SPRING GAME
Wide receivers look to change gameplan in 2007
Part 2 of 3 on Bobcat football position battles
By Christa Gould, Staff Writer
April 20, 2007 | 2:36 p.m.
Wide receivers coach Derek Mason sees lots of changes occurring in his wide receiving corps from last year to the 2007 season.
Ohio enters spring practice with lots of depth at wide receiver. The Bobcats have 10 receivers vying for a starting job. Four of the 10 have considerable game experience and caught at least nine passes last season. The problem – none of the four had over 20 catches in 2006 nor did any of them have a touchdown catch. Making matters worse is their leading pass catcher in 2006 was running back Kalvin McRae with 29.
Mason admits that McRae and the running game is the majority of Ohio’s offense, but still thinks his receivers will get more touches than in 2006.
“People [teams] key the run, we just got to make sure when they do, we make them pay. If the run is going well, the passing game will be there” Mason said.
The biggest change Mason wants to see in 2007 is the amount of catches his top receiver has. He said he’d like to see his number one guy catch between 45 and 55 passes. After McRae’s 29, graduating seniors Scott Mayle and William Norwood had the most catches by a receiver with 28 and 24 respectively.
Senior Chido Nwokocha is the top returning receiver with 20 catches in 2006. The junior college transfer racked up 201 yards last season in his first season with the team. Half of Nwokocha’s catches went for first downs, as he will be relied upon again in 2007 to be a possession receiver. The California native is suffering from a hip pointer he received in a scrimmage on April 14, but is expected to play in the Green and White game April 21.
Another change Mason wants to see is his receivers block better for McRae and the running game. "If we block better, we’ll get more possessions which equals more chances to catch the ball," he said.
“Blocking for wide outs is key because if you block, it opens up the passing game because the defense comes up and you throw it deep on them,” sophomore wide receiver Chris Garrett said.
Garrett, who made his mark on special teams as a freshman, can do it all. He led the Mid-American Conference in yards per punt return at 14.5, including an 88-yard touchdown return against Western Michigan. He also had 10 catches for 84 yards in his first season and a 59-yard run against Miami.
At 5 feet 8 inches he is not the tallest receiver, but with his blazing speed, he will likely play the slot position.
"Being in the slot, I can open things up, he said. The more we pass, the easier it will be to open the running game."
Garrett plans to get on the field as many ways as possible, whether it is special teams, wide receiver or running back.
"I’ll carry over my hard work ethic from special teams last season to the other positions this year, he said. My biggest thing is working on running precise routes."
Playmakers
A third change Mason wants to see in this year’s wide receivers is the number and type of receivers used. Fifteen different Bobcats caught a pass last season, whereas Mason wants fewer receivers to have more catches this year.
“I want the three best playmakers on the field, regardless of size and speed. I want guys that can make plays, guys that can give me yards after the catch,” he said.
Along with Garrett, another potential big playmaker will be lone senior Justin Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald had 15 catches for 115 yards in his junior season and will look to improve upon that in his final year at OU.
At 6 feet 3 inches, the native of Richmond, Va. could be a deep threat, but said it was hard to tell where he would be needed most. Consistency and working hard day in and day out were what Fitzgerald said he was focusing on the most.
Along with his height and playmaking ability, Fitzgerald brings experience and leadership to the team.
“I try to help the younger guys along. I see the things I remember going through as a freshman, just trying to make the transition from high school or junior college, wherever they came from, and just try to help guys compete and get better, along with myself."
The only other receiver with playing experience is sophomore Taylor Price, who played in every game last season, including one start. He caught nine passes for 77 yards on the season.
Freshmen Terrence McCrae and Robert Mercer, as well as sophomore Brandon Peterson, who all redshirted in 2006, could factor in to the wide receiver rotation as well.
“[McCrae, Mercer, and Peterson] will make an impact for us. They have speed and size. They have athletic ability and some knowledge of the system. They're fine-tuning it now. I think they're going to be ready to step on the field and compete for us next fall. That's what we need," Mason said.
Incoming freshman LaVon Brazill, who will join the team in the fall, could also see time as a true freshman. The receiver from Lantana, Fla. has good speed and is very athletic.
“We haven’t seen that much the last couple years – a guy catching the ball and making something happen,” Mason said of his receivers. “We’ve got some guys here that can do that now so it will be interesting to see.”
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Quarterback battle Linebacker battle.