Alabama Weekly
July 7, 1999

July 7, 1999 -- Issue 11 -- Volume 2
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***
Ole Miss Rebels:
Team Overview
by Jess Nicholas
Recruiting Editor

Ole Miss Rebels: Team Overview

Returning Offensive Starters: 9 (SE, FL, LT, LG, RG, RT, QB, FB, RB)
Returning Defensive Starters: 10 (RDE, RDT, LDT, RLB, MLB, LLB, RCB, FS, SS, LCB)
Returning Specialists: 2 (PK, P)

Projected Overall Record:         9-2 (LSU, MSU)
Projected SEC Record:         6-2 (LSU, MSU)
Projected SEC West Record:    3-2 (LSU, MSU)

Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks:    Ex        Defensive Line:     Av
Running backs:    Vg        Linebackers:     Ex
Wide Receivers:    Vg        Defensive Backs:    Av
Offensive Line:    Vg        Special Teams:    Fr

The Ole Miss Rebels have the best shot in years at taking the top prize in the SEC. In the balanced Western Division, nearly anything could happen. The Rebels have a new coach, David Cutcliffe, and boast maybe the most talented quarterback in the conference, along with a strong supporting cast. Depth is a concern, however. How will the Rebels fare?

OFFENSE

The ability to run and pass with equal efficiency goes a great distance towards making a team a contender. Ole Miss certainly boasts people in all areas who can make a difference. The biggest challenges will be to replace center Matt Luke, and to hope that Terrance Metcalf can come back from a knee injury.

QUARTERBACKS
There are varying opinions as to the talent level of Romaro Miller, but the opinion here is that Miller is the best in the West and possibly the conference. Unlike Georgia's Quincy Carter, Miller remains disciplined in the pocket and plays within the system. Unlike Tennessee's Tee Martin, Miller has the ability to win a game solely with his arm. The quarterback most like Miller is Alabama's Andrew Zow, and Miller wins in terms of experience. The potential problem here is not Miller, but his backup. David Morris looked terrible last year, and Tim Gallahan, who by all rights should get the job, is coming off an injury. Then again, this is the team with whom Eli Manning cast his lot. Cutcliffe has a winner in Miller; he has to keep him healthy or the Rebels are sunk.

RUNNING BACKS
The one-two punch of Deuce McAllister and Joe Gunn make the Rebels a dangerous crew. Gunn, a speedster who is built like a fireplug and is even harder to tackle, gives teams a different look than the elusive, hole-hitting McAllister. Either one is good enough to beat you, and that's not taking into consideration Charles Stackhouse at fullback. Stackhouse, who is built like a middle linebacker, should be a bull blocker. Depth there is shaky, though.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Probably the best one-two tandem in the West exists in Grant Heard and Cory Peterson, who are rivaled by only LSU's Abram Booty and Larry Foster. Both Heard and Peterson are 6-3 or taller, and if they can just hold onto the ball with a little more consistency, can hurt you with their combination of leaping ability and speed. Sheldon Morris is a talented backup, but depth here and at the tight end position is weak. At tight end, the Rebels will be looking to replace now-Seattle Seahawk Rufus French with a combination of Adam Bettis and Doug Ziegler. Both can block, but neither are likely to be the type of player French was.

OFFENSIVE LINE
If-and that's a BIG if-Matt Luke can be replaced, the Rebels could have one of the best units in the game. Terrance Metcalf will be joined by Tutan Reyes, Keydrick Vincent, and Todd Wade as returning starters to an overachieving unit that refused to yield at most times last year. The real names to remember, though, are Charlie Perkins and Ben Claxton-the two men gunning for Luke's former job. If one of them comes through, Ole Miss could have a dangerous offensive machine at their disposal.

DEFENSE

The personnel on this side of the ball define the Ole Miss team for 1999-talented starters: little depth. Experience is at a premium, with the starters basically having all of it. The linebacking corps could be the best in the conference.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Derrick Burgess, a fine defensive end, returns along with two other talented players in the tackle positions, Kendrick Clancy and Comone Fisher. The only question mark is the other end position, which could be filled by any one of five different men. Shane Elam, Antoine Scott, and possibly Michael Boone could fill the position, although Boone is more likely to stay at tackle. Tyler Williams is solid inside as a backup. This is probably the position most sensitive to injury problems on the defensive side.

LINEBACKERS
Armegis Spearman is the best linebacker you've never heard of. He patrols the inside with aplomb, while Ronnie Heard (this year's wearer of the Chucky Mullins #38) and Eddie Strong set up on the outside. Spearman is an intelligent player who gives all of his ability, while Strong could be the next great outside linebacker in the SEC. Al Rice and Anzie Williams have experience as backups, while Shawn Johnson is also around. It wasn't too long ago that linebacker was the weakness of the team; now, it could be the bellcow group.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Hard to figure. Anthony Magee is a good safety, and Timothy Strickland a good cornerback, but you have to wonder why a linebacker (Ronnie Heard) ended up wearing the Mullins jersey instead of a defensive back. If the Rebels have a weak link on defense, this is it. Ken Lucas comes across from wide receiver to try to help out, while talented Syniker Taylor could be a budding safety star. Still, it's a good bet that teams that do the most damage to Ole Miss will be doing so through the air. Expect some growing pains here.

SPECIAL TEAMS
This may be one case where two returning starters don't give a team any advantage whatsoever. Reagan King was forgettable at punter, while the revolving door never really stopped turning at placekicker. Carlisle McGee ended up with the honors towards the end of the season, but his job is under fire from junior college transfer Les Binkley, an all-American at that level. One thing the Rebels won't be lacking is a supply of talented kick returners, ranging from Ken Lucas to Joe Gunn to Syniker Taylor to Cory Peterson. Coverage could get better, but the biggest challenge here is to find someone who can put three points on the board when necessary.


OVERALL

Depending on one issue--health--the Rebels could finish at the top of the world or buried in third-world surroundings. Coach David Cutcliffe should be fine, having helped build a winner at Tennessee before taking the Rebels job. Ole Miss had an acceptable, but not earth-shattering recruiting season, although they did grab QB Manning. As stated many time before, Ole Miss must keep everybody healthy. A loss of a key performer anywhere other than at running back or perhaps offensive line, and the Rebels could be struggling to get to .500. The biggest piece of the puzzle, however, is QB Miller, who has shown a tendency to get on the wrong side of harm's way in the last couple of years. Without Miller, Ole Miss wouldn't be a contender. In other words, this season will be one long held breath for Rebel fans, who have been waiting a long, long time for a big winner.

***
LSU Tigers:
Team Overview
by Jess Nicholas
Recruiting Editor


LSU Tigers: Team Overview

Returning Offensive Starters: 7 (SE, FL, LT, RG, RT, TE, FB)
Returning Defensive Starters: 6 (RDT, LDE, LILB, LOLB, RCB, LCB, SS)
Returning Specialists: 2 (PK, P)

Projected Overall Record:         8-3 (AU, UGA, UA)
Projected SEC Record:         5-3 (AU, UGA, UA)
Projected SEC West Record:    3-2 (AU, UA)

Ratings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
Quarterbacks:    Av        Defensive Line:     Vg
Running backs:    Vg        Linebackers:     Fr
Wide Receivers:    Ex        Defensive Backs:    Av
Offensive Line:    Av        Special Teams:    Fr

The Bayou Bengals were picked for greatness last year by nearly every service in the nation, including this one. We picked the Tigers to represent the conference in a BCS bowl, only to watch Gerry DiNardo's troups trip and stumble their way to an embarrassing 4-7 mark, especially considering the talent on tap. LSU will look to rebound this season, and Coach DiNardo's job likely depends on an 8-3 or better showing.

OFFENSE

Years of depending on Kevin Faulk are over. Herb Tyler isn't around to run the option anymore, and LSU finds itself depending instead on the drop-back stylings of Craig Nall and newcomer Josh Booty. The Tigers have some of, if not the best receivers in the division, and they will be wise to make use of them.

QUARTERBACKS
There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is….uh, wait a second. His name could be Craig Nall, an underrated sophomore with good poise and arm who showed himself to be more than competent last year during LSU's contest with Notre Dame. Nall is rough around the edges, but so are his competitors. Rohan Davey is another candidate, and his ranginess reminds many of Tyler. His passing needs work, though. Of course, neither of these men have the same name cache that Josh Booty, a former third baseman in the Florida Marlins' system does. Booty was Mr. Everything as a high school senior, an his arm strength and poise are legendary. But Booty has been out of football for several years, and one doesn't usually walk in to the SEC and become a winner out of the gate. Of course, Georgia's Quincy Carter, a former Chicago Cub farmhand, might dispute that. LSU gets an "average" rating more for depth here than they do one certain candidate. They ought to be able to find someone who can play from this trio.

RUNNING BACKS
LSU goes from having one of the deepest running back corps to one of the most shallow. The starting tailback, Rondell Mealey, is a top-flight back whose versatility and quiet confidence leave nothing to be desired. However, Mealey has fought the injury bug, and now there is little behind him in case he goes down. There are several backs on roster and incoming as signees, but none have distinguished themselves yet as a go-to backup. Josh Reed, along with signee LaBrandon Toefield, figure to be the most likely candidates. At fullback, though LSU is deep and talented. Tommy Banks is one of the SEC's forgotten men, and backup Robert Tyler is no slouch, either.

RECEIVERS
The Tigers have a solid one-two punch in Larry Foster and Abram Booty, who combine speed with solid hands to give the Bayou Bengals two legitimate downfield threats. In addition, LSU, always a haven for tight ends, has a talented twosome in Joe Domingeaux and Kyle Kipps already on roster, with signees Chad Lavalais and Eric Edwards on the way. LSU has good quality behind Booty and Foster, with Reggie Robinson and Ed Dangerfield good enough to start for a lot of clubs.

OFFENSIVE LINE
There is talent here, but also questions. Center Todd McClure will be missed, and LSU has no experienced player to replace him. Tackles Louis Williams and Brandon Winey return along with talented guard Trey Langley, while senior Al Jackson takes over at right guard. The other problem here is depth-the five reserves are all either freshmen or sophomores, none with varsity letters. LSU is thin, and if the injury bug comes to visit, they could be in trouble quickly.

DEFENSE

Many times last year, it was the defense that ultimately let the Tigers down. In their game with Alabama, the inability of the linebackers to pressure quarterback Andrew Zow coupled with uninspired play in the secondary cost them a win. Defensive Coordinator Lou Tepper, almost inexplicably, held onto his job. LSU must be at the very least twice as good as in 1998 if they are to have any hope of success.

DEFENSIVE LINE
There are some real studs here. End Jarvis Green is one of the next great SEC linemen, using his speed to get around the corner and his strength to disrupt plays. Tackle Johnny Mitchell is solid, while noseguard Kareem Mitchell and reserve tackle Kendrick Allen show promise. The problem here, like with the offensive line, is experienced depth. Muskigum Barnes has ability, but the rest of the group are assorted freshmen and sophomores who are not proven on this level. Again, LSU must steer clear of injury.

LINEBACKERS
When Lou Tepper introduced the 3-4 defense last year, he knew he had to count on his linebackers. At times last year however, the only thing the linebackers could be counted on to do was to screw up. There is experience here, as two three-year lettermen (Theo Williams and Charles Smith) will start alongside Jamal Hill, who has the talent to be a star, and sophomore Thomas Dunson. Terrance O'Bryant is in the mix as well, as is Wardell Sykes and signees Treverance Faulk and Bradie James-two guys that may ultimately be starting by year's end. Point blank, these men must step up if LSU is to contend.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Lots of talent, little production. Safety Mark Roman, one of the few bright spots, has been moved to cornerback in order to get him matched up on a team's best receiver. The other cornerback position will be filled by embattled Damien Woods. That leaves the safety positions in the hands of inexperienced Ryan Clark and overrated Clarence LeBlanc. It also means redshirt freshman Damien James will get an early look. All this moving around sends one of last year's starting cornerbacks, Fred Booker, to the bench with sophomore Robert Davis, who will be forever remembered as the man who tipped both touchdown passes to Alabama's Quincy Jackson last year. This unit must gel early, or face a similar fate as the one suffered in 1998.

SPECIAL TEAMS
When you consider that LSU has one of the best punting tandems in the nation (long punter Corey Gibbs and pooch-punter Jeremy Witten), along with more-than-capable return men, you would think they deserved a higher rating. But they don't. That's because the field goal kicking units are downright deplorable, and things didn't get any better when Christian Chauvin quit the team, putting the ball back on the toe of the chronically erratic Danny Boyd.
Things have gotten so bad that one preseason magazine failed to even acknowledge Boyd's presence, naming signee John Corbello as the starter before he even set foot on campus.

OVERALL

This season, like seemingly every other, LSU could either win everything, nothing, or somewhere in between. LSU has the talent to win the SEC West, but one must question whether they have any confidence left after suffering through one of the ugliest displays of underachievement ever recorded. Add to that the strife surrounding the coaching staff, and what you have is the potential for a boil-over by midseason. If LSU does what they have the potential to do, they'll beat Florida at home October 9th. But somewhere along the line, the Tigers will get upset. Auburn, whose new coach has always seemed to have LSU's number, could be the ones to do it. While LSU could also slip to the bottom of the division, it is an unlikely scenario. Of course, we are talking about the Bayou Bengals here.

***
“Where Are They Now"
This Week: Kicker, Bill Davis ('70-'73)
by Jim Morris
Feature Writer

In 1970 Bill Davis became the third member of the Davis family to sign a scholarship to kick for the Crimson Tide. Like his brothers did before, Bill chose to sign with Bama and the BEAR. It was a signing that almost didn't take place. With the great careers his dad Alvin "Pig" Davis (who was Bear's first recruit as an Alabama assistant in 1936), and his two brothers, Tim and Steve, had established at the Capstone, Bill was reluctant to follow in their footsteps fearing he could never meet the expectations.

Playing his high school ball in Columbus, Vince Dooley and the Georgia Bulldogs were mounting a hard push to lure the All-Stater to Athens. Dooley who was the husband of Bill's first cousin, had him visit the UGA campus three times during the recruiting process. "I visited three times and still couldn't make my mind up," says Davis.

After one visit and a personal meeting with Coach Bryant, Davis knew the Capstone was the place for him. "ALABAMA had just came off a 6-5 season in '69 and all the other recruiters were telling me that Coach Bryant was going to retire. When I went to BAMA on my recruiting visit I asked Coach Bryant if he was leaving, he told me that he would definitely be here for another four years." Davis says that was all he needed to hear. After returning home from Tuscaloosa Bill announced he would follow in the footsteps of his father and two older brothers.

After kicking for the 5-0 1970 freshman team, Bill earned the first string kicking duties for the TIDE in 1971. His first contest on the varsity squad was against the USC Trojans, in what could be the greatest game in Alabama Football history. To the surprise of everyone in the College Football world, the TIDE introduced the wishbone. That night Davis would connect on 2 P.A.T.'s and 1 30 yard field goal in the TIDE's 17-10 win. The CRIMSON TIDE would go on to an 11-0 season that year and play Nebraska for the National Championship in Miami's Orange Bowl. All hopes for a National Championship dwindled after BAMA sustained a 38-6 whipping at the hands of the Cornhuskers. Davis remembers, "seeing our starters come out of the game and not want to go back in. They were physically kicking our butts. At halftime Coach Bryant told all of us how we were embarassing our entire families."

The 1972 season BAMA would ride the College Football roller coaster. One of the highlights of that season and the history of ALABAMA FOOTBALL, was the 17-10 defeat of Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Trailing 10-3 with 2 minutes left in the game, the CRIMSON TIDE embarked on a remarkable comeback. BAMA drove down and scored drawing to within one point of the Vols.

"I can remember Coach Bryant hollering that we were going for one point and the tie. Everyone on the sideline was about to die," he recalls. With his successful kick, the TIDE had evened the score to 10-10. After a recovered fumble, BAMA was in position to win the game with one kick from the toe of Davis.

"I was loosening up in expectation of kicking a long field goal for the win. I heard the crowd going crazy and looked up to see Terry Davis going around end for the score. I kicked a last minute P.A.T. instead of a field goal, it was a great feeling." In a 38 second span the TIDE had scored 14 points and handed the Vols a loss.

In that year's Iron Bowl, a string of events occurred that to this day sends TideFans into nervous fits. Auburn blocked two punts in the fourth quarter to defeat BAMA that day 17-16. With the wounds of that day's horrible effects still visible Davis says, "We could have turned the ball over on downs and won the game. They beat us they only way they could." The TIDE would go on to a 10-2 record after losing to Texas in that season's Cotton Bowl.

In Bill's senior season the TIDE would capture the National Title after racking up some impressive wins. That season Davis kicked 11 extra points in a single game as BAMA defeated Virginia Tech 77-6. Those 11 P.A.T.'s remain as NCAA, SEC, and UA records. In his career at the Capstone, Davis and the TIDE had a 32-4-4 record and the 1973 National Championship.   

In the record books Bill is third in total points scored trailing only Van Tiffin and Phillip Doyle. His 51 extra points in 1973 and 46 in 1972 remain as the top two single season records. In the career extra points category, Davis' 133 points trails record holder Van Tiffin's by only 2 points. One interesting factor to consider about this record is that Tiffin had an additional year of playing time.

With his playing days behind him, Bill applied for both medical and dental school in 1974. "I was admitted to both schools but seeing my older brothers (Tim, Steve) go through the hardships of med school, I chose dentistry; that way I could continue to hunt and fish."

Upon graduation from THE University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1978, Bill began a private practice in Athens, Alabama. Twenty one years later Davis continues to improve smiles in Athens. "Athens has been good to me and my family, it is a great place to raise a family." From a fellow Athenian and patient of Dr. Davis, I can say that he and his family have been great for entire city. Bill and his wife Harriet have two children Frances Clay, who will turn 20 in August; and William Taylor who will turn 14 in September.

***
"THIS IS ALABAMA FOOTBALL"
by Brett Young
Managing Editor

Over the past few weeks, the summer drama in Tuscaloosa has included players, who for one reason or another, have chosen to leave Alabama for what they view as greener pastures. Well, at least for Eric Locke, the issue is STILL unsettled. It appears that Locke will attend Tennessee. Juicy Locke, Eric's father, is apparantly gathering information for an appeal of Coach Mike DuBose's decision to not release Eric from his scholarship.

As I wrote in this space a few weeks ago, as TideFans, we have a duty to support the boys who are here; those who WANT to play for our team; and those who will lead us back to the promised land. And let me tell you, there are dozens of young men down in Tuscaloosa dressed in crimson warmups just chomping at the bit to get on that field and knock some heads. They're working out, and running, and passing, and receiving, and blocking, and doing
all the things necessary to make them winners come August. That's what it's all about for me and thousands of others around the world. I can't wait until this fall to walk into that magical stadium and be a part of another season in the Crimson Tide's stellar history. We've been doing it for over a century. We have 12 championships this century. Aren't YOU proud of that?

Even if you've never attended an Alabama game, don't you take pride in being
an Alabama FAN?

Who doesn't get chills, even right now, just sitting and thinking about the numerous times we've watched on TV or been in Bryant-Denny or Legion Field and seen a glorious battle take place upon the gridiron battlefield and been proud to have experienced something only a very few other teams experience? An Alabama win is like no other. How many of the other teams handle the wins with as much character and losses with humbling dignity? How many other teams can legitimately say that their fans follow their every move each day, every day, every year? Football MATTERS in an Tide Fan's life. It makes them gush with pride to have even a small care in the outcome of each Saturday's outcome.

Does not the outcome of each week's game affect your mood for the coming week? It certainly does mine. After a win, I float along as if I had wings. After a loss,....well, it's not a pretty sight. But that's what I LOVE about Alabama football....It AFFECTS me. It gives me thrills. It gives me chills. I'm emotionally drained after a game. And I LOVE it.

Ladies and Gentlemen: "THAT IS ALABAMA FOOTBALL!"




AND THE BAMANATION SAID: "ROLL TIDE!"

If you have an article or commentary you'd like to submit for
publication, please send it to: Alabama.Weekly@TideFans.com

Newsletter published by: Brett Young and Jess Nicholas


Alabama Weekly / TideFans.com Staff:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jess Nicholas, Recruiting Editor
John Hinds, Bama in Boston
Grif Carden, Baseball / Basketball Editor
Chris Depew, Football Editor
Jim Morris, Feature Writer
Brett Young, Managing Editor


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