The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: First & Goal

[Click to enlarge]

Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour's billboard in Detroit was the inspiration for this week's cover (along with a little SNL influence).

Our original plan was to feature Jeff Owens as the cover model, but things went awry for his season, it was an easy choice to make the move to his defensive line partner in crime, Geno Atkins. Atkins led the Bulldogs in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (14.5) in 2007, and may need to be even better with Owens out for the remainder of 2008.

We didn't feel justified in putting Corvey Irvin, who will fill Owens' spot until Kade Weston returns from his injury, on the cover, because, well, he was arguably fourth on the defensive tackle depth chart coming into the season. The "more Geno" prescription really speaks to the entire defensive line, including Irvin, having to step up the rest of the season without Owens' presence on and off the field.

While Irvin will look to fill Owens' role in a number of ways (like Owens, he's a very talkative, very demonstrative type of player), it will really be up to Atkins to make sure the D-line doesn't let the loss of Owens effect them mentally.

Like the rest of the defense, Atkins is ready to take on LeFevour and the rest of Central Michigan's spread offense.

"We just want to play hard, play fast and make sure we can contain the quarterback. We heard he can run and throw, like a Tim Tebow-type quarterback. So we're just going to try to put pressure on him," he said.

-Tyler Estep

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