Post by noexcuses on Apr 21, 2015 6:01:27 GMT -5
By Craig R. Turner
Bluedeathvalley.com
North Carolina A&T wrapped up its spring practice this week and for the first time in recent memory, the Aggies are heading into the summer months with very few unanswered questions. A very nice crowd of approximately 2,100 fans was on hand to watch Coach Rod Broadway’s newest club and to see if last season’s 9-3 record and a co-championship will be a precursor to even bigger success this fall. So let us take a snapshot look at what we do know about the home team now that spring practice has ended.
DEFENSE
Since Rod Broadway made is way to Greensboro four years ago, N.C. A&T has always hung its hat on defense first. Broadway mad a name for himself as a defensive coach and his Aggie teams have borne that out over the years always staying among the Top Ten leaders in scoring and total defense in the FCS. That was the case up until last year when the Aggies gave up some uncharacteristic numbers on the ground giving up more yards than the previous two seasons combined on game average. Especially troubling was not getting off the field in third and long situations and costly penalties that kept opposition drives alive. Defensive coordinator Sam Washington has been tinkering around with his personnel in the offseason despite having 8 starter returning from the MEAC’s best scoring defense.
Defensive Line
The big knock against A&T’s defense was its perceived and real lack of physical presence along the front seven. The aggies were surely a quick defensive team but in the three games, it did lose in 2014 managed to get pushed off the ball by much larger bigger and equally quick offensive fronts.
So a big objective was to get stronger in the offseason and bring more physical play in the trenches and return to 2013 form when the Aggies gave up an average pf less than 100 yards per game on the ground. The Aggies return three of four starters from a year ago; All-MEAC tackle Marcus Ragland (6-3,270), Mike Neal (6-0,275), and end Angelo Keyes (6-2,265). Fireplug nose guard James Morris (6-0,304) is another part-time starter. The Aggies also have more depth from another regular in Mailk Hampton-Prioleau (6-5,265), Kenny Melton (6-3,230) and reliable D’Anthony Ross (6-3,255). Literally, the entire corps of down linemen returns intact which is a rarity in college football. A&T received some impressive offseason performances from red shirts Julian McKnight (6-5,275, Fr.) and Turner Echols (6-2,240, DE) who may become consistent pass rushers as rookies.
Linebackers
All American D’Vonte Grant has graduated and he cannot be replaced. There is no plug and play for a player such as him so there is no need to go there with that conversation. What the Aggies can do is build this group of linebackers around increased athleticism and speed, which they do have. It will start in the middle, Denzel Jones (5-9,230) is a fifth year starter who shed some weight and was demonstratively faster in the spring game. Joshua Patrick is now seasoned and Julius Reynolds and Deion Jones can both be stars in time with hard work.
The outside backers of note on Saturday where returning starters Lorenz Suttles (6-2,190), Landis Shoffner (6-1, 185) who were spot on plus speedy Jeremy Taylor, Courtney Edmonds, and Marcus Albert who is back after sitting out last year. This is a very fast group with a lot of range in a defense that is built for speed first.
Secondary
Many things can change between now and September but if you like to project ahead then remember these names: Zerius Lockhart, Marquis Boyan, Tard McCoy, Timadre Abram, and Tyree Andrews. These names will make up the first line of defensive backs. Who will earn a starting spots besides All-MEAC cornerback Tony McRae may not be a relevant, as these backs will rotate constantly because of the fact they will attack over and over in support of the run defense. Teaming with the hybrid outside backers, they should be extremely active and they showed in the game yesterday that they will be much more physical with opposing receivers this season over last.
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