Coordinator Fitch talks USF offense

Posted Aug 16, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 16, 2011 at 05:46 PM

VERO BEACH Got a chance to catch up with USF offensive coordinator Todd Fitch prior to Monday’s evening workout at Holman Stadium, and he offered insight into how things are shaping up for the Bulls at a few positions.

RUNNING BACKS: Solidifying a No. 3 option behind juniors Demetris Murray and Darrell Scott was a priority, and it appears sophomore Marcus Shaw has emerged as the frontrunner for that spot after a strong showing in the scrimmage.

“At the scrimmage he showed some things that we really liked and he would have a leg up in that situation,” Fitch said of Shaw, who led all rushers with 52 yards on 13 carries. “The biggest thing I showed him, he didn’t play badly without the ball, but he’s not a complete player so to speak, where you know when he’s called on to block, pass pro and those things, that he’s doing it all. I will say this for the two ahead of him, that’s what really separates Meat (Murray) and Darrell. That’s where we’ve got to catch him up.”

Fitch did say sophomore Bradley Battles, coming back after a knee injury suffered during bowl preparations last season, is still in the mix for the No. 3 spot.

RECEIVERS: It’s USF’s deepest position on the offensive side of the ball, and Fitch said offensive coaches are still working to sort out a two-deep depth chart, and that they should have a better read on things after the team’s next scrimmage, scheduled for Saturday on campus.

Fitch said it was great to see sixth-year senior A.J. Love come back and go full speed in the team’s first scrimmage in Vero Beach, adding “that’s always been a question mark.” Sophomore Sterling Griffin, also returning after missing 2010 with an injury, has continually drawn praise in camp.

Those two are in the mix with the first-tier group on the outside and are joined by redshirt freshman Deonte Welch, sophomore Terrence Mitchell, sophomore Stephen Bravo-Brown and the two true freshmen, Ruben Gonzalez and Andre Davis.

On the inside slot position, the three guys in the mix are senior Joel Miller, who Fitch said has had a solid camp, sophomore Lindsey Lamar, who has bounced back after missing the spring following shoulder surgery, and junior Victor Marc, who has been very consistent.

OFFENSIVE LINE: It was the biggest question mark in terms of depth entering camp, but as the Bulls get set to depart Vero Beach it looks like they’ve got a good gauge on their first and second teams.

Coaches seemed comfortable with six entering camp – seniors Jeremiah Warren, Chaz Hine and Kevin McCaskill, juniors Mark Popek and Danous Estenor and redshirt freshman Quinterrius Eatmon – but Fitch noted six more Monday who have really improved: junior Damien Edwards, who Fitch said “has stepped up a notch to get into that two-deep mix for sure,” sophomore John McGhin, redshirt freshmen Austin Reiter and Tony Kibler and true freshmen Darrell Williams and Thor Jozwiak.

That 12-member group fell in line with how the Bulls lined up during Monday’s practices.

The first-team line through camp has primarily consisted of, working from left tackle to right tackle, Popek, Warren, Hine, Estenor and Eatmon. With Popek out Monday while recovering from a head injury, Warren shifted out to left tackle and McGhin jumped into the left guard spot.

The second team line featured, working from left tackle to right tackle, Williams, Jozwiak, Reiter, Kibler and Edwards, with McCaskill also getting reps at right guard in addition to center.