Yesterday, Coach Bill Curry announced the suspensions of 2010 Starting QB Drew Little and SS Fred Barnes for 4 games and 2 games, respectively. Starting ILB Femi Opanubi was dismissed. Starting WR Danny Williams and ILB Evan Bostic are suspended for the first week of Spring Practice which starts in 10 days. Back up QB Star Jackson and CB Justin Hughes have left the team. While this incited every reaction from disappointment to shock to worry, I'm here to calm the Panther Nation.
Both players were suspended for a violation of team rules and I will not begin to speculate the nature of the rules that they broke but I'll say this: For every current and future player, the line in the sand has been drawn. Either you are pulling in the same direction or you let go of the rope.
So why am I so calm? We will be without our 2010 leader of the offense vs. Clark Atlanta, Old Dominion, at Jacksonville State and at Houston. This is not good news for the anticipated results in those games. We then face Murray State at home and then will have an Open date. If Drew is prepared to resume his role as the Starting QB, he will have 2 weeks of practice time to regain that title. If not, he'll likely serve as a back up as I believe the plan is to redshirt incoming Freshman Ben McLane, who will arrive in June. After this 4 game stretch, I believe our schedule breaks slightly with five of the next seven games are very winnable games.
Also, from a scholarship side of things, losing Star, Femi and Justin Hughes may look like very bad news but I believe that Star had checked out after a disappointing Fall and I wish him well. Femi's loss hurts but we've added Qwontez Mallory who is likely to step right in and start once he arrives in May. Hughes likely saw the writing on the wall as we added a very talented CB in D'Mario Gunn who I project as a starter in Spring.
Coach Curry has been described as "Old School." If that means that you set out expectations to your players and then you enforce discipline when those expectations are not met, then I hope our program stays "Old School" for a long, long time.
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments" - Jim Rohn.
Showing posts with label Danny Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danny Williams. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Football Players Receive Disciplinary Actions
With spring practice less than 2 weeks away, Coach Bill Curry shows his tough hand by announcing disciplinary action for several Panther football players due to violations of team rules. Players and punishment as follows:
QB Drew Little - Suspended for spring practice and the first four games of the 2011 season.
Safety Fred Barnes - Suspended for spring practice and the first two games of the 2011 season.
WR Danny Williams - Suspended for the first week of spring practice.
LB Evan Bostic - Suspended for the first week of spring practice.
LB Olufemi Opanubi - Dismissed from the team.
It is important to note that none of the disciplinary actions were a result of criminal activity but specifics on why the actions are taking place cannot be disclosed due to student privacy laws.
It has also been announced that Bo Schlechter will be returning to the QB position for the 2011 season. Star Jackson was not mentioned.
Thoughts on these actions will be posted soon.
Link to Georgia State Sports official release.
QB Drew Little - Suspended for spring practice and the first four games of the 2011 season.
Safety Fred Barnes - Suspended for spring practice and the first two games of the 2011 season.
WR Danny Williams - Suspended for the first week of spring practice.
LB Evan Bostic - Suspended for the first week of spring practice.
LB Olufemi Opanubi - Dismissed from the team.
It is important to note that none of the disciplinary actions were a result of criminal activity but specifics on why the actions are taking place cannot be disclosed due to student privacy laws.
It has also been announced that Bo Schlechter will be returning to the QB position for the 2011 season. Star Jackson was not mentioned.
Thoughts on these actions will be posted soon.
Link to Georgia State Sports official release.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Georgia State vs. Lamar - Preview & Prediction
Georgia State vs. Lamar
Kickoff: 1:00pm Georgia Dome
Radio: WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
2) Can the Panthers jump on early and hit the gas? In both the ODU and South Alabama games, the Panthers were outscored 47-0 in the 2nd quarter. Lamar has been outscored 76-15. Get in your seat and expect some action early tomorrow.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? ODU threw 38 times for 152 yards. South Alabama threw 21 times for 181 yards. That's tremendous pass coverage and not giving up the big play. With the injuries to ILB Olefemi Opanubi we will continue to keep the ball in front and roll our safeties back.
Georgia State Wins If...
They can keep the offense rolling and value the football. Drew has thrown for 648 yards and 5 total TDs in his last 2 games. He's ended his pass without an INT streak but it's time to start a new one (currently at 16 passes but you didn't need to know that, did you?).
Lamar Wins If...
They are opportunistic and hope for a low scoring, sluggish affair. This could also be the best game of the year running the football as the Panther run defense has sprung major leaks in the last few weeks. Don't see it happening for the Cardinals, though.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - The Panthers could not move the football vs. ODU or South Alabama on the ground but I expect to see a concerted effort to get our running game off. Lamar runs a 4-3 and will be facing a front 7 that weighs a combined 1677lbs. That ranks them lighter than ODU but heavier than Savannah State as our opponents go.
2) Make the Cardinals uncomfortable early - We were able to essentially stymie South Alabama in the 2nd half and only allowed 3 field goals. I expect Lamar to face a very agressive defense and constantly changing looks.
3) Take shots down the field - Danny Williams has been sensational but I believe that we can absolutely take advantage of a defensive backfield that is giving up 230 yards per game through the air and have only forced opponents into 4 INTs.
The Roar
Georgia State will conclude its 7 game home schedule and will honor 5 seniors. Those Seniors are: Walk-On WR Charles Borowsky, Back up Safety Hubert Davis, Back up ILB Trey Ennis, Punter / Holder Brandon Lupo and Kicker Iain Vance. The Panthers will be without Punter Bo Schletcher for this game and have announced that ILB Olefemi Opanubi will be out for the rest of the year with a partially torn meniscus.
Prediction: Georgia State 31, Lamar 13
Kickoff: 1:00pm Georgia Dome
Radio: WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
Quick Slant: The Panthers play their final home game on Senior Day after fighting back for a second week in a row before falling 39-34 to South Alabama. Lamar is coming off a 31-6 loss at North Dakota. This will be the first time that two first year programs will take the field this year on the floor of the Dome. Lamar is restarting football after closing the program down in 1989. The Panthers are aiming to clinch a winning season before next week's BYE week.
About Lamar: Lamar is 3-5 (1-5 vs. FCS opponents) on the season and has had struggles moving the ball on offense. They've beaten two NAIA schools and only average 13.8 point per game. The Cardinals will start JUCO Transfer from Navarro JC Andre Bevil and he's their best player having thrown for for 240 yards per game and can dodge pressure with his feet. Bevil does a very good spreading the ball around to his Top 3 WR targets: 6'3, 205lbs WR JJ Hayes, 6'1 195lbs WR Marcus Jackson and 5'9 170lbs WR Josh Powdrill. All 3 were JUCO teammates of Bevil at Navarro and they've combined for 95 catches and 1371 and 12 TDs. Jackson is the deep threat with Hayes as primary possesion, move the chains guy. 5'6 170lbs RB RB Octavios Logan has struggled on the ground but is a threat on kick returns averaging 24 yards per return and is their leading all purposed threat. 6'0, 210lbs LB Asim Hicks is their leading tackler and has 3 sacks which lead the team.
What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers win the turnover battle? Lamar has been awful this year taking care of the football. They are a cumulative -10 with 14 INTs and 10 fumbles lost (22 fumbles total). The team that wins the turnover battle should win this game.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? ODU threw 38 times for 152 yards. South Alabama threw 21 times for 181 yards. That's tremendous pass coverage and not giving up the big play. With the injuries to ILB Olefemi Opanubi we will continue to keep the ball in front and roll our safeties back.
Georgia State Wins If...
They can keep the offense rolling and value the football. Drew has thrown for 648 yards and 5 total TDs in his last 2 games. He's ended his pass without an INT streak but it's time to start a new one (currently at 16 passes but you didn't need to know that, did you?).
Lamar Wins If...
They are opportunistic and hope for a low scoring, sluggish affair. This could also be the best game of the year running the football as the Panther run defense has sprung major leaks in the last few weeks. Don't see it happening for the Cardinals, though.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - The Panthers could not move the football vs. ODU or South Alabama on the ground but I expect to see a concerted effort to get our running game off. Lamar runs a 4-3 and will be facing a front 7 that weighs a combined 1677lbs. That ranks them lighter than ODU but heavier than Savannah State as our opponents go.
2) Make the Cardinals uncomfortable early - We were able to essentially stymie South Alabama in the 2nd half and only allowed 3 field goals. I expect Lamar to face a very agressive defense and constantly changing looks.
3) Take shots down the field - Danny Williams has been sensational but I believe that we can absolutely take advantage of a defensive backfield that is giving up 230 yards per game through the air and have only forced opponents into 4 INTs.
The Roar
Georgia State will conclude its 7 game home schedule and will honor 5 seniors. Those Seniors are: Walk-On WR Charles Borowsky, Back up Safety Hubert Davis, Back up ILB Trey Ennis, Punter / Holder Brandon Lupo and Kicker Iain Vance. The Panthers will be without Punter Bo Schletcher for this game and have announced that ILB Olefemi Opanubi will be out for the rest of the year with a partially torn meniscus.
Prediction: Georgia State 31, Lamar 13
Thursday, November 4, 2010
AJC: Q&A with WR Danny Williams
Spectacular catch right in front of my seats vs. Morehead State.
AJC Link
Friday, October 22, 2010
Georgia State vs. Old Dominion - Preview & Prediction
Georgia State vs. Old Dominion
Kickoff: 3:30pm Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium
TV/Radio: Comcast Channel 499 WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
Quick Slant: The Panthers play their 2nd road game coming off an OT victory vs. NC Central (which then proceeded to fire its coach) 20-17. Old Dominion is coming off a bye week after getting their doors blown off in the 4th quarter vs. Cal-Poly. This game will serve as Homecoming for the Monarchs, a fact that all of our players and coaches know well.
About Old Dominion: ODU is 3-3 on the season and will join the CAA in 2011. QB Thomas DeMarco is a dual threat as he has rushed for 203 yards and passed for 1668 yards with 18 combined TDs (15 passing, 3 rushing). DeMarco spreads the ball around as 13 different ODU players have receptions. His primary target over the last 3 weeks is Prentice Gill a 5'11 WR out of Los Angeles. They've thrown the ball on average of 41 times per game and threw a season high 57 passes vs. Cal-Poly.
What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers force pressure? ODU has allowed 7 sacks through 6 games. Getting after DeMarco will be a top priority because they have shown a propensity to wear down later in games.
2) Can the Panthers take advantage of a small front 7? The Panthers faced an NC Central 3-4 defense that had a combined weight of 1828lbs. The Monarchs are 102lbs. lighter across their 4-3. Patience with the run and a new offensive formation will help move the chains.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? The Panthers young secondary would currently rank 16th in the FCS in pass defense (not ranked statistically because we are technically reclassifying for the 2010 season) allowing only 149 yard per game through the air. ODU dials up passes. It's strength on strength and Fred Barnes will be in the cross hairs as he has been all year so far.
Georgia State Wins If...
They are able to win the turnover battle (ODU has thrown 9 INTs and lost 4 fumbles on the season). The Panthers have done a great job getting turnovers in the last few games but the inability to cash them in nearly got them beat vs. NC Central. Run the ball and continue to take your shots down the field to Danny Williams and the Panthers should send the Homecoming crowd home disappointed.
Old Dominion Wins If...
They ride the wave of emotion and hit big plays in special teams. The Monarchs do not run the ball except for show and on QB draws. If they can use the quick kicks and hit big plays in the passing game, they could beat the Panthers.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - Kelton Hill was the leading rusher vs. NC Central. I have no doubt that he will hold onto the football better this week and exploit a smaller front 7. The unveiling of a new offensive formation will only enhance the cuts that the RBs can make. 35 runs plus to take the crowd out of it and move the chains.
2) Keep the play in front of you - ODU likes to dial up long passes over the top. I'd venture to say they haven't seen what Coach Thompson has cooked up. The LBs will have to play big as DeMarco can take off if he smells trouble. They WRs are quick but not tall and our CBs and safeties will need to be aware of things over the top.
3) Spread the ball around - Drew has done a fantastic job spreading the ball around to RBs, TEs and WRs. I think the formula has to stay the same. It's safe to say that ODU is aware of Danny Williams after 2 100 yard receiving days. If they roll coverage his way, Sidney, Albert, Arthur and Bo will all have opportunities to make plays.
The Roar
Old Dominion has sold all of their allotted 19,000 plus tickets which will mean the Panthers are facing significant crowd noise for the first time. The coaching staff pumped in crowd noise to practice this week including the ODU fight song. ODU features 2 players from Georgia including former Georgia Tech and Dunwoody HS grad Deron Jasper. The game is being billed as a "Blue Out" with ODU fans wearing all blue.
Prediction: Georgia State 28, Old Dominion 21
Kickoff: 3:30pm Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium
TV/Radio: Comcast Channel 499 WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
Foreman Field. Expect 19,782 people in attendance and only a few leaving happy.
Photo Courtesy of ODU Sports Communications
Quick Slant: The Panthers play their 2nd road game coming off an OT victory vs. NC Central (which then proceeded to fire its coach) 20-17. Old Dominion is coming off a bye week after getting their doors blown off in the 4th quarter vs. Cal-Poly. This game will serve as Homecoming for the Monarchs, a fact that all of our players and coaches know well.
About Old Dominion: ODU is 3-3 on the season and will join the CAA in 2011. QB Thomas DeMarco is a dual threat as he has rushed for 203 yards and passed for 1668 yards with 18 combined TDs (15 passing, 3 rushing). DeMarco spreads the ball around as 13 different ODU players have receptions. His primary target over the last 3 weeks is Prentice Gill a 5'11 WR out of Los Angeles. They've thrown the ball on average of 41 times per game and threw a season high 57 passes vs. Cal-Poly.
What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers force pressure? ODU has allowed 7 sacks through 6 games. Getting after DeMarco will be a top priority because they have shown a propensity to wear down later in games.
2) Can the Panthers take advantage of a small front 7? The Panthers faced an NC Central 3-4 defense that had a combined weight of 1828lbs. The Monarchs are 102lbs. lighter across their 4-3. Patience with the run and a new offensive formation will help move the chains.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? The Panthers young secondary would currently rank 16th in the FCS in pass defense (not ranked statistically because we are technically reclassifying for the 2010 season) allowing only 149 yard per game through the air. ODU dials up passes. It's strength on strength and Fred Barnes will be in the cross hairs as he has been all year so far.
Georgia State Wins If...
They are able to win the turnover battle (ODU has thrown 9 INTs and lost 4 fumbles on the season). The Panthers have done a great job getting turnovers in the last few games but the inability to cash them in nearly got them beat vs. NC Central. Run the ball and continue to take your shots down the field to Danny Williams and the Panthers should send the Homecoming crowd home disappointed.
Old Dominion Wins If...
They ride the wave of emotion and hit big plays in special teams. The Monarchs do not run the ball except for show and on QB draws. If they can use the quick kicks and hit big plays in the passing game, they could beat the Panthers.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - Kelton Hill was the leading rusher vs. NC Central. I have no doubt that he will hold onto the football better this week and exploit a smaller front 7. The unveiling of a new offensive formation will only enhance the cuts that the RBs can make. 35 runs plus to take the crowd out of it and move the chains.
2) Keep the play in front of you - ODU likes to dial up long passes over the top. I'd venture to say they haven't seen what Coach Thompson has cooked up. The LBs will have to play big as DeMarco can take off if he smells trouble. They WRs are quick but not tall and our CBs and safeties will need to be aware of things over the top.
3) Spread the ball around - Drew has done a fantastic job spreading the ball around to RBs, TEs and WRs. I think the formula has to stay the same. It's safe to say that ODU is aware of Danny Williams after 2 100 yard receiving days. If they roll coverage his way, Sidney, Albert, Arthur and Bo will all have opportunities to make plays.
The Roar
Old Dominion has sold all of their allotted 19,000 plus tickets which will mean the Panthers are facing significant crowd noise for the first time. The coaching staff pumped in crowd noise to practice this week including the ODU fight song. ODU features 2 players from Georgia including former Georgia Tech and Dunwoody HS grad Deron Jasper. The game is being billed as a "Blue Out" with ODU fans wearing all blue.
Prediction: Georgia State 28, Old Dominion 21
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