2004 Statistics

Quarterback
After finishing third to last (out of 117 I-A teams) for its passing numbers, the revamping here can only help. Enter lanky Carl Meadows, an E. Tennessee-transfer who has strong leadership skills, is a quick study, and had a 10:4 TD:INT ratio in his last year as a Buccaneer (which, inconsequently, was ETSU’s last season before folding). Coach Blakeney feels good about Meadows as the starter, but he has the same moniker that most of the now-departed QBs have had – Meadows completes fewer than 50% of his throws. Without quick feet, Meadows will have to improve his aim for Troy to become better offensively. JUCO-transfer Larry Dockery, another junior, is now the backup after spring ball saw the dismissal of (their only 2004 three-star recruit) D.T. McDowell (academics). Dockery fits right in, for he has also struggled to complete at least half his throws, but has impressed Blakeney with his guts and grit. This unit will struggle, but new blood means that any struggles should eventually lead to better team results.

Running Back
Though the marginal nature of the signal calling can only improve what came prior, the outlook for the RBs is much more imperative. Personnel losses to their 44th-ranked ground game mean Troy has to reapproach this unit, too. Junior Sean Dawkins is their most dangerous back, for his ability to play any backfield role makes him an every-down back, despite his FB label. Not a blazer, Dawkins is a heady player who has soft hands and a pension for plowing right over most any-sized foe. Also impressive have been senior Joel Whingter and Kenny Cattouse. Similarly sized, Whingter “sounds like a gun going off when he runs into someone” (says Blakeney), while Cattouse simply runs around potential problems. Past these guys, proven depth is an issue.

Receiver
This unit is critical in the effort of the QBs to grow into their own. Coach feels that starting FL James Cray needs to do just the same. Blakeney says that, “Cray made some big plays last year, but we need him to come on…” as the impact receiver/flanker he can truly be. A nice left-handed compliment, if we ever heard one. Tallahassean Eugene Hampton, another junior but taller, is a former-CB (prep) who uses such experiences well and should also emerge to reach full potential. Ex-QB Gary Banks is just what the unit needs, as his leadership and precise routes at SE make it easy to see why his spring was so strong. Depth is present, but unproven, so let’s just hope the ball can come to them as needed so developments here can continue.

Tight End
JUCO-transfers Josh Pruitt and Ben Ramsey have proven via spring drills why they were both such coveted Kansas finds. Lighter than incumbent Rob Austin (who could move back here if needed, but is excelling at tackle), both need to step up to this level of play - though coach is impressed so far, he feels the position should deliver even more.

Offensive Line
Ok, so the well-sized-but-quick Austin is now a relied upon part of the new Trojan blood in the trenches. “He’s going to make us much, much better on the line. I think he may be a pro offensive tackle, but he is [only] an average tight end.” Coach also feels that sometime-starter James Edwards (RT) has expanded his role, improved his technique, and is now the leader here (as well as for the entire team). These bookends bode well, as do the experienced guards. Injuries to James Gardner at center make his return the key inside for Troy to again average nearly four per carry. With the quality at guard, too, there is no reason that this more athletic group cannot improve in all areas...and they weren’t too bad to start. But part of their solidity was how consistent the starters were – four of the five started every game in ’04, something that has to repeat for this group to gel and then set.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This part of the team is all that (still) keeps Troy from becoming a serious juggernaut. Fresh QBs will mean a new lease on optimism, but one of them has to complete over half of his passes for the team to progress. Enter Mark Fleetwood, a one-time Trojan assistant (in the secondary) who, this time, returned (in ‘04) with more offensive experience and hopes of engineering aerial improvements. Fleetwood as coordinator (who is in the press box on game day) means knowledge of both how to tutor QBs as well as what DBs are thinking, so we therefore see the completion percentage going over .500, and more balance being instilled (only threw it 31%). Play-calling predictability was what caused both second and fourth quarter Trojan scoring to plummet, which makes getting this offense “off the ground” the key to team success. The line should hold up to provide the time needed. The running game may suffer in efforts to keep foes honest with more throws (usually that sequence is reversed), but this tact will pay (even more) dividends as the TEs occupy LBs that, in last year’s scheme, would have lived in the box. With such a stellar D, marginal improvements on this side of things would literally be parlayed into wins, so focus here is priority-one!

Defensive Line
Losing four guys (one of whom was a first-round NFL pick) who started every game together in ’04 will show, but not to the extent many will predict. The most excitement surrounds Brunswick, Georgia’s Kenny Mainor, a svelte, RS frosh at rush end who is sure to pick up where Ware left off. Larry Brown is a proven senior who will keep the outside safe as he finds his way weekly into foes’ backfields. Classmate Franklin Lloyd represents even more of a foundation at NT – his stats also hint as to what kind of breakout year this now-starter will finally have. Torre Lankford is relatively small for the other inside slot, but can evidently hold his own as proven in the quality of his extensive second-team efforts. There is even depth across the board, so expect this unit to finish (again) in the top 25 for run stuffing (there may be a slight drop off from ranking 8th, but it will be a respectable showing, none the less.)

Linebacker
Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (preseason 2005), senior Bernard Davis, is a well-rounded tackling machine with big-play ability out the wazoo on the weakside. Fellow-senior Leverne Johnson (MIKE) represents the largest of the starting three, and there is no drop-off from Davis’ level of talent. Opponents won’t be able to put two hats on both, and with so much talent in the front four, Johnson could ostensibly finish with better stats than Davis. Their impact together should keep this D at 2004’s optimal level(s). Sophomore Marcus Richardson utilizes his vision and speed to secure his assignments, but Andre Morgan makes competition for the SAM spot bode well for the team’s prospects. With Boo Smith back (ankle), this group is versatile and deep. Expect 60-minutes of quality damage from this unit.

Defensive Back
FS Sherrod Martin is only a sophomore, but he finished his initial campaign ranked fourth in team tackles and boasted big plays galore. Martin will only get better, though junior SS Brandon Condren will be a work in progress until he proves he is back fully. Corners Johnny Faulk and Adrian Ghent (along with the LBs) are the D’s senior leaders and will be flying around the ball early and often. Faulk, a NationalChamps.net Honorable Mention all-American, is a true gamer and will again explode into every play, while Ghent is a great open-field tackler whose modest stats show no weak-link of any sort. Depth could be a concern, for injuries would create a drop-ff in overall DB impact. Troy employed great tactics in finishing 55th in pass defense, but sixth in the all-important efficiency category (25:9 INT: TD ratio). If healthy, the same level(s) of results should be attained.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Two established assistants take over the esteemed coordinator vacancy here at Troy, so expect continuity of the team’s philosophy and performance (16th-ranked total defense, 10th in scoring allowed). The Trojans are strong in each category, with a front seven that will stuff backs even as it loses the entire starting line. Wiley, scrappy, and capable of controlling a game from this side of the ball (see LSU, South Carolina, Mizzu and Marshall tilts from ‘04), Blakeney & Co. shuffle personnel and formations craftily, keeping opponents guessing on assignments from play to play. Only Silicon Valley Bowl foe Northern Illinois broke the 25 point barrier. Co-coordinators Jeremy Rowell (DBs) and Rick Logo (DTs) will have to keep the troops fresh way down yonder there in southern ‘bama, so we will see trial-by-fire for that green depth in the secondary. Once again, no offense will want to see the Trojans on their slate.