Fixing the Frogs

By: Andrew Brown

Horned Frog fan or not, TCU is easily one of the most frustrating teams in the country this season.

The defense is stacked with veteran playmakers, is top-5 the country in sacks despite playing without injured All-American defensive end Devonte Fields, and is anchored by a secondary that head coach Gary Patterson says is the best secondary he has ever had (a statement with which I am inclined to agree).

The problem is that the defense can’t get off the field.

TCU’s offensive woes this season have been well documented. The Frogs have struggled against every defense they have faced this season and have been absolutely shut down by top-flight defenses like LSU and Oklahoma.

TCU’s passing attack should be electric this season with playmakers at every receiver position, a stable of versatile running backs to catch the ball out of the backfield, and an experienced dual-threat QB in Trevone Boykin.

As it is the Frogs rank no. 100 (out of 123) in the country in passing this season. Through six games, Boykin has thrown less than 1,000 yards and has a dismal 5:4 touchdown-to-INT ratio. The receivers can’t get open or create enough separation to give Boykin a chance to develop any kind of rhythm, and the inexperienced offensive line has not been able to compensate for the inabilities of the wide receivers, leaving Boykin with little time to make a decision, which has resulted in 10 sacks of the elusive Boykin so far this year.

The Frogs’ running game should be a devastating four-headed monster with Boykin as the triggerman for explosive runners like the veteran Waymon James, the revelation that is BJ Catalon, and the unproven but immensely talented Aaron Green.

TCU has disappointed in this category as well, though, ranking 90^th in the country thus far. The Frogs have run for 848 yards this year and are averaging 141.3 yards per game, which would be a respectable number, except that it is not enough to make up for the lack of a passing game.

So... What’s the deal?

At this point TCU’s offense is generating more questions and finger pointing than points and has shown no signs of improvement. Typically in situations like this, the root of the problem is either a glaring and significant fault in the overall scheme, or it is because players are trying to do too much and straying from the game plan in order to play hero ball.

TCU is a curious case because neither of these conditions can be cited as the source of its offensive issues. There is no glaring system failure here, because when the offense is run correctly it works. The only player who could be accused of hero ball antics are Boykin and wide receiver Brandon Carter, who Patterson has already benched at times and pulled from punt return duties. Boykin’s love for dropping his head and taking off prematurely has irritated TCU fans, but in all honesty is a habit that has been developed more out of sheer necessity and survival instinct. So what is it then?

The problem is that the team’s offensive schemes are not being executed correctly. This lack of execution doesn’t come from poor coaching, or a bad game plan, or even insignificant effort. It stems from the simple fact that the scheme does not work with the personnel TCU has.

The basic premise of TCU’s offense is similar to Oregon’s. It spreads out the field as wide as possible to create as much open, uncluttered space as it can to give its athletes room to work. This is a proven concept that has resulted in historic offensive numbers when run correctly.

TCU has faltered this year because they are unable to do three things that are essential to the success of a spread attack:

1) Their receivers aren’t good blockers, which eliminates the ability to run inside and bubble screens and other quick hitting pass plays that are designed to extend the running game to both sidelines. TCU hasn’t been able to use these screen plays this year with any consistency which has made the passing game one-dimensional.

2) The offensive line is being asked to do more than it is ready to do. The read option is an incredibly difficult play to execute. It takes a combination of so many things, like edge blocking from the wide receivers, timing, anticipation, and crafty ball handling from the quarterback for a smooth handoff, the correct read of the strong side defensive end.. etc. The line is the most essential part to the play though, because they have to remain disciplined and keep their zones locked down. It takes developed chemistry and timing that TCU’s young and inexperienced line simply doesn’t have.

3) The tempo and pace of play of the offense is all over the map. They have allowed the defense to dictate the tempo so far this year, the result of which has prevented any chance of creating rhythm and offensive momentum.

The adjustments to 2 and 3 are easy fixes. The Frogs need to increase the speed of their offense by shaving off anywhere from 5-10 seconds between plays. Hurrying up the offense would give the defense less time to get set, creating more gaps. This would maximize the spread structure that is designed to attack open space in the defense. Additionally the Frogs would have less time to overthink what they are doing, which would result in their natural athletic ability taking over. There is also the obvious factor of running more offensive plays during the course of the game.

The fixes in the run game are simple to me as well. The read option is too big of a part of the offense to just scrap it all together. But before the Frogs can run it, they HAVE to establish the running backs. The way you do that is by running more basic run plays from the pistol and under center. Simplify the blocking schemes and give line a chance by giving them very specific blocking assignments. TCU’s line is actually pretty massive and can overwhelm opposing D-lines (Texas is the only notable defensive line left on the schedule for the Frogs) if they are told exactly who to obliterate each play. Once the running backs are carrying the ball for five or six yards a carry (including designed runs by Boykin) then they can start pulling the ball out and using the zone read as more of a change of pace, rather than as the offense’s premier running play.

The passing game is a little bit trickier to figure out. Because they rely so heavily on the quick-hitters and screens in their passing game, they don’t really have a solution for what to do when it isn’t working. Basically, the passing game has become predictable and unestablished.

To combat this the Frogs need to start running plays and route combinations that maximize the skills of each individual receiver. TCU needs to take more deep shots and jump ball shots, and run more possession routes like 5-12 yard stops, hitches, outs, etc. for big receivers like Josh Doctson, LaDarius Brown and Cam White. Don’t ask them to do too much, just let them use their size and pick up chunks of yards consistently.

The smaller, speedier receivers like Brandon Carter, Ja’Juan Story, and Kolby Listenbee have actually been used effectively this year by attacking the seams by finding space behind the linebackers, or by running crossing routes underneath the defense. They just haven’t been able to haul in the passes, dropping more than their fair share of throws. If that group stays the course then they are too talented to not deliver, especially if they see a boost in production from teammates.

Finally, and this is most important in my opinion, Ty Slanina has to be used more. Much, much more. As a freshman Slanina is already the Frogs’ best receiver. He runs crisp routes, catches almost everything thrown his way, has tremendously underrated athletic ability, and has an uncanny knack for finding space and getting open. His presence around the middle of the field can do for TCU what Wes Welker has done for New England and Denver in the NFL. He is the difference this team needs, and he needs to be utilized more.

In summary, the problems with the offense rest with the entire offense. TCU is an example of how small problems in each segment can compound into an overall institutional failure. The fixes are going to have to all come at once, and I think it starts with fitting the system to the players, rather than the other way around. If the Frogs can simplify their running game and maximize the individual skills of their talented receivers then the team could potentially see a second half offensive explosion. Don’t sleep on them.

The pieces are there, they just need to be used the right way.