Improving the passing game was one of the first goals brought up by coach Frank Solich at the start of spring practice.
Since November, it's been up to receivers coach Derek Mason and his players to improve on the weaknesses that contributed to a 45 percent completion rate by Bobcat quarterbacks last season.
The emphasis (in) the off-season definitely was catching the ball
Mason said. Guys were out catching balls on the tennis ball machine getting anywhere from 300 to 500 touches a day. I think the goal there was just to increase the hand-eye coordination to give us a chance to be more consistent catching the ball. Obviously we put a few on the ground last year but I think towards the end of the season we got better.
Another remedy for Ohio's throwing woes is the simplification of the offense. When Solich and his staff came to Athens, they brought a long list of offensive plays and routes for the receivers, which the Bobcat offense did not take well to. The coaches are trying out a more straightforward approach this time around.
I think we missed a lot of opportunities that we had last year
receiver Scott Mayle said. I think with simplifying it down
we're giving the quarterbacks an easier read and the receivers easier options.
We had too many combinations we tried to run last year
and that didn't work
receiver Justin Riley said. So I think they simplified it down including runs
which will make it easier for us and for the young guys to learn.
The young guys
include Brandon Peterson, Thad Turner and three incoming freshmen, in addition to two players who enrolled at Ohio for Spring Quarter ' Chris Garett, whom Mason called explosive
and junior college transfer Chido Nwokocha.
Veterans Mayle, Riley, William Norwood and Ahmona Maxwell, as well as Justin Fitzgerald, who is sitting out the spring with an injury, combined for more than 60 percent of the Bobcats' receiving yards in 2005. Their experience, along with the new talent, give Mason a variety of options come the fall.
I think the ultimate goal is to bring in young guys to push us and to get more depth
Riley said. If we're going to throw the ball a lot
