Thursday, October 18, 2001

Midseason report card
Offense

QB Casey Printers: C Printers does what the TCU offense asks of him: He throws short, high percentage passes. Unlike last year, Printers has not thrown the deep ball (which he did with effectiveness) with any regularity. With the running game struggling, the passing game has not provided a legitimate threat. The coaches need to take the leash off Printers and let him throw the ball.

TB Ricky Madison: C What happened at TCU the past two seasons just doesn’t happen anymore. Tailbacks do not rush for 4,083 yards and 40 touchdowns in two years. Madison, only a sophomore, entered the season with unrealistic shoes to fill. With 263 yards rushing in a crowded backfield, his best days are yet to come.

TB Corey Connally: C+ For one night in Houston, all was right with the TCU running game as Connally racked up 199 yards. Yet his problem is the same as that of Madison and Andrew Hayes-Stoker. None of the three know their role, who will start, what they should study. None of the backs, especially Connally, has played enough to get in a groove.

TB Andrew Hayes-Stoker: C The heir-apparent coming into the season, Hayes-Stoker has seen his playing time limited by a knee injury. In spot duty during four games, Hayes-Stoker has ran for 94 yards on 28 carries.

FB Reggie Holts: INC

TE B.J. Roberts: INC

WR LaTarance Dunbar: C+ But it’s not all his fault. Few cover corners can have the speed to keep up with Dunbar, yet the coaches have run him on reverses, not down the field.

WR Adrian Madise: B Madise has been a pleasant surprise for the Frogs. Not even projected to start at the beginning of the season, Madise leads the team with 19 receptions for 249 yards.

Offensive Line: D A unit that returned only senior Victor Payne, the offensive line was expected to go through some growing pains. Those have been more pronounced than anyone anticipated. Linemen get stronger as the game progresses, and this unit should be stronger next year.

PK Nick Browne: A Browne has converted 8-10 field goal attempts and is perfect on PAT. Interestingly, he is perfect from beyond 40 yards (2-2) and has missed from 30-39 (0-2). To date, Brown has been the most consistent performer on the team.

Coaching: C- Whereas the 2000 Frogs were a veteran team with a veteran coaching staff, the current version is the opposite — first-year head coach, first-year offensive coordinator, a young team. TCU has been somewhat of an anomaly, appearing totally prepared for some games (Nebraska) and totally unprepared for others (Northwestern St., Tulane). Their strengths, running game and defense, have not performed up to expectations.

Defense

DE Chad McCarty: C The Frogs pass rush has been almost non-existent as of late. TCU needs more sacks from the veteran defensive end.

DT John Turntine: B TCU’s run defense has been on and off all season. Against Southern Methodist, the Frogs allowed just 39 yards. Against Northwestern State (La.) it allowed 121. More consistent play is needed from Turntine and the interior of the defensive line.

DT Chad Pugh: INC

DE Joe Hill: C Hill was not supposed to be a starter this season, but after defensive end Bo Schobel tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Nebraska, he was forced into the role. The Frogs need Hill to be a more consistent pass rusher.

LB Chad Bayer: B+ The ever-reliable Bayer is third on the team in tackles. As he was expected to be, Bayer is one of the cornerstones of the defense.

LB LaMarcus McDonald: A- McDonald has gone from being second-string to second on the team in tackles. He is one of the play-makers on defense.

WS Charlie Owens: B+ Owens, twice named C-USA defensive player of the week, has been the most solid of the TCU defensive backs.

CB Jason Goss: D In short, the TCU secondary has been razed this year. Goss, a senior back from last year’s unit, was looked to anchor a young unit. While his play returning punts has been solid, his coverage has not. If TCU is to recover and forge a winning record, the Frogs desperately need Goss to improve.

CB Bo Springfield: D The same goes for Springfield. The Frogs have only faced a few good passing teams, and the results haven’t been pretty.

FS Kenneth Hilliard: B- Hilliard had big shoes to fill and has performed admirably. Leading the team in tackles with 57, Hilliard has not been a tremendous drop off from the now departed Curtis Fuller.

SS Marvin Godbolt: B The redshirt freshman has not performed like a redshirt freshman, ranking fourth on the team in tackles (34). His pass coverage needs improvement, but Godbolt should develop into a fine defensive back. His five sacks leads the team.

P Joey Biasatti: A The junior from Burleson has punted 35 times for an average of 43.5 per punt. Biasatti pinned the opposition inside the 20-yard line 11 times. In a strong kicking game, Biasatti is one of the bright spots.