Spring Review: Wide Receivers

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BlueandGold.com // Spring Review: Wide Receivers

by LOU SOMOGYI, BGI
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Projected Starters
Michael Floyd (W), Duval Kamara (X) and Tai-ler Jones (Z)

The W is an outside receiver who lines up mostly on the boundary side (where there is less field to cover). However, in the Blue-Gold Game, All-America candidate Floyd was working as the inside slot receiver (Z), who usually goes over the middle or runs the underneath routes.

“If you have (Floyd) in the slot, it’s a little bit harder for teams to really roll their defense and kind of get extra guys on him, and we can move him around a little bit,” said junior starting quarterback Dayne Crist. “I’m sure Coach Kelly has got a thousand things he can do with Floyd.”

Meanwhile, the X is also an outside receiver, often a bigger, strong wideout, which fits for Kamara, who is the team’s most physical receiver and best blocker. In the Blue-Gold Game, Kelly had him work on the backside (or weak side, the side opposite the tight end).

“We’re still trying to find out what the best rotation is,” Kelly admitted.

Top Surprise
There were nine scholarship receivers on the roster yet by the third week the youngest, 17-year-old Jones, was running with the top unit. He capped the spring with four catches for 56 yards, highlighted by an 18-yard TD grab from Crist on a corner route in the Blue-Gold Game.

The 5-11, 185-pound freshman credits his high school experience in the spread offense for an almost seamless transition that right now, according to Kelly, has him in a starting role even though he tends to get “gassed” halfway through practice.

“He is a very mature kid,” Crist said. “I forget sometimes that he’s been here for only a semester … he’s working as hard as he can daily, and he’s doing things off the field in his preparation that just show the maturity beyond his years. But I (also) think he is very assignment smart, which makes it very comfortable for me to have a guy like that out here.”

Notable Stat
Floyd caught 44 passes last fall despite missing five and a half games with a broken collarbone, while the other eight current scholarship players combined for only 46.

The eight included Kamara (23) , Jones (in high school), sophomore Theo Riddick (6), juniors John Goodman (6) and Deion Walker (1), sophomores Shaquelle Evans (7) and Roby Toma (3) and fifth-year senior Barry Gallup Jr. (0). Riddick played this spring despite coming off shoulder surgery, and Evans also was slowed a tad with a shoulder problem.

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More at the Link

 

[Riddickulous]

Michael Floyd to the slot was an interesting move. Floyd and Rudolph in the slot could be devastating to opposing defenses. 6'3" and 6'6" matched up against linebackers, safeties and 2nd, 3rd, 4th corners on the depth chart? Look out.

Personally, I think it will be Floyd (W), Evans (X), Jones (Z), but that is my amateur opinion.

 

[ryno 24]

of course you think shaq is going to start not that it dont think he is talented enough but there is theo riddick very talented John Goodman hard worker and Duval Kamara Lets see who gets that third spot

 

[irishandy]

Out of your 3 projected starters I see Floyd definitely starting and Jones eventually working himself into the starting lineup. I'd like to see Deion Walker & John Goodman get more playing time and see Shaq starting.

 

[TerryTate]

The thing that stuck out for me while watching TJ's recruiting videos was how quick he cut in his routes. He doesn't lose any speed. I think he's going to be a real surprise this year.

 

[irishmarine]

Reguardless of who starts, I think who is actually in the rotation through the game will be much more important. With as fast paced as he like his offense to run I think we will be seeing four man sets and subs that will be needed. Shaq and jones will probably be the most important I think. Obviously Floyd will be the main target at wr and Rudolph at te butthe other guys will be left one on one and it will be up to them to step up and burn the defenses. Kamara will get a big chance here to starti think but I woulnt ve shocked if jones and shaq take over opposite of Floyd starting

 

[Praytorian]

I love watching Floyd with the football, as such I would hate to see him playing the slot (or Z) position. His history of injuries is the only thing that makes me say this. I'm not saying he is frail, it was just probably 2 freak accidents, but why take the chance?

Pray

 

[mgriff]

Hey man, Z isn't the slot. It is generally the Flanker but is some offenses it is the Split End. Now I'm not sure, maybe Z is the slot in Kelly's offense, but not usually. I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, just letting you know. The Flanker is generally Z because of the tendency to have a right handed QB. So when you would draw up a play it would be

X (Split End) LT LG C RG RT Y (Tight End) Z (Flanker) But one yard off the line of scrimmage.

I tried a nice model but it automatically aligns everything to the left once you post.

So when you're reading the play, your receivers are easily identifiable reading just like in English, from left to right, X, Y, and Z.

 

[Praytorian]

Hey man, Z isn't the slot. It is generally the Flanker but is some offenses it is the Split End. Now I'm not sure, maybe Z is the slot in Kelly's offense, but not usually. I'm not trying to be an ass or anything, just letting you know. The Flanker is generally Z because of the tendency to have a right handed QB. So when you would draw up a play it would be

X (Split End) LT LG C RG RT Y (Tight End) Z (Flanker) But one yard off the line of scrimmage.

I tried a nice model but it automatically aligns everything to the left once you post.

So when you're reading the play, your receivers are easily identifiable reading just like in English, from left to right, X, Y, and Z.

Naa your not coming off as an ass, I was just going by the article at the top of tha page. I thought it a tadd off myself, but hey we don't know all about Kelly's offense yet either.

 

[mgriff]

Dude I didn't even notice that shit in the article. I read it awhile ago and didn't bother when I entered here before. I just wanted to check the recent post. Maybe I am wrong, but I was always taught X, Y, Z. Kelly can call the positions whatever he wants, as long as he wins!

 

[Praytorian]

Dude I didn't even notice that shit in the article. I read it awhile ago and didn't bother when I entered here before. I just wanted to check the recent post. Maybe I am wrong, but I was always taught X, Y, Z. Kelly can call the positions whatever he wants, as long as he wins!

I could not agree more

 

[ACamp1900]

I still don't get moving riddick when Evans, Goodman, and Walker all have stud written all over them and all are fighting to see time

 

[Ben E.]

where i coach the standard 2x2 formation in the spread looks like this(sans the lines,lol!)

x_____t g c g t____y
___h________________z
_________Q__s

i have never heard of the W, except for the year i coached wing T.lol! that was hell!

 

[BillyIrish]

I still don't get moving riddick when Evans, Goodman, and Walker all have stud written all over them and all are fighting to see time

IMO Riddick has more upside than Evans and Walker. one back in the spread with at least two guys in front of him. Kelly must want to get him the rock!

 

[kmoose]

I still don't get moving riddick when Evans, Goodman, and Walker all have stud written all over them and all are fighting to see time

The only thing that I can think of is that the coaching staff doesn't see it. And they see these guys alot more than we do..... Maybe they are right?

 

[BirdmanND06]

I still don't get moving riddick when Evans, Goodman, and Walker all have stud written all over them and all are fighting to see time

Those are all outside guys. Weis didn't go after as many big-time players capable of playing the slot. Riddick (supposedly) brings that to the table.