| 07 December 2010
The internet is abuzz with talk of an offer to Akise Teague after his exceptional performance in the state championship game where Teague had five touchdowns, all of them highlight reel material. There were a few eyebrows raised about Teague as a corner since the only two times he was on the screen on defense he did not do himself any favors.
Lets forget about defense. I was one that argued that Ted Ginn should play on offense despite the fact that he was National Defensive Player of the Year according to USA Today when he came out of high school because he was such a playmaker that you have to put the ball in his hands. I think the need at corner is greater so Teague playing there was something I brought up. Is the need for a corner greater? I am not so sure when I think about that.
No position on the roster was deeper than flanker/slot on this team. Seven players primary position was slot/flanker this 2010 season. The thing is three of those seven are graduating with two, Dane Sanzenbacher and Taurian Washington, being the most experienced players at the position. That leaves four young players. Seems enough, right? I have concerns.
As talented as Corey Brown is I am concerned that he leaped over Chris Fields and James Jackson rather easily and left James Louis sitting in his dust. Did we see any of them on the field at all? I know Jackson redshirted but I do not recall seeing Fields or Jackson on the field ever. I understand the talent that we have in Corey Brown. If any of the others were looking like they had it, it seems they would have earned some reps at some point.
That brings me to my point. I think we need to add a flanker to this roster. I am sure that Devin Smith is a split end. I am not sure about Evan Spencer but I think he is likely a split end but could be a flanker. I would like to see a player brought in to be a flanker/slot from the moment he is brought into camp. That the staff is still looking at Teague and Patton, both as flanker/slots, says the staff sees where it could be a need.
Why not take both? We have no sure thing beyond Philly Brown. With Teague you have a player who could play corner if the talent at flanker proves out. I think taking both is an upgrade in talent no matter what. Patton on the depth chart allows us to look at Louis at corner, another position where we have a great deal of uncertainty.
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