What I'm Worried About: The Offense
by Seth C on Aug 19, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Football
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PrintSo we're two weeks into the fall practice campaign and being overly pessimistic, I'm still worried about a few things. Let's go in order of position, offense today and defense tomorrow.
Quarterback: There's really not much to worry about here, except for the unthinkable (we're not going to mention it so as not to jinx a certain player). Early in camp we heard reports that Taylor Potts was still struggling with timing, holding onto the ball too long, but apparently Potts has looked better of late and he's done a much better job of getting rid of the ball.
Running Back: The only thing that bothers me here is production. All I care about is the bottom line with these guys and although my favorite is Baron Batch, I could care less who succeeds. I think it's pretty clear that it's Shannon Woods is on the fast track to being the starter. I'm wondering if Leach is going to give Crawford goal line carries while Batch might be a a third down option, but those opportunities are going to be few and far between and Leach hasn't shown a propensity to share the running back role before. I slightly worry about the mentality of the runners left out of the picture. Heralded freshman Harrison Jeffers is the highest rated out of high school of the four and he may never see a down this year. Can these guys put egos aside?
Receiver: This is the position that concerns me the least. This group is led by a difference-maker (Mr. Crabtree), a work-horse (Eric Morris), a speedster (Ed Britton) and a Crabtree-clone (Detron Lewis). This doesn't even consider the incredibly diverse group of back-ups who are seeing some valuable time in practice, like Rashad Haw, Adam James, Tramain Swindall, Adrian Reese and Lyle Leong. There's almost too many guys to mention here, which is a nice problem to have. I don't worry too much about playing time as I do with running backs because I think most guys know that if you catch the ball, you're going to play receiver for Texas Tech. I think it's the guys who don't see as much time as you might not think have one of two problems: they can't catch or they don't understand how to get open in the system. If I had to pick a concern, it would be the same concern for the quarterback, but we're not going to mention names or any of that other stuff.
Offensive Line: Quality depth bothers me tremendously. Offensive line coach Matt Moore spent the better part of spring practice with Mickey Okafor at left tackle and just recently Chris Olson, who wasn't a bad recruit in his own right, but is inexperienced, is moved to left tackle. Olson is also relatively light for a left tackle (only 285) and in comparison to Rylan Reed, which is unfair, he just doesn't look as intimidating (I know, that's completely superficial). I will say this, I trust Moore to put the most talented guys on the field and he's not afraid to make a change in the middle of the season. The more I think about Olson at left tackle, the more it makes sense, he is by far the oldest of the tackle options (Castillo FR, McDaniel FR, Okafor RS FR, King FR and Delpeche RS FR). Let's just all hope that Rylan Reed is healed and ready to go at the start of the season. I realize that should Reed be unavailable then Vasquez will move to left tackle, Hamby will move to left guard and Byrnes will move into the center position and that's not a bad Plan-B, but it's not as good as having Reed and Vasquez anchor that left side. I also wouldn't mind seeing Okafor have some success on the right tackle at some point during the year because if Winn can't play, then he's the guy. I realize that Johnson started the year at right tackle, but I get the feeling that moving Johnson anywhere but at guard is no longer an option.
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Comment on What I’m worried about.
Seth I agree. I am worried about the ability of the Raider offense to run block and get the ball 4 yards up field. Coach Littrel has mentioned it in a word production. The acceptable number is – in my mind – 100 yards per outing. Execute the change up, catch folks with the wrong package on the field and pound out 16 – 20 (given a 65 – 75 plays average per Raider game) rushing plays a game with a level of success.
Yes I am worried about the running backs but my take is a little different. It stems only from the opportunity to touch the ball perspective…I think they – the backs – can run. The running backs seemed to be talented enough to really damage the opposing defense. Any one of the Big three could gouge the Raiders preseason opponents for 500 total yards and another 450 yards plus against the rest of the Big 12. Heck we might even see a few 25- 40 yard scampers by a running back. The scenario would have to play out that Tech was routinely rushing for 4- 5 yards. I am just not sure the line is to ready rush block with a level of consistency required to get that kind or yardage.
I noticed something from the practices
I noticed that the OL was actually practicing run blocking in several practices which had never happened in the past. I also noticed a few new running plays that took me by suprise.
As I look back, I can not tell if Leach is making the adjustment to a few more power running plays or just experimenting like he always does this time of the year. Its like Leach dreams up a couple of new plays and then decides to see how they look in a real practice or scrimage. The real test would be to see it in a real game.
I am not so worried about the OL as you maybe. The fact that Olson was moved to Left Tackle is an extremely good idea. Not only that, Its the one position which matters the most on the OL under the Leach offense and with our QBs. Since all of them are right handers, the back side rush and left tackle is the most important position for success of this offense. From what I have seen, Olson is not bad. He would be a starter on many teams this year. Tech is just blessed with the OL that we have. The position on the OL that does bother me is LG. There we are weak with backup and Edwards is struggling to catch up to the system and the inexperience is definately showing.
But Over all on the OL its not bad even with the depth chart as it is. With pass blocking its less likely for injuries. Most OL injuries come from run blocking where bad things often do happen in the trenches. I would take our current OL against both OU and Texas any day! I do expect that Coach Moore will be rotating in many of the 2nd and 3rd string into the early games to build experience. So I take Moore at his word when he says it will be a good year for this group.
I am in full agreement about Running Backs. The production is down. What I found interesting from coach Leach is his repeating praise of Jeffers this fall in his abilities.
I am starting to wonder if Leach is thinking of using Jeffers as a replacement change of pace back to replace Lewis. I am starting to see that Jeffers is in series which normally we would see Lewis last year. Maybe it just my imagination but it does appear that way.
If there was a position on the total offensive side of the ball that worried me overly, it would be our Running backs and the lack of some good ole power running plays that would wear down a couple of overly zealous defenses which rush 3 or 4 linemen in their bid to stop the pass. A couple of power running plays would cure if not destroy that defensive ideology and provide Tech with an addition threat not seen before.
I'm not on board
with Jeffers playing this year and it’s not because I don’t think he’s talented enough to do the job, I’m pretty confident that he is, but I just question how much time he can really get especially with 3 talented runners in front of him. Best case scenario, all three of the current guys vying for the job step up, do their job, and Jeffers can wait for his time to shine.
Go Raiders . . .
Don't worry, Be Happy!
Did you all of a sudden turn into an old Baptist church lady?
This is without a doubt the most talented group of athletes that Tech has ever put on
the field.
I understand that we ain’t got OU / USC depth behind out starters, but hell man neither does UT.
Raider Red is finally getting some respect in the national media!
Coach Leach is as quirky as ever!
Ruff is carving out his niche as the most excitable man in the football bussiness!
It ain’t ever been this good in Raider Land.
Go strike up a conversation with a UT/AM/OU guy, watch the little beads of sweat form on their foreheads. They won’t admit it but they are concerned.
All we have to do is take it one game at a time.
Have a BEER enjoy the ride, because it’s going to be a fun ride!
I know they're
a talented group, there isn’t a college team that is . . . well, maybe USC, but other than them, every team has to worry about these sorts of things. I’m cautiously optimistic this year and i think that at this point, I just need the season to start so I can stop writing about what I think will happen, and write about what is happening on the field. And I had a High Life today.
Go Raiders . . .
What worries me II
The Raider offensive line will exceed our expectations. As pass blockers. Make no mistake they are salty. No one is going to get near the Qb on passes. I think the number of pancake blocks at the point of attack on rushing attempts will be the difference maker in a couple of contests. It’s about making the other guy blink. Remember Seth C’s bad game analysis series. Our opponents believe keeping the ball away from the offense is the defining event. (maybe) The Raiders need a changeup pitch. I think they – the O-Line will rise to the challenge but we will need at least 1 or 2 games where the Raiders regain the momentum late by forcing the opposing defensive coordinator to get back into the base defense and stop our running game. All I am saying is get those tough 1 or 2 first downs to preserve the lead. (Remember the Raider ‘s poor offensive production in the 07 OU game during the 4th Qtr over the last 7 minutes) I can see a scenario in the upcoming Kansas or Texas games where the Raiders need to run the clock out and / or make the Line backers stay home and stuff our running game. So we can flog them with our passing attack. The going in position for this blog entry was "what worries me. Simply put the Raider rushing attack. You are right BMAXW it’s going to be great ride. I can’t wait.
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