[EKUAlum05]

I disagree with ya, man. Our offense isn't built to have to get 10 yards in 2 plays, it's built for 3 or 4 yards a play. That's why we turn 'er loose more often passing on 2nd and short. First down is the most important down in football. I think no matter where Keaton plays he should STILL be reserve QB, he is daggon good at it.

Respectfully, at this point getting over the hump in Bowling Green is all that comes to mind to me (especially with a weak Eastern bracket next year). The problem with the 3 or 4 yard offense is when you meet a team like Central who can take that one down to either create a no gain or a negative play. Then instead of 3rd and 2, it is now a 3rd and 6.

What I felt hurt Belfry the past two years was the lack of guys who could consistently be counted on for that timely 6 yard pop where they either outquick a defender to the whole or make that little juke to get leverage and get that extra 2 yards. Surprisingly enough the only back who was showing this side was Hatfield the FB.

Thinking back to the Howard/Jones tandem, that is what differentiated themselves from the backs that came after them. Both of those backs had the ability to consistently turn that 3 yard gain into a 6 yard gain by continuing the run.

The past few years when you see Belfry after a negative play or a no gain situation they have been very predictable on 3rd Down and 6 situations. Either they are bringing the option or they are running play action. The Pirates desperately need a back who can take a quick pitch, plant his leg, get his shoulders square, and attack a pursuing defenders back shoulder and force him to make a stop. Just having that threat in the backfield will create hesitation and potentially keep defenses (like in the Ashland and Central games) from pinning their ears back on 3rd and Long and sending the house at Sani.

For this reason I think I would rather see Taylor on the field as much as possible at HB/WR.