Brannan Southerland, our 6-4 240 lbs. linebacker-wrecking machine, will likely miss the first several games of the season after having surgery Friday to repair a stress fracture in his foot. Ron Courson says it takes 16 weeks to fully recover which puts Southerland back in the lineup for the Bama game.
I'm trying to stay calm about this. I used to think we had too many fullbacks with Southerland, Munzenmaier, and Chapas. Now, we're down to one. Munzenmaier is suspended for the first two games because of booze and smart mouth. I'm not that concerned with Georgia Southern or Central Michigan, but Carolina is usually a physical, hard fought game, no matter the comparative talent levels of the two teams. Arizona State's defense doesn't have one of those LSU-like front sevens, filled with big, mean killers. In other words, I'd rather have Southerland out for the first four games rather than the heart of the conference schedule when we will need him to take on more physical defenders.
I'm trying to stay calm about this. I used to think we had too many fullbacks with Southerland, Munzenmaier, and Chapas. Now, we're down to one. Munzenmaier is suspended for the first two games because of booze and smart mouth. I'm not that concerned with Georgia Southern or Central Michigan, but Carolina is usually a physical, hard fought game, no matter the comparative talent levels of the two teams. Arizona State's defense doesn't have one of those LSU-like front sevens, filled with big, mean killers. In other words, I'd rather have Southerland out for the first four games rather than the heart of the conference schedule when we will need him to take on more physical defenders.
Both of the back-ups will need to play well in those first few games to open holes for Knowshon and Caleb. Munzenmaier and Chapas have played some, but they are no Brannan Southerland, a meast of the first order. I think after running with the ones in fall camp, one of those guys will be ready to step up. Honestly, I haven't been overly impressed with either of those guys so far, but maybe I'm just unfairly comparing them with Southerland.
Quinton
