Some early Tuesday morning notes

August 07, 2007

By Drew Champlin

Here’s the story on left tackle Chris Jamison

If you’re a fan of the passing game, remember these two names: Gerald Tate and Kennard Burton. Both will contribute this year. Tate pretty much had a wasted year last year when he played in just five games with a catch and two carries. He was a teammate of Omar Haugabook’s in junior college and apparently he’s got a better grasp of the offense than he did last year. Burton transferred in time for spring ball, but was out of shape and struggled. Now, he’s getting open and catching everything thrown to him. When the first unit went on the field in 11-on-11s, the four wideouts were Tate, Cornelius Williams, Mykeal Terry and Gary Banks. Tate was in Andrew Davis’ place. Davis had to come out with what looked like a minor hip or thigh injury.

Sean Dawkins was at practice and practiced some, but was not in full gear. He worked in the 7-on-7 skel drills. Speaking of that, Haugabook was pretty dead on in that drill from what I saw. I don’t remember too many passes hitting the ground. There’s a lot of depth at the receiver position.

It looks like the two guys vying for the most time behind Dawkins and Kenny Cattouse are now freshman DuJuan Harris and sophomore Xavier Moreland, who moved over from defensive back in the spring to utilize his speed. Stanley Jones, another freshman, was practicing at wide receiver. I’m not sure if that means he’ll play or redshirt but I’m sure they’re just getting different looks at him.

The offensive line went as follows - Chris Jamison at LT, Will Chambliss at LG, Danny Franks at C, Steven Merkel at RG, Dion Small at RT. It seemed like in the 2s, Wes Potter was working at LT, Micah Grimes at LG, Windham Rotunda at C and Tyrell Curtis at RG. Steven Adams and Nic Riley were getting some looks as well. I didn’t notice Jamarr Thompson but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t there.

The front line on defense that I saw was Brandon Lang and Shawn Todd at the ends and Chris Bradwell and Marcus Pittman at the tackles. It looked like the linebackers were Marcus Richardson, Boris Lee and Josh Maxwell. I couldn’t tell who was in the defensive backfield but the top guys there are Leodis McKelvin and Elbert Mack at corner with Terence Moore and Tavares Williams at safety.

Adrian Vera knocked off about a 65-yard punt. Of course it was about two inches away from being blocked, but I have a feeling he’ll be the guy this year. Will Goggans, the true freshman, will get there but he’s not there yet. The last resort is placekicker Greg Whibbs, but he’s got the leg to do it.

A lot more information will be available on Media Day.
I’ll be at the scrimmage Saturday and will do the best I can to provide some live updates for those who aren’t there.

Chris Jamison

August 06, 2007

By Drew Champlin

Got a little feature planned on Chris Jamison for tomorrow. He was a pretty good soccer player when he was younger.

I talked to him before practice. Here’s a couple of quotes that may or may not make it into the story.

On the rest of the offensive line:
“Danny Franks, he’s real good. Dion Small may be the best lineman we’ve got. Steven Merkel, he’s come a long way, and Will Chambliss keeps improving every day.“

At this moment, those are your five starters on the line, from left to right Jamison, Chambliss, Franks, Merkel and Small. Interesting that with all of the guys signed, Small is the only newcomer and he was there in the spring.
On what it’s like being the only returning starter on the offensive line
“It’s different, because I was real close to the guys we lost. At the same time, I think we can be better than we were last year.“
On gelling with the new offensive unit
“It was pretty natural. Last year, everybody was so close as a unit — not just as a starting five. We all love each other.“

On new offensive line coach John Schlarman, who came on board when Matt Moore left for Texas Tech in late spring.
“He never stops running us. It’s a little getting used to, but in this offense, that’s what we do anyway.“

EDIT - earlier I posted Sean Dawkins isn’t practicing. He did partake in some drills, but isn’t in full gear.

Five Freshmen to Watch

By Drew Champlin

Here’s my look at five true freshmen who COULD see early playing time.

1. JERREL JERNIGAN (WR, 5’10, 175) - The converted quarterback has some of the best playmaking ability on the Trojan team. Once he gets the route-running aspect down pat, he’ll be a big-time threat.

2. DUJUAN HARRIS (RB, 5’9, 180) - Speed kills, and offensive coordinator Tony Franklin likes speed. He complimented Harris after the first practice, and with top backs Kenny Cattouse and Sean Dawkins being seniors, Harris should get some touches this year and challenge for the starting job in 2008.

3. STANLEY JONES (RB, 6’1, 190) - Jones isn’t as fast as Harris, but he’s probably tougher to bring down. A shifty back who hails from nearby Dothan, Jones should also see time at running back and potentially on special teams in order to gain experience for the 2008 season.

4. MICAH GRIMES (RT, 6’5, 300) - I list him at right tackle, but who knows where he’ll end up contributing. He’s probably the least likely of thsi five to play this year, as offensive linemen usually redshirt, but coaches have been high on him since he signed, and he was the first true freshman to arrive this summer.

5. LINEBACKER - Take your pick. At least one of these three - Lennie Richardson, Donnell Golden, Xavier Lamb - have a chance to play, especially since Marcus Richardson and Romanique Lewis are seniors.

The first practice in full gear is tonight, and I will be there. I’ll have some more tidbits/quotes throughout the week and plan on a feature on left tackle Chris Jamison for tomorrow’s paper.

Brannon Condren

August 05, 2007

By Drew Champlin

Here’s a little link from the Indy Star on getting to know Brannon Condren.

If you’re interested (as I am), the NFL preseason kicks off tonight with the Steelers and Saints playing at 7 p.m. Unfortunately I don’t have the NFL network but hope to catch some of it on SIRIUS.

Condren’s Colts play Thursday at 7 p.m. CST against the Cowboys on FOX.

Five to step up

By Drew Champlin

Here’s some opinion on a Sunday afternoon. I’ll mention my five guys who need to step up this year for Troy to be successful. These aren’t your normal guys like Omar Haugabook, Gary Banks, Marcus Richardson, but guys who haven’t played as much in their careers until now.

With practice in full gear starting Monday, these guys will get to make their marks.

1 - WILL CHAMBLISS (Jr., LG, 6’6, 292) - Chambliss is in his fourth year with the program following a redshirt. He’s got the tools to be successful (you know, those NFL people like tall offensive linemen with long arms). Not saying he’s NFL-bound, but he was projected as a starter last year before senior James Gardner beat him out after moving over from center. Chambliss practiced most of the spring at left tackle, but switched with Chris Jamison and now leads in the battle to start at left guard. On a line deep in numbers but short in experience at the college level, Chambliss must step up and play like a veteran.

2 - TERENCE MOORE (Jr., SS, 6’3, 215) - That’s some great size for a safety. Moore stepped up last year when he played as a reserve of NFL-bound Brannon Condren, making 23 tackles and getting two interceptions. Now he’s in his first full season as a starter. There’s no reason to think Moore won’t double those numbers as a full-time starter. He’s got a nose for the ball and he can make some plays.

3 - DANNY FRANKS (Soph., C, 6’4, 320) - The listed weight might be a little high for “Big Red” because I think he’s a little slimmer, but the responsibilities have improved. Franks claimed the starting center job in the spring, and that’s the most important position on the offensive line in this offense because he’s the “quarterback” there and he calls the snaps and signals at the line. He started one game last year as a redshirt freshman and played extensively in front of 90,000 at Nebraska, so the masses at Arkansas and Florida might not be as overwhelming.

4 - ADRIAN VERA (Sr., P, 6’2, 215) - This was a position in question a year ago after four-year starter Thomas Olmsted graduated. Jason Wright took over for one season and performed admirably. Vera punted once last year for 27 yards against Nebraska. Coaches have long said Vera has a booming right leg, but struggles to get it off quickly. It’s cool if you can kick it 100 yards, but not if it gets blocked. Special teams always seems to win you an extra game or two or it can come back to bite you in the rear a game or two as well.

5 - CORNELIUS WILLIAMS (Soph., WR, 6’1, 180) - One of the best receivers in Alabama high school history will get his chance to start at the Y position this season for Troy. Williams was spectacular at Hoover and it’s a surprise he didn’t get offers to SEC schools. He played sparingly as a true freshman last year and has been described by offensive coordinator Tony Franklin as a “combine reject,“ but a guy that can do it on the field when it counts. Not the fastest, but gets open, catches the ball, and gets yards after the catch.

NEXT IN LINE

6. - Tanner Jones (QB) - Say what you want about the backup quarterback, but if Haugabook twists an ankle in the third quarter at UL-Lafayette and can’t walk, he’s your man.

7. - Romanique Lewis (OLB) - He’ll finally get a chance to start alongside Boris Lee and Marcus Richardson at linebacker after injuries have hounded him in his first three years.

8. - Steven Merkel (RG) - Scroll back up and read what I wrote about Will Chambliss.

9. - Sean Dawkins (RB) - He’s definitely performed in the past, which is why I didn’t list him above. But he missed last year with a knee injury and must be a compliment to Kenny Cattouse in the run game because after that, it’s just true freshmen.

10. - Sherrod Martin (DT) - He was a starter for two years but missed last year because of two shoulder surgeries. Now he’s back and is the fifth defensive back and could slide into a safety spot. You won’t find many better “fifth defensive backs” in the Sun Belt than him, which is why he must play like it.

TOMORROW - A look at the freshmen (not JUCO transfers) who could play this year. Plus some observations from the first day in full pads.