11 DAYS TO KICKOFF: The Wildcat Offense
by BracketCat on Aug 23, 2011 12:00 AM CDT
in Football
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PrintThere is nobody wearing No. 11 on the Kansas State roster, and there hasn't been a No. 11 in more than 25 years.
You see, the number was retired in honor of legendary Wildcat quarterbacks Lynn Dickey and Steve Grogan. It's the only retired number in K-State history.
So instead of profile an individual player today, I thought I'd take the opportunity to break down the Wildcat offense.
I'm starting with that unit because I think it's a little more well-defined than much of the defense.
I've spent the summer combing message board innuendo and the few credible articles that have been published in an attempt to develop a feel for what the K-State depth chart might look like when it's released next week.
Now that Fan Appreciation Day has come and gone, the last piece of the "for public consumption" puzzle has slid into place. So without further ado, follow the jump for my best prediction of what the offensive three-deep looks like now.
Quarterback
This one is easy. We've known who the starter is since spring ball and fall camp has done nothing to change that.
The far more interesting battle is for the No. 2 position, which could become competitive when Tuggle masters the system.
Fullback
Nothing new here, either. This stuff is easy to predict when you have a future NFL guy at the position.
Running Back
- John Hubert OR Angelo Pease OR Robert Rose OR Bryce Brown
- John Hubert OR Angelo Pease OR Robert Rose OR Bryce Brown
- John Hubert OR Angelo Pease OR Robert Rose OR Bryce Brown
The most enigmatic and competitive position battle on the entire team is at running back, where it appears we may end up replacing Daniel Thomas with a "running back by committee approach" when the season begins.
It would be nice to pare these four backs down to two or three solid candidates, but it apparently hasn't happened yet.
I suspect Hubert will start the Eastern Kentucky game, with Pease coming on the field second, but after that, what these guys do on the field is going to affect the rotation going forward. Brown definitely will have his chances, I think.
Wide Receivers
X
- Sheldon Smith OR Brodrick Smith
- Sheldon Smith OR Brodrick Smith
- Torell Miller
Z
Slot
- Tyler Lockett OR Tramaine Thompson
- Tyler Lockett OR Tramaine Thompson
- Curry Sexton
Breaking down wide receivers by depth is difficult because we will use so many different combinations depending on what formation we're in. Starters can vary from game to game based entirely on the play call, in fact.
From the sound of things, if we were to go four wide in game one, the four would be Harper, the Smiths and a slot receiver. I use the last term generically because there is some uncertainty there.
Apparently, Lockett is running with the ones (and receiving kickoffs — kiss that redshirt goodbye, guys) because Thompson has an undisclosed injury/illness. Assuming he's healthy, I still expect Thompson to start Sept. 3.
The really eye-opening thing, though, is that reporters have been told the two best receivers on the team, in terms of running routes and natural skill, are Lockett and Sheldon Smith.
Considering what we return in Harper, Brodrick Smith and Thompson, that's quite a statement. If we actually have improved this position group by adding players of that caliber to three returning starters, this offense will be deadly.
Tight End
Again, no big surprises here. Probably the most stable position group on the entire offense, other than quarterback.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
Left Guard
Center
Right Guard
Right Tackle
The good news is that the starting five remain unchanged from spring practice. That seems to indicate that Charlie Dickey has settled on a group he likes and that they have developed continuity. Three seniors up front is good.
The bad news is that depth is becoming a concern, especially at tackle, where we were thin to begin with. Hanson and Mariner were MIA at Fan Appreciation Day — standard operating procedure for Bill Snyder with injured players.
On top of that, Snyder said Kaleb Drinkgern will miss his senior season with a medical condition. Yeeouch.
If Hanson and Mariner are healthy come September, I still expect them to be the primary backups at right tackle and left guard, respectively. If they're not, we're going to be relying on walk-ons and true freshmen if any starters go down.
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I should clarify...
Hanson was at practice for FAD, but he did not participate in any drills. Hopefully, he’s just a little dinged up and it won’t be anything that affects him once the season starts in earnest.
Mariner, on the other hand, was AWOL. I’m slightly more worried there.
Anyone know the story on Tuggle?
For all the talk about this kid and comparisons to Newton and Bishop by his former coach at Blinn, how is he third, maybe second string?
I’ve heard him on the radio a few times and he was very well spoken. It sure made me think he wasn’t an idiot so I’m not sure the playbook is the issue. Plus Blinn runs a very similar offense. I know he has arm issues, but that could be said about any of our guys.
When life hands you lemons, make grape juice. Let them wonder how the F*ck you did it.
My opinion is that this is encouraging and that Klein might just be pretty darned good
Klein will know the offense better and has starting experience at this level, but as was said yesterday, the most important thing is that Snyder is so high on him already. Tuggle may have the talent, but not be a great leader or have the same work ethic as Klein. And putting Tuggle in the same category as Newton and Bishop is way premature.
Bitchslapping Texas since 1997
I think it's a combination of Klien being better than most thought and Tuggle being kind of raw...
I know it sounds stupid to say that a RS-Jr who spent two seasons at Boston College and a season starting at Blinn is raw, but really, when you watch Tuggle, you see a nice arm, good maneuverability, and a decent pocket presence. However, some of his BC performances and a little bit of scuttlebutt out of Blinn was that he is a little turnover prone. It could be because he doesn’t make good reads, or maybe he doesn’t have very good touch on his passes which contributes to throwing over a receiver or behind a receiver, and we all know what happens then…
Also, on the flip side, I think Klein is a lot better than most people give him credit for. Rivals had him as the top rated prep QB in Colorado coming out of high school, and his prep video was actually really impressive. If you compared his prep video to Alex Smith’s coming out of high school, you’ll see a lot of similarities. Now, that’s not to say Klein is a future NFL #1 draft pick, but the tools are there for him to be a very good QB in our system.
I think the one thing you didn’t really know about Klein coming out of high school was how big he was going to be and how well he actually runs. That combination is pretty deadly. He doesn’t have a very quick throwing motion (bad, but it’s much faster than Coffman’s windup), nor does he have a cannon (meh), but when you see him throw, he does have pretty nice touch and location.
I think Klein is going to surprise a lot of people this year. This offense is going to be a beast…if we stay healthy.
Bring on the Cats
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -- Mark Twain
by Panjandrum on Aug 23, 2011 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
An interesting detail from listening to the spring game ...
Stan observed that Klein was throwing through the wind with great effect. Especially on a deep, over-the-top touchdown. That’s a detail that can be very important for a QB playing most of his games in Manhattan. Klein doesn’t have a cannon, but it may be that his technique lends itself to throwing an unaffected ball, which would be nice. I’m really interested to see what he looks like against real competition, without the shackles of 2010. I know the weapons are there.
by Itchy n Scratchy on Aug 23, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
He throws a tight spiral. I think that may be the key.
Bring on the Cats
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -- Mark Twain
What's that? I forgot what passes are supposed to look like after last year
"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse." - Mark Twain
I think people get hung up on his number of attempts last year
Klein has said himself that he was asked to play smart. The coaches have said that his arm is not as bad as people think it is. How do we know that more passes weren’t called, and he checked out of them because of what he saw and knew he could do with his legs?
Until I see him throw 3 (Freeman) or 5 (Garret Gilbert) interceptions in a game, I’m not gonna say he can’t throw. The way I see it, he was using his tools the best way he saw fit in his limited role last season.
by Jeremy Sharp on Aug 23, 2011 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I've said it before, I'll say it again
the sample size is too small to say either way that he’s a good or bad passer from last year. I can’t agree with you more. I like how all of these “experts” in the big12 region (namely newspaper writers), call him a run first qb. He played 4 games last year, so we pretty much know all there is to know about him.
"Nor yet in Dell?"
I'm sorry, I was kidding about noodle-arm-Coffman, not Klein.
I liked what I saw of Klein’s passes in the MU game on the run.
"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse." - Mark Twain
I know you were
That was more of a “I’m getting tired of people bashing on Klein’s arm” rant that I have been meaning to get out, and this thread seemed like as good a place as any.
by Jeremy Sharp on Aug 24, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
So long as capable replacements
are found for the O-line and the unit improves in pass-protection. Otherwise, if Klein steps up a bit in the passing game and the running backs are as good as advertised, I’m with you completely about how good this offense can be.
by CT-K-Stater on Aug 23, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Snyder is going to run this offense at about 75-80% capacity this year...
With Klein’s first year starting, a bevy of new backs, and a WR corp that’s coming back from a year of injury, I think he’s going to slow things down a bit and not really push the envelope. We’ll see a lot of QB runs, out routes, TE dump offs, and a heavy, heavy dose of running the ball. He’s going to focus on a passing game that’s geared for high completion and possession and hope that we keep the defense off of the field and win time of possession.
However…in 2012, we’re going to return nearly every single skill position starter, A high percentage of offensive linemen (we’ll replace the tackles, but hey, I like the backups a lot), and a very high number of defensive starters and all of our specialists.
This year is going to be 2002 for the offense. Let Klein show a few things, watch him turn the corner a bit in terms of development, hand the ball off to our running backs, and see if we can’t win a few ballgames.
But, make no mistake…this year is a prelude to 2012. We are going to be an absolute force that year, and this year is laying the groundwork for it.
Bring on the Cats
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -- Mark Twain
by Panjandrum on Aug 23, 2011 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Only if the O-line can stay healthy
I think the talent is okay, but the health/depth bothers me. I’m very happy about the talent for ALL of the “skill positions” (I hate that term), but if the O-line can’t perform well, particularly in run-blocking, it could be a tear-your-hair-out year.
Two years ago we had no idea what the team had, so the good D, boring quiet O was fine. Last year’s O was surprisingly effective given the QB and WR injuries, but it still drove all of us nuts the O was handcuffed by Coffman. I’m worried the line will handcuff this years team.
However, if the team can get the O-line taken care of, I think you’re right and next year could be a monster.
Now about that D…
"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse." - Mark Twain
I sure hope it plays out the way you've outlined
The progression is believable, but that occurs as long as there aren’t heavy injuries that dramatically affect development throughout 2011.
It will be interesting to see too what the defense does in 2011, to project out to 2012…whether that means another year of failure by CC and forcing the hand of Snyder to go elsewhere, or like I believe will happen, a total defense around the likes of 60-72nd in the nation. Add to that the idea that the D-line begins to show an identity, and the LB crew looks relatively the same, and these juco corners end up being what we expect…
"Nor yet in Dell?"
Nice work, BC.
I do hope MacDonald pushes Tannahill at TE a bit more than you anticipate. He’s a promising player and could be a very difficult to stop red zone target.
Obviously the main concern is the quality and depth of the line. A couple more injuries on the o-line could spell trouble but there’s good starting talent there.
RB by committee shouldn’t last all season. I think we see it for the first two games and then have a real 1-2 combo by Miami. Should make what I pray are blowouts in the first two games pretty exciting to see that competition play out.
I’m assuming it takes both Brod and TT a couple games to get back into the swing of things. Having Sheldon and Lockett as viable starters makes this a very exciting unit. I expect big things from Harper this year.
Klein certainly has a lot of weapons. We’re going to find out how well he can throw. If the answer is average or better I think we are a 7+ win team this year. And as Pan stated above, this could be a 9+ win conference championship contending team in ’12.
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