Defense could keep things together for Jaguars

If you thought Southern’s offense would be its strong suit headed into next season, think again.

Sure the offense returns seniors Bryant Lee and Juamorris Stewart.

Sure, Lee won Southwestern Athletic Conference Player or the Year honors passing for 2,682 yards and 20 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.

And, sure, Stewart bested all SWAC receivers with 76 receptions for 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns.

But, with three probable starters in Lee Almanza, Ramon Chinyoung and Chris Browne all out due to injury, the defense will have to hold steady until the offensive line is put together.

“We’re going to have to improve up there,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “Part of that is getting all our people back.”

If the teams’ spring game was any indication, the unit will have no problem guiding ship until the offense is ready to take over.

After all, the defense did rack up seven sacks, two interceptions and a whole lot of hurries as quarterbacks Warren Matthews, Gary Hollimon and Jeremiah McGinty all had to scramble away from collapsing pockets in order to make plays down field.

“That helps us on the back end,” SU defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said. “Whenever we can get the pass rush up front, then we’ll be better in the secondary.”

That’s where the question mark may lie. SU lost safeties Toyin Akinwale and Glenn Bell. The secondary also lost a four year starter in Michael Williams.

However, Richardson is with the effort he’s seen from his young defense.

“Defensively we’re ahead of schedule, but we have a long way to go as a football team” Richardson said. “Hopefully we can get our offensive lineman back that didn’t take part (in spring drills) and we should be fine.”

Update on Bryant Lee

Richardson said Lee is about 90 percent and will continue to rehab during the summer. He also said Lee and Stewart plan to attend voluntary workouts.

“He’s been going through everything in spring practice but contact,” Richardson said. “We decided to keep him out, making sure he gets back on the rehab program so we can get him back for August.”

Duran

Kicker Josh Duran made both extra point attempts and kicked the ball deeper on both kickoffs. Richardson said Duran should be able to consistently kick the ball deeper next year.

“The confidence is there and he should step forward,” Richardson said. “His leg is stronger and he’s ready to build on his season last year.”

10 comments

theodore johnson

Wed Aug 26 2009 16:46

Honestly, coaches just don't stay 15 to 20 years in a program without acquiring consistent championships. Pete Richardson has won in the past. Definetely taken this program to another level. The past few years havent beeen as great as the first few. Pete must win the SWAC.

gary chatman

Mon Aug 24 2009 09:40

Defensive drop linebacker : gary chatman
im excited about this season and we are working hard for this season. i thank you for your prayers and support and well wont let u down. pete richardson is a great coach and he still have a insight on tha game which i beleive will help us to that ring.

Corey L. Singleton

Wed Aug 19 2009 15:24

LETS GO JAGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A GREAT SEASON

Dr. Larry

Mon Aug 17 2009 15:47

I must say, I am impressed with the dialogue displayed here. No intense arguing, just good old DISCUSSION. No matter what the Jaguar family will be o-kay. As for Coach Richaedson, he always seem to do best when there is a cahallenge.

JUKE4LIFE

Fri Jul 31 2009 14:52

I agree with you Old School Jukebox, people are forgetting about the football program before coach Pete came. Years and years of loosing seasons, mabe win the classic once out of six or seven seasons.At one time I was saying that mabe we need a new coach, but that's not the answer. There are a lot of room for improvement with the program and coach Pete will get blamed because he is the individual that stands before it. It's not just him. This is from recruiting, to to the supporting cast of coaches down to the players. You can have be the best coach in the world, but if you don't have that much talent how can you expect to win.

SU Alumnae

Mon Jul 20 2009 19:33

Richardson can't do everything for the players! The primary reason students and "STUDENT atheletes" alike are at SU is, or should be, to get an education! If they are not as motivated to better themselves in the classroom as they are on the field, they will not be successful in graduating regardless of any programs and interventions that are instituted to move them foward to that great day! I think it reveals alot of what is continuing to happen at SU and not just from the students on the field! ADMINISTATION NEEDS TO STEP IT UP!!! Now in regards to the team, I am a die hard Jaguar FAN! I bleed BLUE and GOLD, but honestly pete has served his time! He proved last season that his innovation is deminishing and like he stated in a recent digest article, "... We should be fine!" When will "just being fine" not be good enough?!? This is a competition people and we need to be the best and not just call ourselves the best! And if we do get rid of Pete (Old School JuKeBox) it is not certain that things will return to the way they USED TO BE! Change can be for the BETTER! And CHANGE IS WHAT WE NEED! Lets go SU!!!

Dr. Larry

Tue Jun 23 2009 17:24

Old School you are. And if we continue to baby sit some of Coach Richardsons decisions we will remain OLD SCHOOL. I am not diminishing any of his contributions, but we lost five games in the closing minutes. We do not know How to CLOSE. Two of our past Defensive Coordinators kicked our butts. Coach Yo in Grambling and Coach Northern at Prairie View. I love Coach Pete. I was for him staying through the completion of the stadium. But when we allow individuals to stay too long, it benefits no one. As for graduation rates, Why are we under review by the NCAA ?

Old School Jukebox

Tue Jun 23 2009 16:31

Just win baby ! ALL you people asking for a new coach should shut the H*LL up. You must have forgotten what the football program was like before coach Richardson came to Jaguarland. Constant losing, players not graduating (which is the most important thing). Do you want to go back to that. Pete Richardson should be the head coach of SU for as long as he wants to be. He's earned that right. He is the Dean of of black college football coaches.

Your name

Tue Jun 23 2009 16:00

Southern need to get away from the politics. Southern either need a new Defensive Coordinator or a new Head Coach.

Lady Jag

Wed Apr 29 2009 13:27

That's my BOYS, Win, lose or draw. I am so excited about the season. These young people are so exciting, and innovative. We need the constant prayers and support of our Jaguar Nation to take us to victory. Take the time and encourage a student to Press on to positivity and GET THAT DEGREE. Our boys are doing an outstanding job of achieving and with our prayers and support, (GET YOUR SEASON BOOKS) that SWAC Championship is ON THE WAY, IN JESUS NAME. I am fired up and ready to GO!!!! Let's Go Jaguars!!!! Let's GO SU!!!!!! The Nation is ON and Popping like a Rocket......

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