|
WR
Chris Collins |
|
2002
Statistics
|
Coach:
David Cutcliffe
30-19,
5 years |
2002
Record: 7-6
|
|
LOUISIANA-MONROE |
WON
31-3 |
MEMPHIS |
WON
38-16 |
at
Texas Tech |
LOST
28-42 |
VANDERBILT |
WON
45-38 |
FLORIDA |
WON
17-14 |
ARKANSAS
STATE |
WON
52-17 |
at
Alabama |
LOST
7-42 |
at
Arkansas |
LOST
28-48 |
AUBURN |
LOST
24-31 |
at
Georgia |
LOST
17-31 |
at
Louisiana State |
LOST
13-14 |
MISSISSIPPI
STATE |
WON
24-12 |
INDEPENDENCE
BOWL
|
Nebraska |
WON
27-23 |
|
2002 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2003
Outlook
|
The
first big victory of 2003 for David Cutcliffe
and Ole Miss came Jan. 15, when the deadline
for underclassmen to declare for the draft
came and went without Eli Manning putting
his name in the lottery. Manning's presence
means that this team has almost everything
it needs to compete in the SEC West, which
will once again be anybody's to win (but,
surprisingly, to be the tougher, more competitive
division.)
The
Rebels went through their 2002 growing pains,
showing flashes of ability - the 17-14 win
over Florida - and inconsistency - five
straight SEC losses in October and November.
The team did seem to take one final step
forward, beating archrival Mississippi State
and still-potent Nebraska in its final two
games. With Manning back on the roster and
intent on proving himself, the Rebels should
take further steps.
Ole
Miss returns 12 starters from last season,
but bids farewell to most of its best players,
with the exception of Manning. Four Rebels
were second-team All-SEC selections - Manning
and Chris Collins return. The losses of
Claxton, Grier, and Von Hutchins will present
a challenge. However, the Rebels have capable
young players ready to step up in all three
positions, and will be even more potent
on offense in 2003 than they were last season.
Apart
from road trips to Florida and Auburn, most
of the season's toughest tests will come
at home - Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, and Texas
Tech highlight the list of visitors to Vaught-Hemingway
Stadium. That advantage, combined with a
weak non-conference slate, means that at
the least, Ole Miss will do no worse than
last season's Independence Bowl finish.
If
Manning can continue maturing at the quarterback
position, the defense can gel quickly with
the addition of 6 new starters, and Tremaine
Turner can be more productive running the
football, the Rebels could be the team to
beat in the SEC West. That's a lot of ifs.
Instead, look for Ole Miss to turn in another
solid 7-5 or possibly 8-4 season in typical
Cutcliffe fashion - losing at least one
game they should win and winning at least
one game they should lose. The running game
will be the challenge, and the difference
in getting that extra win or two.
Projected
2003 record: 8-4
|
|
|
OFFENSIVE
MVP
QB Eli Manning
|
DEFENSIVE
MVP
DE Charlie Anderson
|
TOP
NEWCOMER
CB Bryan Brown
|
|
|
|
MISSISSIPPI
*POWER RATINGS
|
Offense
|
Defense
|
QB
- 4.5 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 2.5 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 2.5 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS
|
Passing:
Eli Manning, 481-279-15, 3401 yds., 21 TD's
Rushing: Ronald McClendon, 96 att.,
378 yds., 3 TD's
Receiving: Chris Collins, 55 rec.,
812 yds., 10 TD's
Scoring: Jonathan Nichols, 15-20
FG, 40-40 PAT, 85 pts.
Punting: Cody Ridgeway, 67 punts,
42.4 avg.
Kicking: Jonathan Nichols, 15-20
FG, 40-40 PAT, 85 pts.
Tackles: Eric Oliver, 129 tot., 80
solo
Sacks: Charlie Anderson, 3.5 sacks
Interceptions: Von Hutchins, 6 for
28 yds.
Kickoff returns: Ronald McClendon,
15 ret., 16.8 avg.
Punt returns: Mike Espy, 4 ret.,
7.0 avg.
|
|
|
WS
Von Hutchins |
|
|
|
MISSISSIPPI |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7
|
----RETURNING
STARTERS----
|
DEFENSE
- 8
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
Jason Armstead-WR, Doug Zeigler-TE, Ben Claxton-C,
Belton Johnson-OT |
DEFENSE:
Yahrek
Johnson-DT, Eddie Strong-MLB, Ryan Hamilton-SLB,
Lanier Goethie-MLB, Matt Grier-SS, Desmon
Johnson-CB, Chris Knight-CB |
|
|
|
2003
OFFENSE
|
written
by Collin Mickle
Junior
quarterback Eli Manning finished second in the
SEC in total offense with 3,401 yards. The Rebels
as a team totaled 4663 yards, meaning that Manning
was responsible for 72.9 percent of the team's
entire offense output. The next-highest total
in the SEC was Florida's Rex Grossman, who contributed
64.3%. Although the Rebels' struggling ground
game can be partially blamed for this remarkable
statistic, Manning deserves plenty of credit for
essentially carrying his team to 7-6 and a bowl
victory.
Manning is entering his third year as the Rebels'
full time starter, and he has grown increasingly
comfortable in the Rebels' pass-happy offense.
He operated the 23rd ranked pass offense, the
brainchild of head coach David Cutcliffe, offensive
coordinator John Latina, and quarterbacks coach
Kurt Roper. The offense plays to Manning's strengths
- accuracy and a quick release - while spreading
the field for the Rebels' speedy wideouts. In
an age of scrambling, multi-threat quarterbacks,
Manning is a relative statue in the pocket, but
the Rebels' quality offensive line has done an
outstanding job of pass protection (17 sacks in
12 games in 2002). Don't discount Manning's savvy
in making that sack total so low.
Latina, who doubles as the team's offensive line
coach, welcomes back an interesting mix of experienced
youth and untested seniority to the o-line mix.
Three starters return from the best 2002 pass-protecting
unit in the SEC. All three - junior guards Doug
Buckles and Marcus Johnson and sophomore left
tackle Tre' Stallings - have at least two seasons
of eligibility remaining.
The Rebels also return a solid group of wide receivers,
headlined by senior Chris Collins and junior Bill
Flowers. Collins was the fifth-leading receiver
in the conference, catching 55 balls for 812 yards
and 10 touchdowns and earning second-team all-SEC
honors, despite starting only two games. Flowers,
the starting split end, also had a productive
season (53, 588, and three scores) as Manning's
second option.
Speedy sophomore Mike Espy (30, 365, and three)
led the team in average yards per reception last
season. Espy is a big play waiting to happen,
and could well be headed for a breakout season
in 2003. Espy could play a major role in the Rebels'
preferred three- and four-wide receiver sets.
The
newcomers on the offensive line are untested and
inexperienced. Senior Justin Sawyer, a three-year
backup with just one start, will have the unenviable
task of replacing center Ben Claxton, who was
a second-team All-SEC selection last season. Senior
Cliff Woodruff is the other new starter, replacing
steady veteran Belton Johnson at right tackle.
The ground game was a major disappointment. Manning
and the passing offense will remain the major
focus, but the running game needs consistent production
for overall offensive success. Tailback Robert
Williams was productive in the early going before
losing his job, first to injuries and then to
discipline (Williams was kicked off the team in
November 2002). Replacements Ronald McClendon,
Tremaine Turner, and Vashon Pearson took turns
rotating in and out of the lineup, but none was
effective. All three return in 2003, with Turner
the early favorite to take the starting job.
Whoever
wins the competition will need to be considerably
improved if Ole Miss is to capitalize on favorable
match-ups created in the passing game. For now,
the running game is Mississippi's most glaring
weakness. The real dilemma is in figuring out
the cause of such a poor ground attack. Was it
the backs or the line? Answering that question
will isolate the true weakness (it will probably
point to both). It will be evident quickly as
the season starts whether this was broken down
and fixed in spring/summer ball. Our guess, as
of now, is that this area will garner much attention
and marginally improve.
|
|
QB
Eli Manning
|
MISSISSIPPI
2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
OFFENSE
|
QB |
Eli
Manning-Sr (6-5,218) |
Micheal
Spurlock-So (5-11, 200) |
FB |
Rick
Razzano-Jr (5-11, 240) |
Lorenzo
Townsend-Jr (6-2, 235) |
RB |
Tremaine
Turner-Sr (5-10, 200) |
Ronald
McClendon-Sr / Vashon Pearson-So |
WR |
Bill
Flowers-Jr (6-1, 193) |
Tay
Biddle-So (6-1, 175) / Kerry Johnson-Jr |
WR |
Chris
Collins-Sr (6-2, 190) |
Mike
Espy-So (6-0, 187) |
TE |
Eric
Rice-Jr (6-3, 230) |
Lawrence
Lilly-Fr (6-4, 265) |
OT |
Tre'
Stallings-So (6-4, 317) |
Bobby
Harris-So (6-4, 315) |
OG |
Doug
Buckles-Jr (6-5, 300) |
James
Campbell-Jr (6-5, 310) |
C |
Justin
Sawyer-Sr (6-3, 315) |
Tony
Bonds-So (6-4, 308) |
OG |
Marcus
Johnson-Jr (6-6, 330) |
Chris
Spencer-So (6-4, 320) |
OT |
Cliff
Woodruff-Sr (6-6, 301) |
Antonio
Sanders-Fr (6-3, 310) |
K |
Jonathan
Nichols-Jr (6-0, 180) |
Lee
Rogers-Sr (5-11, 182) |
|
|
2003
DEFENSE
|
written
by Collin Mickle
The
road to improvement on defense starts up front,
where the defensive line underachieved in 2002.
Three of four starters return. Inside, senior
NT Jesse Mitchell (6-1, 270), despite being undersized,
plays big, as proven with his 11 TFLs in 2002.
Next to Mitchell, sophomore McKinley Boykin will
try to replace gritty, space-eating DT Yahrek
Johnson. Boykin racked up 48 tackles in a reserve
role and has the build (6-2, 285) to clog holes
and free Mitchell to make plays. At defensive
end, junior Josh Cooper and Charlie Anderson both
return. Both players were inconsistent last season.
Both are capable pass rushers (7 and 8.5 sacks,
respectively) but are a little undersized to compete
consistently against the run.
All three starting linebackers are gone, but their
replacements are more than solid. The new starters
- seniors Justin Wade, L.P. Spence, and Travis
Blanchard - have a combined 17 career starts,
all coming in 2002. Wade, who replaces Ryan Hamilton
on the strong side, started the last eight games
of the season at the position and played well,
finishing with 59 tackles. Although Wade is undersized
to play the strong side at 225 pounds, his speed
enables him to work around blockers without having
to fight through them. Spence, who will start
at middle linebacker, played sparingly behind
starter Eddie Strong. Entering his senior season
after a detour through junior college, look for
Spence to break out with a vengeance from the
middle of the Rebels' defense.
The
defensive backfield returns its top player in
free safety Eric Oliver. Oliver led the team with
129 tackles. Corners Hutchins (five INTs) and
Travis Johnson (three) return. Hutchins started
the last three games after switching from rover,
while Johnson replaced starter Chris Knight after
the fifth game. Sophomore Kelvin Robinson, who
played in all 13 games as a reserve, will take
over at rover for Matt Grier. Robinson must grow
up quickly, a tall task in the SEC.
Defensively,
the 2002 Rebels were plagued by inconsistency.
Solid defensive efforts - like the victory over
Florida which held the Gators' to just 14 points
- were overshadowed by disappointing performances
like in their 42-7 loss to Alabama. Ole Miss was
equally inept in finishing seventh in the SEC
in rush defense and eighth in SEC pass defense.
Adding to the difficulty in 2003 will be the departure
of six players who were opening day starters.
The unit will have to adjust to six new faces
in the starting lineup while improving overall
performance. Coordinator Chuck Dreisbach will
have his work cut out for him.
|
|
NT
Jesse Mitchell
|
MISSISSIPPI
2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
DEFENSE
|
DE |
Josh
Copper-Sr (6-4, 245) |
Jayme
Mitchell-So (6-6, 280) |
DT |
Daniel
Booth-Jr (6-4, 281) |
Michael
Bozeman-So (6-2, 290) |
NT |
Jesse
Mitchell-Sr (6-1, 277) |
Mike
Gibson-So (6-2, 290) |
DE |
Charlie
Anderson-Sr (6-4, 240) |
Cory
Robinson-Jr (6-4, 250) |
MLB |
L.P.
Spence-Sr (6-3, 220) |
Jamil
Northcutt-Sr (6-2, 235) |
SLB |
Justin
Wade-Sr (6-3, 225) |
Rob
Robertson-Jr (6-2, 228) |
WS |
Travis
Blanchard-Sr (5-11, 185) |
Wes
Scott-Sr (6-1, 195) |
CB |
Travis
Johnson-So (6-1, 191) |
Bryan
Brown-Fr (5-9, 185) |
CB |
Von
Hutchins-Sr (5-11, 184) |
Bryant
Thomas-So (6-1, 195) |
SS |
Kelvin
Robinson-So (6-1, 215) |
Jeremy
Ruffin-So (6-2, 200) |
FS |
Eric
Oliver-Jr (6-2, 210) |
Tavarus
Horne-Jr (6-0, 203) |
P |
Cody
Ridgeway-Jr (6-1, 190) |
Wesley
Bryan-Jr (6-2, 210) |
|
|
|
2003
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
The
Rebels' special teams return largely intact. Junior
kicker Jonathan Nichols (15-20 on FGAs) was one of the
SEC's better kickers, scoring 85 points. Punter Cory
Ridgeway was a solid performer, averaging 42.4 yards
per kick but, more importantly, dropping 18 punts inside
opponents' 20-yard lines.
Departed Jason Armstead handled both kickoff and punt
return duties, and coaches have not yet designated his
replacement. The coverage units ranked in the bottom
half of the ACC, and the elevation of several backups
to the starting lineup on defense will weaken defensive
depth, especially on special teams.
|
|
QB Eli Manning passed up NFL dollars to come
back and play one more season for his beloved
Rebels- the ole boy truly is Ole Miss. He
looks to take advantage of his final campaign
and has already gotten a jumpstart on a great
senior season with a marvelous spring practice.
He is more focused than he has ever been and
should be in the thick of the Heisman race
all season long. Folks- watch out!
Cutcliffe says the run game has improved but
there is still a good ways to go, in order
for the Rebs to pose an honest ground threat.
Leading the way after spring ball was Turner
and Pearson in respective order. Look for
freshman Dawan Woods to figure into the mix
as well
With Razzano hurt most of the
spring, junior Lorenzo Townsend was able to
take most of the reps at fullback, giving
the Rebels two quality blockers in the backfield
Sophomore WR Mario Hill stepped up in the
absence of starters this spring, giving Manning
just one more weapon to use at his disposal
Lack of depth on the O-line brings reason
for worry, as this unit displayed some growing
pains this spring.
The run defense has gotten better with practice
this spring and, come fall, should be an
improved area on the defense. Leading the
way is fifth year senior Jesse Mitchell,
who displayed not only talent this off-season,
but valued leadership, which can take a
team a little further than talent sometimes.
The D-line is hoping for the return of soph
McKinley Boykin this fall. Boykin, who sat
out the spring due to back problems, was
dubbed as the best defensive lineman of
this group. His return would be greatly
welcomed
LB Rob Robertson was the
most improved player this spring and had
admirable practices, boasting signs of good
things from this side of the ball. Junior
Ken Bournes is another player whom the coaching
staff really likes and hopes he continues
to blossom into a player this off-season.
Jamil Northcutt has also drawn smiles with
his play in the middle
An impact newcomer
in the secondary might be JR SS Iroko Ayodele,
who scattered hits all across the field
this off-season.
There is a bit of concern in the Rebels'
kicking game due to the loss of three-year
snapper A.J. Kiamie. Transitioning a new
deep snapper usually poses concerns against
blocked kicks or botched attempts, especially
early in the season.
|
|
|
|
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