Roundtable: Techs best player
RRS publisher Chris Level, managing editor Aaron Dickens, associate editor
Michael Graham and staff writer Will McKay weigh in on three Texas Tech football questions in this
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installment of The Roundtable.
1.) WHAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST DURING FALL CAMP?
Dickens: "I can't get over how quickly Bradley Marquez has
transitioned from a record-setting running back at Odessa (Texas) to a receiver
getting reps with Tech's first-team offense.
"We all knew that Marquez was a tremendous athlete, fast and versatile -- he
was, after all, drafted this summer by the New York Mets -- but playing receiver
involves more than an electric 40 time. Playing wideout is about catching the
football, running precise routes, blocking downfield and much more.
"In less than three months, Marquez has improved enough in those areas -- again,
starting practically from scratch -- to the point where he's entering the first
game week listed in the Red Raiders' two-deep."
Graham: "Easily, the most surprising thing from fall camp was how
quickly the offensive line went from a team strength to a potential weakness.
"Entering August the big question was whether the defensive line had enough
depth to revamp itself into a competitive unit. The answer is that it has enough
talent to compete with Red Raiders' first-team offensive line and overwhelms the
second and third teams.
"We don't know what any of that really means until Tech starts lining up against
guys in different colored jerseys but it's clear that there's a fine line
between offensive linemen that are competitive against Tech's defensive line and
those that are not.
"With starting center
Justin Keown out, offensive coordinator Neal Brown said he trusts about six available guys right now. That's two
injuries away from having a significant gap in the line and a potential depth
issue on par with the defensive line woes last year."
Level: "I think the biggest surprise has been how much better Tech's
2011 signing class was than we all originally thought. We knew they were good on
paper, sure, but I don't think anyone expected this kind of impact this early.
"I think overall competition in camp has been better at a variety of positions
because of the newcomers. Plus, you have guys like Sam Eguavoen,
Pete Robertson and Bradley Marquez that are pushing harder for
immediate playing time than we all thought they would at this point.
"Still, all of this should be qualified by noting that the lights haven't been
turned on yet and we don't know how they're going to respond to playing in an
actual Division I game. But up to this point, the results from the Red Raiders'
2011 class have exceeded expectations."
McKay: ""The increase in depth and ability on the defensive line has
been the biggest surprise for me this fall. Newcomers Leon Mackey and
Dennell Wesley have met expectations thus far, and returning players
such as Kerry Hyder,
Aundrey Barr and
Jackson Richards have all been very
productive during camp. There isn't a tremendous amount of experience there, but
talent doesn't seem to be an issue. Look for the Red Raiders' defensive front
four to make a big impact this fall.""
2.) WHO IS THE BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER ON TECH'S ROSTER RIGHT NOW?
Dickens: "I think the best football player on the roster right now is
Lonnie Edwards. He consistently performs at a high level, is the most
experienced player on offense and is regarded in many corners as one of the two
or three best offensive guards in the Big 12.
"There aren't many Red Raiders that can match those credentials. Guys like
Leon Mackey or
Ronnie Daniels could end up being the roster's
best at some point in the future, but I've got to go with Edwards until someone
proves on the field that they're better."
Graham: "The player that will make the biggest difference, whether he
is the best player or not, is quarterback Seth Doege.
"The Red Raiders will lean on the junior quarterback more than any other player.
Doege is a guy that touches the ball on every offensive play and the team's
drives will live and die on his decisions.
"From what we've seen, honestly, Doege has easily separated himself a great
distance from the rest of the quarterback field. Sure, he'll make some mistakes
like any first-year starter, but he was very consistent throughout fall camp,
showed good arm strength and even better touch.
"He reminds me of an inexperienced Graham Harrell. Just as Harrell grew up
before our eyes, so will Doege and the good will vastly outweigh the bad.
"Doege will be a top three player at least.
"In terms of raw skill, defensive end Leon Mackey will be an All-Big 12 player
Level: "Eric StephensClick at the end of this season."Here to view this Link.. There's nothing that I need to see from
Stephens that I haven't seen over the last two years. He fulfills a variety of
roles for the Red Raiders -- he is the featured running back, he returns kicks,
he's a weapon in the passing game and he can operate out of the Wildcat.
"You know what you're getting with Stephens. You're not hoping for, 'Man, I
think he can turn out to be the guy.' He's already there. On paper anyways, he's
the best offensive player Tech has, and Neal Brown would tell you the
same thing."
McKay: "I think I'll go with Seth Doege, but the left side of the
offensive line and Eric Stephens were also heavily considered. While
Doege may not be the best player physically or athletically, he's thrown a mere
four interceptions in over 400 attempts during camp. He's looked razor sharp at
times, keeps his cool under pressure, and seems to be able to make every throw
in the book with relative ease. Things may change when he's thrown into a real
game situation, but with guys like Lonnie Edwards protecting him and
Darrin Moore to throw to, his job will be a little easier."
3.) IF THE TOTAL IS SET AT FIVE FOR NUMBER OF NEWCOMERS THAT START AT
LEAST ONCE FOR TECH THIS YEAR, ARE YOU TAKING THE OVER OR UNDER?
Dickens: "Over. Easily over. Five newcomers from a much less heralded
class started at least one game for the Red Raiders in 2010, and two of the
program's 2011 signees -- Leon Mackey and Blake Dees -- are already
slated to start this fall. All it would take for Ronnie Daniels to start would
be Tech's offense opening the game in a two-back set. Dennell Wesley
and Delvon Simmons are both capable of starting.
"Injuries are part of the game, they're going to happen. With as many newcomers
as the Red Raiders have in the two-deep, I think the odds are good that more
than five newcomers log at least one start this season."
Graham: "This is a tricky question but I'm going to take the under.
"Starts are based on who shows up on the field for the first snap of the game.
For example, running back Ronnie Daniels will see significant playing time but
Eric Stephens and Aaron Crawford are ahead of him right now and would be the
first two guys on the field. Therefore, Daniels wouldn't be counted as a
starter.
"I personally think eight or nine newcomers will see significant playing time
but I think, barring injuries, none of the freshmen will be able to supplant
upperclassmen aside from linebacker Blake Dees and maybe receiver Bradley
Marquez.
"So that gives you Leon Mackey, Dennell Wesley, Marquez and Dees at best. Four.
"Defensively, strong safety
Pete Robertson, linebacker Sam Eguavoen and
defensive end Delvon Simmons are capable second stringers while running backs
Kenny Williams are capable of getting touches if it comes
down to it."
Level: "Over. Injuries happen, that's part of football. Pete
Robertson's probably going to start a game if one of Tech's safeties gets hurt.
Leon Mackey is going to start. Dennell Wesley could end up starting more than
one game. Delvon Simmons could start a game. Blake Dees is going to start the
season. I could go on and on, but you get the idea."
McKay: "Under. The only newcomers I see starting right now are Blake
Dees, Leon Mackey and possibly Ronnie Daniels. While I expect guys like Jace
Amaro, Bradley Marquez, Sam Eguavoen, and Pete Robertson to get their fair share
of playing time, they all have older, more experienced guys starting in front of
them. If the team stays healthy and current starters meet expectations, then
don't count on a large number of newcomers to be in the starting lineup."