ODJ: Offensive Shift

Everybody likes a little versatility at the offensive skill positions. This spring, however, the Temple football team has taken that concept to the extreme.

During their first dozen practice sessions, every notable tailback except senior Marcellous Grigsby spent at least a couple days at wide receiver. From veteran ballcarrier Jason Harper to newcomers James Nixon and Jared Williams, the positions flip-flopped faster than a Travis Shelton 40.

Ironically, Shelton is one player who hasn’t been shifted from spot to spot. After spending much of last season as a “pitch man” at running back – getting the ball almost exclusively on speed-based running plays to the outside – Shelton returned to a wideout position this spring and hasn’t budged.

Meanwhile, a guy like Marquise Liverpool has shifted from wide receiver to tailback, where his combination of speed and compact power makes for some interesting possibilities.

Liverpool had a one-yard touchdown run in the team’s most recent scrimmage this past weekend, according to a report on Temple’s website.

But we probably shouldn’t read too much into the numbers. Because there’s really no telling where these guys will be lining up in the fall.

At this point, the Owls are still terribly thin at tailback. There’s no guarantee that any of their freshman recruits will make it to campus in August. Redshirt freshman Joe Jones is no sure thing coming back from an Achilles injury. And Daryl Robinson isn’t going to double-switch back from cornerback to tailback.

That explains the long look at Liverpool, last summer’s highly-touted addition, whose lack of height is his biggest (and perhaps only) drawback as a wide receiver. But it doesn’t explain why Harper, Nixon, and Williams have been spending so much time catching passes.

Recently, it seems that Williams has taken the lead at tailback, where Coach Al Golden has emphasized that he’s more interested in power and determination than pure speed. Williams had 15 carries for 42 yards in this weekend’s scrimmage. Grigsby had seven carries for 28 yards.

Physically, Williams resembles Harper and Grigsby with a powerful upper body. Nixon is built more like Robinson.

With limited practice time, it appears that the Owls are taking a look at every possible backfield permutation this spring. Later this summer they’ll decide who to use and how to use them. So it helps to have all of the choices on videotape – sort of like those old episodes of Love Connection.

And what about the wide receivers?

Bruce Francis and Dy’Onne Crudup are still the most reliable guys on campus. Shelton is still the most dangerous, provided he can demonstrate the kind of ball-catching skills to complement his straight-line speed. And guys like Liverpool, Mike Campbell, and Delano Green are back and hopefully better.

Wide receiver also happens to be a position where the Owls signed a number of prospects in February. So the numbers will be boosted in August, and as Campbell proved last season, it’s a spot where a newcomer can play immediately.

It remains to be seen whether Harper will stay at wideout. Nixon is a more likely candidate.

Top to bottom, the Owls still lack depth at running back and wide receiver. That’s why they’ve taken what appear to be such extreme measures this spring.