Coach B. introduced the team captains for 2005. He said the first 3 years he implemented 'player representatives', not captains. The captains that were introduced were:
QB Tony Eckert
QB Jerad Romo
OL Brad Kieschnick
LB Don Ieremia-Stansbury
LB D.D. Lee
P Ryan Mentzel
Coach B. said about a month ago - during a team meeting - he asked all the players on the team 'What would you sacrifice to turn SMU football around?" He said TWO HOURS later, it was apparent to him and the rest of the coaching staff that ALL of the players are committed to winning, not just playing football at SMU. He said the captains (named above) told the coaches and their fellow players that they will remain 'positive', even if things aren't good, and that they will be the ones to help 'right the ship'. Coach B. says these captains are the ones who have risen above the rest of the team in gaining the trust of their fellow players and exhibiting leadership skills.
QBs Eckert and Romo competed well against each other in spring drills and the competition between the two made them better players and leaders and that, in turn, made the team better.
Coach B. believes that RB Cedrick Dorsey will be one of the premiere RBs in C-USA.
TB Richuel Massey struggled during spring drills but has lost 17 lbs. and was seen running the hill at Ford Stadium earlier in the day.
RBs Jessie Henderson and DeMyron Martin will be expected to step up since the Mustangs will run more two-backs than last year.
TE Ryan Kennedy has GREAT hands but, at 6'5", he also needs to be a BLOCKER, according to Coach B.
TE Vincent Chase missed spring drills because of an injury but he will be back in the Fall.
Expect to see RB Andrew McKinney in action this Fall.
All of the Mustangs' WRs will be back in the Fall. Devin Lowery had a good Spring and has put on weight from 153 lbs. to 175 lbs. Bobby Chase has earned the nickname "Thor" because of his commitment. Chris Foster lead the team in receptions (twenty-eight) in 2004 and Coach B. expects him to make things happen again this year.
The offensive line has had a year to grow...a learning curve. Center Brad Kieschnick brings leadership to the line as a 4-year starter. Caleb Peveto and Martin Guidry will bring experience to the line. Tommy Poynter has gone from 225 lbs. to 280 lbs.! Bryan Turner will start. Coach B. says one of the goals this year will be to get more people on the field in the OL.
Coach B. admitted that defensively the Mustangs had their worst year in 2004 since he came onboard. He said everyone needs to do a better job in 2005 including himself. He said there will be more variations in defensive formations.
D.D. Lee is someone who LOVES SMU and Coach B. said it's apparent that he'll be a leader. Reggie Carrington should be back at full speed in the Fall. Wilton McCray and Rico Harris will also be back. Avery Cleveland will redshirt. Justin Rogers is at 255 lbs. Charlie Berry is at 260 lbs. Brandon Bonds is the 2nd strongest player on the team and Coach B. says he's the kind of player who can 'look at a biscuit and gain 10 lbs.'!!! Unfortunately, Desmond Jones is on team suspension and his return in the Fall is still questionable. Coach B. says players need to remember that playing football is a privilege, not a right.
In 2004, SMU was only 2 penalties away from being the #1 punt return team in the USA. Obviously this needs work in 2005.
Coach B. says the Mustangs need to do a better job of running the ball in 2005. The goals are: average 150-180 yards rushing per game and average 250-300 yards passing per game. The defense *must* stop the run and put the opposition in long yardage situations more often.
In closing, Coach B. said that moving to C-USA absolutely has helped recruiting and will continue to do so.
In closing, Coach B. said he expects the home games against Baylor and TCU to be sellouts because of the old SWC interest. But he also wants to see the home game against Tulane to be a sellout because it will be the FIRST game for the Mustangs in Conference USA. He also mentioned how excited the team and coaches are to have SIX home games in 2005.
Coach B. reminded everyone that there will be a 2005 Mustang Football Kick-Off Luncheon on Wednesday, August 17 at The Radisson Hotel. Details will be forthcoming.
