Wide receiver thoughts

It was Robert McClain III day in the JI. I didn't think he was very big until I stood next to him. 5-9 197 is a big and strong corner. Hell, 15 more pounds and he can play fullback. He is a physical player.

Since Tuesday, wide receivers have been on my mind.

I will be the first to admit that it's impossible to make assumptions from a two hour practice, but the one thing that is bugging about this team is wide receiver. I don't see it getting much better than last year. In fact, with the loss of Terrence Jeffers, I see it regressing a bit. The top two receivers are converted from running back, Brad Kanuch, and quarterback, D.J. Hernandez.

Seeing Kanuch with wrap around his leg is disconcerting. Who knows if he will ever get 100 percent. Hernandez has turned into a decent possession receiver, but he isn't the kind of burner the team is looking for. Hernandez helps, but I am not expecting 7 catches a game. Kanuch last year had one touchdown catch.

Darius Butler? We'll see, he certainly has the explosion, but he has to be a secondary player and luxury, not a necessity. Flat out, they have to be able to pass the ball without Darius Butler. If they can't, then that is a problem.

That leaves Kashif Moore, who Randy Edsall said needs to use his athleticism and be "football fast" and a whole bunch of no ideas. Kevin Poles last received positive attention as a true frosh. Isiah Moore? Not sure he can help, as I am also not sure Marcus Easley and the walk-on brigade will provide much.

It's going to come down to the true frosh's, and that is a dangerous game. Gerrard Sheppard caught my eye just because he looks like a tremendous athlete. He has one year of high school football under his belt however. That is the definition of project. How can you ask him to be a consistent performer?

Brian Parker has nice size too. Didn't notice Michael Smith. Slim pickings indeed. UConn better hope at least one of those guys pans out.

The best receiver may end up being Andre Dixon out of the backfield. Love Jordan Todman and even Robbie Frey catching the ball out of the backfield. Todman is an electrifying player. Catch a drift?

The best offensive players on the team are all running backs. If I had to rank them, Brown, Dixon and then Todman would be my top threats. I like having Dixon in the game and if he lines up in the slot could make some plays. Martin Bedard and Steve Brouse are nice targets at tight end.

If the Huskies are going to win they aren't going to do it throwing the ball all over the field. They don't have the QB for it, and even if they did, not sure there are enough options at receiver. Don't want to be an alarmist, but the spring wasn't good on the wide receiver unit and they didn't look good on Tuesday.

Random thought: What do you think about getting Zach Frazer one or two series a game? If Frazer can get the ball deep (assuming someone can get down the field even remotely open) then why not? Quarterback tandems work best when the second QB coming in is different. Just a thought.

I like the idea and will take credit for it if it works. If it doesn't work? I'll blame Edsall for messing with chemistry.

Off topic: Working a lot on the desk a lot this summer and at a PM paper that means the deadline is around 10 a.m. To work the desk, I come in a couple of times a week at 3:30 a.m. (not a typo).

One thing I have learned -- there are so many weird people on the radio that late. The FAN is silly, and I have started listening to this thing called coast to coast on 1080. They talk about shadow people (don't ask), spirits and ghosts. Today some psychic women called in and wants to get the voices out of her head. The "expert" recommended she sleep low to the ground and not sleep with metal. The women is in a wheelchair. She was crying her eyes out. I was scared out of my mind. No one is up at 3:30 a.m. I started looking for shadow people. Who gets scared from the radio on the way to work? Not a great feeling to start the day.

From now on, its 1410 on the way in.

Cost of Gas: I figured it out, $15 a day to get to work and back on gas. OUCH!