We are now two days from Coastal football's 2009 season opener at Kent State. After going 11-12 over the past two seasons, the Chanticleers have their sights on an improved campaign. Coastal boasts perhaps as much overall talent -- though it lacks a proven game breaker like Jerome Simpson or Tyler Thigpen -- as it ever has. Despite playing two FBS opponents (Kent State and Clemson), the schedule is pretty easy and this team should probably win at least seven games on talent alone.
There are a number of factors that will determine whether this team returns to national prominence and wins eight or more games or whether it struggles to right the ship and wins seven or less games. Here they are:
Here are five reasons the Chants could win eight or more:
1. Quarterback Zach MacDowall becomes a star. Despite struggling to grasp a new offense, MacDowall had a standout sophomore season in 2008. Though much of the team eroded around him, his rare, instinctual talents were obvious. I think MacDowall has all-American ability. His feel for the position, especially his ability to slide around in and out of the pocket to open up plays down the field, is special, but it remains to be seen if he is able to fully capitalize on it. Football has become a sport built around quarterbacks, and Coastal certainly has a good one.
2. Tailback Eric O'Neal stays healthy. The junior is one of the most celebrated recruits in school history, but a shoulder injury in 2007 limited him as a true freshman and an ankle injury cost him most of his sophomore campaign. He worked harder in the offseason to get bigger and avoid injuries. What happened? He was injured in the first preseason scrimmage and didn't return to practice until last Thursday. He has the ability to take any carry to the house and the ability to be a feature back, but will his body allow it to happen?
3. The Chants are tired of losing. After two mediocre seasons, the Chants claim they are truly ready to turn the tide. There is no better motivation than losing and being told year after year that you're bad. If they are truly tired of being labeled as a mediocre group, this team will play with a chip on its shoulder that will be the difference in many of its games. But that focus can't just show up on Saturdays; the players have to continue to bring it to every practice all season long.
4. The defense improves against the run. Coastal was absolutely terrible against in the run in 2007, and, though the numbers improved in 2008, the defense still couldn't stop the run at key times (i.e. Colgate and Liberty). The defense was pretty young last season, so the members should improve with age. It all starts in the running game. If the Chants can stop the run with consistency, they'll force opponents to challenge an intimidating secondary that includes physical, athletic corners Marcus Lott and Josh Norman.
5. The special teams improve drastically. Coastal wasn't very good in any aspect of the kicking game in 2008, and it cost the Chants on several occasions. If they can field all kicks, cover kicks a little better and kick and punt with a little more consistency, the Chants will help their cause dramatically. Does that sound like a tall order? Yes, but most of the key members of the special teams saw time in those positions last year and are a year older. Experience is invaluable.
Here are five reasons the Chants could win seven or less:
1. The defensive line doesn't toughen up. The defensive line struggled in 2008 and perhaps faces as much pressure as any position for Coastal this season. If defensive tackles Robert Balkunas, Chad McField, Dextor Holman, Jeremy Harden and Matt Johnson don't hold up at the point of attack this will be a long season for Coastal. If they can hold their own inside, opponents will be forced to run outside the tackles. The defense is small but was built for speed, so that would play to its advantage.
2. The team's leadership doesn't materialize. Coastal has emphasized leadership and team chemistry all offseason after several bad apples (players like former receiver Jamar Anderson) poisoned the team in the locker room. Many of those egos either graduated or left the program, and the proof is in the lack of off-field incidents so far. However, that doesn't mean that this team will bond when the going gets tough. Only time will tell if these Chants are ready to pull together or whether they'll go their separate ways when it matters most.
3. The offense struggles in Kevin Brown's first season in charge. Brown took over as offensive coordinator after the 2008 season. Nobody is doubting his knowledge or talent, and the players on offense seems to respond to his coaching. Yet, he is a first-year playcaller and will certainly be learning on the fly. Will the offense gell immediately or will it takes several games or even the entire season for him to settle into his new position?
4. Starting offensive tackles Tim Franklin and Bryan Brooks, both redshirt sophomores, struggle. The interior offensive line is a veteran, proven group. Franklin and Brooks are big and athletic and look the part of Division I tackles. Though they've played significantly so far, they've yet to face the pressure facing them now. If they hold up at the bookends, the offense could flourish. If not, the offense could go in the other direction.
5. Injuries strike. The Chants are extremely talented, but they are also extremely thin at several positions. Coastal is thin at offensive tackle, safety and tailback. When you get past the starters (and two deep in some cases) at those positions, there is a significant drop off. This team is capable of absorbing injuries at some positions, but if they happen at others, the team could be crippled.
There are a number of factors that will determine whether this team returns to national prominence and wins eight or more games or whether it struggles to right the ship and wins seven or less games. Here they are:
Here are five reasons the Chants could win eight or more:
1. Quarterback Zach MacDowall becomes a star. Despite struggling to grasp a new offense, MacDowall had a standout sophomore season in 2008. Though much of the team eroded around him, his rare, instinctual talents were obvious. I think MacDowall has all-American ability. His feel for the position, especially his ability to slide around in and out of the pocket to open up plays down the field, is special, but it remains to be seen if he is able to fully capitalize on it. Football has become a sport built around quarterbacks, and Coastal certainly has a good one.
2. Tailback Eric O'Neal stays healthy. The junior is one of the most celebrated recruits in school history, but a shoulder injury in 2007 limited him as a true freshman and an ankle injury cost him most of his sophomore campaign. He worked harder in the offseason to get bigger and avoid injuries. What happened? He was injured in the first preseason scrimmage and didn't return to practice until last Thursday. He has the ability to take any carry to the house and the ability to be a feature back, but will his body allow it to happen?
3. The Chants are tired of losing. After two mediocre seasons, the Chants claim they are truly ready to turn the tide. There is no better motivation than losing and being told year after year that you're bad. If they are truly tired of being labeled as a mediocre group, this team will play with a chip on its shoulder that will be the difference in many of its games. But that focus can't just show up on Saturdays; the players have to continue to bring it to every practice all season long.
4. The defense improves against the run. Coastal was absolutely terrible against in the run in 2007, and, though the numbers improved in 2008, the defense still couldn't stop the run at key times (i.e. Colgate and Liberty). The defense was pretty young last season, so the members should improve with age. It all starts in the running game. If the Chants can stop the run with consistency, they'll force opponents to challenge an intimidating secondary that includes physical, athletic corners Marcus Lott and Josh Norman.
5. The special teams improve drastically. Coastal wasn't very good in any aspect of the kicking game in 2008, and it cost the Chants on several occasions. If they can field all kicks, cover kicks a little better and kick and punt with a little more consistency, the Chants will help their cause dramatically. Does that sound like a tall order? Yes, but most of the key members of the special teams saw time in those positions last year and are a year older. Experience is invaluable.
Here are five reasons the Chants could win seven or less:
1. The defensive line doesn't toughen up. The defensive line struggled in 2008 and perhaps faces as much pressure as any position for Coastal this season. If defensive tackles Robert Balkunas, Chad McField, Dextor Holman, Jeremy Harden and Matt Johnson don't hold up at the point of attack this will be a long season for Coastal. If they can hold their own inside, opponents will be forced to run outside the tackles. The defense is small but was built for speed, so that would play to its advantage.
2. The team's leadership doesn't materialize. Coastal has emphasized leadership and team chemistry all offseason after several bad apples (players like former receiver Jamar Anderson) poisoned the team in the locker room. Many of those egos either graduated or left the program, and the proof is in the lack of off-field incidents so far. However, that doesn't mean that this team will bond when the going gets tough. Only time will tell if these Chants are ready to pull together or whether they'll go their separate ways when it matters most.
3. The offense struggles in Kevin Brown's first season in charge. Brown took over as offensive coordinator after the 2008 season. Nobody is doubting his knowledge or talent, and the players on offense seems to respond to his coaching. Yet, he is a first-year playcaller and will certainly be learning on the fly. Will the offense gell immediately or will it takes several games or even the entire season for him to settle into his new position?
4. Starting offensive tackles Tim Franklin and Bryan Brooks, both redshirt sophomores, struggle. The interior offensive line is a veteran, proven group. Franklin and Brooks are big and athletic and look the part of Division I tackles. Though they've played significantly so far, they've yet to face the pressure facing them now. If they hold up at the bookends, the offense could flourish. If not, the offense could go in the other direction.
5. Injuries strike. The Chants are extremely talented, but they are also extremely thin at several positions. Coastal is thin at offensive tackle, safety and tailback. When you get past the starters (and two deep in some cases) at those positions, there is a significant drop off. This team is capable of absorbing injuries at some positions, but if they happen at others, the team could be crippled.
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