RE: Tim Cramsey interview
For the first time since 2014, Memphis is coming off a season in which it ranked outside the top 25 in toal offense. There are concerns about the run game and a receiving corps that must replace Calvin Austin III.
In an interview with The Commercial Appeal, first-year offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey answered five key questions ahead of the start to preseason practice Wednesday. Which receiver has game-breaking potential like Austin? How is quarterback Seth Henigan preparing for a better second season?
The following conversation was edited for clarity and length
Q: Joseph Scates was out most of the spring with injury. With him healthy, how does he fit with most of the receivers?
Cramsey: "He’s fast and he’s a long strider who gains ground. A tall, long guy who can pick them up, put them down and go get it. He can take the lid off the coverage. He can get himself downfield, he can stretch the field. He’s going to force guys to play off a little bit and safeties to stay out of the box.
Iowa State wide receivers Joseph Scates (9) and Deshaunte Jones (8) celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
" 'How do you improve the run game?' everybody asks. You improve it by cleaning the box out with guys who stretch the field. Calvin Austin cleaned out the box last year and Scates is another guy in that room that gives you that ability. He’s a big-body receiver. Not saying he can’t catch and play that intermediate game, but he can really put the fear in some safeties and some corners by getting over the top.
"That’s something he brings that I think was needed as far as a true guy that can stretch the field, hit a post, hit a vertical route, a cross country route and stuff like that."
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Q: Running back Jeyvon Ducker was also hurt this spring but has high promise as MAC Freshman of the Year last season. What does he bring to the table?
“His best attribute is how smart of a football player he is. He understands blocking scheme and how the offensive line is blocking. He understands where there’s certain techniques as to where that ball might hit. He knows that stuff pre-snap, which takes him from not being a blazer to being faster than what he is and more productive.
Memphis Tigers running back Jeyvon Ducker (8) runs a drill with his team during spring practice Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex.
"One of the many things I’ve learned in my coaching career is production follows you. A guy who’s productive in high school and productive last year in the MAC, the expectation is he’ll be productive here. Why is that? Because of how smart and intelligent he is.
"I’m excited to see him and the big thing he has to do is stay healthy. We can’t evaluate and you can’t compete if you’re not healthy and that’s just part of the game."
Q: Which position groups intrigue you the most as preseason camp begins this week?
"Running back. We got six, seven guys in there and we’ve also added (freshman) Sutton Smith. I’m intrigued to see who comes out of that room.
Memphis Tigers' Brandon Thomas runs the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.
"Me and (running backs) Coach Dawk (Sean Dawkins) were just talking about one of the hardest things we’re going to need to do is give everybody meaningful reps and let this competition play itself out. It’s hard when you get into a game and you play three, five guys. You don’t want to do that.
"You’d like to have two guys that separate themselves from the mix. You’d like to have a third guy who’s ready to go. Whoever is playing the best ball at that point is what we got to go in battle with. We need them to step up and separate themselves."
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Q: How is Seth Henigan taking steps to get better in his second year?
“Seth has a really good skill set but his strength is the intangibles that come with playing the position. His knowledge of the game and ability to lead is starting to show up more. So a big part of what we’ve talked about and what he’s been able to do is take the next step into being a leader.
Memphis Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan throws the ball during the Friday Night Stripes spring football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022.
“He’s no longer a young quarterback because he’s got a lot of game experience. Now, we got to be able to make those plays that he left on the table last year. Make the decisions that went the other way last year and just be able to play the next snap with all he has as far as the intangibles and skill set he brings along.”
“You’re starting to see the confidence he has to be able to talk to guys or grab them when they’re not doing right or working when he thinks they need to be working. That has really stepped up this offseason. I’ve noticed him becoming more of a verbal leader and that comes with confidence.”
Q: Who are under-the-radar guys to keep an eye on after the spring?
"Running back Andarius Coffey. You don’t look at him as a 200-pound kid but we dropped him in the slot and told him to run routes so he’s done a good job there. He’s a piece you can move around, he’s a guy you can give the ball in space and he’s a little more electric than some of the guys in that room.
"Roc Taylor is a guy that I’m expecting to take a huge step this year. He’s a big-body receiver who’s going to force defenses to not play single coverage on him because he can create mismatches. Koby Drake has the ability to come in and play a number of different positions. When you throw the ball to Koby, he catches it and that’s a lot to be said about a receiver."
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Tim Cramsey interview
Tim Cramsey interview 
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