HUNTINGTON - With spring football in the books for Marshall, it's time to take a breath, enjoy a little baseball, softball, track and field, etc., and take stock in the Thundering Herd's prospects with 129 long days until opening kickoff at Ohio State.
HUNTINGTON - With spring football in the books for Marshall, it's time to take a breath, enjoy a little baseball, softball, track and field, etc., and take stock in the Thundering Herd's prospects with 129 long days until opening kickoff at Ohio State.
It's time for the preseason mags to make their annual attempt at prognostication magic. I'm not sure it takes much to expect them to peg the Thundering Herd fourth in Conference USA's East Division.
I mean, the Herd was 2-13 against Central Florida, Southern Mississippi and East Carolina in the last five years. Yes, a new coach is on board and you can see some reasons for improvement, but respect is earned.
On the other hand, I'm going to giggle at anybody who puts the Herd ahead of Memphis and UAB because ... well, just because.
There are a reasons for the green-clads to be nervous. With that, let's attempt a state of each position, ranked from strongest to most worrisome.
1. Running back - When Essray Taliaferro gets a whole bunch of reps, that's a sign the coaches are well pleased with Martin Ward and Andre Booker. They should be - either one could contest for all-conference honors, if the line provides any blocking (see item No. 9).
In my book, Booker is the top return threat, even if Troy Evans strings together a few minutes of good health.
2. Linebacker - Mario Harvey is a possible defensive player of the year, Kellen Harris is solid in the middle and there are enough scholarship players to fill three strings. But does this unit have high-quality depth?
And will Devin Arrington keep the strong-side position after Howard King's knee injury? Will the position be an asset or a liability?
3. Defensive line - Watching John Youboty get one-upped by James Rouse, then get injured, is either eye-popping or disappointing. But it could be temporary.
Whatever the case, the end position opposite Vinny Curry needs to be productive. DeMetrius Thompson returned from an early-spring injury, and always gets tougher to rule out.
If Delvin Johnson returns to full strength and fulfills any of his potential, the tackle spots are deep and solid. Michael Janac and Johnny Jones can be beasts, but can they do it every week?
4. Tight end - Tough call, considering Lee Smith is the team's top NFL prospect, Jamie Hatten is turning into a bruiser and Billy Mitchell flashed some Cody Slate-like qualities this spring.
Still, you probably don't want to see Smith go down. You want the Hatten/Mitchell hybrid to maintain a supporting role for a year.
5. Quarterback - With a three-way fight looming in the fall with Brian Anderson, A.J. Graham and Willy Korn, should I bask in tranquility or should I remember that cliché - if you have three quarterbacks, you don't have any?
I'm not sure who starts against Ohio State, or who finishes as starter, but this may work out for the Herd.
HUNTINGTON - With spring football in the books for Marshall, it's time to take a breath, enjoy a little baseball, softball, track and field, etc., and take stock in the Thundering Herd's prospects with 129 long days until opening kickoff at Ohio State.
It's time for the preseason mags to make their annual attempt at prognostication magic. I'm not sure it takes much to expect them to peg the Thundering Herd fourth in Conference USA's East Division.
I mean, the Herd was 2-13 against Central Florida, Southern Mississippi and East Carolina in the last five years. Yes, a new coach is on board and you can see some reasons for improvement, but respect is earned.
On the other hand, I'm going to giggle at anybody who puts the Herd ahead of Memphis and UAB because ... well, just because.
There are a reasons for the green-clads to be nervous. With that, let's attempt a state of each position, ranked from strongest to most worrisome.
1. Running back - When Essray Taliaferro gets a whole bunch of reps, that's a sign the coaches are well pleased with Martin Ward and Andre Booker. They should be - either one could contest for all-conference honors, if the line provides any blocking (see item No. 9).In my book, Booker is the top return threat, even if Troy Evans strings together a few minutes of good health.
2. Linebacker - Mario Harvey is a possible defensive player of the year, Kellen Harris is solid in the middle and there are enough scholarship players to fill three strings. But does this unit have high-quality depth?And will Devin Arrington keep the strong-side position after Howard King's knee injury? Will the position be an asset or a liability?
3. Defensive line - Watching John Youboty get one-upped by James Rouse, then get injured, is either eye-popping or disappointing. But it could be temporary.Whatever the case, the end position opposite Vinny Curry needs to be productive. DeMetrius Thompson returned from an early-spring injury, and always gets tougher to rule out.
If Delvin Johnson returns to full strength and fulfills any of his potential, the tackle spots are deep and solid. Michael Janac and Johnny Jones can be beasts, but can they do it every week?
4. Tight end - Tough call, considering Lee Smith is the team's top NFL prospect, Jamie Hatten is turning into a bruiser and Billy Mitchell flashed some Cody Slate-like qualities this spring.Still, you probably don't want to see Smith go down. You want the Hatten/Mitchell hybrid to maintain a supporting role for a year.
5. Quarterback - With a three-way fight looming in the fall with Brian Anderson, A.J. Graham and Willy Korn, should I bask in tranquility or should I remember that cliché - if you have three quarterbacks, you don't have any?I'm not sure who starts against Ohio State, or who finishes as starter, but this may work out for the Herd.
I chalk up Anderson's late 2009 slump on lack of a quarterback coach, at least in part. Graham really had a good spring, coming along as far as anybody on the team. Korn is a former Clemson starter who is transferring without penalty and has a really cool name.
6. Wide receivers - Ah, a typical Marshall unit. Lots of great potential running lots of nice routes, but what do you really have come game time? A golden opportunity for freshmen such as Fred Pickett, Jazz King and Gator Hoskins.I'm on the Aaron Dobson bandwagon. Courtney Edmonson gets a mulligan after injury robbed a potentially good first senior year. Chuck Walker and Antavious Wilson have experience. Troy Evans has flashed promise, but is injured more often than not. Tavaris Thompson and Wayne Bonner salvaged their careers this spring.
I could get more excited if these guys could catch more passes and drop fewer. I think coach Doc Holliday has a similar opinion.
"All the receivers, they make a play and then they turn around and drop a couple, and that can't happen," Holliday said.
7. Safeties - Is Brian Robinson worth those four stars bestowed by Rivals? That's no small question.This unit has a good Brown-bag duo of Omar and Donald, and Kevin Perry is a capable nickel back. But after that, avert your eyes.
8. Cornerbacks - It will help if DeQuan Bembry makes the most of his fourth chance (OK, second under Holliday). It will help if D.J. Wingate stays at full steam after missing some early spring practices. Ahmed Shakoor is experienced and Rashad Jackson is spirited if not tall (5-foot-9).I'd like to see more of Monterius Lovett, as well.
9. Offensive line - The return of center John Bruhin and guards Ryan Tillman and Chad Schofield are as critical as any issue on this team. These warriors should answer the bell in August, but you never let a lineman's maladies get out of your heads.In their absence, Alex Schooler had a good spring as a freshman, maybe good enough to get ahead of fellow guard Landis Provancha in the pecking order. Chris Bowers is still a No. 3 center, but one with mounting experience.
Another worry: Tackles Brandon Campbell and C.J. Wood have been almost taken for granted this spring. The Herd will want to keep them upright for 12 games.
How many of these guys will the new coaching staff trust in a foxhole? I'm guessing six, maybe seven at the moment. Junior college transfer Randy Richards has a golden opportunity.
And now, Herd fans have four months of excited, yet nervous, anticipation.
Reach Doug Smock at 304-348-5130 or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.
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