KSUFans Archives
Sports => Snyder's Electronic Cyber Space World => Topic started by: catsfan20012002 on August 27, 2006, 02:03:34 PM
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http://catzone.cjonline.com/stories/082706/cat_ksuquestions.shtml
1. Is Ron Prince ready?
He certainly seems so. Since he was hired to replace Bill Snyder last December, Prince has insisted he's been preparing for this opportunity his entire life. He's breathed excitement into the Wildcats' fan base. He's bolstered the confidence of his players, who have missed the postseason each of the past two seasons.
Now he must back up the bravado with bounty. Although preseason polls suggest he won't and history suggests first-year coaches often encounter adversity, Prince remains unfazed. "We don't let anyone set our agenda," he says. The agenda -- proving he is the right man to succeed a legend and proving K-State can contend for championships -- is clear. The answer to this question isn't. Not yet, anyway.
2. Will it be Meier or Freeman?
The guess here is that senior Dylan Meier will start at quarterback ... at least early in the season. The 6-foot-2 Pittsburg native ran with the first team during all of K-State's open practices. He looked decent, although not dominating. He also has earned the respect of every player of the roster after battling back from reconstructive shoulder surgery and performing remarkably well two years ago.
But true freshman Josh Freeman, all 6 feet 6 inches, 248 pounds of him, is the quarterback of the future. Prince stole the prized recruit from Nebraska, and it's difficult to imagine that Freeman won't be given the chance to prove his potential at some point, especially considering three quarterbacks left the team because they felt the future was now in Prince's mind.
3. Speaking of players who left, is that a concern?
Yes. Granted, defections and coaching changes go hand in hand, but several of the players who bolted hinted that Prince's public comments may not match those made to his players.
From Day 1, the first-year coach said he wanted to create a "competitive tension" and give every player a chance to battle for playing time. Maybe these players simply didn't like being reserves. Maybe their talents were inferior. But when a diligent young man like Allan Evridge leaves because he didn't feel he was given a real chance to prove himself, you can't help but wonder what's going on inside the walls of the Vanier Complex.
4. Who will carry the load?
We know it won't be either of last year's leading running backs, at least not for the Sept. 2 opener against Illinois State. Senior Thomas Clayton is suspended for that contest, and sophomore Parrish Fisher is recovering from a knee injury. That leaves seldom-used seniors Carlos Alsup and Donnie Anders, as well as junior college transfer James Johnson, who is immersing himself in the playbook after arriving to camp two weeks late.
Once the season picks up steam, expect Johnson to challenge for starting honors. While Clayton is likely to get the early nod, don't be surprised to see the speedy Johnson eventually show the skills that allowed him to gain nearly 2,400 yards at Blinn (Texas) College.
5. Will the West Coast be a good fit here in the Midwest?
It should be at K-State. Prince's offense is perfect for guys like Meier and junior wideout Jordy Nelson. Meier completed nearly 58 percent of his passes two years ago, and Nelson is a sure-handed receiver with the size and speed to turn short completions into long gains.
The offense also should be well received by veteran wideouts Yamon Figurs and Jermaine Moreira, as well as tight ends Rashaad Norwood and Brett Alstatt. Norwood, a 6-3 junior from Kansas City-Schlagle, has made only 14 catches during his Wildcat career. That number should increase as he begins splitting out wide on occasion.
6. Any new faces?
A bunch. In addition to Prince and a staff that features only one holdover (Mo Latimore) from the Snyder era, K-State could feature about a half-dozen starters who have yet to compete at the major-college level.
Redshirt freshman tackles Nick Stringer and Derek Meyer should start along an unproven offensive line. Freeman may win the quarterback battle. Johnson could wind up as the featured back. And a number of newcomers are pushing for playing time on defense. Junior defensive end Rob Jackson (6-3, 265) could make the biggest contribution after earning first-team All-Jayhawk Conference honors during both of his seasons at Fort Scott Community College.
7. Will the defense return to its glory-days form?
The Wildcats hope so. Last year, they ranked eighth in the Big 12 in total defense, yielding 360 yards per game. That's a far cry from past units led by guys named Buhl, Newman, Simoneau, Biesel and Howard.
The good news is K-State returns 10 of its top 12 tacklers from a year ago, including Brandon Archer, Marcus Watts, Maurice Mack and Zach Diles, and has added several junior college players with impressive resumes. The question now is whether those players will fare better under the Cover 2 system defensive coordinator Raheem Morris plans to employ. Much of this unit's success will hinge on how effective the front four can be.
8. Will stadium renovations be finished by this week's opener?
For the most part, yes. Associate athletic director Casey Scott said workers have begun installing the aluminum benches in the north end zone, and contractors have assured Scott and others that the tiered-seating section will be in place this week. Although offices inside the Vanier Complex remain under construction and finishing touches to the stadium are still several weeks away, the locker rooms and hydrotherapy center are fully operational. So, with accomodations set for players, officials and fans, let the games begin.
"We knew it would be tight," Scott said, noting that upgrades began last December. "We knew all along it would take a Herculean effort to get where we are, and we're happy with where we're at.
"There's still work to be done, yes, but we're confident that the stars and moon will align and everything will be ready by the first game. The contractors have been working their fannies off."