Perkins = no receptions

[dawgman78]

Are any of you as surprised as I am with Ladarius Perkins having zero catches after the first quarter of the season. I remember watching him time after time in spring ball catching the ball out of the backfield in open space and no one catching him. It just seems to me he is too fast not to try tofind more ways for him to get involved.

 

[LTblows]

It's pretty obvious that his strength is his speed, so getting to the outside and turning the corner makes the most sense to me.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

[No message]

 

[TXDawg.sixpack]

Relf can't throw the short, touch pass that is required to get him the ball out of the backfield.

 

[dawgman78]

Do we not have a pitch or sweep play. We run the the speed play to Mr "FIND THE SIDELINE" Bumphis why cant we run it with Perkins.</p>

 

[goldeneye]

While it doesnt look pretty, he's thrown a similiar screen pass to Bumphis several times this year,

 

[EClass04]

1. We're spreading the ball around much more this year. We're using three different running backs along with speed sweeps from Bumphis and Heavens for the ground game, and now we apparently have a wildcat package to add to the mix. Also, I think I read somewhere the other day that we've already had 12 different receivers catch a pass in these first 5 games, so that doesn't leave a whole lot of extra touches.

2. As long as Vic Ballard keeps playing the way he is, the other running backs won't have to worry about getting on the field very much.

 

[FlabLoser]

It's pretty obvious that his strength is his speed, so getting to the outside and turning the corner makes the most sense to me.

Mullen said recently the RBs have been on rotation and whoever happens to be there for short yardage is the one getting the short yardage touches. Seems to me like the whole RB-platooning has been a coaching mis-management of players. RBs are being used as interchangeable parts instead of being used for their individual strengths.

 

[captaindawg]

I remember people sweating being able to get these guys in school and they haven't a catch between them. I think they fall in the same category as Perkins. All are freshmen (either red-shirt or true) and simply are going through the adjustments to college ball. A couple of runs that Perkins made the other day could have bounced outside for bigger gains but he either didn't see it or was scared to not run the exact route called from the sideline. Regarding Perkins, I haven't broken down film but it may be a situation where we were going to throw to him in space but he wasn't able to get himself open or another receiver was a better option.

 

[Jake Wimberly]

Ray Ray Bivens is that you?? Phone booth esk??

 

[LTblows]

That one has made the WTF? list.

 

[Jackdragbean]

They'll be like "WTF!!!?? Where did this guy come from? You've never even put him on the field before! He was the 17ing waterboy for Christ's sake!"

 

[Todd4State]

and Tyler got picked off.

I refuse to believe that Relf sucks so bad that he can't throw a screen pass. I also refuse to believe that Perkins couldn't go out a WR and run the same screen that Bumphis runs.

I'd actually like to see more screens and for Bumphis and Heavens to get the ball more often on reverses, jet sweeps, etc. That kind of stuff should compliment our option stuff well, and it doesn't involve forcing a difficult pass.

 

[alabamadog]

I've been disappointed in Sanders.

 

[Todd4State]

He played against Memphis and Alcorn for sure.

I think we should do something to try to get him the ball as well, like a jet sweep or a screen, something. Against Alcorn, we tried to throw it deep. I would just like to see us try to build his confidence up.

This is the catch-22 of our offense. I think we have talent, and I know some people are wondering why don't we do this and that with Perkins, and why maybe Bumphis is struggling at times, and etc., but I hate to say this, but that is the at least some of the problem with Relf. He can not hit WR's in stride, and he has trouble with some of even the simplest of pass plays, and it really is limiting some of our guys in the receiving game. Yet, at the same time, Relf also gives us the best chance to win because he is a veteran and can make plays with his legs. It's no surprise that Vick Ballard is having a big year for us. We will be more balanced a dangerous when Tyler Russell is ready, which is probably next year. We should really take off on offense then. And some of Dan's crazy plays might even work! Right now, the only plays I feel comfortable with are the zone read option, the counter that Ballard runs, and a WR screen. Everything else is dicey. Except for the QB jump pass which should be ripped out of the playbook entirely.