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| Wednesday, May 9 West likes balance, but spread offense in playbook By Brad Edwards Special to ESPN.com |
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Conference record: 2-5 (t-7th) Returning starters Offense: 8 Defense: 7 Kickers: 1 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Sugar Sanders* (646 yds) Passing: Scott Scherer* (857 yds) Receiving: Bunkie Perkins* (314 yds) Tackles: Kamal Shakir (119) Sacks: Andre Arnold* (13) Interceptions: Glenn Sumter* (5) What's new Tommy West takes over as the Tigers' head coach, and the former defensive coordinator will make an immediate change on the other side of the ball. He scrapped the power-I formation and brought in Randy Fichtner from Arkansas State to install a spread offense. West prefers to stay balanced out of this look but has the scheme in place to throw the ball a lot when necessary. Battling it out The biggest question is who will throw the passes in the new offense. Memphis used three different starters at QB last year, and all three return. Travis Anglin, who began the 2000 season at No. 1, has a slight lead in this year's race because of his scrambling ability. Neil Suber, Scott Scherer and redshirt freshman Danny Wimprine also had their moments in the spring, but nobody separated himself from the field. Eye catcher: DT Eric Taylor Taylor played in only four games as a true freshman, making seven tackles. But after a solid spring, he established himself as the top candidate to fill one of the holes in the interior defensive line. He has proven to be a good run stopper and an on-field leader for a young defensive line. Budding star: WR Darren Garcia After coming to the team as a walk-on last fall, he began as a scout team receiver before working his way onto the field near the end of the season. Garcia caught his first pass in the 10th game and had two kickoff returns in the finale. In the spring, he was dominant at times. He has speed, size and courage across the middle and could be a big weapon in the new spread offense. Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year. |
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