Post by FIUPantherFan on May 3, 2008 13:55:06 GMT -5
www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sunbelt/flaint.htm
INSIDE SLANT
The Panthers wrapped up spring practice with guarded optimism. After winning just one game last season, FIU knows it won't be kicking in the door of a BCS bowl game any time soon.
Second-year coach Mario Cristobal has high expectations in 2008, but the building process will likely take longer a bit longer than he expects.
FIU has a solid quarterback to build around in sophomore Wayne Younger, but he didn't take any contact in the spring while recovering from a broken collarbone.
The Panthers saw significant improvement, however, out of their receiving corps in the spring, led by Jeremy thingyens and Marquis Rolle. Additionally, backup quarterbacks Paul McCall and Colt Anderson took all the reps and looked impressive at times.
Defensively, FIU has good athletes, but not a lot of depth up and down the roster. Junior linebackers Scott Bryant and Michael Dominguez were solid last season, but with that experience, coupled with a very good spring, should make up an outstanding duo in 2008.
The secondary is very athletic, with senior Jeremiah Weathersthingy and junior Ashlyn Parker making the most improvements in the spring.
Cristobal has a plan to build a contender in the Sun Belt and he had a good recruiting year. The keys will be avoiding injuries that could expose the team's lack of depth and whether the young talent can build on a solid spring.
NOTES, QUOTES
—QB Wayne Younger threw for more than 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns and was second on the team in rushing with 536 yards as a freshman last season. He didn't go through contact in the spring due to breaking his collarbone week 11 of last season. He must improve his decision-making, however, after throwing 17 interceptions.
—LB Scott Bryant had an outstanding sophomore season, leading the Panthers with 91 tackles.
SPRING MOVERS:
—WR Jeremy thingyens — The junior led FIU with three TD receptions in seven games last season, and should be a more dependable threat in 2008.
—DB Ashlyn Parker — The junior made the move to defense from wide receiver last season and performed well. However, he is poised to be an all-conference caliber defensive back this season.
—WR Marquis Rolle — The sophomore had an outstanding spring and could be a key playmaker for the Panthers in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We had a good spring as a team. We worked hard and we're getting better as a team. We are making strides, but we have so much more hard work to do." — FIU senior DB Jeremiah Weathersthingy.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2008 OUTLOOK: The Panthers won just one game last season and don't figure to be a major player in the Sun Belt in 2008. However, second-year coach Mario Cristobal has his system in place and FIU should make improvement.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The offense as a whole struggled, but quarterback Wayne Younger gained a lot of valuable experience as a freshman. FIU has two solid and experienced tailbacks in seniors A'Mod Ned and Julian Reams, but the continued development of the offensive line is a must for the Panthers to make a major jump. The receivers made great strides in the spring.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: FIU should be improved defensively in 2008. Seniors Jarvis Penerton and Jonas Murrell return up front, along with junior defensive end Artis Warthen. Linebackers Scott Bryant and Michael Dominguez had very good seasons a year ago, while defensive backs Jeremiah Weathersthingy and Ashlyn Parker are outstanding.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Chris Abed returns at place-kicker, while junior Chris Cook is back at punter. FIU lost an outstanding return specialist in Lionell Singleton. His replacement will likely be Jason Frierson or Jeremy thingyens.
ROSTER REPORT:
—Starting center Xavier Shannon transferred to Miami (Fla.) to play for his father, Hurricanes head coach Randy Shannon.
—QB Wayne Younger, who started last season as a freshman, didn't go through contact drills in the spring due to suffering a broken collarbone week 11 of last season.
INSIDE SLANT
The Panthers wrapped up spring practice with guarded optimism. After winning just one game last season, FIU knows it won't be kicking in the door of a BCS bowl game any time soon.
Second-year coach Mario Cristobal has high expectations in 2008, but the building process will likely take longer a bit longer than he expects.
FIU has a solid quarterback to build around in sophomore Wayne Younger, but he didn't take any contact in the spring while recovering from a broken collarbone.
The Panthers saw significant improvement, however, out of their receiving corps in the spring, led by Jeremy thingyens and Marquis Rolle. Additionally, backup quarterbacks Paul McCall and Colt Anderson took all the reps and looked impressive at times.
Defensively, FIU has good athletes, but not a lot of depth up and down the roster. Junior linebackers Scott Bryant and Michael Dominguez were solid last season, but with that experience, coupled with a very good spring, should make up an outstanding duo in 2008.
The secondary is very athletic, with senior Jeremiah Weathersthingy and junior Ashlyn Parker making the most improvements in the spring.
Cristobal has a plan to build a contender in the Sun Belt and he had a good recruiting year. The keys will be avoiding injuries that could expose the team's lack of depth and whether the young talent can build on a solid spring.
NOTES, QUOTES
—QB Wayne Younger threw for more than 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns and was second on the team in rushing with 536 yards as a freshman last season. He didn't go through contact in the spring due to breaking his collarbone week 11 of last season. He must improve his decision-making, however, after throwing 17 interceptions.
—LB Scott Bryant had an outstanding sophomore season, leading the Panthers with 91 tackles.
SPRING MOVERS:
—WR Jeremy thingyens — The junior led FIU with three TD receptions in seven games last season, and should be a more dependable threat in 2008.
—DB Ashlyn Parker — The junior made the move to defense from wide receiver last season and performed well. However, he is poised to be an all-conference caliber defensive back this season.
—WR Marquis Rolle — The sophomore had an outstanding spring and could be a key playmaker for the Panthers in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We had a good spring as a team. We worked hard and we're getting better as a team. We are making strides, but we have so much more hard work to do." — FIU senior DB Jeremiah Weathersthingy.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2008 OUTLOOK: The Panthers won just one game last season and don't figure to be a major player in the Sun Belt in 2008. However, second-year coach Mario Cristobal has his system in place and FIU should make improvement.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The offense as a whole struggled, but quarterback Wayne Younger gained a lot of valuable experience as a freshman. FIU has two solid and experienced tailbacks in seniors A'Mod Ned and Julian Reams, but the continued development of the offensive line is a must for the Panthers to make a major jump. The receivers made great strides in the spring.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: FIU should be improved defensively in 2008. Seniors Jarvis Penerton and Jonas Murrell return up front, along with junior defensive end Artis Warthen. Linebackers Scott Bryant and Michael Dominguez had very good seasons a year ago, while defensive backs Jeremiah Weathersthingy and Ashlyn Parker are outstanding.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Chris Abed returns at place-kicker, while junior Chris Cook is back at punter. FIU lost an outstanding return specialist in Lionell Singleton. His replacement will likely be Jason Frierson or Jeremy thingyens.
ROSTER REPORT:
—Starting center Xavier Shannon transferred to Miami (Fla.) to play for his father, Hurricanes head coach Randy Shannon.
—QB Wayne Younger, who started last season as a freshman, didn't go through contact drills in the spring due to suffering a broken collarbone week 11 of last season.
