I know we still have a few more guys who are on the fence but when it is all said and done where will the class of 09 be ranked compared to previous classes
...last year, primarily due to 1) Bad coaching, resulting in lousy development, 2) Marginal Conditioning and Strength Training, and 3) Lack of talent in upper classmen. I agree the new strength and conditioning coach and Hevesy, the new OL coach, will both make a difference. There is potential returning, but it must be developed and that doesn't take overnight. Freeman wasn't strong enough to play RT last year, but is getting stronger. Melichar lost a lot of weight last year when he was sick, so his return may have mixed results. He may be in the 2 deep this year, but maybe not. The coaching staff likes the potential of T. Smith, A. Lawrence, and D. Merritt. Hardy also could be very good, but is lobbying to return to defense. They want Saulsberry at 300 pounds and playing RG by fall. He played RT last year at about 280. Both Jackson and Watts need "hardening and development." We know what we have in Brignone and Sherrod, but both will be appreciably better with Malis and Hevesy driving them. Jenkins could also be a major positive surprise. D.J. Looney is tough, but short, maybe less than 6-0. John Paul Alford has two bad knees and may take another year to be 100%, if ever. My hope is that by the time the season starts we have 8 who can compete in the SEC. 3 Tackles, 3 guards, and 2 centers. I won't say we will be "greatly improved," but we will be better.hdghdawg said:I think you, like many others, are basing too much on the Egg Bowl, where the line got devastated. One, Ole Miss's DL was very good, two, they were hot and playing with confidence, three, we had a lame duck coach, four, we weren't motivated in the least for that game, five, Grimes was a bum, six, the Croom Coast Offense blocking schemes sucked and made them think too much.
Remember a couple of things. We have the bodies, we are not hurting for depth and size. Our guys look the part. Let the strength coach work it out. Also remember that Tobias Smith was hurt and was primed to be our starting left guard. Also remember Philip Freeman will be in the mix, when he should have been playing last in another of Croom's dumb decisions. Brignone and Sherrod have NFL talent. Combine that with easier schemes, a REAL line coach in Hevesy, and I think we will see the line GREATLY improve next season.
Not to mention that we did add two solid OL recruits to this class, at least potential wise.
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">48 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Addison Lawrence</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">282</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="odd">Coldwater, MS (Magnolia Heights HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">49 </td> <td class="even player-name">Terrell Johnson</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">LB</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">212</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="even">Cullomburg, AL (Southern Choctaw HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">50 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Mark Brown</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">LB</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-11</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">214</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="odd">Madison, MS (Madison Central)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">52 </td> <td class="even player-name">Karlin Brown</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">LB</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-9</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">195</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L</td> <td class="even">Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">53 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Anthony Strauder</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">292</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Sr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">3L</td> <td class="odd">Natchez, MS (Natchez HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">54 </td> <td class="even player-name">Trevor Stigers</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">DL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">225</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS</td> <td class="even">Ridgeland, MS (Ridgeland HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">55 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Quinton Saulsberry</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">293</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="odd">Coldwater, MS (Independence HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">58 </td> <td class="even player-name">Johnny Carpenter</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">293</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L</td> <td class="even">Citronelle, AL (Citronelle HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">59 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Anthony Bowles</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">SN</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">5-11</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">208</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Sr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="odd">Grenada, MS (Grenada HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">60 </td> <td class="even player-name">Devin Jones</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">DL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">252</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS</td> <td class="even">Olive Branch, MS (DeSoto Central HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">63 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Chris Spencer</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">306</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="odd">Meridian, MS (Meridian HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">64 </td> <td class="even player-name">Mark Lynn</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">LB</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-0</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">210</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="even">Madison, MS (Madison Central HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">65 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Joshua Jackson</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">DL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">308</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS</td> <td class="odd">Canton, MS (Canton HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">66 </td> <td class="even player-name">D.J. Looney</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-1</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">295</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="even">Birmingham, AL (Oak Mountain HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">67 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Tobias Smith</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">328</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS</td> <td class="odd">Columbus, MS (Columbus HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">68 </td> <td class="even player-name">Templeton Hardy</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-3</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">312</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Fr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">HS</td> <td class="even">Como, MS (Lincoln HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">69 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Reggie Odom</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">DL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-0</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">300</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="odd">Deland, FL (Deland HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">70 </td> <td class="even player-name">J.C. Brignone</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-1</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">292</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L</td> <td class="even">Pass Christian, MS (St. Stanislaus HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">72 </td> <td class="odd player-name">John McMillian</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">285</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">SQ</td> <td class="odd">Paragould, AR (Paragould HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">73 </td> <td class="even player-name">Dakota Merritt</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">302</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="even">Cantonment, FL (West Florida Tech)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">74 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Mark Melichar</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">294</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L</td> <td class="odd">Birmingham, AL (Oak Mountain HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">75 </td> <td class="even player-name">Craig Jenkins</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">313</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">2L</td> <td class="even">Pearl, MS (Pearl HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">76 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Phillip Freeman</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-6</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">297</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Jr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">TR</td> <td class="odd">Wesson, MS (Copiah-Lincoln [MS] CC)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">77 </td> <td class="even player-name">Sam Latham</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-2</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">271</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RFr.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">RS</td> <td class="even">Cordova, TN (Briarcrest HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="odd shirt-number" align="right">78 </td> <td class="odd player-name">Michael Gates</td> <td class="odd player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="odd player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-4</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">310</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">Sr.</td> <td class="odd" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">3L</td> <td class="odd">Fairburn, GA (Sandy Creek HS)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="even shirt-number" align="right">79 </td> <td class="even player-name">Derek Sherrod</td> <td class="even player-position" nowrap="nowrap" align="left">OL</td> <td class="even player-height" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">6-5</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">303</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">So.</td> <td class="even" nowrap="nowrap" align="middle">1L</td> <td class="even">Columbus, MS (Caledonia HS)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>Mutt the Hoople said:Our offensive line was an abomination last year, yet Mullen did NOTHING to address this issue. So what if State has great skill position people coming, if the Qb keeps running for his life and the line play continues to look like one of those Pop Warner games where one team is super good and the other team is super bad and every play looks like a QB pile-on.
Jackie Sherrill had winning seasons here with decent running backs, mediocre receivers, and sorry quarterbacks simply because he had a dominant offensive line. Why is it that Croom, and now Mullen, don't see that?
Mullen needs to use whatever scholarships left to get linemen.</p>
Word on that, if I hear one more time how this strength coach is far better than anyone we've had, I might lmfao. There's not much you can do different, it's not rocket surgery </div> </div><div class="scrolling"> Here we go with the "better S&C program" crap again. I seem to remember our fan base singing Pollard's praises after we appeared to finish teams off in the fourth quarter of games in 2007. I'm convinced that we could hire a S&C coach who implemented a program of eating Dooey's and playing XBox and stories would immediately get out about how the players were "working harder than ever before," "hurt in places they didn't know existed," and "it would take 5 of the old coach's workouts to amount to one of the new coach's." </div>