Losing a consensus All-American like Patrick Willis can be devastating to a defense. Losing a playmaker like linebacker Rory Johnson who opted to take his chances and leave for the NFL early hurts even more. Johnson was not drafted, but did sign on as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers.
Sound familiar? Two words: Rufus French. While I wish Johnson the best in his NFL career, another year at Ole Miss could have made him millions. It also could have cost him millions if he were to be injured during his senior season. But hey, that’s what insurance policies are for, right?
With that said, let’s take a look at what Ole Miss has on the defensive side of the ball this year.
Starting up front with the defensive line. The Rebels may lack some depth here, but the starters are solid. Peria Jerry, Greg Hardy, and Marcus Tillman bring experience back for Ole Miss. And then, there is the addition of: Mr. Jerrell Powe. Or maybe not. Or maybe. Or maybe not. Whatever. He’s a badass football player but he’s been waiting for clearence from the NCAA for three years now.
At the linebacker position the Rebs return no starters. Willis is gone. Johnson is gone. Garry Pack was relieved of his duties late last season for the infamous “Violation of Team Rules” that every coach in America uses.
Junior College transfer Ashlee Palmer will start according to Head Coach Edward Orgeron.
“Tony Fein’s been coming along a little bit,” Orgeron said. “I think his conditioning is getting better. He’s made some plays and is making a push there. Chris Strong is an outstanding Mike (middle) linebacker. He brings it downhill. There are obviously some things that a new guy has to learn, but those guys are battling there (at Mike linebacker).”
“Jonathan Cornell is practicing sparingly. I think Ashlee Palmer has earned himself a starting role for right now at the outside linebacker spot.”
Cornell and Fein return with some playing experience. Cornell earned a start against LSU last year. Chris Strong has been practicing well at the middle linebacker slot and was recently cleared by the NCAA. Strong will likely be the starting middle lineback for Ole Miss this Fall.
There are several other players that Ole Miss is waiting on the BIG BAD NCAA for clearance, Clarance.
To the secondary we go. First, the bad news. The cornerback position is the weakest. Not that it was that strong last year. Will cornerbacks at Ole Miss ever turnaround and look for the ball when they see a receiver extending his hands? Probably not. I can hope though.
“At cornerback we are very thin. Dustin Mouzon has had a stellar camp,” Orgeron said. “Jamariey Atterberry is coming along, but is not ready yet. He’s a good athlete and it will take a little while. Terrell Jackson is starting at the other cornerback position…We expect Nate Banks to be back. We don’t know when, but we expect him back and maybe he can do something there to help us out.”
Mouzon returns as the only player with an interception last year. The junior tallied 28 tackles in 2007.
The heart and soul of this secondary will be built around Jamarca Sanford. The junior safety was forced to play linebacker at the end of last season due to Pack’s early departure. Now, the team’s leading returning tackler (64), is back at his natural position of safety. Sanford is a very vocal player that could spark the inexperienced group into playing better as the season goes on.
“We are very excited to have a guy like Jamarca Sanford in the defensive backfield. He’s a leader and very solid. John Thompson is using him in some blitzes and defenses that are a little bit different, and you can see him blossoming on defense. He should be a force.”
A force? Please don’t start talking like Cutcliffe. I can’t handle it. I will let this one slide but if I hear the phrase “outstanding young individual” I might lose it.
Special Teams
Finally, a strength for the Rebels! Praise God, Allah, Yaweh, etc.
Ole Miss returns place kicker Josh Shene and punter Rob Park. Shene was 14 of 17 on field goal attempts last season with a long of 52 yards. Park was consistent averaging 39 yards per punt.
On returns, Dexter McCluster and Marshay Green enter their sophomore year with high expectations. Green averaged 25 yards per kickoff return and McCluster averaged 21 before being sidelined with a season ending injury.
Each time either one of these two playmakers gets the ball on a return, they are capable of breaking away for a long return. We need it. The offense needs all the help it can get.
Just win. Just win. Just win. Please.
