I'm not a diehard ASU fan, just a casual fan, so I'm not really familiar with the team.

What do you guys consider the strongest point of the team? Offense or defense?

Have any star players to look out for this season?

As usual, the defense is the strength of the team. Both ends, in particular. With apologies to Pesquiera at GSU (who is really good), Josh Jeffries is the best D-lineman in 1-AA. And so far this year K.T. Stovall has been laying people out in the backfield a lot from the other end. Josh is probably too small to play DE in the NFL, but he should get a long look somewhere because he's just so good as a pass rusher.

Between these two, and John Mannino leading the rotation at the DT's, our front four will once again make life miserable for the opposing offense. LB Sam Smalls usually cleans up what they don't get.

Our offense is a question mark at the moment becuse senior QB, and probably our top pro prospect, Joe Burchette has had back probelms that requires last-minute surgery. He should be back in another two weeks. This has allowed RS freshman Richie Williams to get some big experience a year before he is to take over. He will be great down the road, as he can run really well, and has a developing arm.

If Joe is healthy, he makes us probably the best passing team in the SoCon. But to win we'll have to run as well, and that's Jerry Beard's territory. Jerry is tough runner with quickness, but not flat out speed. He's had fumble problems in the past, but so far this year has held on to everything. The speed back role seems to be going to Sean Jackson, who is tiny, but fast.

Our special teams may be tops in the SoCon, along with Furman. PR/WR Davon Fowlkes already has one return for a TD at Marshall, and has almost broken a couple more. KR/WR Jermaine Little has almost broke off a couple of TD's too. It seems that the times when we do not have a good return is the rarity so far. K's Mark Wright and Erik Rockhold are both veterans, and vastly improved over the years. P Nathan McKinney is the latest in a long line of good ASU punters.

All in all I'd say the success of the season for us ultimately rides on the spinal cord of Joe Burchette. If he's okay, we have the weapons everywhere to win it all. If he's not, then we are nowhere near the passing threat, and we aren't good enough of a team to get away with a run-only offense IMO.

I have to agree with everything Black and Gold Express said and add a couple more guys to watch out for:

#3 Derrick Black - A good cornerback who has come up big the last two weeks. Ran a fumble back against EKU and ran a blocked field goal back for a TD against Liberty.

#11 Sean Jackson - Very small RB but he's quick. Had a big game finding the holes against Liberty yesterday while Jerry Beard struggled.

<small>[ September 22, 2002, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Appalholic ]</small>

jackson wears number 24. go get em apps!!!!!!!!

I agree with almost everything except the defensive secondary. That is the only weakness on this outstanding team. We don't defend the pass very well.