Post by FIUFanatic on Aug 8, 2004 9:41:43 GMT -5
...and another article in The Miami Herald as well. Basically a 5-question and answer type of report.
Here's the link and reproduction of the report written by Pete Pelegrin:
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/colleges/fiu/9347207.htm
Five key questions for Golden Panthers
What's the quarterback situation heading into camp?
Jamie Burke, FIU's original starter before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in last season's opener, is healthy and ready to compete with 2003 team MVP Josh Padrick for the starting job. Padrick emerged last season to throw for 2,493 yards. Coach Don Strock said each QB will get equal reps in practice.
How much of an impact will new defensive coordinator Bernard ''Tiger'' Clark have on a mediocre run defense?
After two seasons without a coordinator, the Golden Panthers' defense finally gets a lead voice. The players have been impressed. ''He's strict and no-nonsense,'' defensive back Greg Moss said. ''He will only take perfection. Coach Clark will bring something special to our defense.'' But he can't do the tackling. Clark has said this is the fastest defense he has coached, and FIU is switching to a base 4-3 defense that is expected to contain the run better.
Will FIU finally develop a ''workhorse'' running back to balance its pass-oriented offense?
Injuries decimated the Golden Panthers at this position during their first two seasons, but everyone is healthy now and ready to hit the AstroPlay surface. Rashod Smith, the 2002 team MVP, will get some stiff competition from last season's leading rusher, Adam Gorman, and incoming freshmen Julian Reams, Ben West and J.J. Bass. Keep an eye on Reams, who Strock thinks can be a feature back. The former Coral Reef High standout has the size (5-11, 199 pounds) and will fill out his frame with the help of strength coach Lou DeNeen.
Will the offensive line build on last year's success?
FIU cut its sacks-allowed total in half last season and opened gaping holes for the ground game, so what can offensive line coach Steve Smith's unit do for an encore? It gets deeper, bigger and faster. Freshmen Dustin Gibson and Xavier Shannon, the son of Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, add quickness to the line, and Benjamin Reynolds brings bulk. Victor Cernius and Ed Wenger are the returning pillars.
With a more daunting schedule this season after a two-win season last year, is there reason for optimism?
FIU won't win a Sun Belt title or go to the New Orleans Bowl, but noticeable improvement is not out of the question. Last season, the Golden Panthers lost six of their 12 games by 10 points or fewer and nearly upset then-No. 5 Georgia Southern on the road before losing 37-35 in the final minute. FIU could pull out some of the close games. Said Strock: ``Before, they didn't know what to do in those types of games, but now they'll know when those close games come around that they've been there before and will know what to do.''
-- PETE PELEGRIN
Here's the link and reproduction of the report written by Pete Pelegrin:
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/colleges/fiu/9347207.htm
Five key questions for Golden Panthers
What's the quarterback situation heading into camp?
Jamie Burke, FIU's original starter before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in last season's opener, is healthy and ready to compete with 2003 team MVP Josh Padrick for the starting job. Padrick emerged last season to throw for 2,493 yards. Coach Don Strock said each QB will get equal reps in practice.
How much of an impact will new defensive coordinator Bernard ''Tiger'' Clark have on a mediocre run defense?
After two seasons without a coordinator, the Golden Panthers' defense finally gets a lead voice. The players have been impressed. ''He's strict and no-nonsense,'' defensive back Greg Moss said. ''He will only take perfection. Coach Clark will bring something special to our defense.'' But he can't do the tackling. Clark has said this is the fastest defense he has coached, and FIU is switching to a base 4-3 defense that is expected to contain the run better.
Will FIU finally develop a ''workhorse'' running back to balance its pass-oriented offense?
Injuries decimated the Golden Panthers at this position during their first two seasons, but everyone is healthy now and ready to hit the AstroPlay surface. Rashod Smith, the 2002 team MVP, will get some stiff competition from last season's leading rusher, Adam Gorman, and incoming freshmen Julian Reams, Ben West and J.J. Bass. Keep an eye on Reams, who Strock thinks can be a feature back. The former Coral Reef High standout has the size (5-11, 199 pounds) and will fill out his frame with the help of strength coach Lou DeNeen.
Will the offensive line build on last year's success?
FIU cut its sacks-allowed total in half last season and opened gaping holes for the ground game, so what can offensive line coach Steve Smith's unit do for an encore? It gets deeper, bigger and faster. Freshmen Dustin Gibson and Xavier Shannon, the son of Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, add quickness to the line, and Benjamin Reynolds brings bulk. Victor Cernius and Ed Wenger are the returning pillars.
With a more daunting schedule this season after a two-win season last year, is there reason for optimism?
FIU won't win a Sun Belt title or go to the New Orleans Bowl, but noticeable improvement is not out of the question. Last season, the Golden Panthers lost six of their 12 games by 10 points or fewer and nearly upset then-No. 5 Georgia Southern on the road before losing 37-35 in the final minute. FIU could pull out some of the close games. Said Strock: ``Before, they didn't know what to do in those types of games, but now they'll know when those close games come around that they've been there before and will know what to do.''
-- PETE PELEGRIN
