Let's avoid being coy, shall we, and just admit that TCU football coach Dennis Franchione has a rather delicate situation to resolve involving his quarterback position. As I see it, Franchione must examine three issues, and consider all major factors, in order to come to a logical conclusion: - If senior Patrick Batteaux remains the quarterback, the issue remains the weak passing game and the offensive game's predictability. The offense must somehow compensate for this predictability. - If true freshmen Casey Printers becomes quarterback, the Frogs offense inherits the ability to move the ball down the field in bigger chunks, but without the same predictability. Without Batteaux, halfback Ladainian Tomlinson is forced to run between the tackles, making him less effective, because of his running style. - In either scenario, if the Frogs offense is to be effective they must replace Royce Huffman, whose versatile role last season as the complimentary go-to-guy sometimes rescued offensive drives. Huffman, understandably, is in a reduced role this season because of a professional baseball commitment. What should Franchione do? Should he remain loyal to incumbent starter Batteaux, who last season led TCU to its first post-season victory in 41 seasons. Or should he defer to an equally poised, but inexperienced Printers? Loyalty or logistics? It's a tough decision, I'm sure, but I believe I may have a workable solution. If Franchione is as smart as I think he is, he's already figured it out. Printers has the arm, the Frogs need a go-to-guy, and Batteuax needs a role in the offense that accentuates his strengths and minimizes his liabilities. So, if the Frogs need a versatile role player, wouldn't Batteaux be outstanding in that capacity? Batteaux' s brilliant ability to read and execute the option gives him half of what it takes to be one of the best college quarterbacks in the country. Why take him off the field just because he can't throw the ball? What Franchione should do is utilize the talent of Batteaux. Picture this: Say Printers started against Arkansas St., threw for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, and Tomlinson mixed in another 50 yards between the tackles. Then, as the defense prepared for more passing, hypothetically on a 3-and 2 situation at midfield, Printers took off down the line and pitched toBatteaux! Good enough for first-down yardage! Quickly, Printers exits as Batteaux and Tomlinson run the option offense the last 45 yards for a score. The next offensive series Printers is back in at quarterback, and a stunned defense is left to wonder when they'll see Batteuax again. Maybe at receiver. Maybe at running back. Maybe never. Batteaux would no longer be a starter, but Franchione could insert him anywhere in the lineup, in any given situation. Batteaux is a former wide receiver, a good ball handler, and he usually makes sharp decisions. I'm inclined to believe he also throws well just not while he's trying to convert a 3rd and 11 in the middle of a collapsing pocket. Remember how many times Huffman bailed out TCU's offense with his key contributions and incomparable versatility? I think this one factor Huffman's absence has hurt the Frogs offense more than any quarterback woes. Huffman was often used as the element of surprise, which the Frogs desperately need. But, the fact remains not just any player can handle this role. As I mentioned, Batteuax's an extremely intelligent person. Smart players make sharp decisions, especially when they have that element of surprise with which to work. Batteaux also has Franchione's endorsement as a self-sacrificing player who does whatever is necessary for the betterment of the team. "I love what [Batteuax] has done for this program since he's been here," Franchione told Star-Telegram columnist Jim Reeves. "I mean, he didn't ask to be quarterback." And Batteaux probably wouldn't ask to be a role-player, either. But like Huffman, he is versatile and experienced enough to play many positions. If Printers is the quarterback of TCU's future, maybe the future is now. But if Batteaux is one of the eleven best offensive players on this football team, he should be on the field. Maybe just not under center.
Tim Skaggs is a senior speech communications major from Fort Worth. He can be reached at (Pahprboy@aol.com).
By Joel Anderson staff reporter Horned Frogs football head coach Dennis Franchione was staring intently at the disappointment unfolding before him. TCU was in the waning moments of a 17-7 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats, and Franchione's squad was letting the game slip out of their grasps. When freshman quarterback Casey Printers scrambled for the ball after an errant snap by junior center Jeff Garner, Franchione noticeably grimaced in disgust.
"In a lot of ways we're not much different than we were at this point last year," Franchione said. "We're a handful of plays away from being 2-0." Except for several missed tackles on Arizona receiver Dennis Northcutt, and a couple of big plays by Northwestern receiver Sam Simmons, the Horned Frogs could be 2-0. But an old coaches' adage says that most games are decided by four or five plays, and in the Frogs' case, those plays were decidedly in the favor of their opponents. "We just didn't take advantage of our opportunities, and they did take advantage of theirs," Franchione said. "Obviously we're disappointed to be where we are with our record, but the open week came at a good time for us to get some work done." With the bulk of TCU's remaining schedule coming from mediocre conference opponents, and an upcoming game against a less-than formidable Arkansas State, Franchione discussed the Horned Frog's positives and negatives through two weeks of play during a half-hour interview:
Franchione's three things that don't need fixin'. 1. Run defense- TCU ranks first in the Western Athletic Conference in rushing yards allowed, giving up an impressive 47.5 yards per game. 2. First half offense against Arizona- An offense that generated 16 first-half points against the Wildcats, including 144 rushing yards by LaDainian Tomlinson, couldn't be all that bad. 3. Kicking game- "Except for one big play against Northwestern," Franchione said. He was speaking of the 87-yard punt return for a touchdown by the Wildcats' Sam Simmons. Otherwise, TCU has been solid on special teams. Huffman is averaging only 38 yards per punt, but he has been particularly effective in keeping the punts inside the opponents' 20-yard-line. The Frogs' kickoff and punt return units rank at the top of the conference.
Franchione's three things that need fixin'. 1. Penalties- TCU has accumulated 22 penalties in its first two games. Most of the penalties have been of the illegal motion variety, but two personal foul penalties have come at inopportune times for the Frogs. The first personal foul penalty was assessed against senior defensive tackle J.W. Wilson for fighting. He was ejected, and on the next play, Arizona scored a touchdown. In last week's game against Northwestern, junior wide receiver Cedric James drew a penalty flag for a personal foul. That penalty moved the Frogs out of field goal range, and Royce Huffman had to punt instead. 2. Pass defense- TCU is ranked 113th out of 114 Division 1-A teams in passing efficiency defense. 'Nuff said. 3. Lack of execution- The Horned Frogs are converting only 25 percent of their third downs, last in the WAC. If TCU doesn't gain yardage on its first two downs, it's asking a lot for a run-based offense to pass for a first down. Franchione said he hopes his troops don't focus too much on pre-season conference favorite Fresno State, and overlook a winless Arkansas State squad. "We're in no position to overlook anybody," Franchione said. "(Arkansas State) had 400 yards of offense after three quarters against a tough Mississippi team. We couldn't be smart if we overlook these guys."
Joel Anderson
By Courtney Wheeless staff reporter Intramural participants will not be blaming team losses on the referees anymore, said Lance Steffen, director of intramural sports. The biggest challenge in intramurals, besides running a high quality program, is the challenge that comes with students officiating their own peers, he said. "It seemed like last year different games you could get away with different things," said Travis Parker, a junior marketing major. To ease the situation, Steffen is requiring new training sessions for officials before they are given the opportunity to be employed by the TCU intramurals program. All training sessions are scheduled before each intramural sport season. Varying times are allotted for each sport's session. Five-on-five basketball officials will be expected to complete a two-day, six-hour clinic, while softball officials will only need one hour of training before they oversee their first game. "Hopefully, the teams will have more respect for each other and the game if the referees are more educated about the rules," said Tanner Watkins, intramural chairman for the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Steffen, with the assistance of all intramural sports supervisors, will lead the training clinics which begin in a classroom setting. An overview of the sport is presented before the rules for officiating are taught. After being tested on rules and regulations, the officials are given the opportunity to put their new knowledge into practice. Referees take turns at every position they will be expected to officiate at during a game. Steffen said it is essential to provide the officials with good training that will promote beneficial experiences and heighten the number of returning officials each year. "You can talk a lot in the classroom about rules, but the veterans allow us to have the new people see all the things they do right," Steffen said, "It allows them to have an on-hand experience." Steffen said one of the reasons officials received a payroll increase a year-and-a-half ago was in hopes of retaining more officials from year to year. In the past, referees received minimum wage for officiating work, but with the raise an official earns $6.50 per game. "We increased payroll to help with retention and to stay with the competition of surrounding area jobs," Steffen said.
Courtney Wheeless
By Matt Welnack staff reporter Coach Dennis Franchione is waiting to find out about senior Patrick Batteaux's injured left thumb before he names the starting quarterback for TCU's game against Arkansas State Saturday. "We're not settled exactly on who is the starter at this time," Franchione said. Batteaux partially tore a ligament in his thumb on his left hand during the fourth quarter of the TCU's 17-7 loss to Northwestern Sept.11. He has been wearing a hard cast on his hand since practice resumed last week. "It feels pretty good, it's healed a lot," Batteaux said. "I think I'll be all right. I just have to be focused on what I have to do. I can't worry about my thumb." Franchione said trainers will take Batteaux's cast off today to see if his hand has healed enough to play Saturday. If Batteaux can not properly grip the ball, then freshman Casey Printers will most likely make his first collegiate start against the Indians. Printers has been practicing with the first-team offense which led sources close to the football team to speculate that he will start this weekend. Franchione said Printers is in the game plan in case Batteaux is unable to play, but senior quarterback Jeff Dover and red-shirt freshman Sean Stilley have also seen some practice time. Quarterback situation aside, Franchione said his main concern about this weekend is the play of the offense overall. "I'm concerned that we've got to get all 11 guys going the right way and doing the right way and being efficient," Franchione said. "We'd just like to get going in the right direction going into conference play."
Matt Welnack |
Several days later in his plush office, Franchione was sitting
in his chair comfortably and calmly grinning at the thought of last week's
game.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |