Spring Football Recap
5/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 17, 2001
by Don Dowell Horned Frog Sports Report
TCU's spring practices were full of changes. New coaches. New schemes. And with the departure of the most successful senior class in school history, including six players that were drafted by the NFL in the first four rounds, plenty of new players on the two-deep depth chart. But don't think this is going to be a rebuilding year for the Frogs. First-year head coach Gary Patterson thinks this will be a very good team, it's just a question of when. "We do need to gain some experience to be successful," Patterson admitted. "The key will be how quickly our young players mature into their roles."
"We have a tradition now, and the team understands what it takes to be a winning program - hard work." Indeed, these blue-collar Frogs worked even harder than in the past, both on the field with more physical contact and intense practices, and in the weight room, where they continue to set team records. They seemed to be following the example set by their head coach, who is known for rolling tape late into the night at his office.
There will be some adjustments while the team gains game experience, continues to build chemistry, and waits for new leaders and playmakers to emerge. Following 29 practices in the harsh August heat, the Frogs will have played six games by the end of September, including two against bowl teams. If they can survive that stretch, avoid key injuries and continue to develop, TCU should again be in position to seriously contend for a conference championship and a fourth consecutive bowl game.
DEFENSE
The nation's number one defense lost six starters, including five who were All-WAC first-team selections: DE Aaron Schobel, DT Shawn Worthen, SS Russell Gary, FS Curtis Fuller, and LB Shannon Brazzell.
Defensive Line
Depth at defensive tackle is a concern with the loss of Worthen, NT Stuart Ashley, and DT Donald Burrell. Sophomore Chad Pugh is a future star in the making. Redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson made monumental strides during the spring. Junior John Turntine and Kentucky transfer Richard Evans will try to replace Worthen. Speed at defensive end is one of the strengths of the team with seniors Joe Hill and Chad McCarty being backed by sophomores Bo Schobel and Robert Pollard, who had a great spring.
Linebackers
"Athletically, we might be better there," Patterson said. "We're not as deep as we have been." LaMarcus McDonald is now considered a starter after flying around the field all spring, along with steady Chad Bayer, the team's leading tackler last season. Josh Goolsby and Tennessee transfer Devon Davis will vie for playing time.
Cornerbacks
"At corner, we bring back everyone but Greg Walls," Patterson noted. "Jason Goss did not go through spring practice, but he is bigger and faster than he's ever been. I think he benched 450 pounds as a 180-pound corner." Junior Bo Springfield, who started four games late last season, should be the other starter, with Tyrone Sanders and Kendrick Patterson providing backup help.
Safeties
"There is a lot of chemistry that is missing right now that we are working to get back Kenneth Hilliard, who we moved from cornerback, and his backup Jason Higham will be a key at free safety, because that position is like the defensive quarterback," Patterson said. "At strong safety, redshirt freshman Marvin Godbolt has come a long way. Athletically, he is probably more talented than the three seniors who left here. The problem is that he doesn't have the game experience they had. Russell Gary had about 36 starts under his belt."
"Godbolt made drastic improvement from practice 1 to practice 15," Patterson said. "He benched 435, squatted 615 and his vertical was 36 inches. Fuller was a great player and leader who had a settling effect on our defense. Hilliard may be a better athlete, but the key will be how well he can mature as the quarterback back there telling everyone what is going on and what needs to happen."
Junior Charlie Owens returns as a starter at weak safety. Nathan Roach, Jared Smitherman and Brandon Williams will be among those backups competing for playing time.
OFFENSE
The big question is who will replace Doak Walker Award Winner LaDainian Tomlinson, but there were other key losses. Four of the five "Big Uglies" have moved on, including three that were first-team All-WAC selections - David Bobo, Mike Keathley and Jeff Millican. Steady Tim Maiden, and surprise NFL fourth-round selection Cedric James were also senior starters at wide receiver. George Layne, another fourth-round draftee, left a big hole at fullback when he came out early.
Quarterbacks
Casey Printers will play a bigger role in the offense and seems poised for a standout season. The junior has taken on more of a leadership role and should benefit from the increased emphasis in the passing game.
"We have our quarterback back, and he is 18-4 as a starter," Patterson said. "The biggest difference for Casey is that we need to find a cross between winning with him, and he not trying to do too much, like we possibly did in the bowl game. We threw a couple of interceptions that we didn't need to do, including one that was returned for a touchdown. We need to find somewhere in between where we can win because of him. I think we established a passing offense with Dan Lounsbury. He is considered one of the better quarterback coaches in the nation, and he has done a great job working with Casey to improve his mechanics and helping him become a leader."
Sean Stilley solidified himself as the backup. Zack Moore is an outstanding athlete that may eventually play another position. Redshirt freshman Brandon Hassell may be more suited to the option attack and wasn't able to overtake Stilley on the depth chart.
"Sean was a pleasant surprise," Patterson said. "He is not a guy that is going to go win games for you, but he did an awesome job of getting the ball where it needed to be and he knows how to run the offense. He has played in our offense for three years, and the running game didn't change much, so he knows the checks. He only had to learn the new passing game. The younger quarterbacks did not progress as much as we would have liked them to. Our freshman, Zack Moore came a long way this spring and he has a lot of ability. Obviously we look forward to Tye Gunn coming in this fall. He is a highly intelligent, very gutsy leader type of quarterback. Right now, Brandon Hassell is still struggling a little bit. He is growing up and getting stronger in the weight room, but I think he is a ways away right now."
Running Backs
Someone has to replace the shoes of LT and his 2,158 yards, but the stable isn't empty. Ricky Madison has shown spurts of big-play ability and Corey Connally came on strong as the spring progressed. Kenny Boyd had a good final scrimmage. Hayes-Stoker may remain the starter, but probably won't be the one with the most carries.
"Probably, there is no one in the country that would have a LT, so its not like we don't have one, no one has one," Patterson pointed out. "His position will be taken up by committee. The two leading candidates right now are Ricky Madison and Corey Connally. Andrew Hayes-Stoker is the guy that has the experience at the position, but he doesn't have the overall go speed that those guys have. They ran 10.3 and 10.4 sprinters coming out of high school and it's their time to step up."
Reggie Holts, the Blinn junior college transfer who will join the team this fall, looks to have a shot at being a starter at fullback. The versatile Matt Schobel played fullback in a number of passing formations. Mohammad Shittu and Jon Muther are also competing for playing time.
Offensive Line
The "Big Uglies II" are bigger and stronger than their predecessors, but lack crucial game experience and cohesiveness. Senior guard Victor Payne is the lone returning starter and has emerged as a team leader. Four juniors - OG Josh Harbuck, C Jamal Powell, OG J.T. Aughinbaugh and OT Brady Barrick - have been groomed as replacements and its their time to perform. Sophomore John Glud and freshman Anthony Alabi, who switched from the defensive line, will compete for the important left tackle position. Redshirt freshman center Chase Johnson had a great spring.
"The offensive line is a big key for us and they came a long way in 15 practices," Patterson said. "Probably just as talented, or more talented, in some positions than the group that left here. The difference is that they don't have four years of starting experience. It's our job to grow them up. The last time they had to start that early in age, they went 1-10, and I would prefer not to go through that again for them to learn those kind of lessons."
"There are probably eight guys that are battling hard for positions, and that's deeper than we felt we were last year. This is the first year we have played six straight games without an open date, and two are against bowl teams. It's going to be very important that we establish a two-deep. We have always rotated a lot of players on defense anyway but it will be important for us to have the second offensive line play a couple of series, at least one each half, to make sure we keep bringing them along."
Tight Ends
One of the deepest positions on the team, with senior B.J. Roberts returning, along with Stanley Moss, Matt Schobel and Quint Ellis. "Our tight end position should be one of our strengths," Patterson noted. "B.J. Roberts is a four-year starter. All four players return, and they are strong and run well. They will play an important part on special teams."
Wide Receivers
One of Patterson's goals will be to get the ball in the hands of big-play receiver LaTarence Dunbar as much as possible, even with direct snaps or having him line up in the backfield. Shane Hudnall developed as a possession receiver. Speedsters Kevin Brown and Terran Williams return, and the group will be bolstered by redshirt freshmen Reggie Harrell, Reuben Randle and Anthony Gilliam.
"Wide receiver was probably the biggest surprise for us this spring," Patterson said. "LaTarence Dunbar has emerged as our offensive leader. He was the #1 kickoff returner in the nation, and can be a running back or wide receiver. The emergence of Reggie Harrell and Reuben Randle, who are big, tall receivers, made a difference this spring. They have a lot of ability. Shane Hudnall also stepped up. The biggest thing with them is that they are young, and they need to mature and get stronger because wide receivers around here need to block."
SPECIAL TEAMS
The deep snapper, kicker and punter positions remain open as TCU heads into the fall. Punter Joey Biasatti should be back from his leg injury to compete with his replacement, John Braziel. Tommy Taylor and Braziel will compete with Wynn for the kicker position. Dunbar, the nation's leading return specialist, took two kickoffs back all the way last season. Goss should reassume his position as the punt returner.
"We need to replace our kicker, Chris Kaylaykie," Patterson said. "We have a freshman, Mike Wynn, coming in this fall, and we had some good competition. I am not sure you can say we have a starter yet. Another position is the deep snapper and we came a long way there. Our times were comparable to last year when teams didn't even try to block it. We had four or five players that have excellent times. I am not sure you can say there is a leader, but if you had to name a starter tomorrow, it may be Brady Barrick."
