Memphis Roar

With the win over the UTEP miners, the Tigers were able to get some positive momentum heading into the second half of the season. The season came with increased expectations. Many held expectations of the team to a bowl birth and possibly challenging for its first C-USA East divisional title. The reality was a bit different than expected. Right now, let us break down the Tigers performance at the half way point of the season. So please be warned if you are looking for grades worthy of the honor roll, you may be a bit disappointed.

Breaking down the Offense

Offensive Line: C -

This offensive line was one of the big questions heading into preseason camp. There were four new starters and several inexperienced players in the two deep. There were some expected growing pains and frustrations with missed assignments. As the season has progressed, the line play has improved. Memphis did not have over 269 yards of total offense for either of their first two games. Despite the line gelling and getting a good push against UTEP to allow Curtis Steele amass over 240 yards rushing, the Tigers are still averaging a meager 3.8 yards per rush. The line has shown some definite improvement. But how much of it was due to playing a UTEP team that is at the very bottom of the defensive standing in C-USA? The test comes in the next couple of contests as the Tiger front will face C-USA’s top defense, at Southern Mississippi and follow with a home date against ECU, a team which ranks fourth in total defense. The good thing is the Tigers have avoided any significant injuries and some of the younger players such as Ronald Leary, Joel McLeod, and even true freshman Jamie McCoy are starting to really improve. Veteran Dominick Riley has been one of the most solid performers on the line.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends: B -

While the Tiger offense has sputtered, it is not due to poor play at the wide out position. Duke Calhoun is having a great year and is currently on pace to have a possible 1,000 yard receiving season. Calhoun ranks third in C-USA in receiving yards. Calhoun currently has 30 receptions for 590 yards, a 19.6 yards per catch average, while also scoring 4 touchdowns. The one reason this group is not graded higher is the lack of opportunities and some uncharacteristic drops by a group that is usually sure handed. Carlos Singleton is having a disappointing year considering his expectations. Singleton only has 17 receptions for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. The key for the WR corps is to get Singleton going and start getting some production from a couple of other guys. Redshirt freshman Marcus Rucker could be a key player for the second half of the season after and impressive game against UTEP. The tight ends have played well with the exception of some recent drops by Deven Onarheim. Dejleon Farr seems to be lacking in opportunities as well.

Running Backs: C -

The running back position got a shot in the arm against UTEP, with Curtis Steele being healthy for the first time since coming up injured in the MTSU game. The highlight of the season at the running back position was Curtis’ 240 yard performance against UTEP. However, there has been no other back, Steele included, that has broke 100 yards in any other game. The Tiger have also been hampered by injuries at the running back position with both Curtis Steele and TJ Pitts missing valuable time nursing injuries. As the Tigers head into the second half of the season, they must have some success on the ground. With Steele and Pitts ready to go, things could turn around. Another added boost would be to have Lance Smith start producing up to preseason expectations.  After a strong spring, Smith has struggled to make an impact when on the field.

Quarterbacks: D +

The plus is for Will Hudgens’ performance against UTEP. Hudgens’ performance brings a ray of light to a position that has struggled with health and consistency. The Tigers came out of preseason camp with Arkelon Hall as the starter and dual-threat Tyler Bass behind him. Hall struggled mightily from the start. Despite being a spread team with talented wide outs, the Tigers have struggled in the passing game. They have not been able to manage passing for more than 258 yards in any game against D-1 competition. Bass is now questionable with an injured shoulder and Hudgens seems poised to at least give the Tigers a chance to get their vertical passing game going to help get their receivers on track and in turn, open up some running lanes.

Breaking down the Defense

Defensive Line: C -

The Tiger defensive line has been less productive than hoped. The Tigers rank 8th in C-USA total defense, allowing 412.5 yards per game. In particular, the Tigers rank 8th overall in C-USA rushing defense at 183.67 yards per game. The defensive line does not have any key injuries and has a deep rotation. With all that being said, they have not been playing up to expectations. The defensive line has gotten better at pressuring the quarterback as they rank 3rd in the conference in sacks with 12. This group really needs to play up to their potential to help a secondary that has struggled in coverage busts and a lack of depth caused by injuries. Dontari Poe has been playing really well and ranks in the top 20 in the conference for tackles for loss. However, no Tiger player on the line has any more than 2 sacks individually. Joshua Weaver and Michael McDonald lead the team with a pair of sacks a piece.

Linebackers: C -

The linebackers have been okay, but nothing spectacular. This group was expected to be the strength of the defense, but at this point have not been very impressive. There have been some nagging injuries to key player such as Derrick Odom, Greg Jackson, and even Jamon Hughes. The talent appears to be there, but this group has been as guilty as any of the late game breakdowns and in particular, a lot of arm tackling. The injury issues seem to be working themselves out and Greg Jackson has been playing really well in the last couple of games. Jackson leads the team with 45 tackles and is the only tiger linebacker in the top 50 individually in C-USA. Jackson is also credited with 5.5 tackles for loss. The Tigers need some other linebackers to step up. This group is too talented and deep to not be more productive.

Defensive Backs: C

The defensive backfield was the biggest question mark of the defense. The Tigers have had some expected busts and missed assignments. The personnel has changed several times and several players have been injured. After earning a starting spot at safety, Akeem Davis went down with a season ending knee injury. Alton Starr, a key returnee was slow in coming off an off-season knee surgery and has just recently been able to play for extended periods. Then you have players like Marcus Ball who has looked really good since becoming eligible for the Marshall game but is just working himself into playing significant minutes. The corners have played fairly solid with both DA Griffin and Deante Lemar being ranked in the top 10 of the conference in pass break ups. The flip side to that is that the corners have only accounted for one interception by Deante’ Lemar. The Tiger safety position has had its’ share of ups and downs but should improve with Ball getting more snaps and Starr getting back to 100%.

Special Teams: C

The Tiger special teams are like much of the other aspects of a team, trying to find consistency. The punt return team ranks dead last in C-USA and 8th in kickoff return coverage. Hopefully with the addition of Chris Hobbs who made his first appearance as a returner in the UTEP game, this will be an area that will be addressed. The punting game has been outstanding as Matt Reagan ranks 2nd in C-USA with his 44.97 yards per punt average. On the flip side, the kicking game has been very lackluster as Henriques has struggled to kick the ball deep, which has allowed for the low ranking in kickoff coverage- last in C-USA.  Also, Matt Reagan has struggled with place kicking. Reagan ranks dead last in field goal percentage going 5 for 9 for 55.6%. Reagan has remained perfect on extra points going 17 for 17 on pat’s.

Coaching: D

Some will consider this piling on, but it must be taken into account that this was a team that was expected to at least be a bowl team, with the possibility to challenge for the division. The team has vastly under performed in several areas. This team finished the 2008 season 57th for total defense nationally. Despite the returning players and new additions that were expected to be upgrades, this team ranks 105th in the nation in total defense. The Tigers currently rank 103rd in rushing defense, 77th in passing defense, and 88th in scoring defense.

The offense has not helped the cause either. The Tigers are currently 77th nationally in total offense. The Tiger passing offense is 63rd, the rushing offense is 66th, and the Tigers rank a dismal 95th in scoring offense. The play calling has been very inconsistent and questionable.

One of the key reasons for hope here is Coach Tommy West’s track record of bouncing back. The Tigers have been down this road before of bad starts, only to rebound the last half of the season. There was the first bowl season under Tommy West as the Tigers started the season 3-3 to bounce back and win 5 of its last 6 to make it to the New Orleans bowl. Or in both 2007 and 2008 when the Tigers rallied to become bowl eligible. The 2008 season was a season where the Tigers bounced back from a 3-5 record to win 3 of its’ last four to go bowling. That task may a bit much to ask considering a much more daunting schedule than any in the past. But expecting much more than this grade with only one D-1 win. The Tigers face a daunting task; let’s see if they can pull out another late season rally.

What do the readers think? Join our message board, visit the football forum and give us your thought and your grades for the teams performance; http://messageboard.memphisroar.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Memphis Roar Football Notes

• The Tigers need your support. The Tigers have two home games remaining on the season, Tuesday October 27th at 7 p.m. against ECU and the last home game will be November 14 versus UAB in the Battle of the Bones. You can also order away game tickets. Get your tickets now by calling 901-678-2331 or 1-888-867-UOFM or go online and order here: http://www.gotigersgo.com/tickets/mem-tickets-08.html
• The Highland Hundred is a great way to support the football program. For more information visit them online at:  http://highlandhundred.org