A Flawed and Incorrect Preview: LB

LB Depth Chart
SLB	MLB	WLB
Gabe O'Neal Sr.	Jamar Chaney Jr.	Dominic Douglas Jr.
Anthony Littlejohn RJr.	Jamon Hughes So.	Anthony Littlejohn RJr.
K.J. Wright Fr.	Jamie Jones Fr.	Karlin Brown Fr.

LB might be the strongest position on the team, and definitely is the strength of the defense. Gabe O'Neal has tons of experience having started 16 games in his career, 6 of them coming last year. He had 40 tackles, 3 for a loss in 2006 and should be dependable in 2007. Jamar Chaney moves inside from WLB, where he was the starter, to replace the departed Quinton Culberson. He was 3rd in tackles last year with 66 of which 7.5 were for a loss along with 2.5 sacks. Chaney has had rave reviews in the offseason and should be an adequate replacement for Culberson, maybe he'll end up being better. Incoming JUCO transfer Dominic Douglas came along quickly and was able to secure the WLB job. He's very fast and had 77 solo tackles last year at Hinds CC, but we'll have to see him in a game to know for sure how good he is.

Depth is a concern unfortunately. Jamon Hughes, 17 tackles last year, has looked great over the summer and was making a push for the starting MLB job. If one of the linebackers goes down, he'll likely be the first to replace him and the team shouldn't miss a beat. Anthony Littlejohn is the next in line. He has been around a while and contributed 19 tackles and a sack last year. Once again there isn't a huge dropoff if he is pressed into being a starter. After that though, MSU is left with a bunch of true freshman.

My Rating: 7.5/10
The starters look to be a very good unit. There are only two players with experience to back them up though. That might be enough as long as injuries don't pop up.