2004 FOOTBALL OUTLOOK: Wide Receivers
Aug 06, 2004 | Football
August 06, 2004
| The Aggie depth chart lists 26 players on the two-deep. That doesn't compute with the rule allowing 11 players on the field, but it works in "Fran Math."
In his offense, just 11 play at a time, but he has 14 positions. It's because he designates two extra wide receivers and an extra tight end in the multiple offensive scheme. With that in mind, receivers coach Kenny Pope set a goal of developing seven wide receivers capable of winning in the Big 12 Conference. He believes now that with continued experience and hard work the stable of Aggie receivers contains the necessary capability. Any discussion starts with the best, statistically speaking, who has ever worn the Texas A&M jersey, Terrence Murphy, or "T-Murph" as teammates fondly refer to him. Unless the stars are terribly misaligned over the Great Salt Lake early in the season he will rewrite the record book--again. His first catch would tie him with Jamaar Taylor for most in an Aggie career, and his second would leave him at the top to run up the tab on both receptions and yardage. Murphy already holds the career receiving yards record of 1,879 going into the '04 season. Never content to sit on laurels, Murphy dedicated his off-season to gaining strength, working on his blocking and route-running, coaxing teammates into a "one heart" mode, and setting an example with his dedication to excellence. Coaches hatched a spring plan that added punt catching to his kick return, pass catching, and end-around threats that made him one of the nation's leaders in yards-per-touch in '03. Pope hopes Murphy's "A"-game qualities rub off on the others in their position meeting room. Two teammates model similarly, and it paid off in a strong spring showing for both - senior Terrence Thomas and junior L'Tydrick Riley. Like Murphy, Thomas is a threat to squirt and dart and dash free for good YAC yards (yards after catch). Riley seldom misses a catchable throw. "He has the ability to become one of our big playmakers," Pope said. All three bring part of the quarterback game to the field from their high school backgrounds, as do many of the other receivers. Jason Carter enjoyed a second straight strong spring, but this time around it wasn't as flashy as it was blue-collar. Brought in and groomed two years as a QB, Franchione moved him from a bench-rider to a player with 15 yards in each of his touches last year. He had 199 yards on just seven pass receptions. "It helps Jason and our team to have him concentrate on pass receiving," Franchione said, when asked why Carter didn't continue in the special multi-faceted A-back position. Carter lines up in two of the four different designated positions. Earvin Taylor, who was a teammate of his older brother Jamaar last season, learned the system quickly and contributed in his freshman year, one of just four to take off the redshirt. Chad Schroeder also caught passes in his freshman season (redshirt). Coaches hope they have uncovered an 'X' factor, literally. DeQawn Mobley plays the 'X' slot, and he brings one more dose of speed to the A&M plan to take the passing game vertical more often. He grew up a few blocks from Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, and he transferred to A&M from San Francisco City College. He graduated in December and entered school second semester, thus benefiting from spring learning. His attitude and easygoing demeanor were immediately infectious. He might field some field punts or kicks, too. A trademark of Pope receivers is aggressive blocking. "I think we have a good group to develop, if they will just get a physical attitude, catch everything we can touch, block on the perimeter, and play every play with great effort," Pope said. "That's not too much to ask." 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.
|
