2008 OUTLOOK: The breakthrough by Kansas during its 12-1 run last season culminated in an Orange Bowl victory and a virtual sweep of national coach of the year awards by Mark Mangino. The Jayhawks should be able to follow up the impressive run with another strong season, though the addition of South Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech on the schedule will make it difficult for them to contend for the Big 12 North title, or another BCS berth.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE Although the Jayhawks lost a 1,000-yard rusher (Brandon McAnderson) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Marcus Henry), enough depth exists at the skill positions to pose another strong outlook for the offense. The biggest concern will be the newcomers who step in at tackle and tight end. QB Todd Reesing can elude tacklers and proved to be an accurate thrower last season, but Kansas would prefer for him not to have to scramble too often.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE The loss of Bill Young, a veteran coordinator who is an original member of Mangino's staff, could be a blow. Mangino will turn to Clint Bowen, the lone holdover Mangino retained when he was hired. The Jayhawks return nine starters, though one of the regulars they lost was a first-round draft pick, CB Aqib Talib. Kansas should still be solid in the secondary and at linebacker. The defensive interior is a concern.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS Fielding punts almost resembled a high-wire act at times last season and is an area where Kansas must improve. Finding a punter is also a priority, though versatile Kerry Meier might handle the job in addition to other duties. The Jayhawks must also replace PK Scott Webb. Overall, special teams pose as many questions as any unit.
ROSTER REPORT
--Three returning starters, C Ryan Cantrell, LB Joe Mortensen and S Justin Thornton, missed spring practice while healing from leg injuries. DE John Larson also missed the spring game with an illness.
--After reporting to Kansas as a running back and then moving to cornerback as a junior last season, WR Gary Green will try to add depth to the receiving corps. He caught five passes for 34 yards in the spring game.
--After missing the Orange Bowl with an injury, LB Arist Wright posted a game-high 10 tackles in the spring game.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
I get so sick of fan of team that used to be good talk like their team will do something just cuz they added a new coach it takes more then a coach to win it takes players that can play . the big 12 north title will coe down to arrowhead again but this time we will win they should have won last year if it wasn' t for webb two miss field goals ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS ALL THE WAY
Kansas wide receivers coach Tim Beck on Monday was officially announced by Nebraska coach Bo Pelini as the new running backs coach for the Huskers, ending a month of speculation that the move would happen.
Beck had just finished his third year at Kansas and was a key cog in the Jayhawks’ recruiting of the state of Texas, where Beck formerly was a high school coach.
Who else is ready for college football . My jayhawks are going to be good and i don't care what mu,cu,or,ksu fans said they better get ready for the storm . ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS GO KU. oya any one want see the hawks they have their spring game april 12 at 1:00 these hawks will be soaring to new heights this year
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, the Salty Iguana in Independence, MO held their annual Iguana Races this afternoon. Coach Bill Self made an appearence there earlier in the day. The Final Four racing iguanas were named Home Depot, Carl Peterson, Frank Martin and Mark Mangino. Home Depot and Carl Peterson were blown out in the semifinal races. Track pundits commented that Carl Peterson had
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Seventeen Division I-A football programs face penalties for failing to graduate enough players, the NCAA announced Tuesday with the release of its Academic Progress Rates.
Orange Bowl champion Kansas and <a href="http://w
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I know he didn't get drafted, but has anyone heard if he got signed as a free agent?? He is a bit smallish for DT at the next level, but you figure someone will give him a look.
I'm ready for another exciting Jayhawk football season. I think we have a pretty good chance of winning the Big 12 title this year. Any predictions on how well KU will do this season?
Hi I just want to ask you guys what kind of player Marcus Henry is because the Jets drafted him this weekend and we all dont really know much about him. that would be great.
First off let me say that I am in no way a USF fan. I actually don't like them at all. But here in FL people are starting to talk about the early season match up with Kansas. Obviously living in FL the views are heavily slanted. What do the Kansas fans think? Is this even an exciting game for you?
