Mean Green Preview, Part I

mad dog · July 4, 2006

Summary

Perhaps the biggest question mark on the defense last season was defensive tackle. The ineligibility of T.J. Raymond and the health problems of Isaac Thomas forced the Mean Green into a rotation of players that, while constantly fresh, were quickly worn down by a lack of size. Opposing teams were able to just line it up and run down the gut play after play, and late leads became impossible to hold on to. To simply hold serve against the run, the defense was forced to play seven or eight men around the line of scrimmage, and a thin secondary was torched by the medium range pass.

If all the pieces fall into place this August, a one year turnaround is certainly possible. The health of Thomas, the emergence of sophomore Joe Miller, and the possible early contributions of newcomers Tim Patton and Kendrick Ridge all point to the hope for more solid play in the middle. Reliable DT Sky Pruitt is healthy again and as big and physical as he has ever been, and swingman DE/DT Montey Stevenson has apparently put on some serious weight over the off-season, now weighing in at 290 lbs.

The defensive ends are lead by Junior Jeremiah Chapman, who will likely be the closest thing to an every down player on the defensive line. Montey Stevenson will likely showcase his talents when in the 3-4 set due to his size and athleticism, and Senior pass rusher Willie Ransom will be in on the weakside when the Mean Green shift to the 4-3. The tough as nails Blake Burrus and aggressive RS Freshman Jonathan Stewart will likely serve as backups.

That said, there is not much proven depth behind the starting rotation. One or two injuries, particularly at defensive end, can result in a much, much weaker defensive line. For this team to be successful, the young players MUST step up and be ready to play as early as possible.

Players to watch

NT Isaac Thomas

Will he show the coaching staff he can remain healthy and in shape?

DE/DT Montey Stevenson

Second only to incoming freshman Tim Patton in size at 290 pounds.

DE Jeremiah Chapman

Combines veteran leadership with a hard charging, non-stop motor.

*Projected Starters 3-4

DE Montey Stevenson

NT Isaac Thomas

DE Jeremiah Chapman

*Projected Starters 4-3

DE Jeremiah Chapman

DT Sky Pruitt

NT Isaac Thomas

DE Willie Ransom

Impact Newcomers

DE/DT Esteban Santiago

275 pound swingman was recruited by Mizzou and UTEP, and has the frame to get up over 300 pounds.

DT Tim Patton

Massive body and tenacious motor make him an immediate starting candidate

Sleeper

DE Kail Krider

Terrific attitude and drive remind of Johnny Quinn and Chris Hurd. Can he match up at the D-1 level of play?

*Projected starters are who we think should start based on what a player has shown to us in practice and in games. We are not trying to guess the coaches’ picks, but rather who we’d pick if we were making out the depth chart.

UNTLifer · July 4, 2006

So, you don't even mention Eddrick Gilmore. Do you know he won't be around also?

Thanks for the write-up, but I do have one question. Why do you think Stevenson would start at DE in the 3-4 but not the 4-3?

mad dog · July 4, 2006

So, you don't even mention Eddrick Gilmore. Do you know he won't be around also?
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Nope. I have no idea if he is going to be here this fall or not. No one knows that for sure. And, if someone did know anything, they could stand to lose their jobs by talking about it. So no one will hear anything about it until we know something or if, for example, he doesn't show up to 2-a-days.

That and his chief position was the "bandit" in the 3-4, and would fit in the the linebackers instead. He would be at best a backup defensive end in the 4-3.

Thanks for the write-up, but I do have one question. Why do you think Stevenson would start at DE in the 3-4 but not the 4-3?

Bulk. He's basically taking over for Willie Ransom because Ransom is more of a pass rusher, and the 3-4 necessitates a bigger d-lineman. Don't write off Montey making a push for a job in the 4-3, either, should someone stumble or if he just explodes out of the blocks. That's why he is a player to watch.

BIG DAWG · July 4, 2006

GREAT STUFF! This is GREATLY appreciated by all board members I can assure you!

untbowler · July 4, 2006

Nope. I have no idea if he is going to be here this fall or not. No one knows that for sure. And, if someone did know anything, they could stand to lose their jobs by talking about it. So no one will hear anything about it until we know something or if, for example, he doesn't show up to 2-a-days.
That and his chief position was the "bandit" in the 3-4, and would fit in the the linebackers instead. He would be at best a backup defensive end in the 4-3.
Bulk. He's basically taking over for Willie Ransom because Ransom is more of a pass rusher, and the 3-4 necessitates a bigger d-lineman. Don't write off Montey making a push for a job in the 4-3, either, should someone stumble or if he just explodes out of the blocks. That's why he is a player to watch.
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I would imagine Collins, Raymond, and Gilmore are all in the same boat of wait and see if they show up for 2 a days

July 4, 2006

If Stevenson develops stamina, I feel good about our chances in the 3-4. Although Isaac Thomas hasn't done it yet against competition (he barely played last year) we know that he looked great last spring and has a ton of potential. Chapman is, pound for pound, about as good as we've had. He had 61 tackles, 2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss last year in spite of being constantly double-teamed.

My disappointment in th 4-3 lies with Pruitt and Ransom. I realize that Pruitt was playing hurt last year so I may be judging him too harshly but he was slow. Sky has the weight and strength for the position but you have to have some quickness to be effective. For whatever reason, he just didn't have it. Just as big a disappointment was Ransom. Maybe he was overhyped but for someone so heralded to have only 15 tackles and 1 sack is unthinkable. From what I remember, he usually had only one blocker to deal with.

If Gilmore is able to return, we should be fine on the two deep. I like the way that Joseph Miller developed last year and I'm also sold on Blake Burruss. Miller wound up with 21 tackles, more than Pruitt or Ransom. He did that as a true, somewhat undersized freshman. If Tim Patton is as advertised, we could rest the starters occasionally and not worry too much. The problem is, we can not yet count on Gilmore either way and need to find a replacement right away.

I hope that I'm wrong but I don't share your enthusiasm for Kail Krider. It's one thing to be a fine player in Class 2A when you are 2-3 inches taller and 30-40 pounds heavier than your opponent and quite another when you're going to be smaller than the linemen that you'll face. Chapman did it though so it can be done.

We need to pray for two miracles...the returns of Eddrick Gilmore and T J Raymond. If that happens, I beleive that we'll see the most dramatic turnaround of a defensive line since Joe Greene days.

Norwester · July 4, 2006

GREAT STUFF! This is GREATLY appreciated by all board members I can assure you!
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Ahhh ... the Mean Green Preview, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

BIG DAWG · July 4, 2006

We need to pray for two miracles...the returns of Eddrick Gilmore and T J Raymond. If that happens, I beleive that we'll see the most dramatic turnaround of a defensive line since Joe Greene days.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

good_ken · July 4, 2006

Does anyone know if Isaac Thomas applied for a medical red shirt to take care of last year?

July 4, 2006

Does anyone know if Isaac Thomas applied for a medical red shirt to take care of last year?
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Isaac appeared (although briefly) in all 11 games last year so he wouldn't be eligible for a medical redshirt.

Zeke · July 4, 2006

Isaac appeared (although briefly) in all 11 games last year so he wouldn't be eligible for a medical redshirt.
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Are you sure about that? I am pretty sure he had to sit out due to problems secondary to heat stroke.

July 4, 2006

Are you sure about that? I am pretty sure he had to sit out due to problems secondary to heat stroke.
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I checked the Mean Green Athletics web site several days ago in preparation for this thread and there it is in black and white. Yes, he did have serious complications from the heat stroke but he nevertheless was able to appear in all of the games. He actually received a letter for last year. That makes him a sophomore with one letter.

good_ken · July 4, 2006

The website shows 4 games played with 3 tackles.

July 5, 2006

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...1&Q_SEASON=2006

I'm sure that I didn't do this correctly but the website gomeangreen.com says that he played in all 11 games. If this link doesn't work go to the website, click on sports, football, roster & bios, and Thomas, Isaac. Read the 2005 blurb.

Harry · July 5, 2006

There must be an error on the website about Ike Thomas because I know for a fact he did not play until later in the season due to his heatstroke issue. In fact there was some thought to him being medically redshirted. By the time he got back, he was limited because he was not in game shape and didn't really understand what to do. I think he will be big this year if he can stay healthy.

Couple of notes, Ransom like Pruitt played injured all last season. I spoke to one coach who told me that in hindsight they wish they would have redshirted Willie because he was not the same player because of his injury. He's healthy now and should make a big impact.

Pruitt played all of last year with a separated shoulder. Basically they needed him and didn't have much else. He can be a fairly solid not spectacular player when healthy.

Joe Miller is a guy they really are pinning this season on and he may be another year or two away. He had a solid true freshman year and hopefully wil come in bigger and stronger this year.

I really have high hopes that some new blood will come in and make their mark. I would love to see David Collins be a pass rushing specialist and utilize his speed in passing situations. I also like the potential of Jon Stewart at DT or NT.

If you look at our past defenses, there was always a fairly solid 2-man rotation at all four positions in the 4-3. Everyone remembers Booger and his impact and AA but they forget about guys like Alex Pahulu, Chris McIver, etc...

What I REALLY hope for this defense is that Jamario will be Jamario again and the O-line will open some holes and chew up some clock. This is a young defense and if we can limit there exposure and mistakes they will have a chance to grow up with confidence.

On the newcomers, obviously Tim Patton could be huge. The 2 defensive end prospects (Owosu Hemeng and Marquis Sykes) may need to grow up quickly. Defensive end is a very thin position in this program right now and d-tackle isn't far behind. Kendrick Ridge is another interesting player that has excelled at a high level of Texas High School football.

The biggest wildcard of the newcomers may be Draylen Ross from Fort Worth. He was listed at around 6-4, 245 after his senior year and has a frame that could make him much bigger. He was signed as a defensive end but he will likely be a defensive tackle before all is said and done.