Coach Wannstedt’s press conference on Monday produced the main story in both papers about Conredge Collins seeing the ball more.
On Conredge Collins’ role in the offense:
Because we weren’t sure if LaRod was 100 percent, leading up to the game we had Conredge get a lot more work than what he normally might, just as an insurance policy. Kevin Collier didn’t get into the game, Shane Brooks did. We’ll continue to rotate all those backs but it’s difficult trying to get them all work. Conredge is one guy, other than LaRod, that has some experience. Even though he’s just a sophomore he’s the most experienced (fullback) we’ve got from a playing time standpoint. In certain situations he’s the guy we want to give the football to. Yes, we expect to try to get him some more carries. That will be a week-to-week thing depending on what we’re trying to do.
As noted, both papers ran with that. There’s the recapping that Collins wants to be used more as a tailback, not a fullback — stuff that has been covered before. Collins was expected to see plenty of work back in the spring drills. Eventually getting back, to the “team player” cliches and approach.
Collins is hoping the Panthers continue to hand him the ball and that his production gives the coaching staff the confidence to know he can carry the load — at tailback or fullback — in the case of an emergency.
“I take what they give me,” Collins said. “They keep increasing it every week so, hopefully, this week I get a little bit more and, by the end of the season, I’ll be an impact player.”
It’s more interesting that Collins admits the mind-set is harder to be a fullback — blocking for someone else to get the success.
“The blocking is rough,” Collins said. “Any time you are doing something you aren’t used to it is an adjustment, but it is something I am still working on and I know I am getting better. I’m getting there. In the spring I was getting plowed over and put on my back but I’m making good blocks now so it is coming along.”
So does it mean Collins is going to take a bigger role in the offense? You’ll excuse me if I hedge a bit. Right now, I have trouble believing anything said about what is happening with player roles. The TEs were expected to see a lot of work, and that has not been the case in large part because the WRs have stepped up significantly. The young players were expected to see a lot more action at key spots, but instead they have very slowly been making appearances and not with major impact. None of that thrown to the fire thing we were expecting.
I’m not convinced he’s going to be getting the bulk of the carries or be an offensive centerpiece. If LaRod Stephens-Howling is healthy, he’s still a great option at tailback. Shane Brooks has looked good at spots. Dickerson and Collier will be getting touches. Right now, if he sees 8-10 touches (running and catching), then he is getting a lot of work in the offense (for the record, he had 5 carries and 2 catches versus MSU).
The running game just hasn’t happened as hoped. Once again, the eyes go to the O-line. Probably why Howling may be the best option when healthy. He can squeeze through the smaller seems and cracks they do make.
