Do college players improve that much from year to year? While I will concede that there is usual a pretty good jump from true freshman to sophomore, I feel that is is due to the fact that all freshmen are generally away from home for the first time in their lives and their heads often aren't screwed in right and generally have no idea what is going on.

I am bringing this up because alot of us sips are counting on the passing game getting better due to recievers being a year older. I'm not so sure this is going to happen.

Reciever is one of the few positions you can play immediately (along with running back). You know exactly where you're going, you don't have to learn complicated reads, the sets are easy and you don't need time in the weightroom. A little technique coaching (chop steps, etc.) and you're off. What usually holds a receiver back is a player ahead of him on the depth chart.

Nate Jones is going to be fine this year. I think he'll improve into the kind of receiver Sloan was.

Shipley is still not 100%. A 85% Shipley is still bad ass, but there's always the chance to get dinged up some more.

Sweed is going to need to learn his routes before he becomes a consistent threat.

Cosby is a total X factor. He's got the athletic ability and maturity to come in immediately and contribute.

Just to make the discussion a little more general, it just seems to me that it is a little naive to expect someone who has been playing organized ball since he was seven years old to make some great leap forward in the 2 weeks of spring ball and the 2 weeks training camp before the team has to concentrate on game planning.

I think guys can get bigger and stronger, but I just don't think we can expect the marked improvement that we imagine is going to happen.

Cosby scares the craaaap out of me.

Side note - Never did I think A&M would have the kind of receivers we have this season. Can any of you tell me how many of our receivers have caught at least one TD pass?

Why are you worried about receivers? Your QB can't throw worth a crap. You better worry about finding a replacement for C-Bong, that's the only way your team will be any good.

Super Dave pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Pretty good synopsis of the situation, I'd day.

I would say that receivers probably show the most improvement from one year to the next compared to the other positions. In a matter of a year, the receiver knows the offense better, has a better understanding and feel for the timing of the offense, and has a more mature body (as far as strength & size).

A year can also mean a world of difference in a receiver's confidence. When a receiver has confidence in his own game, his quarterback has more confidence in his receiver.

While I won't pretend to know much about offensive schemes, I do know that many of the routes Tech receivers run are based on how the defender is playing him. He and the QB have to be on the same page in order to properly execute the play. Thus, I believe that as a receiver has more time in a system, he will have a better feel for his reads and a better understanding of what the his QB is looking for.

quote:

---

I do know that many of the routes Tech receivers run are based on how the defender is playing him

---

This is certainly true. The Tech receiver has to be cognizant of what side of his body the defender is on so that he knows exactly how to run a pick on that defender.

The greatest piece of irony for me during last year's season is when we got called for a receiver running a pick in the endzone during the last few minutes of the Tech game. Tech entire offense revolves around receivers picking defenders.

Cosby scares the crap outta me as well. I played him every year since 7th grade. He is going to be one hell of a punt and kick return man for texas. I don't know if he's tall enough to be a great reciever but he is lightning fast and has great moves.

Torquemada - I don't expect giant leaps in our passing game this year because it doesn't appear it will be needed. Most coaches rely on a passing game only when they have to, and that's when you get some substantial development in it. I'm hearing that Selvin Young is up to 225 and is healthy. I don't think there'll be much change in our offense.

Uva Uvum Vivendo Varia Fit

quote:

---

I don't think there'll be much change in our offense.

---

I think that's insanely naive. I don't care how much Selvin weighs, he has never run with the same authority that Benson demonstrated. Selvin has always been the slippery one. I just can't see him changing his entire running style after one offseason (especially after coming off a season ending injury).

So let me get this straight... Selvin is the new Cedric and Ramonce is the new Selvin? I don't think it works that way.

[This message has been edited by SuperDave03 (edited 8/5/2005 5:09p).]

SuperDave - I would suggest that I've seen a lot more tape on the Horns than you have. Selvin ran tough inside when he weighed about 205. He was always much more of a CB type back than he was like Ramonce. The main difference was that he hit the hole quicker but not necessarily better than CB. Sometimes he wouldn't wait for the blocking to develop. With more carries, I suspect he'll learn more patience.

If you think I'm looking through the burnt orange shades, ask BI. He used to say the same stuff and liked SY better than CB.

Uva Uvum Vivendo Varia Fit