SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LONGHORNS SURE TO HOOK EM'
PAGE 3B
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2007
TEXAS
12
COMMENTARY
PAGE1B
Photo courtesy of Spencer Research Library
Foerder KU quartermark Bobby Doglass淋 the r-e-c o o r c o o f for the most reshining yards by a quartermark for 34 years.
Vick boasts successful career outside dog fighting
After the news of Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick agreeing to plead guilty for illegal dog fighting and gambling operations, the National Football League is seeing its worst days in the media spotlight.
Vick is facing mandatory jail time of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and his career in the NFL is in jeopardy.
Vick, who is most known on the field for his versatility as an athlete and ability to run the ball at the quarterback position, draws similarities in talent to former University of Kansas All-American quarterback Bobby Douglass. Off the field, however, their similarities end. It can be put to rest right now that Douglass was not involved in any illegal dog fighting activity.
Last season, Vick broke the NFL
Vick is facing mandatory jail time of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. and his career in the NFL is in jeopardy.
single-season record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback of 968 yards, with 1,039 yards from the line of scrimmage, a record that stood for 34 years by the former KU standout.
To set the record straight, it should be noted that Douglass played in the NFL at a time when the regular season consisted of 14 games
instead of the current 16 game season that Vick played. Had Douglass played in a 16 game season, he would have been on pace to rush for 1,106 yards.
In college, both quarterbacks led their teams to the most impressive seasons in each school's history. Douglass, who played for the University from 1966 until 1969, led the University to a tie for the Big Eight Championship and to the Orange Bowl against Penn State in 1969. Vick similarly led Virginia Tech to the National Championship Game in 2000 against Florida State University.
SEE WHEELER ON PAGE 6B
In the pros, Vick and Douglass' careers were comparable as well. Both Vick and Douglass were somewhat inefficient throwing the ball, but could run it well. Off the field, Douglass gained semi-celebrity status and even married former Playboy Playmate Carol O'Neal. Vick became the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise and received a 10-year $130 million contract, the highest in NFL history.
Linebacking positions brimming with talent
Mangino may need to improvise with defensive line
BY ASHER FUSCO
afusco@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer Asher Fusco is previewing KU football, position by position. Tomorrow's edition will profile the KU secondary.
LINEBACKERS
The problem—too much talent and not enough playing time to go around.
The solution—a little bit of mixing and matching.
Kansas coach Mark Mangino entered the preseason with two elite middle linebackers competing for one spot. By the third practice, junior Mike Rivera had moved to the outside, which left room for junior Joe Mortensen on the inside.
quickly and that the linebackers should be solid in 2007.
"Mike Rivera has been working at outside linebacker because we're thin at that position in terms of depth," Mangino said. "He's playing out in space and he's starting to feel more comfortable out there."
The starter at the other outside spot will be junior James Holt. After recovering from an early injury, Hold took over for the injured Eric Washington late in the season. His physical makeup is more safety than linebacker but his lean 220-pound frame makes him the team's best linebacker in zone coverage.
"The linebackers are playing their responsibilities very well in the passing game. We're starting to get a good rhythm in that area."
Mangino said Mortensen has taken to middle backerback, his natural position.
Rivera was plenty comfortable last season as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention middle linebacker. But Mortensen was not fast enough to play on the outside, where his responsibilities included covering shifty slot receivers.
MARK MANGINO
Head coach
"Ive really liked the way things are coming together," Mangino said. "The linebackers are playing their responsibilities very well in the passing game. We're starting to get a good rhythm in that area."
Sophomores Arist Wright and Olatan Oguntodu are the top reserve linebackers. Oguntodu could see significant action as a pass-rusher in the "bandit" package. The team worked on "bandit" and a few
other packages during open practices earlier this month.
Mortensen said the coaching staff implemented the additional packages to confuse offenses and get fresh defenders onto the field as often as possible.
Mangino said the competition for playing time behind Mortensen was not over. Possible
Photos by Anna Faltermieier/KANSA
backups at middle linebacker include sophomore Jake Schermer, who played in all 12 games last season, and true freshman Justin Springer.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Kansas may need to be even more improvisational with its personnel on the defensive line. Only one starter returns from a group that stopped the run adequately but rarely put pressure on the quarterback last season.
That returning starter is an important
loe Mortensen, senior, is one of Kansas' top linebackers, as is junior Mike Rivera, pictured below.
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 6B
LINEBACKERS
Weak-side linebacker:
James Holt — junior — 6-foot-3, 220 pounds — twock, trolled TWO
Olaitan Oguntodu — sophomore
— 6-foot, 220 pounds — one tackle
Middle linebacker:
Joe Mortensen — junior — 6-foot 1,235 pounds — 82 tackles, n nine TFL, 3.5ACKs
Jake Schermer — sophomore — 6-foot-2, 220 pounds — 17 tackles
Strong-side linebacker:
Mike Rivera — junior — 6-foot 3,255 pounds — 90 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks
Arist Wright — sophomore — 6-foot,
220 pounds — 27 tackles, one interception
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive end:
Russell Brorsen — junior — 6-foot-4,
240 pounds — 33 tackles, six TFL, four
sacks
Maxwell Onyegube — sophomore
— 6-foot-5, 245 pounds — one tackle
Defensive tackle:
James McClinton—senior—6-foot-1, 285 pounds—51 tackles, 14.5TFL,six sacks
Richard Johnson, Jr. — freshman
— 6-foot-4, 260 pounds — All-State
Missouri at Jefferson City High School
Defensive tackle:
Todd Haselhorst* *junior* 6-food:
4,290 pounds one tackle, one TFI
Caleb Blakesley — sophomore — 6-foot-5, 290 pounds — five tackles, one sack
Defensive end:
John Larson — junior — 6-foot-3,
250 pounds — 13 tackles, three TFL, two
sacks
Jeff Wheeler — sophomore — 6-foot-7, 260 pounds — seven tackles, two sacks
*denotes injured player, TFL = tackles for loss
FOOTBALL
Athletes mingle with fans at preseason scrimmage
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
Fan Appreciation Day got off to an ominous start Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium.
One of the first plays fans saw involved a scrambling Todd Reesing dodging defensive end Richard Alspaugh onto the turf. Alspaugh, clutching his ankle, was carted off the field after several minutes. The severity of the injury
"We have 10 days to get ready for Central Michigan and we will be ready to go."
was not immediately released by team officials.
The remainder of practice went without incident. At 6 p.m., a whistle sounded and the players huddled. Coach Mark Mangino
then addressed the fans.
MARK MANGINO
Head Coach
"This will be a great season," Mangino said. "We have 10 days to get ready for Central Michigan and we will be ready to go."
go."
Some fans were getting their first view of the massive construction taking place behind the south end zone of Memorial Stadium. Mangino expressed appreciation to the crowd for the football team's improved premises.
"You are one of the reasons we will have a this year," Mangino said.
reasons we will have a new football facility this year," Mangino said. "Thank you."
Mangino then allowed captains James
SEE FANS ON PAGE 6B
Adam MaDonald/KANSAN
Kansas' red-shirt sophomore quarterback, Kerry Meier, takes time after fan appreciation day at Memorial Stadium Wednesday evening to sign a t-shirt for a young fan. The team played a simulated game in front of their fans followed by an autograph session.
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