Webster: Tigers 'better, stronger and older'
Patrick Comer
Sports Editor
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Sports
It's the start of the fall semester, and with it - like every year - comes the beginning of TSU Tiger Football.
After a 5-6 record last season, the Tigers look to rebound and capture their second winning season in three years and possibly their first OVC conference of this millennium.
Last year's record can be misleading, seeing as how the Tigers led in all but two games.
Head Coach James Webster doesn't see that as a problem this year.
"We are a better, stronger and older team. We have more seniors this year and are mentally tougher."
Without starting cornerback and first round draft pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Tigers' defense looks stout.
With another year of experience under their belts, and leading linebacker Ramone Willis returning as a senior, the Tigers plan
to step it up once more.
Don't expect just one player to fill in the role left by Rodgers-Cromartie.
"You don't look to replace him (Rodgers-Cromartie) on defense, you look to the defense to make plays as a whole," Webster said.
"It should be a good season, the team has a lot of athleticism and should be pretty explosive on offense," said Chris Johnson.
It helps a lot that Antonio Hefner is back in full strength. Last year he averaged 212.3 yards per game and had a passer efficiency rating of 137.91 before he broke his ankle putting out for the remainder of the season.
Also returning is second all time leading rusher and preseason All-OVC RB Javarris Williams. Last year the junior averaged 107.9 yards per game on the ground.
Preseason All-OVC receiver Chris Johnson is coming back as well, and looks to improve on some already stellar numbers from last season. (41 catches, 740 yards, four touchdowns)
Johnson hopes, for an "undefeated season, between 15-20 touchdowns, 1500 yards receiving, 60 receptions and no dropped passes."
There are a few freshmen stepping onto the field this year; Dante Kilgore, Tracy Simms, John Lopez, Johnny Butts and Orlandis Jackson.
The team looks to have a solid season despite playing the hardest schedule they've had since Webster's arrival. Picked to finish fourth in the conference, there are quite a few roadblocks ahead if they want to contend for a conference championship at year's end.
These include defending champions Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State and their standout transfer at quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who was dismissed from the Louisiana State University Tigers in the spring following their 2007 National Championship Season.
Only time will tell how well this team will do. We should get a good idea starting week one of the season when they travel to Alabama A&M. Last year the Tigers lost to them 49-23.•
After a 5-6 record last season, the Tigers look to rebound and capture their second winning season in three years and possibly their first OVC conference of this millennium.
Last year's record can be misleading, seeing as how the Tigers led in all but two games.
Head Coach James Webster doesn't see that as a problem this year.
"We are a better, stronger and older team. We have more seniors this year and are mentally tougher."
Without starting cornerback and first round draft pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Tigers' defense looks stout.
With another year of experience under their belts, and leading linebacker Ramone Willis returning as a senior, the Tigers plan
to step it up once more.
Don't expect just one player to fill in the role left by Rodgers-Cromartie.
"You don't look to replace him (Rodgers-Cromartie) on defense, you look to the defense to make plays as a whole," Webster said.
"It should be a good season, the team has a lot of athleticism and should be pretty explosive on offense," said Chris Johnson.
It helps a lot that Antonio Hefner is back in full strength. Last year he averaged 212.3 yards per game and had a passer efficiency rating of 137.91 before he broke his ankle putting out for the remainder of the season.
Also returning is second all time leading rusher and preseason All-OVC RB Javarris Williams. Last year the junior averaged 107.9 yards per game on the ground.
Preseason All-OVC receiver Chris Johnson is coming back as well, and looks to improve on some already stellar numbers from last season. (41 catches, 740 yards, four touchdowns)
Johnson hopes, for an "undefeated season, between 15-20 touchdowns, 1500 yards receiving, 60 receptions and no dropped passes."
There are a few freshmen stepping onto the field this year; Dante Kilgore, Tracy Simms, John Lopez, Johnny Butts and Orlandis Jackson.
The team looks to have a solid season despite playing the hardest schedule they've had since Webster's arrival. Picked to finish fourth in the conference, there are quite a few roadblocks ahead if they want to contend for a conference championship at year's end.
These include defending champions Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State and their standout transfer at quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who was dismissed from the Louisiana State University Tigers in the spring following their 2007 National Championship Season.
Only time will tell how well this team will do. We should get a good idea starting week one of the season when they travel to Alabama A&M. Last year the Tigers lost to them 49-23.•
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