Thursday, April 22, 2010

FOUR RAGIN CAJUNS SUSPENDED - OUT FOR UGA GAME

The Ragin' Cajuns of University of Louisiana at Lafayette took a hit this week as four players were arrested into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center this past Monday (4/19).


They will not be playing in the season opener in Athens, GA (9/4) where they are slated to square off against the Georgia Bulldogs. Information is forthcoming but the initial reports indicate the players were arrested on warrants for alleged marijuana cultivation (Felony). The investigation is ongoing.


The list of players arrested include the following:

Devon Lewis-Buchanan (LB/Junior) -- Starter
Blaine Gautier (QB/Sophomore) -- 2nd on the current depth chart
Rodney Gillis (CB/Sophomore) -- 3rd on the current depth chart
Chris Richard (SS/junior) -- 3rd on the current depth chart


The story was originally released by Joshua Parrot (Cajuns' Beat Writer) of the Lafayette Advertiser. Here is the link:


Stay Tuned as more details will certainly follow.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

SEC EAST PREVIEW

SEC EAST Preview

Florida - With Urban Meyer's health still an issue, and a number of players heading to the NFL including Tim Tebow, Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez, and Brandon James this year is going to be a big test for the Gators. With such a huge chunk of the offensive production gone, the Gators will have to rely last year's supporting cast to step up. Look for Brantley and Moody to be those guys. How they will handle the spotlight will be key. Other key losses include Joe Haden (CB) and Bradon Spikes (LB). With a great recruiting class coming in, Florida looks to reload. The schedule tightens up in October as the Gators face Alabama (Away 10/2), LSU (Home 10/9), Miss State (Home 10/16) and Georgia (Jacksonville 10/30).

Georgia - The two biggest questions for Georgia this year center around (1) Who will the next UGA quarterback be? and (2) How will Todd Grantham's reconfiguration of the defense into the 3-4 turn out? The spring game was a big showcase for the depth and the talent, but a recent dismissal from the team leaves the UGA 2010 squad minus Zach Mettenberger. Look for Aaron Murray to shine this fall. The reports from Athens indicate the new Defensive coaching staff is making big strides and progress. The 3-4 will be ready. There will be some kinks worked out in the opener, but UGA will be ready for South Carolina. A couple things look promising for the Dawgs: the O-Line is largely in-tact and healthy, so the ground game should pick up right where it left off. Also AJ Green is back, so the passing game should look to get the ball to him early and often. Lastly the schedule is favorable for Georgia in 2010.

Kentucky - One of my biggest questions for the Wildcats going into the 2010 season centers around how the team will respond to the retirement of Rich Brooks and the stepping up of Joker Phillips. Coach Brooks was a class act, and he leaves the program in great shape. I feel confident tha Joker will continue on in Coach Brooks' tradition of hitting a bowl game. The Offensive side of the ball should not miss a beat. Will Hartline take the signal calling to the next level this year? One things for sure, Randall Cobb needs the ball. Key losses for Kentucky this year include: John Conner (FB), Michah Johnson (LB), Trevard Lindley (CB), Sam Maxwell (LB) and Corey Peters (DT). Randy Sanders is a heck of Coach so the continuation of getting the most out of the offense will continue. Also Kentucky added Rock Oliver (Strength & Conditioning) to the staff, and Coach Phillips has been impressed. An early key test for the Wildcats will be the October 2nd road test against Ole Miss, where Kentucky should be 3-1 going in. If they can pull out a road-win in Oxford, where Jevan Snead decided to go the NFL, they should be on there way to another good season.

South Carolina - It sounds like Coach Spurrier is going to get back to calling the plays again in Columbia. The loss of Norwood and Geathers will have a big impact on the Defense, but this year's team has a lot to build off of considering Garcia is back for his Senior season. If South Carolina can put the lackluster bowl loss to UConn behind them, they should be able to have a good fall. They'll be a new face in at Center as Johnson steps in, and take note USC's offensive line has struggled with run blocking and pass protection. Focusing on the positive, South Carolina has the following players returning Chris Culliver (FS), Cliff Matthews (DE), Weslye Saunders (TE), and keep an eye on rising star, Stephon Gilmore as the Gamecocks look to find ways to get him into the game more. The running game of Miles and Giles will have to step it up as Marcus Lattimore vies for a spot in the RB rotation. The slate of home games this year looks tough with Georgia (9/11), Alabama (10/9), Tennessee (10/30), and Arkansas (11/6) all coming to Williams Bryce stadium.

Tennessee - Out with the old (Kiffin) and in with the new, Derek Dooley. UT will have to adjust to some substance over style, and that might be tough because Coach Kiffin did have a way of attracting attention...no necessarily producing W's, but who knows what could have been if Kiffin had stayed. Oh well, the fact of the matter is Coach Dooley is the man at the helm, and knowing Vince Dooley, I'm certain that his son, Derek, is in it for the long haul, and UT should rejoice as there is a lot of rebuilding needed in Rocky Top. There have been some defections and players heading in another direction. Dooley and company have their work cut out for them. Look for UT to have a down year, but throw a wrench in a couple teams seasons.

Vanderbilt - Coming off a 2-10 season Vanderbilt has to pick it up. With linebackers coach, Warren Belin, now down in Athens, Vandy's D has to fill in the gaps quickly. The upcoming 2010 schedule looks tough, but Coach Johnson brought in one of the best recruiting classes to date. Sadly, Vanderbilt will have to push on despite losing 4-Star recruit, Rajaan Bennett. New JUCO transfer, Jordan Rodgers, who is the brother of Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) could have an immediate impact at 6'2" 210 lbs.