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Inside Ole Miss Sports



Rebels secondary getting better
by parrishalford
 Inside Ole Miss Sports
Oct 13, 2010 | 646 views | 6 6 comments | 15 15 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

Pass coverage has been a struggle for Ole Miss this season, the Rebels' 246.6 yards allowed ranking 11th in the conference, their 10 touchdowns given up the most in the league.

The Rebels began the season with two new corners and without an All-SEC caliber safety in Kendrick Lewis. Injuries have complicating things with three of the top four corners missing time with concussions, and strong safety Johnny Brown sitting out as well.

All things considered, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix is glad to get his guys healthy again and thinks his secondary is ready to turn the corner.

"No doubt I'm excited to have those guys back. They give us a better chance," Nix said. "And I will say that I think our secondary is improving."

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy passed for 315 yards and two touchdowns against South Carolina. He did not thrown an interception, but he was sacked seven times, several times holding the ball too long and creating a bad play for the offense.

McElroy goes into the Ole Miss game as the SEC's No. 4 QB in pass efficiency with a 169.1 rating. He's thrown nine touchdowns and three interceptions on the season.

Nix sees improvement in the Rebels' fundamentals, most notably keeping their eyes in the right place.

The secondary got its first interception of the season against Kentucky when Charles Sawyer picked off Kentucky QB Mike Hartline and returned the ball inside the 10.

"Looking at our past performance, our safeties are becoming more aggressive, our corners are becoming more aggressive. Its a matter of focus, not only in the secondary but at all positions. It's more important in the secondary, because if you're eyes are in the wrong place, things seem to happen."

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m4rebs
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October 14, 2010
People around here are thinking this will be a track meet from the word go. The vibe is this game should have more points than the Auburn - Arkansas game at Bud Walton arena.

I'm not sure though....I'm thinking Arkansas was able to manage "Almighty Alabama" and their offense to only 24 points, which is their lowest total aside from the loss. I also think if Auburn beats up Mallet like they did Kyle Parker, Mallet will throw the ball to blue shirts instead of White ones. It should be interesting to say the least.
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parrishalford
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October 14, 2010
Matt, what do people in your part of the world say about Auburn-Arkansas?

I'm thinking Auburn's defense isn't that good. Not sure about Mallett's mental toughness in that environment, though.

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m4rebs
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October 13, 2010
Mr. Powe has surely got the Crimson Tide faithful in open arms. Getting alot of what is this guy thinking and tons of jokes about how long it took him to get in school. And how easy Ole Miss is to get into, etc. You open yourself up for those type deals when you make those type comments I suppose. I hope he can do more than talk the talk. Come Saturday night, we need him and about 40 others to walk the walk. I'm kind of with PA - how much more motivation will this serve for the Tide? Don't they have enough to play for without some observations from the opposition that was reaffirming EXACTLY what their own coach said just 3 days earlier? Who knows.

What are thoughts about the rest of the games this weekend? Auburn-Arkansas should be a shaw-nuf barn-burner. Arkansas matches up pretty well with them on offense..Auburn will move the ball with Newton at the helm.

How about the Florida-Miss. State game in The Swamp? It would appear that this could be a good matchup for State with Florida struggling to find an offense. I think it all depends on how State's QB's handles the road situation. Should be a good one.
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parrishalford
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October 13, 2010
Gthlsu, all secondary players will be available. Interested to see what that means for Damien Jackson, the juco transfer at safety. He really played fast and free against Kentucky, first time this year.
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gotohell-lsu
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October 13, 2010
Will all of the injured secondary be back and ready to play this Saturday?
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Churn
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October 13, 2010
Just hope the Rebs will spoil that HC day for the Tide,as they have done it to the Florida Gators at various times.

JB
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