SEC: What we know, what we don't know

papz · 05-14-2007, 04:03 PM

Ole Miss Rebels
Source: James Bryant of RebelSports.net

What we learned from spring practice: The offensive line is a lot better. Four of five starters are coming back. Corey Actis, Michael Oher and John Jerry are the three most important players on the line. The defensive line is young, but with the combination of two Rivals.com freshman All-Americans – Marcus Tillman and Greg Hardy – they really are continuing to improve. They're going to be big-time players for Ole Miss. The running game is looking good with BenJarvus Green-Ellis coming back and with Cordera Eason. They've got more depth at running back than they've ever had before. The wide receiving corps has grown up … they're sophomores now. They're a lot more mature and better than they were.

The biggest question remaining for fall: The play of the quarterbacks. Seth Adams probably has a leg up for the starting position over Brent Schaeffer. I think (Schaeffer) is just not being able to grasp the offense. He's more used to a gunslinger type of offense, and this is more of a pro style. He hasn't adapted. He came in the day before fall practice started last year and was way behind as far as physically being in shape, learning the playbook and developing chemistry. He seemed to be in a lot better shape (this spring), but he was still inaccurate with his throws and just inconsistent. Seth Adams is nothing flashy. He's more of a blue-collar type who doesn't make any mistakes and is more consistent than Schaeffer.

Mississippi State Bulldogs
Source: Willie Lee of BulldogBlitz.com

What we learned from spring practice: The offense will be more productive than in the past. In '07, the Bulldogs could have a 1,000-yard rusher, a 2,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard receiver. The offensive line continued to improve after only giving up six sacks in the last six games of last season. The receiving corps will be better and deeper. All the tight ends return. All the running backs return. The entire offensive line returns intact from last year. Look for the offense to be more explosive than in the past.

The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question mark has to be the defensive line. The Bulldogs lost three senior defensive linemen from last year. The guys replacing them have talent, but they don't have experience in SEC competition.

South Carolina Gamecocks
Source: Scott Hood of Gamecockcentral.com

What we learned from spring practice: Blake Mitchell will be the starting quarterback when the 2007 season opens. Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley were expected to challenge Mitchell for the role, but inconsistent play and trouble grasping the offense doomed both quarterbacks. Mitchell, a fifth-year senior, has a wide lead. Barring a catastrophic injury, Mitchell should remain the starting quarterback for the entire season.

The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question facing South Carolina is who will replace Sidney Rice at wide receiver. The depth of the position did not develop as Steve Spurrier hoped in the spring. Kenny McKinley should seamlessly elevate to the No. 1 receiver role, but the next two receivers could end up being true freshmen Chris Culliver and Jason Barnes.

Tennessee Volunteers
Source: Brent Hubbs of Volquest.com

What we learned from spring practice: It became clear this spring that the offense is going to have to hang its hat on the running game. Their best offensive playmakers are their running backs. The defensive front made strides in the spring and ended spring practice on the brightest note of any group on the team.

The biggest question remaining for fall: This is a team full of question marks. Offensively, where are the playmakers at wide receiver? Can the incoming freshmen help? Can Tennessee get them ready this summer? There is no doubt that this is the biggest concern for the offense. Defensively, the Vols need help in the secondary, and they are counting on junior-college transfers DeAngelo Willingham and Nevin McKenzie. The bottom line is there are plenty of question marks for this team heading into the 2007 season.

Vanderbilt Commodores
Source: Jesse Johnson of VandySports.com

What we learned from spring practice: The biggest thing we learned from Vanderbilt this spring is the talent level continues to rise. The returning starters all looked improved. WR Earl Bennett, LB Jonathan Goff, OT Chris Williams and S Reshard Langford all looked like potential all-SEC players. Bennett, Goff and Williams were very good leaders who are possible All-America candidates. Vanderbilt could have its best defense since Bobby Johnson's arrival. Returning quarterback Chris Nickson has improved his long passing game and his decision-making skills. Jeff Jennings' return gives Vanderbilt a running-back unit that legitimately could be four players deep. Jennings will be key in short-yardage situations.

The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question mark for Vanderbilt is probably whether some talented redshirt freshmen and little-used sophomores can give the defensive line significant depth. Theo Horrocks, Curtis Gatewood, Steven Stone, Broderick Stewart, Gabe Hall and Greg Billinger will be the top six defensive linemen. Players such as Kikko Logan, Adam Smotherman, Brandon Holmes, Quavian Lewis, Teriall Brannon and Derrius Dowell will have to step up.

05-14-2007, 04:03 PM	#2
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,793	Ole Miss Rebels Source: James Bryant of RebelSports.net What we learned from spring practice: The offensive line is a lot better. Four of five starters are coming back. Corey Actis, Michael Oher and John Jerry are the three most important players on the line. The defensive line is young, but with the combination of two Rivals.com freshman All-Americans – Marcus Tillman and Greg Hardy – they really are continuing to improve. They're going to be big-time players for Ole Miss. The running game is looking good with BenJarvus Green-Ellis coming back and with Cordera Eason. They've got more depth at running back than they've ever had before. The wide receiving corps has grown up … they're sophomores now. They're a lot more mature and better than they were. The biggest question remaining for fall: The play of the quarterbacks. Seth Adams probably has a leg up for the starting position over Brent Schaeffer. I think (Schaeffer) is just not being able to grasp the offense. He's more used to a gunslinger type of offense, and this is more of a pro style. He hasn't adapted. He came in the day before fall practice started last year and was way behind as far as physically being in shape, learning the playbook and developing chemistry. He seemed to be in a lot better shape (this spring), but he was still inaccurate with his throws and just inconsistent. Seth Adams is nothing flashy. He's more of a blue-collar type who doesn't make any mistakes and is more consistent than Schaeffer. Mississippi State Bulldogs Source: Willie Lee of BulldogBlitz.com What we learned from spring practice: The offense will be more productive than in the past. In '07, the Bulldogs could have a 1,000-yard rusher, a 2,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard receiver. The offensive line continued to improve after only giving up six sacks in the last six games of last season. The receiving corps will be better and deeper. All the tight ends return. All the running backs return. The entire offensive line returns intact from last year. Look for the offense to be more explosive than in the past. The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question mark has to be the defensive line. The Bulldogs lost three senior defensive linemen from last year. The guys replacing them have talent, but they don't have experience in SEC competition. South Carolina Gamecocks Source: Scott Hood of Gamecockcentral.com What we learned from spring practice: Blake Mitchell will be the starting quarterback when the 2007 season opens. Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley were expected to challenge Mitchell for the role, but inconsistent play and trouble grasping the offense doomed both quarterbacks. Mitchell, a fifth-year senior, has a wide lead. Barring a catastrophic injury, Mitchell should remain the starting quarterback for the entire season. The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question facing South Carolina is who will replace Sidney Rice at wide receiver. The depth of the position did not develop as Steve Spurrier hoped in the spring. Kenny McKinley should seamlessly elevate to the No. 1 receiver role, but the next two receivers could end up being true freshmen Chris Culliver and Jason Barnes. Tennessee Volunteers Source: Brent Hubbs of Volquest.com What we learned from spring practice: It became clear this spring that the offense is going to have to hang its hat on the running game. Their best offensive playmakers are their running backs. The defensive front made strides in the spring and ended spring practice on the brightest note of any group on the team. The biggest question remaining for fall: This is a team full of question marks. Offensively, where are the playmakers at wide receiver? Can the incoming freshmen help? Can Tennessee get them ready this summer? There is no doubt that this is the biggest concern for the offense. Defensively, the Vols need help in the secondary, and they are counting on junior-college transfers DeAngelo Willingham and Nevin McKenzie. The bottom line is there are plenty of question marks for this team heading into the 2007 season. Vanderbilt Commodores Source: Jesse Johnson of VandySports.com What we learned from spring practice: The biggest thing we learned from Vanderbilt this spring is the talent level continues to rise. The returning starters all looked improved. WR Earl Bennett, LB Jonathan Goff, OT Chris Williams and S Reshard Langford all looked like potential all-SEC players. Bennett, Goff and Williams were very good leaders who are possible All-America candidates. Vanderbilt could have its best defense since Bobby Johnson's arrival. Returning quarterback Chris Nickson has improved his long passing game and his decision-making skills. Jeff Jennings' return gives Vanderbilt a running-back unit that legitimately could be four players deep. Jennings will be key in short-yardage situations. The biggest question remaining for fall: The biggest question mark for Vanderbilt is probably whether some talented redshirt freshmen and little-used sophomores can give the defensive line significant depth. Theo Horrocks, Curtis Gatewood, Steven Stone, Broderick Stewart, Gabe Hall and Greg Billinger will be the top six defensive linemen. Players such as Kikko Logan, Adam Smotherman, Brandon Holmes, Quavian Lewis, Teriall Brannon and Derrius Dowell will have to step up.