Secondary Cornerstone Returns

[Captain Kangaroo]

Reggie Corner will return to the Zips for a 5th year of eligibility. My recollection is he transferred from BG to Akron before his Freshman year began. I don't think he ever took a class at BG.2007 should boast our best secondary since the early 90's. Now, if only we can generate a pass rush!

[InTheZone]

I'm PUMPED about next year's secondary. The trio of Tate, Corner, and one of the best Zips DB's ever, Brandon Anderson, would be the envy of a lot of BCS schools. Add to that a huge talent at safety in Wayne Cobham, who began last season playing at the ripe old age of 17, with Mackey and hopefully a Chevin Pace with his head screwed on straight manning the SS/Rover spots, and that's the best secondary in the league bar none, all returning starters. But they better be able to cover for a looooooong time, because I don't think our pass rush problems are getting better anytime soon. You lose the only two guys who did anything in the pass rush last year in Reid and Gonzales, and then your two fastest d-lineman decide to leave the team, and you aren't left with much in the way of pass rush. Cechetti's not exactly a pass rush specialist, neither is Lively. Nate Robinson probably could do something, but from what I've seen he's lazy and takes most passing plays to catch his breath instead of giving an effort. The only hope I see for a pass rush is to either take Grant and put his hand down or hope and pray that Lemon qualifies and is able to contribute. Otherwise the safest person in the world next year is going to be a quarterback going against the Zips.

[skip-zip]

Excellent News!! I'm looking forward (somewhat) to next football season again now.

[johnnyzip84]

Isn't Andre Jones returning as well?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Isn't Andre Jones returning as well?

Yes. And to me, he's the best of the bunch.

[johnnyzip84]

I concur, your Captaincy! I get the feeling that he was playing mostly on raw talent for most of last year. I'm hoping a year of seasoning will bring out a more steady, consistent force in the middle of the backfield. His ability to break on the ball is particularly impressive for a safety. I think he has a chance to be as good as Dwight Smith, but more consistent!

[InTheZone]

Forgot all about Andre Jones. That gives us TWO great talents at free safety, though I would put Jones slightly behind Brandon Anderson in terms of overall talent in the secondary. Jones was slightly inconsistent at times last year and had a few blown coverages early on, but I'm sure much of that can be attributed to the fact that he had been out of football for a while.Next year's starting Defense:FS- Andre Jones/Wayne CobhamSS- Chevin PaceR-John MackeyCB- Brandon AndersonCB- Reggie Corner/Devanso TateLB- Kevin GrantLB- Brion StokesLB-Doug Williams/Al-Teric BalaamDE- Jared CechettiN- Dantley Cline/Eric LivelyDE- Nate RobinsonLooking at that lineup, the only weakness I see is the D-line. If I'm Jim Flemming I take Grant, have him put on 10 lbs, and put his hand down, replacing Cechetti with him to provide a pass rush. Al Teric-Balaam can easily be a starting linebacker, and if you're trying to get your best eleven on the field you replace Cechetti with Balaam.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Forgot all about Andre Jones. That gives us TWO great talents at free safety, though I would put Jones slightly behind Brandon Anderson in terms of overall talent in the secondary. Jones was slightly inconsistent at times last year and had a few blown coverages early on, but I'm sure much of that can be attributed to the fact that he had been out of football for a while.Next year's starting Defense:FS- Andre Jones/Wayne CobhamSS- Chevin PaceR-John MackeyCB- Brandon AndersonCB- Reggie Corner/Devanso TateLB- Kevin GrantLB- Brion StokesLB-Doug Williams/Al-Teric BalaamDE- Jared CechettiN- Dantley Cline/Eric LivelyDE- Nate RobinsonLooking at that lineup, the only weakness I see is the D-line. If I'm Jim Flemming I take Grant, have him put on 10 lbs, and put his hand down, replacing Cechetti with him to provide a pass rush. Al Teric-Balaam can easily be a starting linebacker, and if you're trying to get your best eleven on the field you replace Cechetti with Balaam.

Adding Baker and Pettite-Frerre (sp?) should also give us a big boost at LB.

[johnnyzip84]

Forgot all about Andre Jones. That gives us TWO great talents at free safety, though I would put Jones slightly behind Brandon Anderson in terms of overall talent in the secondary. Jones was slightly inconsistent at times last year and had a few blown coverages early on, but I'm sure much of that can be attributed to the fact that he had been out of football for a while.Next year's starting Defense:FS- Andre Jones/Wayne CobhamSS- Chevin PaceR-John MackeyCB- Brandon AndersonCB- Reggie Corner/Devanso TateLB- Kevin GrantLB- Brion StokesLB-Doug Williams/Al-Teric BalaamDE- Jared CechettiN- Dantley Cline/Eric LivelyDE- Nate Robinson

Sorry, but I'll take Andre Jones over Chevin "just a little off the" Pace any day of the week. At least Jones is a pretty sure tackler.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Sorry, but I'll take Andre Jones over Chevin "just a little off the" Pace any day of the week. At least Jones is a pretty sure tackler.

Pace was terrible this season. Whether it was due to the time off...residuals from the bad wheel...loss of heart...I have no clue. But he was terrible.

[Buckzip]

Don't forget the possible addition of Stoudamire. That will help the d-line quite a bit.Chevin Pace is sort of an enigma. He came on his first year and looked like a future All American. Then he vanished.

[a-zip]

Don't forget the possible addition of Stoudamire.

I heard he is an animal. Is he eligible?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Don't forget the possible addition of Stoudamire.

I heard he is an animal. Is he eligible?

We won't know until after next session.

[Ballingirl]

Forgot all about Andre Jones. That gives us TWO great talents at free safety, though I would put Jones slightly behind Brandon Anderson in terms of overall talent in the secondary. Jones was slightly inconsistent at times last year and had a few blown coverages early on, but I'm sure much of that can be attributed to the fact that he had been out of football for a while.Next year's starting Defense:FS- Andre Jones/Wayne CobhamSS- Chevin PaceR-John MackeyCB- Brandon AndersonCB- Reggie Corner/Devanso TateLB- Kevin GrantLB- Brion StokesLB-Doug Williams/Al-Teric BalaamDE- Jared CechettiN- Dantley Cline/Eric LivelyDE- Nate RobinsonLooking at that lineup, the only weakness I see is the D-line. If I'm Jim Flemming I take Grant, have him put on 10 lbs, and put his hand down, replacing Cechetti with him to provide a pass rush. Al Teric-Balaam can easily be a starting linebacker, and if you're trying to get your best eleven on the field you replace Cechetti with Balaam.

You can forget about Dantley Cline in there. He's on the first bus back home. From what I hear, he got himself in some trouble.

[Buckzip]

"You can forget about Dantley Cline in there. He's on the first bus back home. From what I hear, he got himself in some trouble."Great, another big d-lineman gone. Is this a for sure thing?

[InTheZone]

To address some things that were said:Cap: I'm sure you're "in the know" just as much as I am, but I'd heard that Mickey Baker was huge disappointment and at best will be a marginal backup. Heard GREAT things about Petite-Frerre though. Scout team player of the year, should add a lot of depth to the LB core.johnnyzip: Pace had a horrible year, but judging by the two seasons before that he can still be a top-notch player. I think the drug suspension shows us his mind was in a lot of other places this season.a-zip: Stoudemire should be eligible, and he's a physical freak, but he's another one with discipline problems that I'm just hoping doesn't turn into another Clarence McPherson/Nate Robinson.Ballingirl: I know what you're talking about, and Cline will be back. He made a stupid mistake but I believe everything has been cleared up and the University isn't taking any action. He became ineligible at the end of last season however and didn't dress for the final two games, so his academics are of concern. From everything I know, he will be back on campus in the spring though.