Alabama State switches to spread offense

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama State won't be able to Peck away at opposing defenses this season. The Hornets have relied heavily on tailback Jay Peck the past two years, but now have made the switch to a more pass-oriented spread offense. Just having a good running game isn't enough for coach Reggie Barlow any more.

"Last year we finished pretty high in total offense but when you look at it we rushed the ball better than everybody else," Barlow, a former NFL receiver, said. "Our passing game was really bad. With this system we'll throw the ball around more. Passing-wise, we should be up in the top-tier. That hopefully will open up running lanes.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SOUTHERN 21, ALABAMA STATE 2: Southern shuts down Hornets

Photo: Southern's Brian Lewis brings down Alabama State's Rahmod Trayloy during the 34th annual Gulf Coast Classic football game in Mobile.

Gulf Coast Classic: Attendance - 16,130

Special to the Montgomery Advertiser

MOBILE -- Before the season, Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow chose the theme: "Push it to the Limit," which turned out to be quite apropos, as each of the first four games came down to pivotal plays in the final few minutes.

In the Gulf Coast Classic -- against a formidable Southern defense -- the Cinderella season hit its first bit of adversity as ASU simply ran out of magic dust and fell 21-2 to Southern on Saturday.

"It was a tough game," Barlow said. "We were really bad on offense. We moved the ball, but we couldn't take advantage of the opportunities."

Alabama State quarterbacks Alex Engram and Chris Mitchell combined to go 8-of-33 for only 84 yards and two interceptions. Southern's Bryant Lee, who had not thrown an interception in 183 consecutive attempts, tossed three picks during a 16-of-29, 242-yard performance.

Between the teams, there were 14 punts and eight turnovers.

Still, the Jaguars made just enough big plays to get an important SWAC win. However, the ASU defense would get none of the blame from Barlow.

"Those guys (ASU defense) are great," he said. "They play so hard, but we just didn't get them any help from the other side of the ball."

Rechard Johnson tallied 10 tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. Not to be outdone, Leland Jones had his breakout game of the season with seven tackles -- including two for loss -- forced a fumble, broke up a pass and picked up a quarterback hurry. Also, his third-quarter tackle of Chad Harris in the end zone accounted for the Hornets' only points of the night.

"We don't care what happens, we are one team," Jones said. "If one side of the ball is struggling, it's our responsibility as teammates to pick them up. That's what we do for each, and that's what we'll do this week as we get ready for Jackson State."

The Hornets will travel to Jackson, Miss., to take on the Tigers at 3 p.m.

Engram helps Alabama State in special teams

Photo: Alabama State quarterback Alex Engram won the SWAC weekly special teams award for his punting duties against Alcorn State last weekend.


By A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser

Alex Engram was in the middle of a postgame meal when Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow signaled for him to come over.

Engram hurriedly went to Barlow and found out he was going to use more than his arms on the football within the next week.

You can use your leg, too.

Just like that, ASU's backup quarterback learned he was about to try punting, though he had no experience and -- at that moment -- no desire to do so.

"When he told me, I really didn't know what to think," Engram said. "I always like to throw it. I've never liked to kick it."

A week later, Engram's enthusiasm now includes kicking. He averaged more than 42 yards per kick in ASU's win over Alcorn State last weekend, had two late 50-yard punts that helped hold off the Braves and has won the Southwestern Athletic Conference's weekly special teams award.

Engram showed he has some leg, too.

"Alex can do it all," running back Jay Peck said. "I'm telling you, he'll run it, throw it, he'll kick it now, catch it. It's good to have somebody like that.
You can put him anywhere and expect positive things out of him.

"Who knows what he'll do next week?"

ASU (4-0, 3-0 SWAC) faces Southern (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday afternoon at Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and Engram's duties give the Hornets options in apparently obvious punting situations.

"Now, teams know I can be a threat to kick it," Engram said. "They'll be more focused on the punt return. Now, we might try to sneak a little something in there."

Engram's first punt caught many of his teammates unprepared.

Linebacker Michael Figgers was in on the secret, but let those standing nearby enjoy their naiveté for a few extra seconds. Their excitement over a potential fake was soon eclipsed by a punt's surprise.

"He had an excellent punt," Figgers said. "The ball went way farther than I thought. It kind of shocked me, for real. I had to look back for a second because it was a great punt."

Figgers first watched Engram punt in practice and his initial thoughts were that the Hornets were working on a fake that involved Engram. Like a rubbernecker driving past a car accident, Figgers kept watching to see the trickery unveiled, but soon was disappointed.

"The first two times they snapped it to him, he didn't do anything with it, so I still thought they were working on a fake," Figgers said. "The next two times, he kicked it. We kept going and he kept kicking. I thought, 'Is he the punter?'"

Engram uses a rugby-style kick where he takes a few steps to his right -- which can easily look like a fake at first -- before kicking.

The junior's initial goals against Alcorn were simple. No blocks.

"We didn't have any expectations," Engram said. "We just wanted to get the ball out of there. It's great that the numbers were good, but we didn't have any expectations."

Engram caught ASU coaches' attention when the Hornets were considering a quick kick out of the usual shotgun formation. Engram said he unleashed an unexpected rocket and, a few weeks later, was getting called over by Barlow.

A 42-yard average later, Engram's a sudden star.

"Did we get more than we thought we would?" ASU special teams coordinator Brian Williams said. "Yes, but it's another added weapon to our team."

ASU's Mitchell makes most of opportunity

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

Quarterback and LeFlore graduate has led Hornets to 3-0 start

During Alabama State's summer workout sessions, Chris Mitchell knew he'd have to be patient to get his shot.

The LeFlore graduate didn't have to wait long.

Mitchell took over at quarterback in the second quarter of the season opener against Jacksonville State. The result has been the team's first 3-0 start since the 2004 season when the Hornets claimed the SWAC Championship.

"My dream was to be the starter, but, prior to the season, I knew because of my lack of play during the summer that I'd have to wait my turn," Mitchell said. "There was also a case of learning the offensive plays and signals. But I knew once I eventually got in the game I'd be ready to play."

Mitchell, who has completed 37 of 51 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, transferred from East Mississippi Community College where he started his freshman and sophomore seasons.

He led the Hornets to their third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback win this season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week.

"Chris' laid-back style contributes to our ability to be successful in the fourth quarter and in close games," first-year coach Reggie Barlow said. "Nothing seems to rattle him which concerned me at first, but now I understand that's just his style."

Mitchell admits his style of leadership may have given coaches some misconceptions about his ability to lead the team.

"I'm just a really calm guy most of the time and when game time comes I know what I'm there for and what I need to do," Mitchell said. "I guess that could be confusing to coaches because they couldn't get a clear picture of me as a player. During summer drills, the lack of repetitions bothered me a little but now everyone has shown they have confidence in me."

Mitchell is looking forward to Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile on Sept. 29 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium but knows he can't look past Saturday night's showdown with Alcorn State at the Cramton Bowl.

"We're definitely not looking past Alcorn," he said. "They're a good team, and we expect a hard-fought game. But I'm really looking forward to coming home to Mobile and facing Southern University in this year's Gulf Coast Classic.

"That's going to be very exciting. I'm counting down the days. It's always a blessing to be able to come back home to play in front of family, friends and your old high school coaches."

Alabama State runs over Jacksonville State

Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band

Defense shines in Alabama State University victory

HOUSTON -- Trailing 10-7 with less than four minutes remaining, Alabama State seemed destined to lose to Texas Southern and repeat a scenario that played itself out over and over again in 2006: A great defensive effort wasted by a struggling offense.

However, Jay Peck, Rahmod Traylor and a determined offensive line pounded out two late touchdowns in a 21-10 win Saturday night.

"It was ugly," said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow, "but we'll take it. We made so many turnovers (five) that I stopped counting. Our defense kept us close and we were finally able to break through."

Neither offense was able to muster a score in the first half, with the only points being a fumble recovered for a touchdown by ASU's Leland Jones.

TSU finally got on the scoreboard when Tino Edgecombe -- who'd been benched earlier in the game -- hit Daniel Davis for a 13-yard touchdown to even the score with 1:49 to go in the third quarter.

ASU was poised to take the lead on several possessions, but turned the ball over twice in the red zone.

"We simply can't afford to give away those kind of opportunities," Barlow said. "I really thought it would come back to bite us."

ASU fumbled on three consecutive trips inside the TSU 20, including a 4th and 1 at the 1-yard line, when quarterback Chris Mitchell was unable to handle the snap. Peck also had one of the fumbles, but redeemed himself when he slammed off the left side for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:40 to go in the game. ASU led 14-10.

The Tigers were unable to get a first down on their next possession, and after a penalty, a sack and three incomplete passes, ASU got the ball back with a chance to run out the clock.

On the first play of their final drive, Traylor plowed into the end zone from 22 yards out, clinching the win.

"When we had to, we were really able to run the ball," Barlow said. "The guys just kept fighting through their mistakes and found a way to win. It definitely wasn't pretty but we'll take it."

The Hornet defense held TSU to 257 total yards and 2-16 on 3rd downs. Peck finished with 150 yards on 23 carries. Traylor added 97 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

"We lean on our defense," Barlow said. "When we aren't able to move the ball, those guys continue to step up. We have to find a way to help them out on offense."

ASU (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) will travel to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for another conference match up next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Former Alabama State QB Tarvaris Jackson ready to lead NFL Minnesota Vikings

Photo: Vikings Starting QB #7, Tarvaris Jackson (Alabama State University)

BY SEAN JENSEN, Twin Cities Pioneer Press

'I'm doing this because he's ready'

Everyone is looking at Tarvaris Jackson now after coach Brad Childress named him the starting quarterback. What the second-year pro shows them in his first full season as the starter should determine the Vikings' fortune in 2007.

This wasn't about his ego, Vikings coach Brad Childress will tell you.

That's not why he jettisoned Brad Johnson, ignored a handful of veteran replacements and thrust second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson into the starting role.

This wasn't simply about trying to copy the template of his last prodigy, Donovan McNabb, who in his second season led the Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs. Or about trying to legitimize his team's decision to trade up and, by some accounts, "reach" on the Division I-AA quarterback at the end of the second round.

After inheriting a 9-7 team and struggling to 6-10 last season, Childress wasn't going to sabotage himself and his veteran roster just to make a point with Jackson.

"I'm doing this," Childress said, "because he's ready."

How ready? That will be the biggest question facing Childress and the Vikings in 2007.

With only four December games, including two nondescript starts, behind him, with so little national exposure before that to judge him, Jackson will lead the Vikings into their opener today against Atlanta in a Metrodome packed with skeptics.

"I haven't given anyone a reason not to question me," Jackson said. "I've started two games, and we're 0-2, so I can't get mad when people question, 'OK, is this guy ready?' That's just how it is.

"I have to go out there and prove them wrong."

For Childress, ready is a relative term.

"Does that mean that all of a sudden he's a seven-year pro?" Childress said. "No. But if I turned on the film here and had you watch (Jay) Cutler against the Dallas Cowboys, you'd say, 'Wait a minute now. Who's the first-round (pick)? Who's the second-round (pick)?' "

Denver drafted Cutler out of Vanderbilt 11th overall in 2006, 53 spots ahead of Jackson, and he looked anything but comfortable in that exhibition game two weeks ago against Dallas, when he completed 7 of 13 passes for 58 yards and lost a fumble. Still, during Cutler's five December games last season, he passed for nine touchdowns with five interceptions. Jackson finished with two TD passes and four interceptions.

Too much has been made of Jackson's tenure at Alabama State, according to Childress. Jackson has impressed the Vikings' coaches with his work ethic and his physical and mental makeup, and Childress points out that Jackson began his career at Arkansas.

In the Southeastern Conference.

Same as Cutler.

"He started out at a pretty high-end program and, but for a twist or turned ankle, he could have been the quarterback and Matt Jones a receiver," Childress said, referring to Jones getting the nod to start ahead of Jackson, prompting Jackson's transfer to Alabama State. "But I never begrudge a guy for wanting to play.

"I don't worry about the stage. I worry about, 'Does he have the physical skills? Does he have the mind?' "

THE CHALLENGE

Over the past eight seasons, three second-year quarterbacks have led their teams to Super Bowl titles. One was mostly a backup at a major program (Tom Brady at Michigan), one starred at the other Miami (Ben Roethlisberger at the Mid-American Conference school), and one started only his senior year at Northern Iowa but had a stint in the Arena League (Kurt Warner).


Photo: Tarvaris Jackson enters his first season as the starting quarterback with support from veteran teammates who noted Jackson's offseason dedication in the video room at Winter Park. "He just shows up every day, busting his butt," fullback Tony Richardson said. "He's in the weight room, he runs with us, and he spends that extra time with coach Rogers. So he's really put the time in, and, as a veteran player, that's what you want to see."

Jackson knows his NFL history, and he knows a quarterback often struggles in his first full year as a starter.

"But you have to start somewhere," he said. "Do you want a guy who sits out five or six years before he starts? Guys that are doing good right now, they went through growing pains, except for Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger. They're the only two who came in just winning. Other guys had losing records. Peyton Manning started kind of slow, but look at where he's at right now. He got better each year, and now he's a Hall of Fame quarterback."

Phil Simms said the Vikings opted for Jackson because of their own tempered expectations.

"I do not think Tarvaris Jackson would be the starting quarterback of the Vikings, if the Vikings, deep down, believed they were a Super Bowl contender," said Simms, an analyst for CBS who led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl championships. "Now it could still happen. But if they thought they were that close, then they would go get a veteran quarterback that would not make youthful mistakes."

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski said the Vikings have to exercise patience with Jackson.

"That's absolutely critical," said Jaworski, the color commentator for ESPN's "Monday Night Football." "There are going to be some bumps in the road. I don't care who it is."

Childress understood the template for developing a young quarterback, based on the 2000 NFL season. He was the quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia at the time, and the Eagles boasted an elite and experienced defense. The Eagles won 11 games and advanced to the postseason behind McNabb's 21 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

Childress said continuity is essential for a young quarterback, which is why he worked so hard to keep quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers from leaving for the University of Miami offensive coordinator job during the offseason. Rogers, who coached McNabb at Syracuse, has worked closely with Childress in scrutinizing every aspect of Jackson's development.

Childress said the lessons from his development of McNabb in Philadelphia are "too voluminous to enumerate." But he has addressed his quarterbacks on everything from how to lead the team to how to act on Monday mornings.

When you are the quarterback, Childress said, "everybody is looking."

Childress is guarded about his game plan. Childress acknowledged the strength of his defense and run offense, saying it doesn't hurt to put a young quarterback in that situation, but adds he won't harness Jackson.

"I'm not silly enough to think you're going to be able to run it 50 out of 60 snaps," Childress said.

"Coach always stresses the running game, which is our strong point, and we're going to feed off of that," Jackson said. "But I'm not just out here to hand the football off. I'm here to make plays."

Jackson impressed Simms and Jaworski coming out of Alabama State. Simms remembers seeing out of the corner of his eye a clip of Jackson on the NFL Network and thinking, "Wow, that was really good." Simms says Jackson might have been the "best thrower" he saw entering the 2006 draft. Jaworski said Jackson did have the best arm in a class that included Cutler, Matt Leinart and Vince Young.

There isn't a quarterback play, Jackson said, he can't make.

"I just feel I can do everything," he said. "I just bring that full dimension to our offense."

He is mobile enough to flee the pocket and accurate enough to pass the ball into a tight spot. He also needs to be disciplined enough to know when to simply get rid of the ball, a message Childress and Rogers have drilled into him.

"Nothing good ever happens when you hold onto the football. Nothing," Childress said. "I think it's an art to learn how to live to play another day, throw the ball away."

THE PREPARATION

As quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia, Childress received credit for McNabb's development into a Pro Bowl quarterback. This exhibition season, Childress said that Jackson in some regards is further ahead of where McNabb was at the same point in his career.

Childress said McNabb, the second overall pick in the 1999 draft, didn't spend all his time at the Eagles' headquarters during the offseason. Except for about a month he spent visiting his family in Montgomery, Ala., Jackson all but lived at Winter Park. He worked out with strength and conditioning coach Tom Kanavy and his staff, and he reviewed every offensive snap from the 2006 season, including Johnson's. He analyzed the play-action passes, the handoffs, the decisions, all in hopes of picking up tips.

He would pop into Rogers', Childress' or offensive coordinator Darrel Bevell's office, and he was sometimes at Winter Park when no coaches were around. Whenever possible, he worked with receivers, tight ends or running backs on deep balls, hooks and handoffs.

"When I say further ahead, I'm talking about the time that he spent at it, to build that equity, that knowledge," Childress said of Jackson vs. McNabb. "Donovan would drop in and drop out. But Tarvaris was here for the long haul."

After the draft, as Rogers worked closely with seventh-round pick Tyler Thigpen, Jackson joined them for all the classroom and field sessions.

"He took advantage of it," Rogers said. "Any time I was meeting with Tyler, (Jackson) was in there too, at his own discretion. He put in the time."

His teammates noticed. Among the players impressed: cornerback Antoine Winfield, linebacker Ben Leber, guard Steve Hutchinson, fullback Tony Richardson, center Matt Birk, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and receivers Bobby Wade and Troy Williamson.

"He just shows up every day, busting his butt," Richardson said. "He's in the weight room, he runs with us, and he spends that extra time with coach Rogers. So he's really put the time in, and, as a veteran player, that's what you want to see."

Several veterans indicated Jackson is further along than they expected. In 2005, Shiancoe was playing for the New York Giants when Eli Manning, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, was set to take over as the starting quarterback. This offseason and exhibition season, Shiancoe said he was impressed with Jackson's accuracy, athleticism and, most importantly, poise.

"As far as talent, Tarvaris Jackson is probably the best quarterback I've seen in my football career," said Shiancoe, who also played with Warner and Kerry Collins. "Physically he's there, and mentally he's willing."

Shiancoe was careful not to toss any barbs at Manning but said, "All I know is, with this team here, Tarvaris is where he needs to be right now. Tarvaris has picked up this offense, and he can lead this team very far."

Jaworski and former Vikings quarterback Rich Gannon said the Vikings can be playoff contenders. But Gannon, who spent a day with Jackson during the spring, said the Vikings' ability to succeed is almost foolproof.

"They have a good offensive line, and they have two really solid backs that could be 1,000-yard rushers," said Gannon, who will be an analyst for CBS this season. "If they can run the ball and play defense like they did last year and kick the ball well, they can win.

"I could come back and play for the Vikings and win 10 games. Brad has a formula in place, that if (Jackson) manages the game, and he doesn't turn the ball over, that's the formula for success."

Jackson hasn't set any firm statistical goals, but he doesn't want to reach double digits in interceptions, and he wants to rank among the top dozen or so quarterbacks in the league. To Jackson, it's about the W's - winning and taking care of the football.

"I want to be with the playoff guys, but you want to be the best," Jackson said. "There are a lot of people who are very good right now. But you strive to be the best. I'm not going to say, 'I want to be the second best.'

"That's just not me."