As the team continues to gel around new QB Marcus Mari-O-TAH this may be a good problem to have. A TON of playmakers.
Just in the last week I've seen articles about DAT not getting the ball enough. I've seen complaints that Colt Lyerla doesn't get the ball enough. Why did our starting running back only get 13 carries last week? I want to see more of this new Braylon Addison??? Marcus is so fast, shouldn't he carry the ball more? I want I want I want. Jake Fisher scored a TD! Should we give him a few carries????
Chip Kelly may have too many weapons this year. At some point, we will see them all. If you are a fan of one guy in particular this may be a long season.
Let's go down the list of a perfect game. FIRST THE RUN GAME -
Kenjon Barner - Starting running back, when LMJ left to play on Sunday's last year averaging over 30 carries per game people asked if Kenjon was ready for all that. My opinion he doesn't need to do what LMJ did.
Kenjon gets 25 touches per game. This may include a reception or two our of the backfield.
DAT - Shouldn't the Black Mamba get the ball every time? Maybe! I'd love to see that, wouldn't you? But no, unfortunately we cannot give him the ball each and every time.
DAT gets 15 runs per game. At the rate he racks up yards this would be about 300 yards per game and 3 td's. :)
Marcus Mariota - As much as I love the speed I see Chip putting the brakes on him a little. I would like to see 10 but I don't think he'll get there.
Marcus gets 7 runs per game.
Byron Marshall - Yes he is a true freshman. Yes we have Kenjon. But if Byron can progress the way he did from week 1 to week 3 we may see him. The redshirt is off, no need to keep that talent on the bench. With closed practices we don't get to see what he's doing behind the scenes so now we will have to wait.
Bryan Bennet - We saw him line up in the back field this past week? Will we see more? But we all like to see him run.
Bennett and Marshall could come in from time to time and give people a rest, picking up 8-10 carries per game.
With nothing accounted for Byron on a per game basis we are at 47 touches. The Ducks can get 80 plays a game and a 47 - 33 run to pass ratio wouldn't be to crazy. I think we're al a little more used to 55-25 run to pass ratio. So we may need 8 more touches.
Now - THE PASSING GAME
The Tight Ends - A young QB's best friend in a tight situation. I would not mind one bit if a TE ended up being our leading receiver this year.
Colt Lyerla - I think Colt is a hell of an athlete. Paulson was underused last year. It would be a shame if Colt didn't get in the ball park of 6 catches per game. I don't know if our scheme will make this happen, but it really should.
Pharaoh Brown - Only 2 catches so far this year. But I like what I see, a 21 and a 26 yard reception are 2 of the longest of the season.
Haven't even touched on Koa yet. We have a stable of TE's. I think the absolute best case scenario for us is if Colt can continue to impress and become THE #1 guy. How scary would our IZR and OZR be if we all of the sudden had 2 TE's in the game. :) TE's that are big, physical and can run down the field.
The WR's. I've been wanting 1 guy to bust out and become the guy, so far that hasn't happened. The good news is that Marcus hit 12 different players during his 21 completions this past week. All the guys seem pretty solid. If Colt and the TE's get 10 catches a game it really only leaves 15-23 receptions left in a game.
DAT - Yup, him again. I don't know that he'll get 15 runs AND 5-7 receptions per game, but I wouldn't put it past him. The best comment about DAT came early last year, may have been right before the LSU game, Chip Kelly basically said 'you cannot not give him the ball, he just does it over and over again'.
Braylon Addison - I have a friend from TX who continues to tell me to wait until Braylon hits his stride. He has proven to be a solid possession receiver, let's see what happens when he gets 100% comfortable out there and starts breaking some tackles. We heard a ton of rumors about him from the players coming out of the practices, I get excited every time he gets a shot waiting for that play that puts us on notice that he is here. 6 per game for Braylon.
Dwayne Stanford - 6 receptions so far this year. Hasn't cracked the starting lineup but his size has me paying attention. Who doesn't want a guy with 6 ft 5 in height hauling in 6 - 8 catches per game? If I had to bet on this, I'd say Braylon becomes another big play guy and Dwayne becomes a go to receiver this year. A guy you depend on to make a big catch in the back of the end zone.
BJ Kelley - All that speed, another guy I'd love to break out. I still believe our offense sees a level even the most homerish of Duck fans can't dream of if we can stretch the field. A true deep threat that picks up 40 yard (in the air) receptions 2-3 times a game. BJ could and should be that guy.
So here's the problem. If DAT, Braylon and Dwayne pull down 6 each and BJ gets 2 that = 20 receptions. At 10 from the TE's and we're already over my low estimate of 25 passes a game. Only 3 passes away from the high estimate. And we still have a ton of great guys to talk about.
I mean no disrespect by choosing 2 true frosh and a RS frosh over this next list of guys. If Lowe, Hawk and Dungy get 18 while the others get scraps and we are winning I'm still a happy happy Duck fan. These guys have shown me in the 1st 3 games that they do deserve some time and that they can be quality possession receivers. I see them more taking 'turns', sharing 5 catches per game, rotating games of who has the hot hand.
This still leaves Vaughn. I feel bad to be so excited about some of our new guys because last year we were all drooling over Vaughn. Another guy who could absolutely become the guy to make big plays and be a go to guy. I feel a bit dirty listing him 7th. 7th!
Our WR corp has 7 guys who could become go to guys. I don't mind the committee approach but I would like a superstar to emerge. 7 solid guys who can block downfield. Add to that DAT and a freak athlete that is Colt Lyerla and we could be scary. I say could be only because I don't have the full faith in our passing game just yet. This Arizona match up and every week could prove me wrong.
It may be optimistic but I 100% believe we can match last years ground production AND add a 300+ yard passing threat to every game.
One last time - THIS is a GREAT problem to have.
Please feel free to leave any comment you'd like.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, September 17, 2012
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