Edgecombe's health will determine Texas Southern success

Photo: Texas Southern University Tigers mascot

By RONNIE TURNER, Houston Chronicle

The first few weeks of the 2006 season were like a dream to Texas Southern quarterback Tino Edgecombe.

Edgecombe had been named the Tigers starter in preseason after earning the confidence of his coaches and teammates. His prospects looked even better after he led the Tigers to victories in his first two starts.

And then came a nightmare. Edgecombe suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener against Prairie View A&M. He played through the pain, but the injury eventually forced him to the bench for three straight games.

The Tigers went 0-3 and never quite found their way again en route to finishing 3-8.

"It was a hard injury for me (to overcome) because it was (my) leg and quarterbacks need their legs," said Edgecombe, a senior from Miami. "And on the other side of that, just watching the guys go through the games and struggle and not being able to be step in and help was kind of hard."

Edgecombe persevered and returned in time to lead the Tigers to a 33-28 upset of Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Grambling State in their home finale. And after enjoying a productive spring practice, Edgecombe hopes to lead TSU to its first winning season since 2000.

Considering the Tigers return 54 lettermen (17 starters), there is reason to be optimistic.

"We had a chance to mesh in (spring practice) with a lot of guys returning," Edgecombe said. "The guys were able to learn each other better."

But it all starts with the 6-2, 185-pound Edgecombe, who is mobile and possesses a strong arm.

He completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,292 yards and nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions last season, and TSU coach Steve Wilson expects better numbers this season.

"I thought going into (last) season that he was going to develop into one of the better quarterbacks in the (SWAC), but he missed the entire middle of the season. Once he got settled in, he played extremely well," said Wilson, who is 5-29 in three seasons at TSU.

"He had a great spring, and he should be a major factor."

Fortunately for Edgecombe, he'll have plenty of weapons to work with.

Photo: Sophomore wide receiver Brian Haith will one of many favorite targets for Tino Edgecombe.

The Tigers possess a dependable core of wide receivers that includes seniors Daniel Davis (34 catches, 425 yards in 2006) and Michael Anderson, and sophomores B.J. Haith (27 catches, 427 yards) and William Osborne. Davis also doubles as the Tigers' return specialist.

"We have an excellent receiving core with Daniel Davis and Michael Anderson," Edgecombe said. "Mike's a big guy who can box up (cornerbacks) and get the first down if needed, and Daniel Davis is explosive."

The Tigers' defense suffered a loss with the departure of strong safety Stacey Thomas, a two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. But there are signs of improvement after allowing a SWAC-high 29.9 points per game last season.

TSU placed three players on the All-SWAC preseason defensive teams, with end Derrick Gray (37 tackles, two sacks) and linebacker Mike Boyd (75 tackles, two interceptions) named to the first team.

"(Boyd) has got very good size, and he's tremendously quick and explosive," Wilson said. "Derrick is a kid who is going to play well. We think with those two guys anchoring our defense with the other kids we had playing extensively last season, we'll be able to solidify the front seven."

TSU endured a 1-21 stretch in 2004-05 but made some progress last season. Wilson is optimistic this season will yield greater results.

"Our spirits are tremendously high as we go into this season," Wilson said. "The work ethic has been good, and we look forward to going to work."