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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Charting The Course
9/18/2001 | Football
Sept. 18, 2001
By Bill Bunting,
Sports Information Intern
When striving for a winning season in any sport, a simple key is a knowledgeable coach with an enthusiasm for the game, stalking the sidelines ready to lead his players into battle. But, an equally important key is having that same knowledge and energy matched by the leaders on the field of play.
Perhaps leadership by the Rebels' captains is one of the strengths of this year's Ole Miss football team. Some might say it is the fact that one is a preseason All-America selection, while another is a preseason All-SEC first team pick. Others might say it is because one wears Chucky Mullins' cherished No. 38. Others might say it's a fullback who is considered the Southeastern Conference's best blocking back by some publications. And, possibly it's the defensive lineman who some feel could continue his career in the professional ranks.
The captains themselves - fullback Charles Stackhouse, offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, defensive tackle Anthony Sims, cornerback Syniker Taylor and linebacker Kevin Thomas - will tell you that it is their unique mix of vocal leadership and leading by example that makes the team a stronger unit.
"We're a big family out there," Stackhouse said of the Rebel squad. "We do a lot together on and off the field. We're all brothers out there, and we take up for each other and want each other to succeed."
The West Memphis, Ark., native believes that the key to leading a team is blending the perfect balance of vocal leadership with setting an example by getting the job done on the field. It's the way Stackhouse has always led on the football field, and he believes it gets the results needed to be successful.
"I just go out and try to set an example and get the team fired up vocally," Stackhouse said. "I've been this way since high school. I believe in doing it on the field. My job is to make sure that everyone is prepared and ready to play."
The 6-foot-2 senior, who was named the SEC's best blocking back by The Birmingham News, has pushed the team since preseason workouts began in August. He feels the Rebels have a lot they can accomplish this season with the talent lining up on both sides of the ball.
"We have a lot of play-makers on this team, but the depth is the important thing we need," Stackhouse said of the 2001 Rebel team. "Out on the field, we are just clicking on offense. On defense, we have great linebackers and defensive backs, but I really respect what our defensive line has done. They are working hard for us."
A lot of the work on defensive line can be credited to the leadership of Sims.
Sims has big shoes to fill this season, stepping up to take the place of Derrick Burgess, who was one of last year's team captains. It's not something that bothers the 6-foot-3, 268-pound lineman from Memphis. In fact, he welcomes his role as a leader.
"My job is to go out and show the young guys how to play successfully at this level," Sims said. "There is no other league like the SEC. I want the team to be as good as it can be and do what I can to help us win.
"I have always been quiet, that's just the type of person I am," Sims continued. "I try to challenge my teammates, but I also let them know that I am behind everyone out there."
Sims' role as a team leader is one of the keys to a successful 2001 campaign for the Rebels. Sims has never been one to get out on the field and be the "in-your-face" type of leader that some players try to be. He prefers to let his game speak for itself and leave the more outspoken players to do the talking.
"Syniker is definitely more of a vocal player than I am," Sims said of Taylor, another captain on the team. "He is a good combination of both ways one can lead. You never have to worry about him showing up for every game. You know he will be there and get the job done."
Taylor, a 6-foot-1 corner, feels that there is nothing this team can't do if they believe in each other on the field. The senior feels the best way to achieve that goal is to set the pace on the field while talking to his teammates for motivation.
"I try to do my part out on the playing field," Taylor said. "But it's important to talk to the guys, too. We have to talk about what's going on. We're a team out here, and as long as we are on the same page, we can do a lot."
The Gulfport, Miss., native has done a good job of walking the walk for the Rebels during his career. During his career at Ole Miss, he has played at the free safety position as well as corner. Taylor finished as the team's second-leading tackler in the 2000 campaign with 67 hits (43 solo). This season, he hopes to produce the same as he did last year.
Taylor is a player who definitely makes his mark on the field, but he is quick to point out that Thomas, a fellow captain and Chucky Mullins Courage Award winner, is an impact player and one who others on the squad greatly respect.
"Kevin Thomas is like a heartbeat for this team," Taylor said. "If everyone on this squad would show up and play every down of every game like he does, we would win championships every season."
Thomas racked up 59 tackles in the 2000 season, including three TFLs and one quarterback sack. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another. The Courtland, Miss., native gives 100 percent on every down because he feels it is his responsibility as a player.
"I was surprised by being named a captain, but I am looking forward to leading these guys," Thomas said. "Whether it is by example or words, I plan on doing the best job I can to help us win every game. It's a big honor to be named a captain of this team."
At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, the senior linebacker tries to set the tone on the field by his actions as much as by what he can say to motivate his teammates and get them focused on the task at hand.
"I had a better year last season," Thomas said. "That just made me want to work harder. I could see what kind of results can happen from hard work, so it made me want to get back in the weight room and the film room to continue to improve."
Metcalf probably rounds out the quintet of captains the best. A preseason All-America selection by several publications, Metcalf would never have you talk about him first. It's the team goals that matter and achieving what is best for Ole Miss.
"I try not to let all of this captain stuff go to my head," Metcalf said. "It's a tremendous honor, but I want to be down-to-earth as well. I try not to play around too much out on the field or in the locker room. I try to fill the leadership role by saying, 'It's time to go to work.'"
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman does just that when it comes to practice and game time. He was named to the All-SEC first team after the 2000 campaign, which saw him anchor an offensive line that led the SEC and was third in the country in fewest sacks allowed (7). Metcalf would prefer to get the point across by his actions.
"Coach (John) Latina is pushing me to be more vocal, but it's hard to do at my position," Metcalf said. "I try to talk more now than I ever have, but I leave a lot of it up to my partner, Charles Stackhouse. He is always going hard and being vocal to keep everyone up. I try to speak up, and we're both hardworking guys. We do what we can to get things going."
It's the kind of attitudes set forth by the captains of the team - the coaches on the field, so to speak - that will set the standard for what Ole Miss can achieve. Together, they firmly believe that the sky is the limit, and there is nothing the 2001 Rebel team can not achieve.
