Monday, July 21, 2008

2008 TCU football preview: Offense

By Todd E. Jones of College Football Top Ten

For the Horned Frogs offense to improve on the 26.1 points per game, the Frogs will have to be lead by So. QB Andy Dalton. Dalton was the Texas Bowl MVP last year and Honorable Mention Freshman All American by the Sporting News in 2007. Dalton managed the TCU offense with increasing efficiency ending the year with 2459 yards passing with 10 TDs and 11 INTs as well as 232 yards rushing. Dalton’s TD/INT ratio has to be better, but last year Dalton threw just 2 INTs in his last 96 attempts.

TCU also needs to have its two best running backs healthy for 2008. Sr. Aaron Brown returns from injuries which slowed him last season and looks to return to the form that he had his Sophomore season where he generated 1256 yards of total offense (801 yds. rushing, 455 yds. receiving). The Frogs are also hoping that Jr. Joseph Turner (597 yards, 6 TDs) will be healthy and ready to go in the fall. Turner is a big, powerful back that complements Brown’s style of speed and receiving out of the backfield. Turner has the bulk to run between the tackles and has a career average of 5.48 yards per carry. Both backs have the luxury of running behind an experienced line as 4 of 5 starters return. The Offensive Line is anchored by Sr. C Blake Schlueter (6-3, 272) and Jr. LT Marshall Newhouse (6-3, 317). Schlueter was a 2007 Second Team All Mountain West selection and currently on the Rimington Trophy Watch List which is awarded to the nation’s top center. Newhouse was an Honorable-mention All Mountain West selection in 2007.

Dalton’s options became a little more limited at receiver when it was announced that TCU receiver Donald Massey would not return this fall. Also gone is last year’s leading receive Ervin Dickerson who was a senior. However, Dalton returns receivers Walter Bryant (27 rec. , 337 yds), Jimmy Young (23 rec., 325 yds.), and Jeremy Kerley (9 rec., 97 yds). In addition, Aaron Brown (24 rec., 161 yds.) is a great receiver out of the backfield and RB/WR Ryan Christian (18 rec., 139 yds.) is a versatile player who is a capable receiver either out of the backfield or in the slot. Finally, Sr. Shae Reagan is a big play TE who has a career average of 19.7 yards per catch.

With the presence of a balanced attack and a more experienced QB, TCU is primed to have an explosive season on offense. Dalton came up big on the road at Stanford last year when he was 23 for 34, 344 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs. Dalton has the ability to play under center or out of the shotgun. And, with a healthy backfield to keep the offense balanced, we may see even more passing yards from Dalton in 2008.

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