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Pac 10 Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils
By Alex English | August 22, 2008
If you are like me, then you were taught as a kid to understand the difference between horizontal and vertical by remembering which way the “horizon” or sun set line went. Whatever Rudy Carpenter’s childhood teaching tool for that was, it was redefined last year by 55 defenders who each gave him a personal lesson and demonstration on what it meant to be laid out horizontal before being able to get rid of the ball. He received countless additional reminders of it just after letting it go. Despite the horrible o-line play and those resulting 55 sacks that left Carpenter battered and bruised last year, he still managed to complete 62% of his nearly 400 passes and throw for over 3,200 yards and 25 TDs. That toughness and production under constant heavy pressure led head coach Dennis Erickson to label Carpenter a “Warrior” last year.
Having to revamp and replace three members of that ill-fated o-line could either be a great thing or make things worse for The Sun Devils “Warrior” leader this season. The good news is that Erickson and staff have certainly made pass protection a top priority and even schemed personnel packages and formations to help the issue. If all goes as planned, that will mean more four and five WR sets to stretch the defense sideline to sideline and lighten up the box, more three step drops and quick reads and releases, more attempts and completions, more yards and TDs… in short, more success for Rudy Carpenter.
He isn’t showing up in the top 20 or even the top 30 QBs on many QB rankings, but the kid is tough as nails and may have the most pure talent of any QB in a conference that boasts some pretty darn good ones. I am not suggesting you make him your primary option or even reach for him in drafts, but I am certainly giving him consideration late, over or along with more popular but unproven and/or less talented names like Chase Clement, Colin Kaepernick, Colt McCoy and Cullen Harper to name a few.
Carpenter could also benefit from a solid running game led by Sr. Keegan Herring. He shared many of the carries last year but returns as the leading rusher with 815 yards, 5 TDs and an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. Herring will be challenged for a portion of the workload again, mainly by Jr. Dimitri Nance but most expect Herring to assume a more feature role. A full workload or even the lion’s share could easily make him a very attractive, high potential #3 RB in most leagues.
The WR corps is solid but unspectacular for fantasy purposes. Chris McGaha (6-1, 193, Jr.) is a throwback possession style receiver who worked the holes in Pac-10 defensive zones for 61 receptions, 831 yards and 1 TD last year. The TDs should increase but probably not enough to warrant strong fantasy consideration. Stretching the defense for the Sun Devils are 6-4, 205 lb speedster Michael Jones and slots Kyle Williams (Jr.) and Kerry Taylor (So.).
The defense has a few studs but is average as an overall unit. However, the special teams boasts one of the best legs in the country in 2007 Groza Award winner Thomas Weber. Weber was an impressive 24 of 25 last year, but there are some slight concerns about how handling the punting duties as well again this year could impact his leg strength and accuracy down the stretch. I wouldn’t worry about that too much and consider him a top five fantasy kicker this season.
With their BCS hopes dashed late with losses to only USC and Oregon in a season where Carpenter had very little protection, the Sun Devils could be a BCS threat again if they can somehow get through a four game stretch in the middle of the season that includes Georgia, Cal, USC and Oregon. YIKES! Carpenter, Herring and certainly Weber should all have fantasy value this year as ASU challenges for the Pac-10 title.
Topics: Alex English, College Football, Pac 10, Preview |
August 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
[...] State News » News Pac 10 Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils2008-08-22 16:53:34Sun by remembering which way the “horizon” or sun set line went. Whatever Rudy [...]