Toppers set to open camp

Killtoppers90 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:13:11 GMT

Toppers set to open training camp

By NORM HANEY, The Daily News, nhaney@bgdailynews.com/783-3271

Saturday, August 5, 2006 10:48 PM CDT

As Western Kentucky players prepare to report for training camp this week, there will be a sense of urgency surrounding the team and a feeling of unfinished business after a disappointing 6-5 record last year, which saw the Hilltoppers drop their final four games and miss the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

As the players filter into Bowling Green, there are five questions that need to be addressed first and foremost if Western is to return to form.

1. How is Western going to replace five defensive starters from its front seven?

Although the WKU coaching staff seemed confident coming out of spring practice the holes on the defensive line and at outside linebacker were answered, those continue to be areas that needs fixing.

“I think we have a chance to get back to where we were defensively,” WKU coach David Elson said. “We've got guys that have game-time experience and have had some starts. There's more experience there than what it looks like, so I think we have a chance to be pretty good there.”

One player who was highly regarded heading into spring practice but was unable to play because of injury is Louisville transfer Blake Boyd. When WKU announced its signees in the spring, Boyd seemed to generate the most excitement, but after suffering a shoulder injury in a four-wheeling accident, he was unable to participate the entire spring.

Boyd and seniors Johnathan Carter and Sam Sexton are the front-runners to replace all-Gateway performers Deion Holts and Brandon Smith. In the 3-4 the outside linebackers are the superstars, asked to rush the passer, run down plays from sideline to sideline and cover running backs out of the backfield.

The down linemen performed well this spring in ends Dusty Bear and Evan Brewer as well as nose guard Chris Walker. All three should provide a good push up the middle.

The Hilltoppers have always used a lot of lineman in order to keep people fresh for four quarters. Both defensive end Josh Johnson and nose guard Ross ****ens challenged for starting spots in the spring and should find themselves somewhere in the rotation. Jon Belcher, a sophomore transfer from Ball State, came in late, but caught on quickly and showed some explosiveness.

2. Where will the Hilltoppers get production at wide receiver?

With Maurice Perkins lost to graduation and the unexpected loss of Chris Jackson, who left the team before spring practice, the Hilltoppers find themselves without their two leading receivers from last season.

Junior Curtis Hamilton returns as the only proven commodity at wideout, leaving many wondering where the production will come from in the passing game.

Redshirt freshman Jake Gaebler may have been the biggest surprise of the spring. Gaebler - who's only 5-foot-11, 185 pounds - may not be the biggest or faster receiver in I-AA, but his ability to run routes, sure hands and fearlessness across the middle may make him senior quarterback Justin Haddix's favorite target.

Sophomore Jamison Link was a late arrival at spring practice after being medically cleared from a neck injury. Multiple acrobatic catches this spring showed sophomore Jessie Quinn has big-play ability.

Haddix said that work this spring and throughout the summer has helped iron out some of the kinks and he feels he's developed solid chemistry with the group.

“If you see something you have to go tell them to do this or do that. I'm just trying to help them with my experience,” Haddix said. “I'm just trying to do what some of those older guys did for me and now I'm in a position where I can try and help them.”

3. Will Haddix take his game to the next level?

One of the first head-turning decisions of the Elson era came when he announced Haddix as the team's starter heading into his first collegiate game at home against Union College. That spring the Toppers felt unsure of who would be calling the signals. It looked like they would go to converted wide receiver Casey Rooney, but they quickly reversed once the team reported for camp the following summer.

“We have a ton of confidence in Justin,” Elson said. “We just need to let Justin be Justin and let him go be the competitor he is and let him play the game and let it all hang out there. When he does that I think he's one of the best in the country.”

Obviously starting a true freshman comes with its fair share of headaches, but there is also a clear advantage as well. Entering his fourth year having started every game of his Hilltopper career, Haddix should be ready to put his experience to use and take the offense to another level. Over the past three years Haddix's numbers have stayed fairly consistent, not really improving or falling. In fact, he attempted just seven more passes last year than he did as a freshman, throwing for just 17 more yards and two more touchdowns while tossing three more interceptions.

Haddix is anxious to get the season started and at the same time sad to see his time on the Hill winding down.

“I can't wait for the season to start. This is my last year and it's all went by fast. I'm getting ready to start my last camp and I want to go out on top,” Haddix said. “I just want to go out there and be a leader for the team and not let things bring us down and keep everybody up and hopefully go out on top this year.”

4. Who will be the impact freshman?

Coaches never go into a season wanting to depend heavily on freshmen, and Western Kentucky is no different. That does not mean, however, that none is capable of contributing right away.

While the coaching staff is confident with the receiving core in place, Boyle County's Seth Tamme comes in having shown good speed and dependable hands in high school, which earned him first-team all-state honors. He left Boyle County as the school's all-time leader in receptions (177), receiving yards (3,205) and touchdown catches (39).

Safety Orlando Misaalefua of Fort Campbell backed out of a verbal commitment with Louisville to play for the Toppers, which shows he's a well-respected talent who many believed could have played at the I-A level.

He was the MVP his senior season on a team that featured UK freshman and last year's Mr. Football Micah Johnson. Although Marion Rumph is the unquestioned starter at free safety, the WKU defense is looking for a playmaker at strong safety. Misaalefua could be just that.

Up front, both sides of the ball should get a boost from newcomers who should provide depth at areas that always need replenished. On the offensive side, Derrick Elder (6-2, 310) of St. Xavier is physically ready to play college ball right now.

As a three-year starter for the Tigers, he's also experienced and well-coached.

Defensively, Munir Muwwakki and Robert Dark come to the Hill from junior colleges and should help push the players who are already here and give them some added depth in the rotation.

Like all freshmen and newcomers, however, it's never clear how good or bad a player is until he's suited up and dodging live bullets. So, time will tell if any of these or someone not mentioned will provide a boost on Saturday.

5. Will the WKU special teams bounce back from a disappointing season and be a strength?

Last season the WKU special teams units had their share of ups and downs. Junior kicker Chris James enters the season listed as a preseason All-American candidate, and for good reason. James provided some of last season's most memorable moments, which included game-winning kicks against Eastern Kentucky and Illinois State. Those were the highs.

The lows came at critical times for the Hilltoppers. A blocked punt and failed fake punt at home against Southern Illinois played a big role in the Hilltoppers' 31-20 loss, which was the beginning of the team's four-game losing streak to end the season.

A 70-yard punt return with just over seven minutes to play by Northern Iowa's Johnny Gray helped tie up the game in the Tops' 23-20 double-overtime loss. Later in the same game a UNI offsides penalty with three seconds in regulation gave James a second opportunity after missing a 37-yard field goal, only to see the 32-yarder that followed get blocked.

Maybe the most embarrassing moment came in WKU's 38-28 win at Indiana State, when the Sycamores were able to pull off two fake punts and a fake field goal.

Punter Tanner Siewart was inconsistent last season, ending with an average of 37.4 yards per kick.

Senior return man Dennis Mitchell has shown flashes of greatness during his time at WKU. He hopes to take it up a notch this season and be both a vocal leader and an example on the field.

“I have really high expectations,” Mitchell said. “I'm trying to be more vocal and let people know when they've got to step it up. “I'm ready to make some plays this year. It's my last go around, so I have to.”

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Toppers set to open camp