Senior-led Owls set high standards

The current seniors might not match the star power of Jarett Dillard and Chase Clement and James Casey and Brian Raines, but the fact that the possibility exists is reason enough to believe improvement is feasible. What wasn't as obvious three years ago has become increasing evident as the seasons pass: The Class of 2008 represented a rare collection of senior leaders determined to overcome past failings and provide lasting memories. Beyond offensive efficiency and defensive pluck, the Owls in 2008 amassed 10 victories and achieved bowl success because their core group of leaders delivered in manners both tangible and intangible. It would be unfair to burden any subsequent class of seniors with the responsibility of matching what David Berken and Austin Wilkinson and Bencil Smith and Brandon King accomplished. But if any group appears capable it's this one, with Scott Solomon and Travis Bradshaw and Jake Hicks and Tyler Smith poised to deliver on burgeoning expectations. "We have a senior class of 20 young men, and when you have seniors that are setting the expectations and raising the bar of everybody underneath them (it's beneficial)," Rice coach David Bailiff said. "You meet with the seniors and you set the standards and then you expect those seniors to make sure everybody is involved and achieving, and I think we're getting that. "With Travis Bradshaw and (Chris) Jammer and Michael Smith and Scott Solomon, these guys have all been here four or five years now. They came here to win." Beyond the public exercise of touting their experience, the Owls also aim to fully exploit it. Of the 21 seniors on their roster, 12 are penciled in as starters on the depth chart. That number includes four offensive linemen each being a fifth-year senior and skill players at tailback (Smith) and receiver (Randy Kitchens). Rice features six senior starters on defense and three more on the two-deep depth chart: nose tackle Brian Stacey, linebacker Matt Nordstrom, and strong safety Xavier Webb. Because so many of those seniors are well versed in the Owls' offensive and defensive schemes, Bailiff feels confident in limiting their training camp repetitions as to develop quality depth behind the starters. That qualifies as an added benefit beyond their collective experience for if the Owls can come to rely on their reserves, their prospects would improve. "Guys that have been doing the same thing for four years, we need to keep them fresh," Owls defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach said. "The fresher their legs are the better players are going to be. Coach Bailiff has a policy: We do make sure that our guys that know what to do we get them enough plays to keep them from being rusty and then we get the younger players in, the second teamers in, and get them to get a little cohesion with the first unit. Very, very important to have depth." Senior nose tackle John Gioffre has 32 games, including 17 starts, on his rsum, allowing redshirt freshman Nico Carlson additional reps at nose guard without hindering defensive development. That applies to redshirt freshman cornerback Bryce Callahan, an up-and-comer who can afford to blossom during training camp in the stead of Jammer. Given a senior-laden offensive line where center Keshawn Carrington, left guard Davon Allen, and tackles Tyler Parish and Hicks have combined to make 95 starts, Rice has the ample experience available to advance underclassmen Bobby Janisch, Drew Carroll, Justin Warren and Ian Gray during camp. Janisch, a sophomore, is the oldest of that foursome, thus with elders capable of sacrificing practice reps without missing a beat, the Owls can continue to build an offense that should flourish this season and beyond considering the skill position youth. Talent certainly played a significant role in the Owls' Texas Bowl championship three years ago, but the marriage of that ability with senior leadership allowed that team to negotiate the usual trials that accompany all 12-game schedules. Tribulations are sure to manifest this campaign, but Bailiff has every reason to be unflinchingly confident in the seniors he has placed in complete control of his fifth squad at Rice. "That's where you get a football team that listens," Bailiff said. "They're the ones that are making sure not only with the coaches, they're self-policing. They're the ones making sure people are going to get mental reps at practice where everybody is in it together and the older guys are helping the younger guys because it's all about winning. "Yeah, that does fuel your enthusiasm when you have a senior class like we do." Follow me on Twitter at FSH_Owls