANY class. Don't believe me? Look at the last 15 years and get back to me.

Posted by truetiger1998 on August 25, 2009 at 02:31 PM EDT #

OL and more specifically OT has been an issue for over a decade, at LEAST from a depth standpoint in the good years and at MOST talent and depth in bad years.

Posted by truetiger1998 on August 25, 2009 at 02:39 PM EDT #

I agree with the other posters that the main concern is the offensive line. How important is it? JD is pushing for a starting job in the NFL, and we were almost last in the ACC in rushing last year.

Posted by Locotiger on August 25, 2009 at 05:49 PM EDT #

Last year OL issues. This year OL issues. It has been an onging and tiresome pattern

Posted by 74TIGER on August 25, 2009 at 08:15 PM EDT #

Mickey,

Can you share your concerns regarding David Smith? He was high on everyone's list last year and now he's barely mentioned

Posted by bc on August 25, 2009 at 09:02 PM EDT #

I hope I'm wrong, but Brad Scott may be the problem with the OL. It could have been Spence, but the toughness, aggression and attitude come from the position coach most of the time. If our OL isn't better, much better, BS needs to go, and we need to get somebody who can get it done.

Posted by Dugatiger on August 25, 2009 at 09:41 PM EDT #