Monday Morning QB!

[geephunk]

Saturday night I saw the Boise State highlight and have come to the conclusion that we just don't have great overall team speed. Now, I need someone to substantiate this for me because I have very spotty evidence, but the games I have been to and highlights I have seen, it looks like we are moving in slow motion.

I know that Bennett has tried to improve on this by recruiting some JC's with some speed and experience. A great team can be built around players with excellent speed, even if they lack talent in other areas. But I just wish we had a few wideouts that could get behind the CB's in a hurry and a QB that could air it out. For those of you who saw the BYU-Boise State game, that is how BYU got ahead in the game and almost won. They went deep about 12-15 times in the 3rd Quarter alone and scored a few times. The announcers even said how the Boise State CB was just shaking in his cleats for fear of another deep ball.

What are your thoughts on team speed?

[giacfsp]

There's not enough, but there is some. Of course, some of it is redshirting this year (see Jessie Henderson, David Haynes, etc.) You're absolutely right that great speed can make up the difference between some teams, and Coach Bennett has tried to do that, although I think his speed is coming from the HS ranks (the QBs and Mouton aren't speed guys; Bobby Chase has good speed, but he's just one guy). There are some new guys on the field who can run: Cortley Blackmon, Jonathan Lindley, Wilton McCray, etc. We need to get bigger and faster, and his last two recruiting classes are a step in that direction.

One other JUCO that I forgot: Brandon Jones - he can really run. And he's got a big frame - he could turn out to be a really good one.

[Stallion]

Bobby Chase does not have good WR speed-maybe TE or H-Back speed but not WR speed. Team speed especially right now on offense is about as poor as you get in the NCAA. We also have poor team speed at defensive line where we've got some out-of shape lineman who may be able to stuff the run but can't fly to the ball.

[geephunk]

Well, is it a matter of either you have speed or you don't? Because if that is the case, some of the players we recruit will have natural speed and quickness and some don't have that natural ability. And if the athletes we get don't have great speed, then we are in big trouble for 4 years, if you following that logic.

I am wondering if it is possible to develop speed out of our current pool of players by the type of off-season work-out programs we employ and customize to our players during the January-August time frame. I mean is it possible to develop middle-tier players into good or great players? I just wish we had the reputation for turning good middle-tier high school players into tough, fast, competitive men.

[SWC2010]

Geep, I believe Coach Jimmy Johnson said it best:

"You can't coach speed".

We need more speed at each position.

[The Q]

Bobby Chase does not have good WR speed-maybe TE or H-Back speed but not WR speed. Team speed especially right now on offense is about as poor as you get in the NCAA. We also have poor team speed at defensive line where we've got some out-of shape lineman who may be able to stuff the run but can't fly to the ball.

Chase doesn't accelerate out of his breaks as fast as some, but in terms of pure speed, he can cover some ground. He doesn't look that fast - maybe it's his long strides. But he moves pretty well.

[dandyfan]

it is the single greatest need on the team on either side of the ball. ok, speed and maturity.

[DallasDiehard]

Next year's team will have better speed with Jessie Henderson, David Haynes, DeMyron Martin, Vincent Chase, Kyle Griffin, etc., as well as any incoming freshmen who play right away. Not enough, but that's an improvement at those positions. We're on the right track.

Of course, we also need more beef on the lines, too.