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Date Posted: 23:40:12 04/04/04 Sun
Author: Jimmy
Author Host/IP: 68.107.97.246
Subject: LBB 2005 Preview

Dateline Baton Rouge… Hope springs eternal once again for every franchise in the FIFL. The Louisiana Bayou Beast is no different. Coming off a miserable 5 – 9 season, this football club is out to prove last season was but a cruel twist of fate. This season brings back pretty much the same cast of characters. However, there are major changes in their positions. Here’s how it breaks down position by position:

QB: is once again in the capable hands of Joshua Wallwork (Wyoming). Plagued by the interception bug last season, expect PPPs to feature a run first theme. Matt D’Orazio (Otterbein DIV III) is poised to move up if Wallwork doesn’t win immediately. Both had excellent training camps. Newcomer Matt Strand (Chadron State) will man the clipboard early on. He shows great promise.

HB: Rayshawn Askew (Elizabeth City) steps in at HB1. Always capable at FB, he now is the best option for the Beast here. Expect new PPPs to feature this player. Michael Lawrence (Miami FL) is demoted to HB2. He has fallen out of favor due to his penchant for fumbling at the most inopportune times. Rumors out of supposedly secret workouts suggest that the HB2 and FB1 slots will be featured more to keep the defense from keying on Askew. Special teams ace Tony Burse (Middle Tennessee State) backs up both. The hope is one more training camp will propel him to star status. Injury to one of the lead HBs could thrust him into the lime light this season. He claims he is ready to step into any role right now. Rookie HB Jason Corle (Towson) was waived after the trade for Bo Kelly (East Texas State.) Kelly shows great promise, but will ride the pine for now.

FB: The lead FB slot falls to long time understudy Adam LeGette (Jamestown). This scrap heap pick up has earned the right this season. Lorenzo Davis (Baylor) skills have eroded, but his savvy should be evident late in games in relief of LeGette. His versatility and nose for the end zone has been proven over 9 FIFL seasons. Davis graciously decided not to retire since Alexandria LA is home.

WR: Anthony Payton (Kentucky Wesleyan) says he wants to play this season and retire. He is the primary option, counted on heavily to snare the bulk of Wallwork aerials this season. He is nowhere near his prime skills wise, but remains dangerous. WR2/punt return duties fall to Lee McCormick (Murray State.) This squad can no longer deny his presence. No matter where he plays, he has produced. The WR3/WR4 kick return positions will again will be manned by last season’s league leader in kick off returns Chester Lewis (U of MARS) and the capable Walter Glover (Montana State). Teams kicking away from Lewis will be hard pressed to catch up with the elusive Glover. This will be a fun pair to watch. Veteran Willie Austin (Wisconsin) returns for spot duty, and promising youngsters Greg Hopkins (Slippery Rock PA) and draft footnote Andy McCullough (Tennessee) hope to learn from the vets. McCullough reminds one of a young Austin… heady company if true.

TE: Michael Montoya supplants long time incumbent Ron Darden at TE. Montoya’s incredible AC and adequate ST help his ability to blow open holes for the running game. This is further proof of the Beast commitment to the run game this season.

OL: This unit shouldered the blame for last season offensive woes. It failed to open holes for the running game, and allowed so many sacks QBs had happy-feet-interception disease all season. They took stock as a unit, and the self-reshuffled results vowed this season will be different. Skills are improved, but there are holes is all players.

C: James (CAPTAIN) Kirk (Star Fleet Academy) anchors this improved group as C1. There may be some fumbled snaps here. Carl Warren (Southern Arkansas) provides backup. Mitch Young (Arkansas State) shows future promise, but sits this season out.

G: Bookend OGs Tony Plantin (Clemson) and Scott Hough (Maine) start. These 2 were thrown into the frying pan last season. Both are improved in their 3rd season. Weak hands hurt pass protection skills, but they are good enough to get any RB to the 1000 plateau. Brandon Bergstresser (Chadron State-NE) moves inside to backup both. Randy Hart ( will sit this season.

T: The OT positions are manned by capable veterans James Kirkland (University School of Jackson: student body president and valedictorian) and Tony Altman (Bad Boy State.) Solid citizen Kirkland is tasked with motivating the often sulking Altman. Altman was ridiculed mercilessly after tanking it most of last season at C1. A sure natural center NOT wanting to play that position is the LAST thing this team needs this season. Hence, the move back to his more comfortable T2 slot. Waiver wire pick up Mike Lindsey (Southern) provides quality backup and will see PT this season. His TC was nearly perfect.

K: The enigmatic Brion Hurley (Iowa) returns. Will he EVER make a 30 – 39 yarder again? Hope for MAJOR improvement here.

P: Rookie Brian Lee (Mississippi) replaces Tony Dodsen. Quicker, younger and more accurate take on an old theme.

DE: Thomas Marshall (Texas) teams with Darrell Davis (Albany State) look to improve sack totals. Randy Levels was brought back to back up both. Sam Hardy (Carson-Newman) should see some PT this season.

DT: Erstwhile veteran Craig Koonce leads this group. The hope is his savvy anchors the D Line. Big play man Randall Ervin is DT2. Dan McDonald (Idaho State) and Robert Gaines are improved this season and will rotate in on occasion.

LB: Sore spot last season, not much better this season. Troy Asbell (Texas A&M-Kingsville) finally gets his chance at LB1. The coaching staff has been reluctant to play him there, but he is the best option for this season. Randy Brady moves from the bench to LB2. Not quite what we expected SP/ST wise after TC. Jermaine J. Smith (Georgia) moves up to LB3. Don Hilsenroth should see more sack opportunities at LB4. Paul Green is another up and comer at LB5. Veteran Scott Joseph backs up all as LB6. Look for Joseph to step in for any injuries here. The man has the knack for making big plays. Donovan Laviness shows promise, but will sit out this season.

S: Troy Hill (Pittsburg) moves to S1, where he excelled last season. Bruiser Eric Wilcher (Jackson State) starts at S2. Jeremy Jensen provides decent depth at S3.

CB: Quincy Sorrell (Nicholls State) is set at CB1. He has made the pro bowl seemingly his entire career. He looks to tie for the all time lead in INTs this season. Kevin Bouis (Kentucky) moves to CB2. Reggie Smith (North Carolina Central) rookie Mark Ricks (Western Michigan) and veteran Kevin K Marshall backup here.

The defense has to rise to the occasion this season. The emphasis has to be on keeping teams off the scoreboard. This seasons unit should apply more pressure on opposing QBs, stuff the run better and get some much lacking turnovers to keep the team close in all games. The offense has to get yards on the ground and get the pig skin into the end zone. The O line is improved from last season, but not overpowering. If they can open cracks for Rayshwn Askew et al, it will be successful. Askew supplies the bruising power lacking from the Beast in recent seasons. WR Anthony Payton will continue his assault on all time records. Lee McCormick will be fun to watch returning punts. The dynamic duo of Chester Lewis and Walter Glover will chew up yards returning kick offs. Special teams were OK last season, but improvement is expected this season. The ultimate goal is to win it all, but this club is simply not good enough to get there this season. Winning the division is the immediate goal, and that will take a lot of luck. Realistically, look for 8 – 6 record for 2005.

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