|
CB
Aqib Talib (PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Jacobsen, Kansas
Athletic Media Relations) |
|
|
2006
Statistics |
Coach:
Mark Mangino
25-35,
5 years |
2006
Record: 6-6 |
|
NORTHWESTERN
ST |
WON
49-18 |
UL-MONROE |
WON
21-19 |
at
Toledo |
LOST
31-37 (2OT) |
SOUTH
FLORIDA |
WON
13-7 |
at
Nebraska |
LOST
32-39 (OT) |
TEXAS
A&M |
LOST
18-21 |
OKLAHOMA
STATE |
LOST
32-42 |
at
Baylor |
LOST
35-36 |
COLORADO |
WON
20-15 |
at
Iowa State |
WON
41-10 |
KANSAS
STATE |
WON
39-20 |
at
Missouri |
LOST
17-42 |
|
2006 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2007
Outlook |
Kansas
has the same moniker as many teams in the
Big 12 – they are a decent, well-built
squad that has a tough time getting to the
next level(s) due to their top-heavy conference.
That means they earned last year’s
6-6 record, and in beating only two teams
with winning records and losing to two that
were sub-.500, they seem to have enough
consistency to prove they are methodically
building a worthy program. But with the
league looking tougher than ever, that cuts
out the work head coach Mark Mangino has
to accomplish to achieve a bowl-eligible
effort. One area needing attention includes
the youthful (but experienced) defense in
which their well-manned secondary, though
a marginal unit, has much promise with All-American
corner Aqib Talib setting the standard for
the conference. On offense, many are pointing
to how their loss of the Big 12’s
top back, coupled with the new starters
along the line’s interior, is a concern,
but we think KU will probably work through
that situation quickly to again pose a formidable
rushing attack. Two strong, emerging dual-threat
signal-callers, with on-field, pre-snap
guidance via messages relayed from the coaching
staff, should kick it up a gear or two for
their already decent point scoring machine.
This is the kind of team most experts will
classically look down at – any foes
who do such will see just how well disciplined
and dangerous the Crimson-and-Blue can be.
All they need is a little more weekly consistency
to possibly break into the top 25 during
the year; KU especially has to do better
on the road (1-4 in ’06). The four
non-cons to start, followed by three beatable
North Division foes, ease the Jayhawks into
the meat of their league schedule. This
team really has the easiest slate in the
Big 12, especially when you realize that
Oklahoma and Texas are again missing, and
a mere four games are away from Memorial
stadium. Kansas could wind up with nine
wins if all cylinders are hitting by the
time they go to Boulder, but inconsistency
could just as easily cause Mangino’s
guys to struggle weekly by October’s
push. They likely fall towards the former…save
an injury rash, there is just too much talent
for this venerable program to not earn a
winning record in its 108th campaign.
Projected
2007 record: 6-6
|
|
|
OT
Anthony Collins (PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Jacobsen, Kansas
Athletic Media Relations) |
KANSAS
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 3.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Kerry Meier, 104-184-10, 1193 yds., 13 TD
Rushing: Kerry Meier, 99 att., 344
yds., 5 TD
Receiving: Dexton Fields, 45 rec.,
455 yds., 5 TD
Scoring: Scott Webb, 13-18 FG, 37-39
PAT, 76 pts.
Punting: Kyle Tucker, 58 punts, 39.2
avg.
Kicking: Scott Webb, 13-18 FG, 37-39
PAT, 76 pts.
Tackles: Mike Rivera, 90 tot., 63
solo
Sacks: James McClinton, 6 sacks
Interceptions: Aqib Talib, 6 for
82 yds.
Kickoff returns: Marcus Herford,
29 ret., 26.1 avg., 0 TD
Punt returns: Dexton Fields, 1 ret.,
3.0 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 6
|
----RETURNING
STARTERS----
|
DEFENSE
- 8
|
|
KEY
LOSSES
|
OFFENSE:
Adam Barmann-QB, Jon Cornish-RB, Brian Murph-WR,
Jonathan Lamb-WR, Travis Dambach-OT, Bob Whitaker-OG,
David Ochoa-C |
DEFENSE:
Wayne
Wilder-DT, Paul Como-DE, Jerome Kemp-SS |
|
|
2007
OFFENSE
|
Did
you realize that the Jayhawks had the nation’s
No.33 offense in 2006 and were led by a redshirted
freshman behind center? Coach Mangino also had
the top RB in the Big 12 (No.7 in the nation),
and though he (Cornish) is now gone, balance,
speed and power still describe what will emerge
from their worthy backfield. One big difference
this time will be improved decision making, and
the QB isn’t necessarily the only one who
will make the better decisions. Coaches are set
to use modern technology to make better defensive
reads. The goal seems to be to hurry to the line
of scrimmage well ahead of time within a chosen
set; coaches can then analyze what they see from
the booth and/or sidelines to eventually signal
the needed play/adjustments/audibles with plenty
of time before the snap. Used against them last
year, Mangino knows how much easier this sequence
will make things for either QB so they can focus
on execution and not be as distracted or mistake-prone
(Meier threw an INT every 18.4 throws). Sophomore
incumbent Kerry Meier’s arm will develop
into a serious weapon, and the Pittsburg-product’s
speed is enough to make him more than just a decoy
when he tucks it to run. A bit smaller, Todd Reesing
will see the field, too, on game day – his
arm seems superior to Meier’s with feet
to match, and his ability to lead was proven when
he spearheaded the comeback win versus Colorado.
One of these sophomores will eventually separate
himself to become the future of the team, a process
that will only help secure more wins. The runners
are a lightning-and-thunder pair – slasher
Jake Sharp and senior fullback Brandon McAnderson
are rarely pigeon-holed for their talents. McAnderson’s
presence in one-back sets telegraphs little as
to the play-call due to his speedy first five
steps, while the toughness of Sharp to play through
injury (spring) is a testimonial to his gritty
determination and effectiveness. The only thing
McAnderson doesn’t do as well is run outside,
though, Sharp can live between the tackles when
necessary. Depth seems iffy and production would
be impacted if these two were to go down. The
line’s revampings all occur inside, and
the new faces are worthy replacements who will
need little time to effectively plowing. Heady
junior center Ryan Cantrell moves over after starting
at guard (2005), while German-born (and prep wrestling
champ) Adrian Mayes has looked solid all spring
in his new starting slot. Chet Hartley bumps up
from the JUCO ranks to give the new KU interior
some valuable experience. Cesar Rodriguez is their
athletic left tackle who has started consistently
since his freshman campaign, and he started every
game last year as did bulked-up ex-DE Anthony
Collins. The line’s starters – along
with two of the backups – are all experienced
upperclassmen, so reestablishing a top 25 rushing
attack is within reach. Derek Fine, a team captain
last year, cannot be ignored going over the deep
middle, and we feel coaches would be wise to break
Marc Jones out of his regular blocking-TE role.
6’4 senior Marcus Henry is a leader amongst
the snarlers, and along with ‘go to’
guy Dexton Fields, experience and talent go hand
in hand for 2007 with three of the top four in
the corps returning. Angus Quigley sat out last
year, and his move from RB to WR is an intriguing
X-factor that will cause exploitable mismatches.
The rest of the depth available for the Jayhawk’s
multiple-receiver sets is formidable. (Will Talib
be seen come fall?) Mangino’s offensive
mind has this side of things quietly humming in
his sophisticated, yet highly understandable system,
and we can expect even more with either QB increasing
his ability to run the ship with less mistakes.
|
|
RB
Brandon McAnderson (PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff
Jacobsen, Kansas Athletic Media Relations)
|
|
|
KANSAS
2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
|
OFFENSE |
QB |
Kerry
Meier-So (6-3, 215) |
Todd
Reesing-So (5-11, 190) |
FB |
Brandon
McAnderson-Sr (6-0, 235) |
Sam
Archer-So (6-1, 220) |
RB |
Jake
Sharp-So (5-10, 190) |
Donte
Bean-Fr (5-9, 195) |
WR |
Marcus
Henry-Sr (6-4, 200) |
Jeff
Foster-Sr (6-2, 195) |
WR |
Marcus
Herford-Jr (6-3, 210) |
Raymond
Brown-Jr (6-3, 200) |
WR |
Dexton
Fields-Jr (6-0, 200) |
Angus
Quigley-So (6-2, 210) |
TE |
Derek
Fine-Sr (6-3, 245) |
Marc
Jones-Sr (6-4, 241) |
OT |
Anthony
Collins-Jr (6-6, 300) |
Jose
Rodriguez-So (6-6, 255) |
OG |
Adrian
Mayes-Jr (6-3, 300) |
Matt
Darton-Jr (6-6, 305) |
C |
Ryan
Cantrell-Jr (6-3, 285) |
John
Marshall-Fr (6-3, 280) |
OG |
Chet
Hartley-Jr (6-4, 315) |
Rameses
Arceo-Jr (6-4, 295) |
OT |
Cesar
Rodriguez-Sr (6-7, 286) |
Ian
Wolfe-Fr (6-5, 280) |
K |
Scott
Webb-Sr (5-11, 180) |
.. |
|
|
2007
DEFENSE
|
Sixth-year
coordinator Bill Young has some work to do after
his defensive ranking slipped from 11th in ‘05
to 94th last year. A few good showings versus
some top teams were negated by inconsistency against
others…often lesser squads. But like in
years past, Young’s ability to coach up
his linemen still stands above his ability to
motivate the Jayhawks in coverage. The exception
to the latter is All-American junior corner Aqib
Talib, a shutdown-type who will send lots of business
away from his side. That means JUCO-transfer Kendrick
Harper will become a target until he proves his
worth. You can bet former-starter Anthony Webb,
“demoted” to nickel upon Harper’s
arrival, will see almost as many reps as the other
two and could possibly start depending on the
opponent. What is most promising from a statistical
standpoint is how, though ranked 119th –
dead last in I-A – for pass defense, they
came in at 47th for efficiency. With a rushing
defense that allowed a stingy 109 yards per game,
foes threw it almost 100 times more than they
ran against Young’s guys, ergo the inflated
passing yardage allowed. With Darrell Stuckey’s
and Justin Thornton’s admirable showings
as RS freshmen at free safety, these two starters
should be that much sounder in the deep middle.
Canadian-born Tang Bacheyie and classmate/JUCO-transfer
Pat Resby represent no weak link at strong safety,
so improvements to the pass defense are coming.
Also boosting the coverage will be three returning
starters at linebacker; they replaced departed
seniors last year and struggled at times as a
unit. Statistically, they individually rock. All-Big
12 middle-man Mike Rivera and then-OLB Joe Mortensen
finished first and (tied for) second in tackles,
with Mortensen also second in TFLs (12). Big and
fast, these juniors/roommates are now both playing
in the middle by committee. Will we see some 3-4
in, let’s say, second-and-six situations?
Mortensen bumping back inside (after helping outside
in ’06 due to needs there) is due to the
emergence of James Holt on the outside. Like Holt,
Arist Wright plays light like a safety/LB hybrid
to help against five-receiver sets and formidable
TEs. With Maxwell Onyegbule bumping up to the
line, disguising the Jayhawk defense becomes even
easier. All-conference tackle James McClinton
has to be an All-American consideration after
his team leading totals of 16 TFLs, three forced
fumbles and six sacks show that his 38 unassisted
tackles from an inside slot are no fluke. The
other juniors along the front all fit into the
mold of what Big 12 linemen need to have for success
– size, speed, and the ability to work as
a unit are why this unit stacks up annually here
in Lawrence. The two-deep features only one senior
(McClinton), but when nine starters return and
some have been displaced in healthy position competitions,
things are sure to improve across the defensive
landscape. Young’s pension to incorporate
creative blitzes works well with fast OLBs and
all his multiple hybrid players. Still, if KU
can’t keep foes from again scoring 123 fourth-quarter
points – more than twice what was scored
in any other single quarter – it will be
another break-even year in the heartland.
|
|
DT
James McClinton (PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Jacobsen,
Kansas Athletic Media Relations)
|
|
|
KANSAS
2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Russell
Brorsen-Jr (6-4, 238) |
Jeff
Wheeler-So (6-7, 260) |
DT |
Todd
Haselhorst-Jr (6-4, 300) |
Justin
Pessetto-Fr (6-3, 285)
Jamal Greene-Fr (6-4, 265) |
DT |
James
McClinton-Sr (6-1, 283) |
Caleb
Blakesley-So (6-5, 285) |
DE |
John
Larson-Jr (6-3, 245) |
Maxwell
Onyegbule-Fr (6-4, 230) |
OLB |
James
Holt-Jr (6-3, 200) |
Jake
Schermer-So (6-2, 215) |
MLB |
Joe
Mortensen-Jr (6-1, 245) |
Mike
Rivera-Jr (6-3, 250) |
OLB |
Arist
Wright-So (6-0, 210) |
Olaitan
Oguntodu-So (6-0, 200) |
CB |
Aqib
Talib-Jr (6-2, 180) |
Gary
Green-Jr (5-9, 175) |
CB |
Kendrick
Harper-Jr (5-11, 185) |
Anthony
Webb-So (6-0, 180) |
SS |
Tang
Bacheyie-Jr (6-1, 205) |
Patrick
Resby-Jr (6-2, 195) |
FS |
Darrell
Stuckey-So (6-1, 202) |
Justin
Thornton-So (6-1, 195) |
P |
Kyle
Tucker-Sr (6-2, 205) |
.. |
|
|
|
2007
SPECIAL TEAMS
|
Punter
Kyle Tucker drops 40% of his tries inside the 20 and
forces over 20% of them to be fair caught…so why
can’t they earn better net results? Senior Scott
Webb persevered convincingly after missing three straight
FGAs (that arguably cost the Jayhawks) against Oklahoma
State and Baylor (went 5-for-5 from then on). Marcus
Herford was 18th in the country for his kick return
efforts, but there is no guarantee as to whom will be
back on punts (Sharp seems to have the inside track
after spring).
|
|