As spring practice ends, some thoughts and observations about the Tigers outlook for 2009, especially with a new coaching staff in place and an upgraded non-conference schedule that includes TCU.
Coaching
This is one of the biggest question marks for me. Love Dabo, but he is unproven. While it's not completely fair to judge him solely by what occurred on the field over the final 7 games last year, there are definitely things that need to be improved upon, namely the timing and tempo of the offense, getting plays in quickly, efficient use of timeouts and better play calling.
While the defense has upgraded the staff with veteran, proven hires (Kevin Steele, Dan Pearman, Charlie Harbison, Dan Brooks), the offensive staff remained largely intact since Dabo took over the team in October. The biggest questions center on Dabo himself and 29 year old Billy Napier as the OC. Both are unproven and untested.
Quarterback
Both Willy Korn and Kyle Parker have shown they can play the position at this level, albeit in the spring. Parker seems to have pulled ahead in the last week of the spring. My guess is that both get significant and meaningful snaps early in the year. Parker has the stronger arm, but Korn has touch and is a better runner.
Whichever, QB goes under center (or in the shotgun) on September 5 is not going to have much, if any, experience - Korn has 100+ snaps over two seasons, while Parker is a redshirt Freshman. Inexperience will play a huge role here.
Running Back
C.J. Spiller. Enough said. All reports have been favorable on Jamie Harper (lost 20 lbs) and Andre Ellington appears to be developing into the "next C.J. Spiller". Behind Spiller there is little experience with Harper and Ellington.
Rendrick Taylor, all 260 lbs of him, has shown a capability to pick up some tough yards, which is something this team has missed the last few years. How many carries he gets is debatable.
Offensive Line
This group should be improved, but being improved when you aren't very good is relative. I think there are still some weak links here and that doesn't bode well for the Tigers offense in '09. Having a quarterback that is not a statue will help.
Receivers
Jacoby Ford needs to have a huge year. Another big question mark is who is going to replace Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham. Though several players had their moments, no one jumped out as likely candidates. My guess is that RS Freshmen Jaron Brown and Brandon Ford step up at some point in the season, but that's just a guess as I have never seen them under game conditions. Neither has played a down of college football.
Defense
A lot less worries on this side of the ball, mainly because of the returning players and solid coaching staff.
The defensive line is talented, but thin. Rennie Moore, Jamie Cumbie, DaQuan Bowers and Miguel Chavis all had good springs. Add in Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson, plus Rickey Sapp returning from injury and you have to be encouraged.
I expect a big jump in linebacker play with Steele on the staff, though the type of linebacker Vic Koenning recruited is not the same as Steele prefers.
The defensive backs seem to be in good shape, but one area of concern is the safety position opposite DeAndre McDaniel. I don't care how well you tell me Sadat Chambers played this spring. I think this is a weak link in the defensive backfield.
All in all though, I would expect another defense in the top 20 range, with more pressure put on the quarterback due to Steele's philosophy versus that of Koenning.
Kicking
Huge concerns here as both Buccholz and Maners have departed. Richard Jackson and Spencer Benton have been inconsistent in the spring on placements while Dawson Zimmerman is the lead horse for the punting job.
Benton has grown more consistent as the spring wore on and I am guessing he beats out Jackson, though Jackson may be the designated long-field goal kicker with his strong leg. This is an area that could cost the Tigers this year.
Zimmerman, who punted 12 times as a true freshman last year, should be serviceable as a punter.
Overall
The Tigers have some major holes. A definite winning season took a slight detour when it was announced that TCU would replace Idaho who had replaced Central Michigan on the schedule. Another schedule wrench was thrown in when the ACC in its infinite wisdom decided that Clemson and Georgia Tech would play in Atlanta on the Thursday after the opening weekend.
The Tigers non-conference schedule has been upgraded (Middle Tennessee (beat Maryland last year), TCU, Coastal Carolina, and South Carolina) and Miami replaced Duke on the conference schedule. So, on paper at least, the schedule is more difficult.
Add all that in with a rookie head coach and offensive coordinator, inexperienced quarterbacks and receivers, along with a shaky offensive line and you have a recipe for a season similar to last years. The big question is can the change in attitude and toughness (I'll believe it when I see it) make the difference in so many close games that the Tigers have lost over the last few years.
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