2008 Spring Preview
Key Sun Belt Questions Answered
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2008 Sun Belt Spring Analysis
Who’s the right
quarterback to revolve the Middle Tennessee offense around? What’s the missing piece to
finally getting a Sun Belt title?
John Turner, Publisher
www.BlueRaiderZone.com
Dwight Dasher is the man. As a matter of
fact, Joe Craddock may not participate in spring football practice
since he has joined the Blue Raiders baseball team. His
participation in spring practice will be decided once it's
determined if he will get significant playing time on the baseball
team.
It was clear that Dasher was the choice
of Coach Stockstill last year. Dasher started his first game against
Western Kentucky and he would have started every game after that,
but he was sidelined due to injuries. This gave Craddock a chance to
come in as the starter a couple of games late in the year.
Dasher's versatility makes him the
coaches choice. The Blue Raiders offensive line is good, but young,
so Dasher's mobility will help offset a lack of experience on the
offensive line.
Also, leading receiver Bobby Williams
has transferred in the off-season. Just last week 2 receivers,
Walter Dozier and Dale Galvin, were kicked off the team. The Blue
Raiders have only one returning running back, Phillip Tanner. It is
going to be important to have a QB that can make plays due to a lack
of other playmakers on offense.
The Blue Raiders have added speed in the
off-season, but the one big question is who will be the playmaker?
If the Blue Raiders hope to win the Sun Belt they will need someone
at the skill positions to make plays.
Another big question is the kicking
game. Last year it could be argued that the outcome of the Western
Kentucky and Virginia games would have been different if the Blue
Raiders could hit their field goals. It took a last second kickoff
return by Bradley Robinson to beat Louisiana-Monroe, a game that
should have been won earlier but break downs in the kicking game
kept that score closer than it should have been. True freshman Alan
Gendreau was signed to a scholarship this year to help shore up the
kicking game.
What's the one thing the UL Lafayette needs
to work on this spring to get over the hump?
Brian Thompson
CajunRedZone.com
The defense, pressure from the front seven and
pass converge in the secondary. Offense, Desormeaux has just played on
year under center without being moved around. The passing game needs
more consistency.
