Wednesday August 19, 2009

Offensive Issues; Defensive Indentity; Defensive Standouts

Offensive Issues?
I have talked to a bunch of people who have been to scrimmages in this camp and almost every observer expresses concerns about the offense this season. What I tell them provides a little comfort so I thought I would share it on today’s blog.

First, the best case scenario is for your defense to be the dominant side of the football. You would rather be stronger on defense if given the choice.

Also, the defense is usually a little ahead of the offense in camps because so much of the offense is based upon timing and chemistry. It just takes a little more time for the offense to develop each camp in most cases.

Another reason for the dominance in many cases is the defenses familiarity. After the entire spring and some summer work, the defense learned the offense and its tendencies. The defensive linemen know the calls of the offensive linemen and often times get a great jump because they practice against the same cadence of the quarterbacks. The linebackers and defensive backs learn the checks and audibles as well.

But there is another huge reason the offense has struggled this season. Sure a new quarterback needs time to develop and the quarterback battle might hurt the productivity so far. The offensive line is still unsettled at right tackle and that is a concern but it is still not the main reason for a lack of success. Even the young, unproven wide receivers are not the biggest reason for a lack of productivity.

The main reason for the offensive struggles is on the sidelines. C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford have not been a big part of the scrimmages so far. Spiller has nothing to prove and is being held back to protect him from injury. Speaking of injury, Ford has been held out while he nurses his hamstring.

The absence of Spiller and Ford means the offense is limited in terms of playmakers. This might be the fastest pair of players on the same team in school history. We are talking about two players who are a threat to take it to the house anytime they touch the football.

Their presence takes pressure off of the offensive line because neither needs as much blocking as other offensive skill players. Both players have the speed that takes pressure off of the quarterbacks as well. Spiller and Ford also take pressure off of the wide outs as they are the two leading returning receivers.

If both Spiller and Ford miss a game this season then I would look for the offense to struggle. It is as simple as that. But this is no different than almost any program in the country. How would other teams’ offenses look if you took their two biggest play guys out of the lineup? Would Georgia have averaged 31 points per game last season if they took Knowshon Moreno and A.J. Green out of the lineup? Do you think Oklahoma State could average over 40 points per game without Kendall Hunter and Dez Bryant? Paul Johnson is a genius but how would the Jackets do without Jonathan Dwyer and Demaryius Thomas?

Spiller and Ford have the kind of speed defensive coordinators have to gameplan for. Play calling is easier with them in the lineup. The same play call looks better when Spiller is involved. The play-action passing game is more effective with him in the backfield as a threat in the running game.

Defensive backs have to take different pursuit angles when Ford is at full speed. They have to respect Ford more in the passing game and that helps other receivers downfield because of the attention paid to Ford.

I am not saying this offense will threaten the numbers put up by the Sooners, Cowboys or Gators. But this offense will not be anemic if Spiller and Ford are healthy. Billy Napier will look a lot smarter and more experienced with a healthy Spiller and Ford. Brad Scott’s offensive line will draw less criticism with the sprinters 100%.

Defensive Identity
The other thing I continue to hear from the scrimmages is the defense’s attitude. There is more aggression in the scheme and I think this will lead to a new identity. I think a lot of us are looking for that hard-hitting defense that has been missing in recent seasons. I want to see more sacks, more turnovers, more three and outs and more hard hits than we have seen in the previous scheme. My thought is the lack of an aggressive scheme took away some of the edge of the defenders.

Fans love aggressive defenses and they make for more crowd noise. Aggressive defenses often times mean more crowd noise and thus a bigger home field advantage. I am really looking forward to watching this aggressive style return to the Valley.

Defensive Headliners
Here is a list of five defenders who I heard had great camps:
*Jarvis Jenkins-Has been unblockable at times. He reported to camp in great shape and it shows.
*Ricky Sapp-His knee was a concern coming into camp but his quickness makes the staff rest easier.
*DeAndre McDaniel-His attitude makes him a leader on this defense. McDaniel has been a head hunter this camp.
*Byron Maxwell-This physical corner has had his best camp. His toughness is a plus at his position.
*Jonathan Meeks-Maybe the biggest surprise among the newcomers. He looks like he belongs. This big safety adds a physical presence to the secondary.

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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Delores Weaver, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy.