Tell a Newb about SMU football

[StingStang]

So, now you know me a bit, tell me about you. Or I should say "us". Though it still feels weird.

I don't yet know a lot of the players. Who should I be looking out for? Where are the weaknesses? What is the defense going to look like? I think I heard SMU is going to the 3-4? I know a bit about the 'Shoot as a Falcons fan going back to watching Jeff George drive June Jones nuts.



What about history and traditions? Love to hear this stuff especially. Don't want to hear about the 1980's though. I'm talking great teams, coaches, players, championships, whatever. Basically, your "elevator speech" as to why SMU football matters.

[mr. pony]

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[StallionsModelT]

1979 to 1984 - AWESOME.
1987 - Death Penalty
1989-2008 - SUCK
Present - Who knows?

The end.

[SMU_is_bowling]

1979 to 1984 - AWESOME.
1987 - Death Penalty
1989-2008 - SUCK
Present - Who knows?

The end.

[ClickClack]

Players to Watch on Offense:
1. #17 WR Emmanuel Sanders: flat out stud in C-USA. 958 yards and 9 td's last year (missed the last two games due to suspension). Should eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.

2. #24 WR Aldrick Robinson: a real burner with big play capabality. Not as sure handed as Emmanuel, but can flat out fly. Last year has 1,047 yards and 11 td's. Denfenses cant double cover both of these guys so both should put up great numbers again.

3.#9 QB Bo Levi Mitchell: started last season as a true freshman. took some lumps (led the nation in Interceptions) but also showed a lot of promise (24 td passes). After a full year learning the system, BLM seems to be much more comfotable and on the same page as the WR core. Seems very confident..has the playmakers around him. If he is sharp on his reads that should translate to a drop in the INT's.

4. #8 RB Shawnbrey McNeal: Waiting to hear from the NCAA if he is able to play this season. Transfer from the University of Miami. Could be a gamebreaker. Has big play potential. Many people think the eligibilty of McNeal directly translates to a couple more wins this season. We are pretty thin at RB and this would be a great thing if eligible.

5. #77 OL Josh LeRibeus: there has been much talk about Josh this off-season after not electing to attend voluntary workout (personal matters that no one seems to know why). June Jones said he considers Josh one of the best players on the team. Highly recruited out of high school-held offers from Baylor, Boston College, Stanford, Utah and others...Massive, weighs 330 lbs. With not much depth on the OL, the strong play and health of Josh is critical.

[ClickClack]

Players to watch on Defense:

1.#47 DE Taylor Thompson: Guy is a physical Freak. Started the last 3 games last year as a true freshman. Has the body of an NFL defensive end. put on 25 lbs of muscle since the spring and now stands 6 foot 5 and 280 lbs. Extrmeley strong and quick, should be an imposing force at defensive end and be able to generate a pass rush. Fans have only seen him a limited amount (only a true sophmore) but based on what we saw last year, and his new frame, there is a lot of reason for optimism.

2. #99 DE Marquese Frazier: Another physically imposing player. Looks the part of an NFL defensive end at 6 foot 3 280 lbs. JUCO transfer who has battled injuries in the past. Highly recruited out of high school with lots of Big 12 offers. If Marquese and Taylor can generate a surge at the line of scrimmage and get a pass rush, should make the whole defense better.

3. #48 OLB Youri Yenga: Making the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker in our new 3-4 defense. Played against guys who outweighed him by over 80 lbs last year and still recorded 6.5 sacks. Our pass rush was almost non existent outside of yenga last year. Was teams best defensive player last year. plays with a high motor and always seems to be around the football. Can create turnovers. Look for him to excell at olb which should be benficial for him playing inspace as opposed to being a down lineman where offensive tackles can get their hands on him.

4. #52 ILB Pete Fleps: Probably the leader of the defense as he is the signal caller. Played Outside linebacker last year and was very solid. Recorded 26 tackles @ Navy. Named to the All C-USA 2nd Team at linebacker. Great leader and solid tackler, tough guy who will never quit.

The success of the defense is so important to the season this year. Everyone knows we will put points on the board. I dont even think we need to shutdown offenses (because we wont), but we need to make enough stops or win the turnover battle to get our offense an extra few possesions. The key will be the pass rush...if we can put pressure on the QB and not let him sit comfortbaly in the pocket and pick apart our secondary, we are not going to win many games. Our pass defense was atrocious last year, but I do not think our secondary is bad. No DB no matter how good you are can cover a reveiver when the QB sits in the pocket with all day to throw. Creating pressure will make our secodnary look A LOT better. Its no coincidence the last respectable team we put on the field had a D line of: Muse, Rogers, Haywood and Bonds.

[ponyinNC]

WR Darius Johnson, Fr.

High level recruit with offers from BC, Iowa St., Houston. Playmaker.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/smu/football/re ... ge_choices

[jason54858]

In Gerald Ford Staduim,The seats are hard and everytime I sit in one spot longer then 30 mins my butt is cramped when I get up. The guys on here keep telling me to getupo and cheer, but thats not my style I cheer for no team (except the Cowboys). Other than that its all good

[HB Pony Dad]

Read this thread RE: Traditions

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33035

[ThadFilms]

You got some mileage out of that post, HBPD! I remember it well. Fun to revisit it.

[ThadFilms]

Oh and StingStang...... I like the handle. Well played.


You know what else I like? I like that that picture you used of June and Jeff George looks like it could have been staged in someone's living room. Gotta' love the domes, I guess.

Oh and I love the new "quick reply". Brilliant addition by the PHPBB open source guys. Unless it was all SmooPower, in that case, sorry to offend SP... great job, or something.

"I like turtles." - Eddie P





(Speaking of Eddie P where the heck is that guy these days anyway?)

[Alaric]

-Newcomer pick: LB Ja'Gared Davis (and Darius Johnson of course)
-Academic standards appear to have been lowered to NCAA mins finally.
-Your picture with Jones & Jeff George reminds me of the book "Hawaii Warrior Football" - check it out, good insight into what makes Jones tick and how he approaches football differently than most. Evidently the two are good friends now.
-Jones was hired 3 weeks before signing date in 2008 and it looks like a lot of the guys he found on film in those 3 weeks are turning into real players.
-No depth - almost any injury will hurt.
-June Jones will gamble a lot on offense - anything from the option to going for it on fourth and long in our territory which can be nerve wracking at times

[03Mustang]

In Gerald Ford Staduim,The seats are hard and everytime I sit in one spot longer then 30 mins my butt is cramped when I get up. The guys on here keep telling me to getupo and cheer, but thats not my style I cheer for no team (except the Cowboys). Other than that its all good

Probably the best summary of why our fans are some of the worst in D-1. You'd think they would offer majors in Frontrunning and Whining at SMU the way everyone on campus seems to be such an expert in them.

[StingStang]

Players to Watch on Offense:
1. #17 WR Emmanuel Sanders: flat out stud in C-USA. 958 yards and 9 td's last year (missed the last two games due to suspension). Should eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.

2. #24 WR Aldrick Robinson: a real burner with big play capabality. Not as sure handed as Emmanuel, but can flat out fly. Last year has 1,047 yards and 11 td's. Denfenses cant double cover both of these guys so both should put up great numbers again.

4. #8 RB Shawnbrey McNeal: Waiting to hear from the NCAA if he is able to play this season. Transfer from the University of Miami. Could be a gamebreaker. Has big play potential. Many people think the eligibilty of McNeal directly translates to a couple more wins this season. We are pretty thin at RB and this would be a great thing if eligible.

Thanks. Do Sanders and Robinson play out wide or in the slot? Also, what's the story with McNeal? Is he attempting a "hardship" transfer without having to sit out a year?

[ClickClack]

Players to Watch on Offense:
1. #17 WR Emmanuel Sanders: flat out stud in C-USA. 958 yards and 9 td's last year (missed the last two games due to suspension). Should eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.

2. #24 WR Aldrick Robinson: a real burner with big play capabality. Not as sure handed as Emmanuel, but can flat out fly. Last year has 1,047 yards and 11 td's. Denfenses cant double cover both of these guys so both should put up great numbers again.

4. #8 RB Shawnbrey McNeal: Waiting to hear from the NCAA if he is able to play this season. Transfer from the University of Miami. Could be a gamebreaker. Has big play potential. Many people think the eligibilty of McNeal directly translates to a couple more wins this season. We are pretty thin at RB and this would be a great thing if eligible.

Thanks. Do Sanders and Robinson play out wide or in the slot? Also, what's the story with McNeal? Is he attempting a "hardship" transfer without having to sit out a year?

Sanders plays out wide and Robinson lines up in the slot. Cole Beasley (true soph) seems to have earned the starting role for the slot opposite robinson and terrance wilkerson will line up on the side opposite sanders. Yes, McNeal is attempting to get a hardship waiver to be eligible this year. I believe his mother is in dallas and she is sick and also he has a child in dallas.