Wildcat RBS face change in duties
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky will ask a lot of its running backs this season.
Carrying the ball might be the least of their responsibilities
New Wildcats offensive coordinator Neal Brown is implementing his passoriented “Air Raid” scheme that means the tailbacks’ first priorities are catching passes and blocking.
Seniors Jonathan George and Raymond Sanders say that shifting their mindset from punishing defenses rushing the ball to improving their receiving and blocking skills has been an adjustment.
Still, they’re mindful that the ground game will be important to help the Wildcats establish the pass.
“The running back is a really important part of this offense,” said George, who was second to Sanders in rushing last season with 504 yards and four touchdowns. “We really have to be more versatile as far as catching the ball because there are opportunities to make more plays out of the backfield and running the ball.”
Running backs coach Chad Scott “has taught us all a lot of great techniques to improve our games and put us in position to win those one-on-one battles in the trenches. And blocking has gone really well for me so far.”
In some ways the duties are similar to what the backs had to do in Kentucky’s former spread formation, where they had to pick up blitzing linebackers or defensive backs and get free to give the quarterbacks an option to beat the pressure.
George has shown he can do all three, adding 21 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown last season along with contributing on special teams.
Sanders, who rushed for 669 yards and five TDs as a junior, said he has had to expand his repertoire. An able receiver (18 catches, 111 yards in 2012), he’s adapting to getting more touches in the passing game but has focused on blocking better and making protection calls.
“I’ve had to just work on my game with cuts and pass blocking, just getting better at the little things that can help instinctively,” said the 5- 8, 187-pounder, who has added 15 pounds since coming to Kentucky.
“We definitely have to be able to pass block to give the quarterback time to make plays. I’ve watched a lot of film to take things forward so I can be comfortable at the line of scrimmage.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Two Aggies suspended: Texas A&M announced game suspensions for cornerback Deshazor Everett and safety Floyd Raven, both suspended from the team since July following their arrests on charges of misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief.
Athletic director Eric Hyman says Everett will be suspended for half of a game and Raven will be suspended for one game.
At the time of their arrests, College Station police said Everett and Raven were charged after an April 7 fight at an apartment complex. Police said two people reported being attacked by a group that included Everett and Raven.
Everett had a late interception to help seal the Aggies’ 29-24 upset win at top-ranked Alabama last November.
A&M opens the season Saturday against Rice.