Super Bowl Update

Wrote THIS STORY on how Troy's seniors are dealing with the losing record and getting ready for Senior Day.

When you read the story, you note the small number of starting seniors, so there is reason to believe the Trojans will be better next year. However, you've got to feel bad for this group because they're the ones who will go out being the first senior class since 2005 to not have a winning record.

But that doesn't mean these are bad guys or bad leaders. Far from it. I remember when all of these guys came in. They're all good guys, too, as I've talked to all of them and written on all of them at some point in their careers, some much more than others (well, except Wes Henry, but that story's coming later this week).

Xavier Lamb remembered an interview I did with him in the summer of 2008. I asked him what he saw himself doing in 5 years, and he said playing football somewhere. Then he thought he should have answered it a little bit better. He's going to go through pro day and give it his all in an attempt to make a pro roster, but he's also realistic in that he's 5-foot-9 and linebackers that size barely get looked at in the pros.

He's already got his criminal justice degree, is working on a human services degree. He wants to help young people and is very involved with the Christian organization Campus Outreach. He could see himself either being a police officer or coach in a few years now.

There are plenty of other guys who have risen up over adversity to put themselves in great position. Some guys have had serious injuries derail their senior seasons - Brett Moncrief, Emanuel Dudley and Barry Valcin (though Valcin was hoping to get a 6th year), and of course Jamie Hampton. All four of these guys would have been major contributors this year had they been healthy - so would two young guys who had to give up the sport because of neck injuries in OL Jay Stansberry and LB Johnny Thompson. Don't forget another OL who has suffered season ending shoulder and knee injuries over the last two years in Jacob Creech - he's a junior, but may not play his senior season because of the injuries.

Heck, even top cornerback Jimmie Anderson missed two games this year and most of a third after having his appendix removed.

When I mentioned guys getting academically ineligible or transferring out as a big reason for the 2-7 record, I should have also mentioned the injuries, especially those listed above. If those guys were completely healthy, again, this year wouldn't be like it is record-wise.

But it is what it is, and these guys are determined to finish out with some wins.

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Over in FAU, starting defensive end Jamere Johnson is suspended for two games after making contact with an official. FAU committed a bunch of personal foul penalties in last week's loss to FIU.

Also, outgoing coach Howard Schnellenberger doesn't think a bad season will affect recruiting. Also, FAU faces reeling Troy, with some notes about FAU's quarterback situation.

Schnellenberger is right about recruiting. Most of the time, a recruit can view a team having a bad year and think "gee, these guys stink. I can come in and play right away!" That's not the case, but it helps bring in some talented guys and raises the level of competition. It certainly happened for Troy back in 2006.