Feb. 15, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The 2008 season will be full of excitement for the Carson-Newman Eagles, but the ending to `07 is providing the motivation.

Carson-Newman begins spring practice Friday afternoon at Mossy Creek, and the Eagles an "Unfinished Business" approach after a frustrating end to 2007.

After finishing 10-1 and capturing a share of the South Atlantic Conference title, the Eagles were left out of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The snub has kept fire burning underneath Head Coach Ken Sparks' team.

"We've had some good things happen in the offseason." Sparks said. "This group has stayed hungry and focused. It will make for an exciting and competitive spring."

Carson-Newman will go in helmets Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9:15 a.m., before moving to full pads on Monday. The first scrimmage of the spring is set for Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Burke-Tarr Stadium.

"Our theme is Believe, Leave No Doubt," Sparks said. "If this team will believe in the Lord and each other, they have a chance to be very special."

Spring practice is set to wrap up with the Orange and Blue Game on Tuesday, March 4. Weather could change the Eagles' practice schedule over the next two weeks.

OFFENSE

Carson-Newman returns nine starters from the nation's most complete, and maybe most dominant, unit from the fall. The Eagles finished ranked in the top ten nationally in scoring offense (2nd - 48.8 points per game), total offense (2nd - 491 yards per game), passing efficiency (1st - 189.36), and rushing offense (3rd - 313 yards per game).

The Eagles led the nation in scoring offense until being overtaken by Abilene Christian (on the strength of a 76-73 playoff loss in three overtimes) late in the year. The Eagles might be deepest at quarterback heading into spring ball. C-N will have four experienced signal-callers to put under center.

Junior Alex Good was the clear-cut number one at season's end after directing the Eagles to 48.8 points per game in '07. He was named co-first team All-SAC. Behind Good will be senior Alex Rouse, who led the SAC in passing efficiency in the fall.

Doug Belk will also look to move up the depth chart. Belk appeared in 10 games as a freshman. Maryland-transfer Joel Statham could also figure into the mix. As a sophomore, Statham threw for 1,590 at UM and led the Terps to a win over Florida State.

Juniors Buck Wakefield, Dewayne Mims, Ricky Harris, and Tony Richardson are the key names back at running back. Senior Clarence Goines will also look to keep up the momentum he built at the end of the 2007 season. A pair of redshirt freshmen, Chris Shiverdecker and Nick Anderson, could be factors in the spring.

C-N could be thin at wide-out for much of the spring. Nagging injuries could keep Otis Miller, Reggie Hubbard, and Josh Pee out of workouts, opening the door for a number of Eagles to make their case for playing time out wide.

Senior Justin Long and junior Stephen Childs figure to be the top two names to be in on the majority of the spring reps. Hofstra-transfer D'Angelo Harden will also get an opportunity to acclimate himself with the split-back veer.

Senior Mo Whitten will anchor the Eagles at tight end in the spring. The two-year starter caught six passes, three for touchdowns, in '07. Sophomore Michael Tribue impressed as a freshman.

The Eagles' offensive line is experienced and deep, but for all the wrong reasons. C-N was banged up for much of 2007, and a number of young players had to step and play key snaps for the nation's top offense.

Juniors Jeff Weaver and Ross Shaffer, who missed the final four games with a knee injury, return at tackle. Sophomores Chris Francis, Tilmon Hollingshed, and Zach Hubbard give the Eagles five tackles that played significant snaps last season.

At guard, senior Thomas Battle, junior Danny Beasley, and sophomore Shane Canterbury all started at some point in '07. Canterbury started every game at right guard.

Carson-Newman will have to replace senior Matt Tyrrell at center. Junior Evan Beale, who battled injuries for much of '07 after an impressive camp, and freshman Eric Counts look to be the leading candidates.

DEFENSE

Carson-Newman must replace a trio of key defensive starters including SAC Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Eric Rice.

A pair of juniors have emerged at the two outside linebacker spots. D.J. Taylor and Elliette Jackson, along with Humphrey twins Luke and Will, give the Eagles depth outside. All-SAC performer Brian Brown, along with junior Jesse Berg and freshman Ben Miller will fill the middle.

Up front, All-SAC performer Darius Wrentz is the top returner. He was first team All-SAC last season. Fellow seniors Randolph Saint-Fleur and Ayrus Gaines will be factors at defensive end, as will junior LeBron Caffey and freshman Krys Brooks.

Inside, at defensive tackle, longtime C-N defensive line coach Dan Redding returns to Mossy Creek. Redding will have to replace second team All-SAC selection Anthony Toribio, but has a couple of young candidates to fill the void.

Junior Brandon Harmon and sophomore Deandre Robinson are the top two candidates. Senior Lamar Veney may also factor in, but will miss spring practice to rest an injury. Mississippi Valley State-transfer Isaac Jones will be a name to watch.

Senior Otis Ballard and sophomore Revel Coffey, the reigning-SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year, will anchor the Eagles at cornerback.

All-SAC performer Denares Waites and sophomore Mario Russell finished the season as the Eagles' top two safeties. A handful of names, including Elliott Tarplin, Darryl Montgomery, and P.J. Woods will figure into the mix. Juniors Nick McFadden and Jermel Demps will likely miss spring workouts to rest nagging injuries.

SPECIAL TEAMS

C-N appears to be somewhat solid in the kicking game. All-SAC punter Chris Jones is back after a sterling freshman season. Senior Aubrey Ingham will handle the placekicking duties. He was named second team All-SAC last season.

With a number of key kick returners limited with injuries, the kickoff and punt return jobs could be wide open, at least for the spring.