2006 Season Outlook Haugabook To Lead New Offense
Tony Franklin
Omar Haugabook
Carl Meadows
Julian Foster
“Omar is a very accountable and mature guy and when he came into the 2005 season as the Trojans’ starting quarterback, but struggled in here he went straight to work,” Blakeney said. “Not only did he go to to make the offense run on a consistent basis. He and Dockery, who work in football, but away from football. He showed that he is going to received a medical redshirt after seeing limited playing time early last do the things he is supposed to do and be accountable to the team. year, will most likely battle to determine the backup spot. “For a guy to be our quarterback, he has to be someone you can “Every now and then in this offense, Carl showed that he could trust away from the field. He is going to get a lot of credit when we win do some things to make it click,” Blakeney said. “Larry Dockery is and a lot of criticism when we lose, and more than he deserves in both probably as adept, mentally, as any of the guys to this system, but instances. I think Omar Haugabook is the right kind of guy for us.” the physical attributes are not there. He is a guy who will always be Even with Haugabook established as the starting quarterback, mentally ready to go.” the trio of Foster, Meadows and Larry Dockery (Compton, Calif.) are Behind the quarterback, the new offense will also feature a lot of all still in the picture to serve in the backup role. All three saw playing three- and four-receiver sets with one or two running backs, one of which time in 2005 and all bring different attributes to the table. will likely serve in an H-Back role that will combine the attributes of be “I have been judging quarterbacks since I got here, watching ing a back and a receiver. The new offense will very rarely employ the use film of what they did before and grading what they did in the spring,” of a tight end. Franklin said. “The biggest thing for me is that they “The formations will be everything from two have to have good study habits. If they won’t study Offensive Breakdown backs and two tight ends to no backs,” Franklin and won’t learn, then they can’t play quarterback.” said. “We’ll adjust according to how the guys fit Foster, in particular, took that message to heart Starters Returning (10): WR Gary into the puzzle. I think you will see three and four Banks, Jr.; WR Smokey Hampton, in the spring. Toward the end of spring practice he wide most of the time. Most of the guys who are Sr.; OL Rob Austin, Sr.; OL Kirbie seemed to grasp the new offense while, at the same tight ends will either be inside receivers or will Bodiford, Jr.; OL Zach Yenser, Sr.; OL time, gaining an understanding of what it takes to move to either defensive line or offensive line.” Chris Jamison, So.; RB Sean Dawkins, In the spring the five tight ends on the roster all balance athletics and academics in college. Sr.; RB Kenny Cattouse, Jr.; QB Carl “Julian Foster made a big move late in the found new positions. Senior Rob Austin (Ft. Payne, Meadows, Sr.; QB Julian Foster, So. spring,” Blakeney said. “He passed all of his classes, Ala.) moved back inside to left tackle, where he Starters Lost (3): OL James Edwards; including one he was struggling with at midterm started the first two games last year. Sophomore OL Zarah Yisrael; RB Joel Whinghter that was not an easy class. He started to show that Brandon Suggs (Russelville, Ala.), who moved to he is going to do the things he needs to do. It took tight end last year from the defensive line, returned Quarterbacks him some time, but I think he has shown that he is to the defensive side of the ball while senior Josh making strides in the right direction. Pruitt (Ellsworth, Kan.) and redshirt freshmen Starters Returning (2): Carl Meadows, Larry Johnson (Decatur, Ga.) and Travis Boyd Even with the strides Foster has made, BlakSr.; Julian Foster, Fr. eney said he would like to be able to redshirt him (Lacey’s Spring, Ala.) moved to receiver. this fall and leave him with three years to play, with Others Returning (1): Larry Dockery, Jr. Moore takes over the offensive line coaching Newcomers (2): Omar Haugabook, perhaps two of those seasons being as the Trojans’ duties and comes to Troy after having played for Jr.; Jonathan Chandler, Fr. starter at quarterback. Guy Morriss and coached under Mike Leach, two of Returning Statistical Leader: Meadows, who will be a senior this fall, went Meadows (80-169-10, 974 yards, 6 TD) the coaches most known for success in the Trojans’
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