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View from the Upper Deck
Mark
Willard
Teamkong
Depth. And not just
depth, but “quality” depth.
It’s what every team wants, and the best ones have.
Over the past few years, the Gorillas have had a lot of good
players, some even great players.
But the one ingredient that has seemed to be missing was
multiple good players, at the same position.
If someone got hurt, or their performance dropped off for
whatever reason, there was usually no one behind them to pick up
the slack. We all
remember the QB situation during the playoffs at UNO a couple of
years back. Or how
hard it was to try and replace an injured Chris Lutz late last
season.
Quality depth, it separates the contenders from the also rans.
So, how does the depth of this years PSU football team stack up?
Pretty darn good, I’d say.
At the beginning of the year, we knew the starting D-line
would be awesome, but most of us were concerned about their
backups. What would
happen if an injury took down A-Mac, Mark Stephen, Josh Lawson
or Calvin Mitchell? These
4 seniors are the heart of our defense, could we possibly make
it without them? Fortunately,
the injury bug has not bitten any of them significantly, but if
it had, their replacements are more than up to the challenge.
Ryan Meredith and Casey Warlop have shown repeatedly that
they are ready to answer the call, whenever it comes.
Cole Vap has grown more confident as the season has
progresses, and Chauncey Jones adds another athletic big man to
the mix. These
guys, plus a couple of injured/redshirt players form the solid
nucleus behind our imposing front wall.
At the linebacking spot, we might have more quality depth than
any time in recent memory.
This week, with an injury keeping starters Chad Miller
and Jimmie Taylor on the sidelines, Chris Jaax and Gary Smith
stepped up big time. Smith
led the team with 11 tackles, and Jaax was right behind with 10.
Throw in “reserve” Brent Watson, along with an
emerging D.J. Driskill, and the future looks very bright for the
Gorillas at linebacker. While
the loss next year of senior Terek Wilson will be huge, he is
the only LB that will not be back.
In the defensive backfield, there have been so many changes this
year that it’s really hard to know exactly who the first
teamers are, and who are the reserves.
A lot of players have seen significant action this year,
many at several different positions. Last week saw a couple of
nice plays by B.J. Pruitt, and Noah Hoppe and Vernard Veasley
have stepped into their roles as starters quite nicely.
The injury to Levi Neville was a tough one to take, but
the DBs as a unit have rallied to “hold the fort”.
Along the offensive line, there has been a good deal of
shuffling as well, some due to injury, others just as an attempt
to get the best possible unit on the field.
With the recent injury to Jess Smith, Nathan Blasi and
Mike Rose have done a good deal of position shuffling to try and
shore up the line. Also,
the recent move of Chad Weeks to Quick Guard seems to be paying
dividends as well. It’s
nice having the 3 interior guys averaging about 6-3 and 310
pounds (Blasi, Weeks and Tyronne Armstrong).
These 5 are backed up by Kris Dornan, Nathan Baker, Josh
Dirks, and Laramie Todd and others to form an O-line squad that has been solid all year.
Throw in a few top-notch recruits from last year, and
we’re ready to reload for the 2004 campaign.
The receiving corps might be the deepest we’ve ever had at
PSU. It all starts
with the speed merchant, Jermaine Carpenter, but there’s a lot
more to this bunch. Throw
in senior Aaron Bell as a “possession” type receiver, plus
backups Mike Ward and Tim Austin; and we might as well include
TE’s Elliot Austin, Ryan Hellwig and Ryan Noble; this bunch is
deep and talented. Plus,
these guys are crucial to the running game as well, PSU WRs have
always been known for their blocking, and this group is no
different. Add in a
couple of freshmen, Eric Clawson and Jeremy Moss, and the beat
goes on.
In the backfield, the 3 guys in the starting lineup are most
impressive. QB Neal
Philpot, along with RBs Germaine Race and Joe Taylor just might
be the best all around backfield in the MIAA.
There might be individuals at each position better than
these guys, but I don’t think there’s a more complete
backfield around. Backup
RB Justin Bean has shown flashes of greatness when he’s had a
chance to play this year, and reserve FB Matt Strange has
displayed the strength and power necessary at the blocking back
spot.
And then there’s Andy Majors.
Where does he fit in?
Just about everywhere.
It is so nice to have a guy like Majors that can do so
many things, and do them well.
He has filled in at QB and RB all year, and last week he
was a huge help in filling the void left by the injury to WR
Jermaine Carpenter. Hopefully
Jermaine will be back soon, but until he is, it’s sure nice
having Majors playing WR and returning punts in his absence.
Anyway, it’s all about depth, and the Gorillas seem to have it
across the board this year.
Quality backups just might be the difference maker this
year, plus it sure doesn’t hurt getting these guys experience
for next year. It’s
one thing for them to get “garbage time” it’s a whole
different thing getting them time “when it counts”.
This week, we’ll once again share the Unsung Hero Award;
between a couple of those “backups” First up is ILB Gary
Smith. Gary had a
huge game filling in for the injured Jimmie Taylor, registering
11 tackles, 4 solo and 1 TFL, along with defending several
passes. Gary is an
outstanding athlete who will be with us again next year, and we
can expect better and better things from him in the future.
Our second winner is WR Mike Ward.
Mike is an outstanding special teamer, and is beginning
to come into his own as a WR this year.
A big target at 6-4, he can go up and get the ball, and
all he does is catch virtually everything thrown his way.
While guys like Carpenter and Majors beat you with their
speed, Mike Ward is the “jump ball” receiver for the
Gorillas. His
abilities were on display last Saturday, catching a 40 yard
reverse pass from Andy Majors that set the Gorillas up on the
MWSC 1 yard line. (Actually, during the game, and on replay, it
sure looked like he got into the end zone, but hey I guess we
can’t be too picky).
For their outstanding contributions last week, and all season,
Mike Ward and Gary Smith are this weeks winners of the Unsung
Hero Award.
See you all in Warrensburg this Saturday.
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