USF offense notes

[Mama_Bull]

USF offense notes

August, 15, 2011

Aug 15 4:30PM ET

By Andrea Adelson

I had a chance to catch up with USF offensive coordinator Todd Fitch. Here are a few of his thoughts on the offense so far in camp:

First we will start with the receivers:

•Fitch said Sterling Griffin is probably the most improved receiver from the time the coaching staff arrived until today. Griffin is coming off ankle surgery and has "shown some great promise." True freshmen Andre Davis and Ruben Gonzalez are competing for depth spots.

•On Terrence Mitchell: "Post-spring, we had Terrence as an outside receiver. We can put him on

some vertical routes but get him some of the underneath throws in the quick passing game to match our run game. When has a 4-, 5-yard cushion, if a guy misses -- that's why he's a great punt returner. The first guy misses and he has a chance to get it for 20-, 30-yard chunks."

•More on Andre Davis: "One of the reasons we took him in recruiting is because he has unbelievable hand-eye coordination. He's got the wingspan of 6-4 guy. In this camp, he's gone up versus all our DBs and goes up and gets it. We can get good matchups one-on-one if we get him isolated on some of the smaller corners."

•On Lindsey Lamar also playing some tailback: "We use him in the slot. He's gotten bigger, stronger. Getting up to 178 pounds for him is a major feat. We're trying to get him back to natural roots, which is tailback. He can help us in the perimeter run game, with draws, too. He has natural running back instincts, unbelievable cutting ability. That's where he's comfortable. As things go well for him, I'd like to get him incorporated at back and slot." Fitch also mentioned Joel Miller and Victor Marc as being used at slot and tailback as well.

•Fitch says he is close to having a two-deep rotation of four receivers each. "We should have a depth chart where feel good at the receiver spot."

On the running backs:

•As of now, Demetris Murray is the No. 1 back and Darrell Scott No. 2, but Fitch says, "They are both starters in our eyes. Both are going to play a ton, and you need two quality backs for sure. You really need three. We think those two guys are both good enough. We'll play the hot hand, but it's going to be a great complement to each other.

•On Scott's work ethic, which some questioned while he was at Colorado: "He comes to work every day. I don't have to get after him. He's not a moody guy, not a lazy guy. For us, he's been tremendous. All I know is what he's done for me here and that's all we have to go by. Some people take advantage of a second chance and realize the mistakes of the past. He's done everything right. I told him relax and don't press. I'm sure he'll be eager to get back on the field."

On the offensive line:

•Fitch believes his starting five has jelled nicely. That starting group has a bit of a different look to it, with guard Chaz Hine having played center for a good chunk of camp. Danous Estenor has moved into Hine's right guard spot and has done a nice job. Hine had played center some in the spring but the main reason behind the changes is because coach Skip Holtz wants his five best players on the field. Estenor has developed into one of the top five linemen. There also is nothing wrong with having a player like Hine trained in two different positions should there be injuries throughout the course of the season.

•Fitch also says he likes the development of Damien Edwards as a third tackle, and believes redshirt freshman Austin Reiter will be a strong contributor as the season goes on at center. Reiter is up to 280 pounds. Senior center Kevin McCaskill has also improved with the competition, giving USF three players who can play at center.

Stay tuned for a blog post this week on B.J. Daniels.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post?id=22335#comments

[bullsbucsfan426]

Just saw that.

It's probably the most intensive thing we've seen that's USF related from her in months.

I'm surprised Murray is starting over Scott with all the good things we've heard about Scott in camp, but hopefully that means that both are playing very well.

[GaUSFBull]

•As of now, Demetris Murray is the No. 1 back and Darrell Scott No. 2, but Fitch says, "They are both starters in our eyes. Both are going to play a ton, and you need two quality backs for sure. You really need three. We think those two guys are both good enough. We'll play the hot hand, but it's going to be a great complement to each other.

Wonder what is up with Shaw - how he's doing in practice, how he's running, etc.  Seems like we have three RBs.  Am I reading into it?

[Mama_Bull]

Seems like Bennett got around more to actually visiting the Big East schools. Since she is in Orlando, I figured she would take a trip to Vero to watch the scrimmage. Of course, she is also doing the non AQ schools, so she probably can't devote as much time to covering the Big East. 

[bullwark]

Mama Bull, I agree with your assessment of AA, I have not been impressed so far with AA.  She has gotten by with picking the low hanging fruit and has yet to offer any real insight or reporting.  On second thought that might be a good thing since she works for the four letter network, no made up news is better than good news.

[deters-]

Just saw that.

It's probably the most intensive thing we've seen that's USF related from her in months.

I'm surprised Murray is starting over Scott with all the good things we've heard about Scott in camp, but hopefully that means that both are playing very well.

The staff knows what Murray can do in game. It's the same with Plancher last year. Murray is the dependable trustworthy pick atm as the "starter". Scott isn't game proven yet. Don't read too much into it.

[RSSMOOTH]

•As of now, Demetris Murray is the No. 1 back and Darrell Scott No. 2, but Fitch says, "They are both starters in our eyes. Both are going to play a ton, and you need two quality backs for sure. You really need three. We think those two guys are both good enough. We'll play the hot hand, but it's going to be a great complement to each other.

Wonder what is up with Shaw - how he's doing in practice, how he's running, etc.  Seems like we have three RBs.  Am I reading into it?

Shaw has been doing very well in practice from what I've watched of him.

[Bull Dozer]

•As of now, Demetris Murray is the No. 1 back and Darrell Scott No. 2, but Fitch says, "They are both starters in our eyes. Both are going to play a ton, and you need two quality backs for sure. You really need three. We think those two guys are both good enough. We'll play the hot hand, but it's going to be a great complement to each other.

Wonder what is up with Shaw - how he's doing in practice, how he's running, etc.  Seems like we have three RBs.  Am I reading into it?

He ran well in the scrimmage this past weekend and from the reports, interviews, etc out there he has looked good in camp.  I think he will be the #3 when all is said and done because he brings speed and a slashing running style that Murray and Scott don't have.  I think the lack of a mention is a motivational thing since we all know who 1a/1b are and Fitch wants to keep the other backs competing and pushing each other. 

[HappyHourHero]

•As of now, Demetris Murray is the No. 1 back and Darrell Scott No. 2, but Fitch says, "They are both starters in our eyes. Both are going to play a ton, and you need two quality backs for sure. You really need three. We think those two guys are both good enough. We'll play the hot hand, but it's going to be a great complement to each other.

Wonder what is up with Shaw - how he's doing in practice, how he's running, etc.  Seems like we have three RBs.  Am I reading into it?

Like everyone else has said, he's doing very good things in camp. But I read something a little bit ago that said he's been putting the ball on the ground a little but. But other than that he's doing well.

[GoBulls84]

Lamar getting up to 180 lbs is really good news to me