… but others still remain

Friday, April 11, 2003 | 11:03 a.m.

1.Can UNLV's special teams be special again?

With potential game-breakers Larry Croom, Deon Burnett and Dominique Dorsey, it's hard to believe UNLV ranked a dreadful 104th nationally in kickoff returns and 96th in punt returns in 2002.

It's a stat that obviously didn't go unnoticed by Coach John Robinson, who has spent a lot of time on his team's return game. Assistant Bruce Snyder has taken over punt return duties and new wide receivers assistant Garrick McGee is giving a fresh look to the kick return game. 2.Will a legitimate home run threat emerge among the wide receiving corps?

UNLV's "Johnson & Johnson" duo of junior Earvin Johnson and senior Michael Johnson combined for 93 catches last season, but neither is a blazer who commands double coverage.

The Rebels are hopeful that Fresno State transfer Terry Furlow, hampered most of the spring by a hamstring injury, or redshirt freshman Tremayne Kirkland could fit that bill. Both are inexperienced and still learning the offense, however.

Another possibility is senior David Relf, who seemed to finally get over the hump late in the 2002 season following a rough start that featured a number of dropped passes. 3.Who will join 2002 Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year Jamaal Brimmer in the starting secondary?

Defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson said he has six players competing for the two starting cornerback spots. The first unit players on Thursday were junior Ruschard Dodd-Masters, who has played mostly safety in his Rebels career, and sophomore David Olsen.

Former Bishop Gorman star Jason Rogers, who is also battling hamstring problems, senior Daniel Jones, true freshman Ernest Gordon and junior Jesus Wright are also spending time at the position.

The other safety spot will likely go to highly touted JC transfer Will Tagoai, who arrives in fall. Sophomore Joe Miklos, a converted linebacker, and seniors Sean Mackey and Mike Clancey are also in the mix.

4.Will the offensive line be improved?

With the mid-year additions of JC transfers Joe Critchfield (6-5, 315) and Tyler Crandal (6-7, 285) and the return from injury of sophomore Zach Gorham (6-5, 310) and redshirt freshman Marco Guerra (6-5, 330), there definitely will be a lot more size to a unit that frequently got overpowered in 2002.

How quickly respected offensive line coach Rob Boras can get those players to jell with returnees such as center Dominic Furio, guard Marcus Johnson and tackle Matt Williams will be a big key to the Rebels' season.

5.Of all the newcomers, who will have the biggest impact?

Marshall has the most impressive credentials, but speedy outside linebackers Reggie Butler and John Andrews and fall safety enrollee Will Tagoai all figure to play very big roles on defense.