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The University of Mississippi Athletics
2001 Ole Miss Spring Football Review
4/11/2001 | Football
April 11, 2001
Prior to beginning his third spring football practice at Ole Miss, head coach David Cutcliffe admitted it just might be the most important spring drills he's ever been through. With just 12 scholarship players in a senior class of 20, and an overall lack of playing experience on the team, Cutcliffe's staff knew they were heading into the spring with many unproven football players.
"We knew we had to get a lot of snaps under our belt and create game situations, and we did that," Cutcliffe said. "We wanted to have one of those springs where we did a lot of live work. There are always some risks involved with that as far as injuries go."
Still, the Rebels came out of spring drills with a limited amount of injuries, with only one starter -- tight end Doug Zeigler -- having to sit out the Red-Blue game. None of the players expected to return should miss the 2001 season due to injuries.
The Rebels are missing 26 lettermen off last year's team which finished 7-5 and helped Ole Miss become the only Southeastern Conference Western Division team to play in bowl games the last four years.
According to Cutcliffe, the 2001 team used spring drills to improve as a group, even though they had only 15 days to work. "We got a lot of questions answered, and we have a good starting point when we come back in August," he said.
"The number one goal of our coaching staff in the spring was to see how our linemen on both sides of the ball would respond," Cutcliffe said. "We have three redshirt freshmen on the offensive line who got a lot of snaps. Our defensive line is also young with unproven players. Everything starts up front and it was interesting to evaluate them."
Offensively, the Rebels must replace quarterback Romaro Miller, a three-year starter who set new school career records for passing yards (6,311), TD passes (43), 200-yard passing games (18) and 250-yard passing games (8).
Sophomore Eli Manning returns after backing up Miller during the 2000 season, while junior David Morris finally returns to the quarterback mix after being redshirted last year. Morris was Miller's backup in 1999 and actually started the Mississippi State regular season finale after Miller broke his collarbone against Georgia the week before.
"We were fortunate to have had a guy who started for three years," Cutcliffe said of Miller. "Romaro was a very consistent player and his numbers proved that he was one of the best in school history."
Although he hasn't played that much, Manning quickly vaulted himself to the No. 1 spot during spring drills, a leadership position that did not come unexpected to Rebel fans, especially after he came off the bench to throw three fourth quarter touchdown passes against West Virginia in the Music City Bowl loss. Manning has also gained valuable knowledge the last two years since he had the opportunity to travel with the Rebels, which Cutcliffe sees as a big advantage.
"Eli has been on the sidelines and watched the same game tapes," Cutcliffe said. "He made every day of practice his game and prepared himself over that period of time. I think it was obvious during the spring that we weren't looking at a rookie quarterback. Although he's still an unproven player, I think he's ready and physically capable."
Redshirting Morris, who has now been in Cutcliffe's offensive system two years, was also a big plus for the Rebels. Morris continued to get better in the spring and enters the fall as one of the top back-up quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference. Cutcliffe was concerned about the number of wide receivers available for spring drills, especially since there were only five scholarship players returning at that spot. Those receivers stayed healthy and that was a big positive for the offense.
The Rebels are having to replace veteran wide receiver Grant Heard, who became one of the most prolific receivers in school history by setting career records for receptions (142) and TD receptions (16). Senior Jamie Armstrong returns after starting all 12 games at flanker, while senior Omar Rayford, junior Ross Barkley, and sophomore Chris Collins also lettered a year ago. Armstrong, Collins, and Rayford ended the spring at the starting receiver spots. Two redshirt freshmen -- Bill Flowers and Trey Fryfogle -- used the spring to move into positions to challenge for serious playing time.
Although some veterans do return in the backfield, a challenge still remains to replace multi-talented Deuce McAllister, who set or tied 18 school records during his career with the Rebels. "It's easier to replace a tailback, but not when it comes to all the things he did for us," Cutcliffe said, recalling the all-purpose abilities that McAllister brought to the table.
Starting fullback Charles Stackhouse returns for his senior season as does running back Joe Gunn, who started three games at tailback last year when McAllister was battling various injuries. "I do think that by committee, our backs had a good spring," Cutcliffe said, noting that he still thinks the running back position will be a strength of the team. "Even though we lost Deuce, I think that a number of young men will step up and help soften that loss."
Gunn, who led the team in rushing in 1999 with 951 yards on 182 carries when he earned All-SEC first team honors, returns to the feature back role. Juniors Robert Williams and Tremaine Turner kept the heat on during spring drills, and the trio gives the Rebels quality depth at tailback.
At the fullback spot, Stackhouse also has plenty of competition from junior Toward Sanford and redshirt freshman Rick Razzano. Sanford was voted as the "Most Improved Offensive Player" during spring workouts.
In the offensive line, Ole Miss has lost four starters over a two year period. The two tackles -- Todd Wade and Tutan Reyes -- are already playing in the National Football League. Wade earned All-Rookie status last season while starting for the Miami Dolphins, and Reyes is with New Orleans. The two guards lost this past season include Shane Grice and Keydrick Vincent, and both have drawn interest from a number of professional teams.
Center Ben Claxton, who missed most of last season with a broken leg, has returned to his starting role after an outstanding spring. Senior tackle Terrence Metcalf and junior tackle Belton Johnson, and tight end Doug Zeigler constitute other offensive line starters back for the 2001 campaign.
"Terrence can be as fine as there is in the SEC, and he's certainly an All-America candidate," Cutcliffe said. "Belton Johnson is much stronger and a better player than he was last year."
Finding two new guards to start was a priority during spring workouts. Senior Matt Koon and junior German Bello have logged some playing time and ended the spring No. 1 at those spots. Freshmen redshirts Marcus Johnson, Doug Buckles, and Cliff Woodruff are coming off outstanding springs and could push for playing time as well. It is also hoped that freshman redshirt James Campbell will progress enough over the summer to get himself into a position to fill a backup role.
Junior Justin Sawyer, who has played tight end and several others spots in the interior offensive line during his career at Ole Miss, was moved to center on a fulltime basis in the spring and will enter the fall as the No. 2 behind Claxton. Koon is also able to play center.
Zeigler, who was recruited to Ole Miss as a quarterback before being switched to tight end, is being backed up by senior Mitch Skrmetta, sophomore Eric Rice, and redshirt freshman Bo Hartsfield.
When it comes to defense, one of the biggest question marks remains along the defensive front, an area which has suffered heavy losses over the last two years. Ole Miss must replace three of four defensive line starters, after having lost four defensive tackles following the 1999 season.
From last year, senior tackle Anthony Sims is the lone returning starter up front after the loss of All-America end Derrick Burgess, tackle Antionne Scott, and end Shane Elam.
"We had a number of young players to evaluate in the spring and it was very competitive up front," Cutcliffe said. "All of those positions were up for grabs."
Cutcliffe brought in veteran coach Don Lindsey as his new defensive coordinator following the 2000 campaign, and that change has produced some new wrinkles from a scheme standpoint. "We are a little different when it comes to our scheme, but I think it will help these players," Cutcliffe said. "We are not very big, but we have a number of young players who can have an impact up front."
It all begins with Sims and he appears to have taken up the role that Kendrick Clancy played in 1999 and Burgess played in 2000. "Anthony is a much improved player and a very physical player," Cutcliffe said. "He will definitely be a leader of the group."
Another player who caught Cutcliffe's eye during spring drills was senior tackle Kenny Jackson, a junior college transfer from a year ago. "It was good to see Kenny play with more understanding of what we are doing," Cutcliffe said. "He still has a ways to go, but he's a veteran."
Once you get past Sims and Jackson, the remaining front appears to be by committee. The coaching staff is anxious to see the competition continue between juniors Josh Cooper, Justin Blake, and Yarek Johnson, sophomores Charlie Anderson, Jesse Mitchell, and Brandon Roddy, and redshirt freshmen Brian Lester, Daniel Booth, Johnny Ducking, and Cory Robinson. When spring ended, Anderson and Cooper were the starting ends with Sims and Jackson at the tackles. Several incoming freshman just might move into playing contention early.
The Rebels appear in pretty good shape at linebacker with some returning experience, but must replace Chad Cook, Shawn Johnson, and Amzie Williams. The Cook-Johnson-Williams trio logged plenty of playing time last year as Johnson started 10 games, Cook three, and Williams three. Junior Lanier Goethie and senior Kevin Thomas are returning starters at linebacker.
"I'm excited about Lanier Goethie," Cutcliffe said. "He's a good linebacker and Kevin Thomas, as usual, was flying around and making plays during the spring." Three other players who made progress during the spring were sophomores Jamil Northcutt and Justin Wade, and junior Ian Bass.
Junior college transfer Germain Landrum made his presence known during his first spring at Ole Miss, ending the drills at one of the No. 1 linebacker spots on the depth chart. Junior Ryan Hamilton and redshirt freshman Rob Robertson battled it out in the spring to back up Landrum.
The return of junior veteran Eddie Strong, who missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot and received a medical hardship, provides the linebacker spot with a major boost heading into the 2001 season. Prior to his injury, Strong was being touted before last season as a Butkus Award candidate, which recognizes the nation's top linebacker.
"It was good to have Eddie back on the field and leading our linebacker corps," Cutcliffe said. "He's a proven player in this league. It was great to see his physical play and his leadership and playmaking ability during spring drills."
One of the top losses in the secondary was All-America cornerback Ken Lucas. The Rebels also lost strong safety Kenny Woods, but senior strong safety Syniker Taylor and senior cornerback Justin Coleman do return to their starting spots.
Taylor, who opted not to play basketball for the nationally ranked Ole Miss team last winter, used the off-season to become a much more physical player.
"Syniker is a much improved player," Cutcliffe said. "I do not think people realized how injured Syniker was a year ago. He struggled to get through the year, but he pushed through and made some big plays. He has a chance to be a great football player, and I would not trade him for any other safety man in the league. He is an All-SEC and maybe even an All-American type player in the secondary."
Junior college transfer Chris Knight ended the spring No. 2 behind Coleman at right corner, while junior Desmon Johnson rated as one of the most improved members of the secondary and will enter preseason drills as the No. 1 left corner. Another player who caught the coaching staff's attention was sophomore Von Hutchins, the Defensive Most Improved Player of spring drills after nailing down the starting spot at free safety. Other players in the secondary who have made progress included junior Wes Scott, sophomores Marcus Woodson, Tavarus Horne, and Travis Blanchard, and redshirt freshmen redshirts Kerry Johnson and Kevin Timothee.
Another major area of concern in the spring was the kicking game where Ole Miss was having to replace punter Reagan King, place-kicker Les Binkley, and holder Ben Craddock. Junior long-snapper A. J. Kiamie continued his role in the spring while attention turned to the three other spots.
Redshirt freshman Cody Ridgeway emerged as the No. 1 punter, but the jury is still out when it comes to the place-kicking spot. "Cody is a very talented youngster and is very much what you are looking for athletically. I'm anxious to see how he responds when we get into game situations." Ridgeway also appears to be set to take over for Craddock as the holder on placements.
Sophomore Lee Rogers and redshirt freshman Jonathan Nichols were locked in a battle for the place-kicking and kickoff responsibilities during spring drills. "They are two talented youngsters and hit the ball well," Cutcliffe said. "They probably have more range than what we had with Les, but their challenge is being able to show and display the consistency that Les did."
In the return game, the Rebels lost Deuce McAllister, but do have some adequate players returning. Robert Williams showed a year ago what he is capable of doing when given the opportunity to handle kickoff and punt return duties. Omar Rayford could also be a factor there, along with Syniker Taylor, Chris Collins, and Trey Fryfogle.
Ole Miss will host six games this fall at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. The season opener is set for September 1 against Murray State. Other home games will be against Vanderbilt, Alabama, Middle Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia. Road trips will be to Auburn, Kentucky, Arkansas State, LSU, and Mississippi State. The regular season finale on Thanksgiving Night against Mississippi State will once again be televised nationally by ESPN.
