In all the basketball talk the past couple of weeks, a strange thing occurred. Spring practice started. Doug and Justin were kind enough last week to give some perspective on key players going in to 08, and it seems they are pretty spot on, based on some of the early returns after a couple of practices. But in reading a few articles by Drew Edwards found on GoVolsxtra.com, I found a few excerpts that stood out to me.
Arian Foster on the new offense:
“It’s actually totally opposite of what we were supposed to do,” Foster said. “How we do it now, if we did it then, we got in trouble. We’re just unlearning what we learned. It’s a bit unnatural for everybody, but it’s going to be OK.”
Interesting take on it. I don’t know that this speaks negatively on Cutcliffe or not, but I would have no problems in believing Drayton is an upgrade over Roper. And it might expose a few things some of us have been complaining about for quite a while, such as the cutback being a negative because the play wasn’t designed that way. I think we all saw last year, when Foster was the most effective, he was cutting back. How many times did you hear or read last year after a big run “well, the play was actually designed to go…”. This keeps me believing that change is good for this program.
Foster on the learning curve the offense faces this Spring:
“It’s going to take until about halfway through spring before it feels natural.”
That’s the goal. Clawson wants his offensive players to be reacting, not thinking, when the season begins.
I was especially glad to hear this, because I don’t know that I want to see the entire offense checking with the sideline half the time. One of the things Clawson really wants out of his offense is that they understand not just what to do, but how to do it, and most importantly why. Will that happen in one spring session? Doubtful, and as optimistic as Foster is about it taking ½ the spring, I don’t know that that can be done that quickly. But, it has to start somewhere, and there are enough veterans on this team to start carrying that torch now.
Clawson on where they are now, understanding it’s very early, and simply reiterating what he expects this offense to become:
As could be expected after just two days of practice, the offense is still very much under construction.
“I think right now they’re still lost in translation a little bit and that slows them down,” Clawson said. “You can’t play football games slow. Guys can’t be thinking. They got to be able to react. That’s something you hope gets better with every practice.”
I guess my only question would be, what if they don’t Dave? Hmmm. Another reason why I think this season is a good year for such a change. There are enough veterans on this team to set the tone and help some of the younger guys along. And given that Clawson’s offense wants to take advantage of an athlete’s speed and skill in space, his evaluation of the talent will be key.
The good news, it seems Foster is not the only one encouraged by what they see so far:
Senior wide receiver Josh Briscoe is equally encouraged, especially when he looks ahead to the finished product.
“This offense is great. I love it,” he said. “It’s going to give us a chance to throw the ball downfield more and get our playmakers the ball in space. That’s one thing as a receiver I like, and the other guys do too. We’re just blessed that Coach Fulmer brought Coach Clawson in.”
As we found out as last season ended, I think there’s a lot more to the need of a youth movement in the coaching ranks than some of us originally thought All things being equal, at least early on, it seems player “buy in” is high. Now, can they implement it? All warm and fuzzy stuff aside, eventually it has to translate on the field.
Early returns on the quarterback point to Crompton’s stock as the one to buy:
“I think Jon Crompton has prepared himself really well,” Fulmer said. “Not that the other two haven’t, but Jon is well ahead of them from a mental standpoint right now and a physical standpoint.
“You can tell he’s worked hard since Coach (Dave) Clawson was hired to learn the offense and the cadence and the shifts, motions that we’re using. Fundamentally they all have a lot to learn. Jon’s still probably ahead in that category, because he’s played more and taken more practice snaps.”
Experience still seems to rule the day, but who knows, real practice starts Tuesday this week when they don the helmets and pads. And Clawson’s comments on the quarterbacks have been vague and non descript, at least from what I’ve been able to read, so it will be interesting to see if there is any dissention regarding the qb as the practices continue. The good news though is, early on, it seems Crompton has done exactly what’s been expected of him as a veteran on this team, and at the same time, the door isn’t shut on Nick or B.J. either. I’m of the opinion that the qb race is fairly wide open at this point, but someone is going to really have to knock the coaches’ socks off in practice to get the nod over the veteran.
Nothing really new after two practices, defensive line still mentioned as the biggest issue, as well as overall depth on both front lines. Everyone seems very pleased with the defensive back situation, wide receiver situation, and the LB’s. Biggest hurdle besides building depth is getting the offense installed so they can actually practice it. For all that needs to be done, and the off field issues we’ve had this off season, by all accounts, things seem to be fairly positive on the Hill right now. Here’s to hoping it stays that way.
As excited as I am about the men’s basketball team right now, I’m equally, I guess, anxious to see/hear/read about how the football team progresses this spring.
Go Vols, see you in Charlotte on Thursday. Beat Louisville!