Pre-spring practice look at UM's offense. So what are the relative strengths and weaknesses on the offensive side of the ball?
Cause for optimism:
1) RB depth appears to be adequate with a good amount of experience. The primary contributors will be Grady, Minor, and Brown. Early reports indicate all are doing well during the offseason workouts. Hopefully, fair competition brings the best out in this group. IMO, UM will need to run the ball successfully to win more so this year than any other (to include Henne?s FR year?he had Braylon remember). However, RBs are only one part of running the ball successfully. They can?t do it all themselves.
2) TE?probably the most depth UM has had in years with Watson, Webb, Massey, Butler and the incoming FR if they can stay healthy. Granted, that?s not a ton of bodies, but I don?t know how much double TE will be utilized under RR. There?s a good deal of athleticism here as well with Butler and Webb, but Massey is the best blocker by far.
Cause for concern:
1) There are lots of questions at the WR positions, especially at the slot positions. I expect Hemingway and Matthews to be the prime contributors on the outside with Clemons and FR Stonum contributing (Stonum for his speed). Neither Hemingway nor Matthews are burners, but both appear physical (important for blocking) and rather sure handed. On the inside, I don?t think the starting slot WRs are even enrolled at UM yet. Look for FR T-Robinson, Shaw and Roundtree to compete for that position. That?s a lot to ask of any FR, but even more so in this offense. The slot is a critical piece so someone must step up quickly.
2) Lots of youth on the OL, but some experience scattered around. It?s safe to assume Boren will be back at LG and that Schilling will start somewhere. That leaves LT, OC, and either RG or RT open depending on where Schilling plays. I?ve got mixed feelings on who should play where. Supposedly, RR wants to get the 5 best OL on the field, regardless of natural position. Depth is a definite concern though too with (IRRC) only 9 scholarship OL on the roster entering spring practices. I really don?t think any of the FR will play this season unless there are significant injuries. Despite what ?others? may tell you, OT play is very important to the success of the RR offense. These guys must be athletic enough to slide directionally and maintain blocks one-on-one (like in the previous offense)? they are almost on ?islands? when there?s no TE in the game. If I were a guessing man, I?d think the day one starters would be Dorrestein, Boren, Molk or Moosman, Schilling, and Ortmann from LT to RT. I wouldn?t be surprised to see Schilling and Ortmann to switch.
3) The QB position is the most obvious place to start. UM returns prototypical dropback passers in Cone and Threet (plus Sheridan ) with incoming dual threat QB Feagin. Threet will most likely be the starter, but I don?t think anyone would be surprised to see Feagin, Brown, or even WR JR Hemingway taking snaps to run the option series. IMO, the best things RR can do to help the QB out is 1) to establish a running game and 2) scheme to get our athletes (slots and WR) open in space. It?s unrealistic and unfair to expect any underclassmen, first year starting QB to win games outright for you. The best plan would be to let him ?manage? the game by simply getting others the ball.
Personally, I'm not all doom and gloom here. There is a lot of talent, but, at the same time, I'm trying to be realistic in my expectations. There are a lot of young players that will be expected to contribute significant so some growing pains should pay off in the years to come.
