TnSt Football News: 2007


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tsutiger

Active Member
By Nate Rau, Sports Correspondent
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James Webster had a mixed reaction to the preseason predictions released at Tuesday?s Ohio Valley Conference Media Day festivities at LP Field.

The Tennessee State football coach was happy to see recognition coming in for his players. Four Tigers were placed on the All-OVC preseason team, including cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is collecting his fair share of preseason recognition.

In addition to Rodgers-Cromartie, quarterback Antonio Heffner, running back Javarris Williams and defensive end Shaun Richardson were also named to the team.

But while Webster was pleased for that foursome, he was left scratching his head as to how TSU was picked to finish fifth in a poll of the league?s coaches and sports information directors. Last year, the Tigers jumped to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in the OVC. They even had a shot at the league title heading into the final week of the regular season. It was a four-game improvement from the year before, Webster?s first coaching the Tigers.

But despite those strides, TSU fell short of getting the total respect of the OVC.
?Whether they pick me last or pick me first, I?m still going to have the same fire in me to win,? Webster said when asked if he felt slighted by the prediction. ?I think it?s important for this football team to know I have confidence they can win.?

Webster said it might be best the team was picked in the middle of the pack, but he thought the logic behind putting Heffner and Williams on the All-OVC team and then having low expectations didn?t make sense.

?The quarterback is the most important position and the coaches have acknowledged that Heffner is the better quarterback,? Williams said. ?Javarris is the all-conference running back preseason. But you have to take into consideration we lost 12 starters, including a majority in the line. So we do have some holes to fill.?

Thanks to a continually emerging Rodgers-Cromartie, cornerback is not a concern. Rodgers-Cromartie is already a preseason All-American according to The Sporting News. He led the OVC last year with six interceptions.

At 6-2 and with elite speed (Rodgers-Cromartie was a star for the TSU track and field team), he seems poised for a monster senior season.

?He is probably the most-popular name guy in athletics in the OVC,? Webster said. ?He also ran track. He?s a very talented young man. I?m just glad we?ve got him for this year.?

Rodgers-Cromartie attended an offseason defensive backs camp run by former NFL legend Darrell Green. Webster said Rodgers-Cromartie had a positive experience at the camp.
?Everybody on offense the last couple years were kind of young, but they weren?t together yet,? Rodgers-Cromartie said. ?But I feel like this year the offense is up to our level.?

YORK TROPHY: The Nashville Sports Council and the Ohio Valley Conference announced the formation of the Sergeant York Trophy on Tuesday at OVC Football Media Day at LP Field. The trophy will be vied for by the four OVC teams from the Volunteer State ? Austin Peay, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State.

The team with the best combined record between those four will be presented the trophy. The award is just the second college football traveling trophy involving more than two teams ? the other being the Commander in Chief?s trophy.

The award is named for Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated soldiers during World War I, who then devoted his life to improving education in the state of Tennessee.

The four schools participating in the hunt for the Sergeant York Trophy said the chase would spark interest among area fans.

Austin Peay was a long-time rival of TSU before leaving the OVC and dropping football following the 1996 season. But APSU reformed the program last year and will return to the OVC for the upcoming season.

?I think it is great that the OVC has added to the excitement of the competition for the OVC football title,? TSU coach James Webster said. ?It is my belief that you must win the Alvin York Trophy if you have aspirations to win the conference championship.?

Besides competing for the Sergeant York Trophy, there are other subplots that will play out between TSU and its in-state rivals this season. Tennessee-Martin is the defending OVC champion and Tennessee Tech has a familiar new coach in Watson Brown, who coached at Vanderbilt and Alabama-Birmingham.
 
Re: Tigers feel slighted despite honors

This is the best thing that could have happened.

No respect.

Now take it out on AAMU.
 



Re: Tigers feel slighted despite honors

But didn't TSU lose a lot of starters? Back the Spring, this was the word on the street.
 
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/SPORTS0604/707240342/1038/SPORTS0604

TSU coach says preseason OVC poll will snub his team

By MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writer


Coach James Webster doesn't think expectations will be very high this season for his Tennessee State football team.

Even after finishing third in the Ohio Valley Conference last year Webster does not believe the Tigers made enough noise to alarm any of the league's coaches.

Votes by the coaches and sports information directors from the 10 schools determine the preseason poll. The predictions will be released today at the OVC Football Media Day at LP Field.

"We won't get any first-place votes. We'll probably be picked somewhere around fifth,'' Webster said.

Despite remaining in the thick of the race last year after winning its first four conference games and finishing with a 5-2 league record, Webster said TSU would not get any respect when the coaches and SIDs fill out their ballots.

The Tigers have several key starters returning on offense including quarterback Antonio Heffner and tailback Javarris Williams (1,233 yards rushing, 11 TDs) and six on defense including cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (six interceptions).

"I don't think that any of that matters, who we have coming back or whatever,'' Webster said. "I've got my own personal reasons why I think (the coaches and SIDs) are going to probably pick us in the middle of the pack."

Webster would not elaborate on why he doesn't believe his team is getting respect from its OVC opponents.

Just like last year

The coach, heading into his third season, pointed out that last year TSU was picked tied for seventh with Tennessee Tech yet still had a shot at winning the championship going into its final game. The Tigers ended up losing 20-3 at Eastern Kentucky.

Webster said believes his team has a better chance this season of winning the conference.

"I've got a lot of confidence in this football team,'' he said. "If we can stay away from injuries. ? I like our chances.

"You can't put everybody up on the line to stop the run because we have some excellent receivers. You can't put everybody back because we've got a good running game."

"On offense we have enough weapons where we can spread it around a little bit."
 
Re: The King of BCF July Notes

TSU hopes team wins on individuals' merits
Four Tigers stars earn preseason All-OVC honors

By MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writer


Coaches like to say football is a team sport, but Tennessee State's James Webster says it takes exceptional individuals to have a good team.

And unlike last year his team is blessed with some high-profile standouts.

Heading into 2006 the Tigers had only one player on the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team ? defensive back Aaron Strong.

On Tuesday four TSU players were listed on the team, which was announced at the 2007 OVC Football Media Day at LP Field.

It brought a proud smile to Webster's face.

TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner and running back Javarris Williams were joined by defensive end Shaun Richardson and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Rubbing off

Webster expects that having players who receive such recognition will create a sense of pride that spreads throughout his team.

"I want my players to have pride in themselves first,'' Webster said. "That's where it starts. You always say that football, or any sport, is a team sport. But it doesn't start with the team, it starts with the individual. In order to have a winning team you have to have winning individuals."

Heffner, despite missing two games with a separated shoulder, helped TSU post a winning record (6-5) in 2006 and stay in the hunt for the OVC championship until the final game by completing 109-of-199 passes for 1,698 yards and nine touchdowns.

Williams rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 13 TDs and has climbed to third all-time among TSU rushing leaders.

Richardson was the 2006 OVC Newcomer of the Year after transferring from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and led TSU with eight tackles for loss.

Rodgers-Cromartie led the OVC in interceptions (6) and is TSU's leading returning tackler (47). He also is a pre-season first-team All-American, according to several publications, including College Sporting News.

Realizing potential

"What has happened is that we have had some individuals that have had the talent that now, all of a sudden, they are beginning to do the things that it takes to reach their full potential,'' Webster said.

Having outstanding players on both sides of the line also is important for Webster.

"The thing I like about this football team is that we've got good players at key positions,'' Webster said.

"Not everybody is going to be great. I don't know that anybody has that kind of football team, maybe Florida or Ohio State."
 
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070815/SPORTS0604/708150414/1038

Wednesday, 08/15/07

This Tiger has played self into a corner
Teams won't throw toward TSU senior

By MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writer


Kickoff of the 2007 football season draws nearer every day, and for the most part excitement amongst players and coaches grows greater.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie might be the exception.




With the Tigers set to open Sept. 1 against Alabama A&M in the John Merritt Classic, the Tennessee State cornerback could be looking at a season of boredom and monotony.

He made such a name for himself last year that opposing offenses this year are sure to avoid Rodgers-Cromartie at all cost. Especially because the starting cornerback position on the other side of the Tigers defense is up for grabs among several candidates.

"I know what he's facing," said TSU defensive backs coach Randy Fuller, a former Tigers defensive back. "I was an All-American my junior year, and then my senior year teams would hardly ever throw my way. It was frustrating. Teams are going to throw away from him, throw away, throw away, but then they're going to throw right at him hoping to catch him sleeping."

Big season in 2006

Rodgers-Cromartie, a 6-3 senior from Bradenton, Fla., finished last season ranked third in the nation with six interceptions.

That helped make him a preseason All-America candidate this season and a member of the preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference first team.

"Being named an All-American and All-OVC means I have to go out there and live up to those standards," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "In some ways it is a good thing, but in some ways it could be a bad thing. The thing I worry about is that I don't get lazy and get unfocused, and then they come and hit me for a big play.''

Coach James Webster said he expected Rodgers-Cromartie to develop into the type of defensive force he has become. Rodgers-Cromartie has nine career interceptions.

"Dominique is one of the premier athletes in the country, and I'm not just talking about this team or the OVC; I'm talking about in the country," Webster said. "I wish teams would continue to throw at him, but they probably won't."

Webster, however, is not worried about the inactivity on the field causing a problem for Rodgers-Cromartie.

"I just think that as he has learned how to work better and work harder," Webster said. "He did a great job this summer of improving his work habits and things like that, and I'm real pleased with him."

Cisneros to punt: Former Mt. Juliet quarterback and punter Taylor Cisneros has earned the starting punting position.

Cisneros is a walk-on who will replace Tim Ehret, who was a senior last year and played just one season at TSU.

Cisneros averaged 43 yards per punt at Mt. Juliet last season and was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 3-A All-State team as a quarterback.
 
Monday, 08/20/07
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/SPORTS0604/708200378/1038

TSU receiver says end zone his only goal
Johnson has speed to get there

By MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writer


Mike Mason delivered on a lot of promises for Tennessee State, but he never found the football promised land.

The transfer from North Carolina was billed as a big-play receiver, but failed to score a touchdown in his one season with the Tigers.

His replacement, Chris Johnson, has his eye on the end zone.

The former Glencliff standout admits to not having the blistering speed Mason had, but says it won't hinder his ability to make a greater impact.

"We are two different kind of guys. He was more of a speedy-type guy and I am more of the versatile and complete player,'' Johnson said.

Mason, who missed three games due to a knee injury, led TSU with 31 catches for 322 yards. Johnson, a junior, was second with 20 catches for 410 yards and scored four TDs.

Nose for the end zone

Johnson has a knack, he says, for getting into the end zone.

"I was born and raised around the end zone,'' he said. "I have a nose for it and I plan on having a lot more noses for it this year."

That's because he's been thrust into the position of being quarterback Antonio Heffner's go-to receiver. Mason signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns and is on the training camp roster.

Even with Mason still around Johnson made plenty of big plays last year. In a win over Jacksonville State he scored on 63- and 34-yard passes from Heffner.

In TSU's attempt to rally against Florida A&M Johnson scored on a 15-yard pass to tie the score in the final minute and send the game into overtime. And he scored TSU's only touchdown against Vanderbilt on a 15-yard pass.

"Chris was one of my most reliable receivers last year and we worked a lot over the summer,'' Heffner said. "Mike Mason only had more catches because of the position (slot receiver) he played."

Deceptive speed

So, how was Johnson able to upstage Mason in terms of scoring touchdowns?

"There is a difference between track speed and de ceptive speed,'' Johnson said. "I have deceptive speed. I tend to get up on defensive backs faster without them knowing it."

Coach James Webster said Mason and Johnson are two different types of players.

"Mike was a guy that had good speed and quickness. Chris is a guy that is going to get a lot of one-on-one coverage," Webster said. "I'll take Chris Johnson against anybody in this league one-on-one because he's got great hands, great leaping ability, super concentration and he's a game-breaker."
 
Re: TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

TSU, Man I thought you were talking about Tx Southern. They are the only TSU the SWAC page recognizes.

We will allow you Ohio Valley folks on the SWAC page, but you will have refer to yourself as Tenn State or TnSU, but not TSU....... LOL.
 
Re: TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

Hell, I was about say, somebody from Texas Southern talking some ish ..... bout time dammit.

TnSU, you don't get the T around these parts.
 
Re: TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

tsutiger said:
Monday, 08/20/07
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/SPORTS0604/708200378/1038

TSU receiver says end zone his only goal
Johnson has speed to get there

By MIKE ORGAN
Staff Writer


Mike Mason delivered on a lot of promises for Tennessee State, but he never found the football promised land.

The transfer from North Carolina was billed as a big-play receiver, but failed to score a touchdown in his one season with the Tigers.

His replacement, Chris Johnson, has his eye on the end zone.

The former Glencliff standout admits to not having the blistering speed Mason had, but says it won't hinder his ability to make a greater impact.

"We are two different kind of guys. He was more of a speedy-type guy and I am more of the versatile and complete player,'' Johnson said.

Mason, who missed three games due to a knee injury, led TSU with 31 catches for 322 yards. Johnson, a junior, was second with 20 catches for 410 yards and scored four TDs.

Nose for the end zone

Johnson has a knack, he says, for getting into the end zone.

"I was born and raised around the end zone,'' he said. "I have a nose for it and I plan on having a lot more noses for it this year."

That's because he's been thrust into the position of being quarterback Antonio Heffner's go-to receiver. Mason signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns and is on the training camp roster.

Even with Mason still around Johnson made plenty of big plays last year. In a win over Jacksonville State he scored on 63- and 34-yard passes from Heffner.

In TSU's attempt to rally against Florida A&M Johnson scored on a 15-yard pass to tie the score in the final minute and send the game into overtime. And he scored TSU's only touchdown against Vanderbilt on a 15-yard pass.

"Chris was one of my most reliable receivers last year and we worked a lot over the summer,'' Heffner said. "Mike Mason only had more catches because of the position (slot receiver) he played."

Deceptive speed

So, how was Johnson able to upstage Mason in terms of scoring touchdowns?

"There is a difference between track speed and de ceptive speed,'' Johnson said. "I have deceptive speed. I tend to get up on defensive backs faster without them knowing it."

Coach James Webster said Mason and Johnson are two different types of players.

"Mike was a guy that had good speed and quickness. Chris is a guy that is going to get a lot of one-on-one coverage," Webster said. "I'll take Chris Johnson against anybody in this league one-on-one because he's got great hands, great leaping ability, super concentration and he's a game-breaker."
Click to expand...

He better be good at catching pop ups, cause hefferboy will be throwing from his back.
 
Re: TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

TruBluJAG said:
TSU, Man I thought you were talking about Tx Southern. They are the only TSU the SWAC page recognizes.

We will allow you Ohio Valley folks on the SWAC page, but you will have refer to yourself as Tenn State or TnSU, but not TSU....... LOL.
Click to expand...

DITTO
 
Re: TSU receiver says end zone his only goal

College Gameday said:
http://www.tsutigers.com/fullstory.cfm?id=1584&sport=4
If you gonna come on the swacpage tsu, post the real deal. I hear you guys are worried about Alabama A & M...Check out the link
Click to expand...


"We can't beat Alabama A&M, a team that has beaten us two years in a row, ... or any team for that matter, with the effort you showed us on this night."​

was practice that bad? :no: Coach was disturbed lol
 



Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

TruBluJAG said:
TSU, Man I thought you were talking about Tx Southern. They are the only TSU the SWAC page recognizes.

We will allow you Ohio Valley folks on the SWAC page, but you will have refer to yourself as Tenn State or TnSU, but not TSU....... LOL.
Click to expand...

All his threads throw me too, thinking of TxSu...

C-LeB28 said:
Moderators, please CORRECT the thread title. ​
Click to expand...

Taken care of...... :tup:
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

Leave those tnsu people alone. You all know it's the only time they deal with black folks during football season. September is the one month they have to look forward to. Even the black people at MTSU 30 miles away go to tnsu games. Just let them have their fun. :lol:
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

tsutiger said:
After this SWAC sweep you will knw you the real tsu is.
Click to expand...

Why was TnSt first scrimmage held so late into the fall camp? On the 18th, last Saturday most schools are wrapping up hitting each other and starting to focus on a gameplan for upcoming games. Is there something going on at TnSt?
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

mjaamu83 said:
Why was TnSt first scrimmage held so late into the fall camp? On the 18th, last Saturday most schools are wrapping up hitting each other and starting to focus on a gameplan for upcoming games. Is there something going on at TnSt?
Click to expand...

Started camp later than the rest from the reports. This will put them behind the eightball as several teams have had multiple scrimmages to date and are game planning as you stated.
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

shawiggi said:
Started camp later than the rest from the reports. This will put them behind the eightball as several teams have had multiple scrimmages to date and are game planning as you stated.
Click to expand...

They have conditioning concerns also, same as last year. I think the sweep(tsu tiger) is talking about is not the one he wants and they may still compete for their conference title.
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

mjaamu83 said:
They have conditioning concerns also, same as last year. I think the sweep(tsu tiger) is talking about is not the one he wants and they may still compete for their conference title.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think they will be 0-2 after 9-8-07.
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

shawiggi said:
Yeah I think they will be 0-2 after 9-8-07.
Click to expand...

They were also last year weren't they? Still they competed for their conference title and won on the road in the ovc. So is the SWAC getting better or is the OVC getting worse?
 
Re: TnSt receiver says end zone his only goal

mjaamu83 said:
They were also last year weren't they? Still they competed for their conference title and won on the road in the ovc. So is the SWAC getting better or is the OVC getting worse?
Click to expand...

Good point. If we both beat them and they go on to Win the OVC we will all be co-champs of the OVC.LOL
 
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