Texas Tech Thursday Morning Football Notes - Even Better On Offense Edition
by Seth C
on May 15, 2008 6:23 AM CDT
in Football
Texas Tech Football:
Up first, New Era Scouting's Matt Miller (also of Mocking the Draft) previews the Big 12 Conference. First, I understand the perception that Texas Tech is an up and coming program, perhaps this year's squad is expected to be one of the best in the school's history, but Miller seems to ignore that perception and lump the Red Raiders in the lower half of the conference. That's just odd that Miller would ignore the preseason hype, especially when it seems more warranted than in previous years because we are actually talking about the defense. Quite simply, we know the offense is going to be good, but with a defense that can actually stop a few folks (crossing fingers), and I think they will, is something this should be mentioned.
I'm also still not sure about the lack of offensive linemen who get mention on either the All-Conference team. I shake my head when Louis Vasquez isn't even mentioned on either team, and I think Rylan Reed, were it not for the injury, would be one of the best linemen in the conference. Shawn Byrnes is mentioned as the first team center, but the latest from the spring is that Stephen Hamby may take Byrnes' job.
I also wonder about Bradford as the first team quarterback, personally, I think that Chase Daniel is the conference's best quarterback. He wins and he puts up numbers, but I think that right now, Harrell is a better quarterback than Bradford. Bradford is no slouch, I just don't think he's the best quarterback in the conference.
Defensively, I get it. No players deserve to be on either team. The Red Raiders have got to prove it and I've got no problem with that.
Texas Tech makes ESPN's Mark Schlabach list of Three Things I Can't Wait to See This Fall:
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matt miller
There, I said it.
That may be the worst preseason ranking/preview I have ever seen. He's also totally in love with Sam Bradford.
by kayakyakr on May 15, 2008 8:46 AM CDT 0 recs
Wow! Really??
by rbiggers on May 15, 2008 10:23 AM CDT 0 recs
yup
4 new linemen for the aggies
4 new receivers for the longhorns.
But that's ok, sam bradford is the best
by kayakyakr on
May 15, 2008 12:43 PM CDT
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that guy
I'm not sure he ever did.
But definitely not now.
by ayleein on May 15, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs
matt miller & return game question
Tech is 2nd on special teams. This is the same team that has lost their most consistent kicker.
Speaking of special teams. Why isn't Koby Lewis utilized as a kick or punt returner? He's supposed to be one of the fastest players and seems to be the one player that shows signs of Barry Sanders like moves. His small size is perfect for punt return skills to hide behind blockers while gaining speed down the fied. Morris is okay but doesn't seem to have the start stop capabilities which is critical with the return game.
by ashton99 on May 15, 2008 1:40 PM CDT 0 recs
return game
I believe that Jamar Wall and Crabtree are both planning on trying for punt return duties for next season. Additionally, speed isn't the only thing that matters on a return. Kick returns want a fast guy that can take a hit and keep moving since the defense is often spread across the field. Punt returns like shifty guys because there is much less room to run and more people that you have to avoid.
We tried Todd Walker at KR, and he's one of the fastest guys on the team, but that didn't work for us. Britton's probably the best returner we have for kickoffs: Fast, can catch the ball most of the time, and can absorb a hit and keep moving.
Lewis has a fair number of highlight reel runs, but more often he gets swallowed by the first guy near him. I could see him being a decent punt returner, though, if he can be dependable and a good decision maker.
by kayakyakr on
May 15, 2008 1:58 PM CDT
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Return game
Morris is as solid as they get when it comes to fielding punts. He never drops them, and if given some space, he has just enough quicks to get a few yards. Obviously, he isn't a best guy at taking them to the house, but that isn't what he is asked to do. Solid, dependable, reliable.
I think Wall is a really good candidate for punt returns (when backing up Morris). Wall has great ball skills, and was a pretty darn good running back in high school.
I have mixed feelings about putting Crabtree back there. On one hand, I think that him returning kicks/punts is no more dangerous than running a crossing route. On the other hand, if he were to be put back there and actually get injured, it would kill this team and question Leach's decisions. We have adequate talent to do the job, but the selfish part of me wants to put Crabtree back there and let him work his magic. Who knows, maybe we will get to see him do it!
by liquidsmoke on
May 15, 2008 7:51 PM CDT
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What if we
by Seth C on
May 15, 2008 9:53 PM CDT
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nothing to do with the subject, but
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63AfJJ3GF80
by kayakyakr on May 15, 2008 1:44 PM CDT 0 recs
looks good if he can do that against UT and OU
They should attempt to use Crabtree on the returns for a couple of the joke non-conf games to see how he performs. It would give him a real shot at the heisman. Risk of injury or not there's enough talent to take over.
Thanks for the feekback
by ashton99 on
May 15, 2008 3:15 PM CDT
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Have to agree
Highlighted (lowlighted?) by Rashaad Bobino on second team All Big 12.
Oh, Lord, no.
by Burnt Orange Nation on May 15, 2008 8:12 PM CDT 0 recs
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