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COACH: David Cutcliffe OFFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Romaro Miller-QB, Grant Heard-WR, Deuce McAllister-TB, Shane Grice-OG, Keydrick Vincent-OG, Les Binkley-K DEFENSIVE KEY LOSSES: Derrick Burgess-DE, Antionne Scott-DT, Shane Elam-DE, Chad Cooke-LB, Shawn Johnson-LB, Amzie Williams-LB, Ken Lucas-CB, Kenny Woods-SS, Reagan King-P |
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| Part of the great Rebel backfield from the past couple of seasons has finally departed as QB Romaro Miller and NFL 1st rounder Deuce McAllister have moved on. Hold on, don't look now but in steps some heavy replacements in Joe Gunn at running back, who led the team in rushing in 1999 with 951 yards when he earned All-SEC first team honors, quarterback Eli Manning (son of Archie and brother of Peyton) who is expected to be the next savior to the program, and fullback Charles Stackhouse, who returns for his senior season. Gone are two solid guards and great veteran receiver Grant Heard, who broke several school records. Watch for All-American Terrence Metcalf at the tackle spot to help aid the offense big time. Defensively, there is only one returning starter up front in Sims and three main linebackers have departed, but the Rebels get a major boost in the return of linebacker Eddie Strong who missed last season with a stress fracture in his foot. Prior to his injury, Strong was being touted before last season as a Butkus Award candidate. One of the top losses in the secondary was All-American cornerback Ken Lucas. There is certainly untested talent on the field. The key to a great season rests in whether these new faces can step in and fill some holes, especially up front on defense. Ole Miss makes a great fit for competition in the SEC West next fall. They are just as talented as everyone else. The names may have changed, but the offensive backfield will be as explosive as it ever was and folks that know the game can assure you that Eli Manning is an up and coming master of the sport. Enough so that Ole Miss can beat anybody on any given day. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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