DEVIL DOGS HOPING TO SOAR AS “ROCKETS” AS TEAM ESTABLISHES
NEW IDENTITY AND NEW HOPE FOR 2006
Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier
BEAR RIVER VALLEY – Sometimes a team record just really doesn’t tell the story about how good that team really performed on the field. Usually, the teams record makes them look worse than they really were.
For the 2005 Devil Dogs, however, their 2-6 record probably actually exaggerated their performance a bit.
Only Glacier gave up more points and scored less points than the 2005 Devil Dogs. Beside their two victories over defense-less Snake River and road-weary Colorado, the Devil Dogs other games weren’t really very close.
So… with the proper perspective in mind, the Devil Dogs move forward into the 2006 season in a new location, a new name… a lot of new hope.
All things considered, the 2005 team did have a fairly difficult schedule. Games against Madison, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Utah Wolverines and 2005’s most potent offense in the league, Helena. Four of those teams go AAA in 2006 and will be off the newly named Rockets schedule. Of their other 3 games, the only loss was to a Muddog team that, at the time, had players who played to intimidate, and did… and now are gone.
So, the 2006 Rockets should have plenty to feel pretty good about, despite some of their inaugural season woes. The schedule will be significantly easier and they have picked up some talent that WILL make a difference in 2006. Further, a current roster of 42 players gives the Rockets some depth they didn’t have in 2005.
Former Viper, Jim Greene, who has been involved in the start up of the franchise, takes over full time head coaching for the Rockets and may bring with him some experience from the years with the Vipers that might help this team compete for a playoff spot. Lee Burningham, a former head coach from Monticello High School will bring his experience in to coach the defense, with Kit Stender supporting the line coaching.
Offensively, Josh Clawson is out at quarterback, a talented, athletic player who was more valuable as a runner than passer, and Mike Jenkins steps in to take over signal-calling for the Rockets. Jenkins, a more prototypical quarterback will take over a re-modeled offense which will dispense with the winged T, for a more traditional… and hopefully, less predictable approach to the offense. The Rockets are also excited about a recent pick-up for the offensive line, Brennan Burningham, a 6’8, 300-lb ex-Aggie that really strengthens the teams line corps on both sides. Big, powerful all-star, Randy Bushnell will be back in the backfield at fullback and the Rockets have got to feel they are truly getting it together to contend in 2006.
This still, however, looks a great deal like last year’s franchise, enough, at least that I’m not willing to upscale their pre-season rankings a lot without allowing them to prove themselves on the field. So for now, I will say that a good strong core of players, league parity and a new offense will make them a team to be reckoned with every week, however, I’m not quite ready to project them winning enough of those close games to be one of the last teams standing in June.
KEY NEW ADDITIONS:
Josh Gabriel – Wide Receiver
Justin McDermiet –
Wide Receiver
Brennan Burningham –
Offensive/Defensive Line
Earl Taylor – Defensive Line
Zane Lee – Defensive Line
Josh Westergard –
Defensive Back
Mike Jenkins – Quarterback
Mike Messinger –
Running Back
Dave Fanua – Running
Back
Joaby Parker
– Quarterback
OFFENSE:
2005 All-star fullback, Randy Bushnell, returns to the backfield of the Rockets offense… and he is the only one that is returning. Besides linemen, Trip Landeau (6’3, 280 lbs), Todd Miller (6’2, 270 lbs) and Todd Earnest (6’2, 230 lbs), this is a completely re-built offense. A completely new wide receiver core in Justin McDermeit and Josh Gabriel, a new tight end in Dan Curtis, several new offensive linemen, including the giant and talented Burningham and Marc McIntire (5-11, 270 lbs) and Adam Stewart (6’7, 295 lbs), a new tailback in Mike Messinger and…. Ta da… a new quarterback… likely to be Mike Jenkins. The Rocket offense, which took the form of the “winged T” last season, an offensive scheme performed so effectively for so many years by the Snake River Rebels, is gone. Enter Jim Greene, former Viper player, now Rocket head coach, to install a new Rocket offense… a more traditional approach. The Rocket offense will rely upon another solid season from their offensive line, a decent size group that averages around 270 pounds a man and finished a very respectable 10th of 21 teams in 2005. New addition, Adam Stewart, a 6’7”, 295 giant, in particular is described openly by the team as “an exciting new player”. With the offensive line likely slightly improved, Bushnell is likely to have an even bigger season out of the backfield. New arrival at tailback, Mike Messinger, should provide an added spark and speed as a change of pace to the unusual situation of Bushnell, the fullback, actually garnering a good share of the carries. Dan Curtis played high school football for a state champion team and knows how to win and the Rockets are very excited about Gabriel and McDermeit as upgrades at the wide receiver position. Last season, no Rocket receiver even finished in the remote radar of the top receivers in the league. There is, however, the big question mark at the quarterback position. How well Mike Jenkins or Joaby Parker perform behind center is a BIG question heading into the 2006 campaign. The pieces seem to be there around them, however, and there is no way this offense isn’t successful some of the time, but with your only proven threat on offense being your fullback, I’m hesitant to rate them too high… at least before the season starts. Projected Offensive Ranking: 10th.
DEFENSE:
As much as the offense has undergone a change… the defense should be most of the “same ‘ol gang” from last season. Problem is… I’m not so sure that is a good thing. The Rockets did finish last season 20th out of 21 teams in team defense, however, considering their schedule as I pointed out in the intro, they did play Madison, Helena, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and the Wolverines on their schedule. This would be the #1 offense from last season and 4 AAA teams. This defense, which I believe is quite solid will have a lot easier go of it in 2006. Returning to the defensive line will be Nate Jeppson and Brandon Cosgrove. The team describes Cosgrove as their “most improved player”. Jeppson, an all-around athlete at defensive end, played everywhere for the Rockets in ’05. He ran out of the backfield, returned kickoffs and was second in the team in quarterback sacks with 3. Joining them will be new arrivals, Earl Taylor (6’3, 235) and Zane Lee (5’10, 255). Not a lot of beef in this group that averages only about 230 lbs a man could get pushed around by a big powerful offensive line. To prevent that, the linebacker group is solid and experienced. Team tackle leader, Luke Eyre, a 2005 All-Star anchors the group that also includes Bryce Vicars, making the transition from cornerback to linebacker at 5’11, 195 lbs., and Dave Curtis, bigger than most of the defensive lineman in front of him at 250 lbs will call the defensive signals. The Rokets secondary was particularly placid in 2005 with a league low 7 total interceptions for the season. Returning cornerback, Brian Phillips lead the unit with 2 picks and will be joined by newcomer, Josh Westergard. Adam Whitaker returns to strong safety and will be joined by James Eyre who effectively switched with Bryce Vicars as Eyre played linebacker last season as is converting to safety this season for defensive coordinator, Lee Burningham. This unit primarily finished almost last in defense for one problem, giving up passing yardage. Several teams gave up more yards on the ground, but only one team gave up more yards through the air (Snake River) and that was only by a hair. The Rockets must figure out a way to better defend the pass. I believe that although they do not list Randy Bushnell on the starting defensive unit, he will end up having to spend more time supporting defense than they may want. He lead the team in sacks in ’05 and I’ve always believed that good pass coverage starts with quarterback pressure. Without it, this defense will have some problems. A much easier schedule will help considerable with these numbers… but even that having been said, they will once again have to prove they can do it, to achieve a higher pre-season ranking. Projected Defensive Rank: 9th.
COACHING AND INTANGIBLES:
The Rockets are definitely one of those team that is flying below the radar as the 2006 season approaches. There are just too many other teams for everyone to talk about. What many outside observers don’t know is that this is a proud and talented football team. They won every game you would hope and expect them to win in 2005 and there is no telling how well they will perform in a weaker AA division. Of the 3 AA teams they saw last season, they were 2-1… and they HAVE improved. I have no idea how good of a head coach Jim Greene will be and likely, he doesn’t either until they get into some real tough game situations. Believe you me, in this conference there WILL be a lot of good tight game situations. AA parity being what it is, this is one of those teams that if they get more good play from their o-line, and if their defense steps up and IF their quarterbacks turn out to be the real deal… have as good a chance as anybody of winning the league title. With pride, talent and few breaks their way, they are as likely to be playing in late June as anyone.
OVERALL RANKING: 11TH
