Monday, August 28, 2006

Talib suspended; Allen sidelined with knee injury

By Ryan Wood

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Kansas University's football team continues to take hits during the wild weeks of August preseason practices.

Sources have confirmed that preseason All-Big 12 cornerback Aqib Talib could face a one- or two-game suspension for disciplinary reasons. The exact reason for the suspension was unknown, but it's expected to keep him out of Saturday's game against Northwestern State.

Also confirmed Sunday was an injury to defensive end Rodney Allen that likely will sideline the senior for Saturday's game, as well. Allen suffered a knee injury during a practice last week, though it's not thought to be serious.

Allen and Talib's setbacks puts them on a crowded list of players sent to the sidelines in the last three weeks, particularly on defense. KU coach Mark Mangino already has confirmed injuries to linebacker James Holt and safeties Jerome Kemp and Darrell Stuckey. Kemp, with a leg injury, could return for Saturday's game, but Holt (foot) and Stuckey (ankle) are out indefinitely and won't play against the Demons.

Also injured is backup running back Angus Quigley, who is lost for the season after suffering an "unusual" setback during a mid-August practice, reportedly a thigh injury. Quigley was listed as the second-string running back behind Jon Cornish after spring drills, but those duties likely go to true freshman Jake Sharp after the Salina native had an impressive preseason.

Allen and Talib are thought to be two of the top players on KU's revamped defense, which loses eight starters from 2005. Talib is one of three returning starters (along with Kemp and James McClinton) while Allen logged significant action as a backup defensive end and third-down bandit specialist last season. Talib recorded 54 tackles and two interceptions, while Allen had 18 tackles, seven for a loss.

Comments

Topside (anonymous) says...

CRAP

August 28, 2006 at 8:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHawq (anonymous) says...

not good...

August 28, 2006 at 9:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TPASS5 (anonymous) says...

this is bad

August 28, 2006 at 11:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BDub (anonymous) says...

Chill, people. This isn't exactly the end of the world - we should still be able to win the first two games.

August 28, 2006 at 12:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawk_kid (anonymous) says...

Aqib Aqib Aqib u dummy

August 28, 2006 at 2:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jubydoo (Andrew Juby) says...

BDub's got it right. I'd rather have Aqib Talib miss Northwestern-not-from-Illinois-State and Louisana-Monroe than, say, K-State and Mizzou.

Of course, I would rather not have him miss at all, but it could be much, much worse.

August 28, 2006 at 4:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

prairie_dog (anonymous) says...

Talib out; Allen out. Nick Reid waived.

can we get some good news for a change!

As Slick Willie put it, "Well, we'll just have to win then."

August 28, 2006 at 4:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JBurtin (anonymous) says...

John McCoy's return to the team should soften the blow of not having Allen. Recall that he was a team captain before being called to Iraq. Without Talib we'll likely be playing two juco transfers, namely Mike McCoy and Blake Beultel, one is a regular starter and the other should be able to handle the caliber of recievers we'll see in the first couple of games. Hopefully we can at least get Kemp back in the safety spot or our secondary may have some troubles.

With all of these lost defensive starters, our first game or two may be a little closer than we would like to see. Hopefully we can avoid an embarrassing loss long enough to get some players back on the field. If all goes well our defensive line and linebackers can shut down the run and bring quick pressure on the pass to take some of the heat off of an inexperienced set of defensive backs.

I would have to agree though, I think we have had our share of injuries now and it would be nice to hear some good news. It's starting to get depressing to read the paper instead of exciting. With any luck this will be the worst of the injury reports for the season and we can still have a good team out there.

August 29, 2006 at 2:54 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

good news folks, basketball season is right around the corner! Isn't that news good enough?

August 29, 2006 at 10:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

No, that's not good enough. I've spent most of my life waiting for the KU football team to get past the mediocrity (or downright horrible) stage. Last year was my favorite year as a KU football fan, even better than the 10-2 season. I'll never forget the feeling I had at the Nebraska game. I want them to get to the next level so we have something to be excited about before October.

I'm also making the trip from California to the Toledo game, which will be their first big test of the year. I hope they pull it out there; that will be a big sign early as to what we can expect from this team.

August 29, 2006 at 4:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JBurtin (anonymous) says...

Ditto

KU is more than just a basketball school. I'd be more excited to see the football team get to back to back bowls this year than I would to see a national championship from the basketball team.

The reason

Basketball has a tradition that insures that it will be fine at KU no matter what happens this year. For football, this is a key point in the development from a doormat to a powerhouse. These kind of injuries and suspensions can be season killers to a sport with only 12 games a year.

August 30, 2006 at 1:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

oh damn people, you all worry too much about the Talib getting suspended for the first game of the year. Everyone needs to chill out for a minute! If mangino is worried, and he is the Head Coach, than you all shouldnt be worried either. Its just one game! he is only one player! Teams win games, not individuals. I too am a Jayhawk football fan, I drove 7 hrs.+ to see this team in the bowl victory last season, so lets not whine and brag about how big of football fans we are!

August 30, 2006 at 9:20 a.m. ( | suggest removal )