Temple Preview 2006 - Offense

Temple Owls Preview 2006 - Temple Owl Offense

What you need to know ... It can't be any worse. While it won't be a true spread offense, it'll be close if it finds a trigger man who's not only accurate, but can also move. There are three prospects pushing for the starting job after Joe DeSanzo, the only one with any appreciable experience, left. The attack will score more than the pitiful 9.73 points per game it came up with last year thanks to the return of several key players like RB Tim Brown, WR Mike Holley and OG Tariq Sanders after missing all of last season. This will be a transition year learning the ropes so all the young talent will be experienced for 2007.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Colin Clancy
10-19, 121 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Josh Bundy
16 carries, 39 yds, 3 TD
Receiving: Jamel Harris
20 catches, 241 yds

Star of the offense: Senior RB Tim Brown
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Colin Clancy, Shane Kelly, and/or redshirt freshman Jarrett Dunston
Unsung star on the rise: Freshman RB Jason Harper
Best pro prospect: Senior OT Elliot Seifert
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Seifert, 2) WR Bruce Francis, 3) OG Tariq Sanders
Strength of the offense: Wide receiver
Weakness of the offense: Quarterback

Quarterbacks
Four quarterbacks will battle it out for the right to run George DeLeone's offense. There's no Donovan McNabb, DeLeone's most famous pupil, but there are several interesting young options to choose from.Colin Clancy is small, but the most accurate passer, Shane Kelly is the biggest option with decent mobility, and Jarrett Dunston has the best skills, but is too young with no practice experience. It'll be a work in progress.
The key to the unit: Someone has to emerge as a consistent, accurate passer keeping interceptions to a minimum. Completing 55% of the passes will be a big upgrade. 
Quarterback Rating: 4

Projected Starter
- Colin Clancy, Soph. - 10-19, 121 yds, 53%, 1 TD
Clancy turned into the team's number three quarterback seeing time in five games with his best performance against Toledo completing six of nine passes. He's the smallest of the four quarterbacks in the rotation and has little mobility.

Top Backups
- Shane Kelly. Soph. - 2-6, 18 yds, 33%
The 6-4 Kelly is the biggest of the four quarterback options with one of the liveliest arms. He saw a little bit of time as a freshman thrown to the wolves in a blowout loss to Wisconsin.

- Jarrett Dunston, Fr.
Dunston is the most talented quarterback on the roster with good size and solid all-around skills, but the early enrollee needs time. He's mobile and has a great arm with the potential to be a perfect fit for what offensive coordinator George DeLeone wants to do.

Running Backs
Leading rusher Umar Ferguson is gone along with number two man Michael Billops, but the situation might turn out to be better with the return of Tim Brown after missing last year due to academic issues. Jason Harper is a great recruit who'll see plenty of time right away as a true freshman. Josh Bundy and Mike Neal are big backs who should create a good fullback tandem.
The key to the unit: Using the various options to come up with an effective rotation. The tailback speed and quickness has to combine with the power of the fullbacks to gain far more than the 902 yards the backs came up with last season.
Running Back Rating: 4.5

Projected Starters
- Tim Brown, Sr.
Brown is a small, quick back who returns after being the team's top starter in 2004 rushing for 432 yards and two touchdowns. He missed all of last season with academic issues and is now ready to roll. He's a great receiver who'll add a much needed punch to the ground game that finished 115th in the nation in rushing.

- Fullback Josh Bundy, Jr. - 16 carries, 39 yds, 3.4 ypc, 3 TD, 3 catches, 22 yds
The starting fullback over the second half of last season will be a power back in the attack as well as a strong lead blocker. He's 240 pounds who'll also be a key player on special teams. He's the team's most physical back.

Top Backups
- Jason Harper, Fr.
One of the team's top recruits, the 195-pound true freshman will see plenty of carries keeping Tim Brown fresh. He scored 11 touchdowns for Fork Union Military Academy last season after wishing for 2,995 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
- Fullback Mike Neal, Jr. - 8 carries, 33 yds, 4.1 ypc, 1 catch, 17 yds
The 210-pound junior can play either fullback or tailback. He'll mostly be used as a big runner and let Josh Bundy do most of the heavy blocking work. He started to become a key reserve early last year before getting knocked out with a leg injury.

Receivers
This should be the team's strength with several quick options to spread the ball around to. The first step is finding someone who can stretch the defense, and there are plenty of options with Bruce Francis, Jamel Harris and Maurice Clark, the team's biggest receiver, on the outside. Former quarterback Michael Holley is back after being out of action the last two years, and Travis Shelton is a dangerous target with the best wheels on the team. The tight end situation is thin with only two scholarship players to work with.
The key to the unit: Establish a number one target and a few field stretchers.
Receiver Rating: 4.5

Projected Starters
- Bruce Francis, Soph. - 14 catches, 133 yds, 9.5 ypc
Francis took over the starting job over the second half of last season and should hold on to the job at the outside X position to start the season. He's a speedy target who wasn't used enough on deep plays with his longest catch only 18 yards.

- Domerio Hamilton, Sr. - 6 catches, 90 yds, 15 ypc, 1 TD
The JUCO transfer showed a few flashes of what he can do after catching 41 passes and scoring seven touchdowns in nine games at Dodge City CC in Kansas. He has the potential to be a strong inside receiver with the speed to tear off big yards after the catch.

- Tight end Ben Hendy, Soph. - 2 catches, 26 yds, 13 ypc
The 235-pound sophomore started half of his true freshman season but only made two catches. He'll be more than just a blocker this season turning into a key target in the spread attack.

Top Backups
- Jamel Harris, Sr. - 20 catches, 241 yds, 12.1 ypc
Harris has the most experience in the receiving corps and is one of the few returning starters to the offense after finishing third on the team in receiving. However, he's hardly a lock to hold down the starting spot getting pushed hard for time at the X. He moved from an inside position to an outside spot; he has too much speed not to make more big plays at the X. 
- Travis Shelton, Soph.
Potentially the best receiver in the bunch, Shelton is the team's fastest player pushing for time at the inside Z position. He showed signs of doing big things as a true freshman catching four passes for 77 yards and then sat out last year to work on his academics.
- Mike Holley, Sr.
Holley started off his career as the starting quarterback, but he hasn't played since 2003 when he moved to cornerback and made 57 tackles. He redshirted in 2004 and sat out last year. He'll push for time on the inside Z position.
- Bill McGrath, RFr.
McGrath is a good-looking young player and a big target at 6-5 and 245 pounds. He'll be pushed hard for time by incoming recruits, but he has the skills to be a strong second tight end as the season rolls on.

Offensive Linemen
Expect a big change in attitude with offensive line coach Bob Bicknell looking for fire and passion. It'll be a physical group with three defensive tackles moving over to provide the depth. The return of  top guard Tariq Sanders from an injury will be a big boost, while center Alex Derenthal is a rising star at center. Tackles Elliot Seifert and Jabari Ferguson might be the key to the Owl season.
The key to the unit: The run blocking has to be far better. The pass protection will come in time, but the big front five has to establish the running game right off the bat.
Offensive Line Rating: 4.5

Projected Starters
- OT Jabari Ferguson, Soph.
Ferguson saw plenty of work as a reserve and now is the team's most vital lineman. The 290-pound sophomore is a good athlete and should become a consistent pass protector on the left side.
- OG Tariq Sanders, Sr.
Pencil him in a starting spot. The 6-6, 310-pound senior was one of the team's better guards in 2004 and returns after missing all of last year with a leg problem. When he's 100% he'll push for the job at left guard.
- C Alex Derenthal, Soph.
One of the few returning starters to the offense, the 280-pound sophomore has to grow into the role as the leader up front. He was the team's best lineman last season starting every game and showing great toughness. He was one of the few consistent players. 
- OG Neil Dickson, Sr. - 12 tackles
A reserve nose tackle last year with one start, the 280-pound former JUCO transfer will move back to guard getting the start on the right side. He's not the biggest player up front, but he should be an active run blocker.
- OT Elliot Seifert, Sr.
The 6-7, 300-pound senior has been a starter for the last two years only missing one game last season due to an ankle problem. He's huge, athletic, and smart earning All-Academic honors when Temple was part of the Big East.

Top Backups
- C/OG Evan Marguilies, Jr.
One of the team's most versatile blockers, the 315-pound junior can either play center or right guard. The former Kansas State Wildcat will eventually see plenty of playing time and should be a key reserve early on.
- OG Sean Satchell, Soph.
Of all the defensive linemen moving over to the offensive side, the 315-pound sophomore has the best chance of starting. He'll push for time at both guard spots starting out behind Neil Dickson on the right side.
- OT Brison Manor, Soph.
Manor moves over from the defensive line to be one of the line's most athletic tackles. He's not the prospect Jabari Ferguson is on the left side, but he'll be an important reserve.
- OG Dwavon Battle, Soph.
Battle was a defensive tackle last season with good size and the toughness the coaching staff is looking for. He'll battle with Sean Satchell for the the job behind Neil Dickson on the right side.