2004 FOOTBALL OUTLOOK: Running Backs
Aug 03, 2004 | Football
August 03, 2004
| Going into the 2003 season, head coach Dennis Franchione stated that one short-term offensive goal would be to develop a running game that would produce a 1,000-yard rusher. He didn't expect that to happen right away.
And then, along came Courtney Lewis. Alternating with a third-year starter by situations early in the year, Lewis grew into a go-to threat, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring 12 touchdowns. "There are times he made me think of L-T," said Coach Fran, after Lewis had a couple of cutback runs and a 171-yard game against Oklahoma State. Coach Fran was referring to All-American, No. 1 draft pick, and now All-Pro tailback, LaDainian Tomlinson, who played for Franchione at TCU for three seasons. Lewis finished the season with 1,024 net yards rushing, rarely fumbled, and also caught several passes for good yardage. The word on him gets even better. The only thing limiting his playing time last year was the way he performed without the ball, especially on blocking assignments. This spring Lewis, his confidence bolstered even more by the addition of 11 solid pounds, has worked hard on his blocking, carrying out fakes, and pass protection. "I wasn't sure he was big and durable enough to carry 25 times a game," Franchione said. "But Courtney sees seams really well, makes cuts, and he's hard to put a hard hit on. He's proved he can last, and now he's stronger." For balance, A&M turns to an outstanding role player and leader in the backfield, senior Keith Joseph. He is a punishing blocker, a savvy player, and a load to bring down at 256 pounds. Joseph also is a reliable outlet receiver in the passing game. After Lewis and Joseph, the backfield consists of five young players who carry the Aggies' future hopes. Two redshirt freshmen had their moments in the spring, tailback Derrick Brown and fullback Chris Alexander, who showed steamroller capabilities with his low-to-the-ground style and 235-pound frame. With four ahead of them, the three signed running backs might keep a redshirt on, although Franchione found Samson Taylor to be an eye-opener when the coach saw him run a timed 40 under 4.4 seconds. Lewis is a good example of how coaches and fans see the playing field different. The 1,000-yard glamour puts him up for preseason notice on all-star lists, but in the spring there were 33 points of emphasis for the running backs to work on. Coach Lee Fobbs outlined them on goals and objectives sheets, and the backs worked constantly on such things as proper aiming points on pass pro, zero tolerance on ball security, the "proper pocket" carrying the ball, and "belly-button" accuracy on taking hand-offs, executing fakes, intricate footwork, the correct path to the line of scrimmage, and on and on. The staff repeatedly tells the backs that the times they carry or catch the ball are not what will define them as great players; rather, it will be what they do on all those other plays when somebody else has the ball. "The great ones aren't satisfied with just being a good runner," Franchione said. "They take pride in becoming an all-around back." That will have to happen with Lewis and the youngsters for the Aggies to rise in the Big 12 South and produce a more balanced and productive offensive attack. AggieAthletics.com's 2004 football preview will bring you right up to the "beginning" of football season, when the players report to campus on Aug. 8.
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