Lambuth Eagles

5-a-Days: Lambuth Eagles

By MATT VINES
mvines1@jacksonsun.com
This is the eighth in a series of 18 where The Jackson Sun is looking at different football teams and leagues of interest in West Tennessee at the college and high school level and ask and answer five questions each day that fans have going into the season.

Q: Who will QB Adam Wiese throw to after losing Landon Talley and Shane Smith?

A: Talley (led the nation with 20 touchdown catches) and Smith (819 yards, nine touchdowns) accounted for about 75 percent of the passing offense last season. But other targets have experience, led by seniors Jesse Ferrell (334 yards) and Brandon Okechukwu (233 yards). Transfer Rod Jefferson had a big spring game, and with Lambuth passing for more than 500 yards in that contest, someone will catch the ball in 2009.

Q: Coach Hugh Freeze mixed Lambuth's traditional power-running style with his spread offense in his first year. Will it be 100 percent spread this season?

A: Probably not. Freeze will likely go to more spread formations with shotgun extraordinaire Adam Wiese getting most of the snaps, but many of his players are still physically-equipped for power running. And why not keep some power formations? Lambuth averaged better than 200 rushing yards per game last season from many different looks, even though quarterback Josh Garza (graduation) and running back Ed Robinson (academics) will not return after combining for 1,500 rushing yards. Until the entire offensive line consists of experienced Freeze recruits, expect at least an inkling of power formations.

Q: Will the defense improve after allowing 65 points in a playoff loss to Lindenwood (Mo.)?

A: The only way is up. Freeze said the defense is making strides in the offseason, and the spring game echoed that assessment. Senior linebacker Lee Yandell and senior defensive back Dominique Bowman will be largely responsible for improving a pass defense that allowed 352 passing yards to Lindenwood. Lambuth's defense allowed nine opponents to score at least 25 points, with three topping 40 points. But defensive coordinator Tom Allen is in his second year of installing the defense, and most of the Eagles' starters will be returning.

Q: How much will Lambuth's off-the-field problems affect its on-the-field performance?

A: Not much if any. As long as Lambuth remains open (which it appears it will), and the athletic department fills the gas tank to travel to the Eagles' seven road games, players shouldn't be affected by the school's financial problems. More than 90 players attended voluntary offseason conditioning workouts for 12 weeks. Freeze said earlier in the summer that he and his staff have enveloped themselves in coaching as a buffer to Lambuth's finances, and if the coaches show no outward stress from the situation, why should the players? But there is one catch. If the financial situation doesn't improve, it could jeopardize Lambuth's football future. Freeze was a finalist for the UT-Chattanooga job and could be hotly pursued next season if the Eagles make another playoff appearance.

Q: Will the Eagles return to the NAIA playoffs for the second straight season?

A: Many obstacles stand in Lambuth's way. The Eagles play only four home games, and three of those are against tough Mid-South opponents UVA-Wise, Shorter and Cumberland. Road games include two Gulf South opponents West Georgia and West Alabama. The Eagles will have a better understanding of where they fit in the GSC with these teams finishing a combined 2-14 in league play this past season. One positive for Lambuth is being ranked No. 14 in the NAIA preseason poll, meaning if the Eagles just hold their ground, another playoff spot is likely.