Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Steven Johnson each week.
From 2014-19, the Memphis Tigers had a Top 25 scoring offense in the country, including multiple years in the Top 10.
That streak came to an end last year as the Tigers’ 31 points per game ranked just 44th. One reason for the drop was Memphis’ inability to replace the production of Kenneth Gainwell, who opted out of the season.
Without him, Memphis was missing a home run threat out of the backfield. Ryan Silverfield knows how crucial it is to have that type of player on offense and that’s why he’s moving two defensive backs to the offensive side of the ball this spring.
“Gabe Rogers has moved over to offense, we’re playing him in that position where we’ve played other guys like Tony Pollard in the past where they can line up as a slot receiver and also in the backfield,” Silverfield said. “We’ve also done the same with An’Darius Coffey.”
Silverfield added that Coffey’s reps will be limited as he’s working back from a shoulder injury. As for Rogers, we’ve seen what he can do in the past as he had a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in 2019.
Finding someone that can emulate Pollard or Gainwell will be crucial for an offense that will be starting a new quarterback.
(03-17-2021 04:11 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote: We must feel pretty good about our defense.
Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Steven Johnson each week.
From 2014-19, the Memphis Tigers had a Top 25 scoring offense in the country, including multiple years in the Top 10.
That streak came to an end last year as the Tigers’ 31 points per game ranked just 44th. One reason for the drop was Memphis’ inability to replace the production of Kenneth Gainwell, who opted out of the season.
Without him, Memphis was missing a home run threat out of the backfield. Ryan Silverfield knows how crucial it is to have that type of player on offense and that’s why he’s moving two defensive backs to the offensive side of the ball this spring.
“Gabe Rogers has moved over to offense, we’re playing him in that position where we’ve played other guys like Tony Pollard in the past where they can line up as a slot receiver and also in the backfield,” Silverfield said. “We’ve also done the same with An’Darius Coffey.”
Silverfield added that Coffey’s reps will be limited as he’s working back from a shoulder injury. As for Rogers, we’ve seen what he can do in the past as he had a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in 2019.
Finding someone that can emulate Pollard or Gainwell will be crucial for an offense that will be starting a new quarterback.
good. Rodgers has too much speed to not get on the field. Good for him.
Some video of Coffey. Played quarterback at Winona High School but is moving to defensive back in college ... Threw for 3,471 career yards and 39 touchdowns while rushing for 3,399 yards and 48 touchdowns ... Three-star player per Rivals.com ... Was the 25th-ranked recruit out of the state of Mississippi per 247Sports.com.
(This post was last modified: 03-17-2021 10:40 PM by DallasTiger.)
When I saw the Spring Roster come out and Coffey had the same number as Morris Joseph, that was the clue he was moving to offense.
I am glad they are moving some folks around. Watkins is solid but not electric and this offense needs some more jolts.
(03-18-2021 10:40 AM)covingtontiger Wrote: I'm hoping that these guys turn out to add some zip to our running game. Breakaway speed is a great thing to have.
(03-17-2021 10:19 PM)DallasTiger Wrote: Some video of Coffey. Played quarterback at Winona High School but is moving to defensive back in college ... Threw for 3,471 career yards and 39 touchdowns while rushing for 3,399 yards and 48 touchdowns ... Three-star player per Rivals.com ... Was the 25th-ranked recruit out of the state of Mississippi per 247Sports.com.
Looks like they are trying to recapture what they got with Gainwell from him.
Isn't coaching a lot of putting the players you have into the right position on the field where they can be the most effective? This could prove interesting.
Gabriel and Coffey have BIG TIME break away speed! Good to see them in the back-field or in the slot.
(03-18-2021 06:54 PM)DallasTiger Wrote: Isn't coaching a lot of putting the players you have into the right position on the field where they can be the most effective? This could prove interesting.
(03-18-2021 06:54 PM)DallasTiger Wrote: Isn't coaching a lot of putting the players you have into the right position on the field where they can be the most effective? This could prove interesting.
I agree. Though I'm still concerned it's more of a play calling issue than a talent issue.
(03-18-2021 06:54 PM)DallasTiger Wrote: Isn't coaching a lot of putting the players you have into the right position on the field where they can be the most effective? This could prove interesting.
I agree. Though I'm still concerned it's more of a play calling issue than a talent issue.
We were told by some that White was so smart, so cerebral, that all of those monster runs by Henderson, Gibson and Gainwell were because of his play calling. I guess he wasn't as smart last season. I hope our next quarterback will have the brains to get our running game back to where it was 2 years ago.
(03-18-2021 06:54 PM)DallasTiger Wrote: Isn't coaching a lot of putting the players you have into the right position on the field where they can be the most effective? This could prove interesting.
I agree. Though I'm still concerned it's more of a play calling issue than a talent issue.
We were told by some that White was so smart, so cerebral, that all of those monster runs by Henderson, Gibson and Gainwell were because of his play calling. I guess he wasn't as smart last season. I hope our next quarterback will have the brains to get our running game back to where it was 2 years ago.
Haha. Well you're looking at it from their angle. I don't give all the credit to White and I don't think he was less smart this past season. So I hope we don't have to rely on the next QB to get the running game going.
I'm really excited about this. I was wondering about Rodgers last year. Was wondering why he wasn't on kick return duty. He has blazing speed. Super excited to see what he will do in the backfield and at the slot position
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Two players moving to Offense this spring
