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Friday, June 22, 2012

116. Memphis


(2-10, 1-7) Conference USA East

Rankings -



Offense
Avg
Defense
Avg
Rushing
84.00
Rushing
191.58
Passing
190.25
Passing
299.42
Total
274.25
Total
491.00
Points
16.25
Points
35.08


Overview

The Larry Porter experiment was a failure - it was hoped the Memphis alum would bring a winning attitude he had privy to as LSU’s RB coach and combine it with his infectious enthusiasm to return the Tigers to respectability - but instead his offenses and defenses were pitiful and Memphis just won 3 games in 2 years. Having not learned a thing, the Tigers AD went and hired another rookie HC, although at least Justin Fuente had experience as an OC at TCU (so he knows what he’s doing there anyway). He inherits a team that’s not completely devoid of talent (just), but he’s got to make some big strides before UM join the Big East in 2013.

Offense

So is there reason for optimism on offense after finishing 119th in rushing and 116th overall? Well, yes, and it all starts at QB. The Tigers have a decent QB (and another recruit due in) in Texas Tech transfer Jacob Karam, who’s eligible to play straight away. Last year’s starter, Taylor Reed, had his moments last season in throwing for 1690 yards and 10 TDs with just 4 interceptions, but decided to transfer after losing his spot to Karam. Karam played some mop-up with the Red Raiders, but is otherwise inexperienced. If freshman Will Gross devotes more time to football (he also plays baseball and basketball), he could the (near) future at the position. Karam may have to carry the load on his own, as the running game doesn’t look to be much better despite the return of two solid backs in Artaves Gibson (316 yards) and Jerrell Rhodes (152 yards, 2 TDs). Gibson slowed down over the course of the season while Rhodes had durability issues, but both could be effective with better blocking from the offensive line. That may be the biggest problem on offense with top blocker Ronald Leary gone. Fuente brought in JUCO Antonio Foster to help out, but he may be their best blocker. They only lost one other lineman who started a game last season, so the hope is the experience will help. They need to improve a lot! Karam will have some talent at receiver if he can get the time to hit them. Last year’s leading receiver (Tannar Rehr) is gone, but ever disappointing Marcus Rucker (20-195-1) has one last shot to display his potential. Former Alabama recruit Keiwone Malone (12-155-1) was outstanding in HS and should play a bigger role in the offense now that he has some game experience. Kevin Wright (36-398-1) was second on the team in receiving and could take a big leap forward in his sophomore year. Watch out for freshman TE Kerwin Harrison - he has the versatility to split out in the slot and play in the backfield some.

Defense

Even without top draft pick Dontari Poe off to the NFL, there has to be some optimism that the Tigers defense will improve next season. There are 2 reasons: 1. they can’t get worse; 2. the loss of star power among conference foes should slow their offenses a little. As always, it all starts up front. Poe was good, but his lofty draft pick was based on potential as opposed to production. Still, someone of his talent will be hard to replace. Two players with 13 starts last season between them return. DT Johnnie Farms was solid last season, posting 8.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks, but he won’t have Poe to keep attention away from him. He’s currently on suspension, with no immediate return in sight either. A couple of decent sized but inexperienced players, Donald Pennington and Jimmy Robinson will get the first shot at replacing Poe. After just 14 sacks last season, creating a pass rush is essential this year. Poe may have been the big-name on last year’s defense, but DE Frank Trotter could be the bigger loss. He led the team in TFLs and sacks, and was one of the team’s (two) big play threats. Senior Zach Gholson, who started the first 3 games of 2011, looked great in the spring game and could take his place this season. Leading tackler, LB Terrence Thomas, has graduated but his two running mates return. Kenyata Johnson could pick up his game in the middle, but rover Akeem Davis had 8 TFLs and 3 picks, while finishing second in tackles. He’s more of a safety though and could head back there, especially with star JUCO recruit Fritz Etienne out for the year already. All bar one player who started in last season’s FBS-worst secondary returns, but no-one is guaranteed their job (obviously) and they’ll be pushed by this year’s recruiting class. SS Cannon Smith had his moments, but the unit as a whole has to perform better. There is talent here, but getting them to play to it will another story.

Special Teams

K Paulo Henriques went from a reliable first season in 2010 to missing 4 PATs and 7 of his 15 FG attempts last year. While he can hardly be held accountable for their awful season, not scoring after successful drives can suck the life out of a struggling offense. He needs to pick it up this year. Australian punter Tom Hornsey had the most punts in the country, and did a decent job. He’ll also be back next season. With the athletic ability they have on their roster, the Tigers should be able to field a better return game, but it’s been as anemic as the other units. The coverage teams weren’t awful but had too many lapses to be counted on.

5 Players to watch out for


  1. QB Jacob Karam - he didn’t get much of a chance in Lubbock, but he’s practically the second coming here. He won the job in spring camp and if the team can raise their game around them, he could be good.
  2. RB Jerrell Rhodes - Rhodes only played in 3 games, but he tallied 99 yards and 2 scores against UAB and could be the spark the offense needs. He was originally a UNC recruit, so he’s not short on ability.
  3. WR Keiwone Malone - as I already mentioned, he was signed by ‘bama but transferred to Memphis after taking a redshirt in his freshman year. The former 4-star recruit is explosive and could be the focal point of the passing game if it ever gets going.
  4. DE Zach Gholson - he may be a senior without much of a track record, but the team needs to get after the QB and Gholson looks like the right guy for the job.
  5. CB Dion Witty - Memphis nabbed the 3-star recruit from under the nose of Purdue, and it looks like a great move. Witty has been great so far, and when your secondary was as bad as the Tigers was last year, that’s a big deal.

Prediction

Okay here it is - if Memphis can come close to their potential this season, they could actually have a winning season. Their OOC shouldn’t be tough for a CUSA team - Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee and Duke - and most of the East is beatable. Of course, this is Memphis and the same could be said of them the last few seasons. Still, a new coach can breathe new life and he’s a decent track record at TCU that suggests some hope for the future. I think the team will be better on the field, but will only have 2 or 3 wins to show for it. I won’t be surprised to see the alternative though.

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