Weekly Answers, Pt. 9
Check after the jump for this round of Answers...
1) During his signing day announcement, Riley talked a lot about playing on offense, being a freshman All-America, etc. Appreciate the ambition and drive, but what's truly realistic for the 2010 season? - Anonymous
He's a very talented player, but so often with freshmen, it comes down to knowing the playbook and understanding the schemes. That can't be forced and the hard work dedicated to doing so can't be learned. Riley was talked about as an option in the UCLA wildcat formation (OSO LOCO) and we'll see how that works in a few months.
2) OK Jon what's the deal with Maka is he coming or not? - AnonymousLast I heard he was.
3) What is the health of QB Nick Crissman and do the coaches expect that he can be a contributor and add depth (third) string off the bench if necessary? - Westwood Bob
His progress is going well, and yes, he will be the No. 3 to start the year.
4) Why didn't we run any RB or WR screens last year? I understand that we couldn't do some things because we were young.....but a screen pass, come on now we should be able to execute that play right??? - 909bruin
They ran several, but they weren't always effective. Screens are all about timing, and losing Prince for periods of time set them back. I expect Norm Chow to use more next year.
5) At CU Josh Smith returned kickoff's by himself, do you think the staff will have him back there alone or have some one like Thigpen or Carroll back with him? Is Smith slated to be the punt returner also? - 909Bruin
I expect Smith to be the primary returner, but Carroll or Thigpen will be back with him. Smith should be the PR, too.
"oso loco" is just not going to catch on. Just let it go. It's over.
You meant Weekly Answers, Part 9, right? Any why do my posts never, ever, ever take the first time. It always says error submission. I copy them every time before I send but why don't they take?
To Spedjones point in the first #8:
Here's a sample of the 4/5 star talent comparison over the years:
Alabama (66) 14-0 in '09 [2 1AA wins]
2009=18
2008=26
2007=8
2006=9
2005=5
2004=5
GREAT COACHING - but two scrimmages (1AA schools)
helped during the season
---------------------------------------
Florida (121) 13-1 in '09 [1 1AA win]
2009=16
2008=16
2007=35
2006=25
2005=14
2004=15
-----------------
Texas (107) 13-1 in '09
2009=18
2008=18
2007=25
2006=23
2005=12
2004=11
---------------
Michigan (100) 5-7 in '09 [1 IAA win]
2009=12
2008=19
2007=19
2006=15
2005=19
2004=16
HORRENDOUS - No wonder Mich fans are ballistic
----------------------------------------------
USC (99) 9-4 in '09
2009=14
2008=12
2007=22
2006=21
2005=16
2004=14
PETEY SAW THE SAME STATS
----------------------------------------------
Oklahoma (95) 8-5 in '09 [1 1AA win]
2009=14
2008=22
2007=9
2006=17
2005=20
2004=13
LOSE YOUR QB - Out of the running
---------------------------------
Miami (93) 9-4 in '09 [1 AA win]
2009=12
2008=18
2007=13
2006=15
2005=14
2004=21
10 GAMES AT LEAST - with this talent
-----------------------------------
Tenn (93) 7-6 in '09
2009=16
2008=9
2007=25
2006=9
2005=23
2004=11
Kiffin disn't do better than CRN with 2x the talent
--------------------------------------------------
Notre Dame (83) 6-6 in '09
2009 12
2008 25
2007 17
2006 21
2005 5
2004 3
NO EXCUSE - talent with poor coaching
------------------------------------------
UCLA (44) 7-6 in 2009
2009 16
2008 17
2007 7
2006 1
2005 2
2004 1
NOT BAD - such little talent w/upper classmen
Please give Rickie a break consiering what he has had to work with over the last two years, especially in the QB and RB spots.
Jon, to answer the question with a bit more accuracy, we did run screens, but we ran them to guys like Pressely and TE inside screens...rarely did we give it to guys who are gamebreakers, or ones with speed.