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Kansas University Running back Jocques Crawford may not start for the jayhawks this fall, but the Cisco (Texas) Junior College transfer is still hoping to make a huge splash in coach Mark Mangino's system.
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Kansas University Running back Jocques Crawford may not start for the jayhawks this fall, but the Cisco (Texas) Junior College transfer is still hoping to make a huge splash in coach Mark Mangino's system.
Reader poll
Which Kansas football debut are you most excited about?
- Alonso Rojas 3% 20 votes
- Jocques Crawford 74% 494 votes
- Jeff Spikes 4% 30 votes
- Jeremiah Hatch 2% 18 votes
- Daymond Patterson 13% 88 votes
- Richard Johnson 1% 11 votes
661 total votes.
Mangino eager to start 2008 season
Oddsmakers say the Kansas football team is a 37 point favorite this weekend at home against Florida International. But that made-up number does little to ease Mark Mangino's week one jitters...
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Former Kansas football player Chip Budde joins the guys (Tom Keegan, Kevin Romary, Jesse Newell) as they talk about KU's upcoming game against FIU. Budde also offers insight on the techniques offensive linemen use to save their quarterbacks (and their jobs).
It wasn't a guarantee, the way Joe Namath's was when he predicted the New York Jets from the underestimated AFL would win Super Bowl III. It even stopped short of a prediction. Still, when Kansas University running back Jocques Crawford stated in such a confident manner his individual goal for the impending football season, the words left the few listening feeling as if they had just stuck their fingers into a light bulb socket.
As a sophomore last year at Cisco Junior College in Texas, Crawford, a native of Memphis, rushed for 1,935 yards and 19 touchdowns. Sure, KU has a much tougher schedule than Cisco Junior College, but he'll have more talented teammates, too.
"I think we're a really good offensive line, probably going to be the best offensive line I've ever played with," Crawford said. "I can only imagine how many yards I could rack up with a good offensive line like that."
Crawford became more specific.
"Honestly, when I talk to my family members, the personal goal I set for myself is I would rush for 2,000," Crawford said. "That's my personal goal. I don't know if I'll achieve it, but that's my goal."
Three running backs (Central Florida's Kevin Smith, Tulane's Matt Forte, Ray Rice of Rutgers) reached 2,000 yards in 2007 and none of them teamed with as prolific a passer as Todd Reesing. Jake Sharp will share the running duties with Crawford, another factor making his goal seem on the lofty side.
"It's a high number for college running backs, but especially after working with my offensive line and seeing the holes they open up against our ones (first-string defenders), I just feel that some day even me or Jake can accomplish, we can accomplish 2,000 yards together," Crawford said. "I just feel we have a good line, so I feel we'll have a lot of rushing yards this year."
Brandon McAnderson (1,125) and Sharp (821) combined for 1,946 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in 2007.
For now, Sharp is listed as first-string on Mark Mangino's depth chart, which lists Crawford second, which doesn't necessarily mean anything.
"We only put out a depth chart because there's a public demand for it," Mangino said. "It can change before the ink dries. But right now, Jake Sharp is a veteran guy. He knows the system. He knows what to expect. Jocques is new with us. He's still learning, but he's going to play. Believe me, he's going to get a lot of carries. He's going to play a role in this game. But based on maturity, dependability and understanding the offense right now, we feel like Jake Sharp can carry the load of being the starter at this point. But don't worry, Jocques will play a lot. He'll play significantly."
Crawford's blend of speed, power and shiftiness make him an intriguing back. So does his ability to come out of the backfield to catch passes.
"I think we complement each other," Crawford said of sharing time with Sharp. "He's more of a speed back. I'm more of an inside-the-tackle and guard back. If they put us in there at the same time the defense won't know what to do."
Mangino usually goes with a one-back set and the current depth chart doesn't eat at Crawford, the junior said.
"I've talked to some of my teammates," Crawford said. "I prefer not to start. He's been here awhile. He worked hard this summer. Why should I start? I just got here. As long as I get in the game, that's my main focus right now, just do what I can do when I do get in the game."
Flashy words from a guy whose stated goal is to rush for 2,000 yards don't necessarily translate to an obnoxious showoff on Game Day. When he scores his first Division I touchdown, don't look for Crawford to spin the football.
"I'm going to give the ball to the official and then celebrate with my teammates and then not do anything like dance or high fives or anything like that," Crawford said. "I've never been one to celebrate touchdowns."
He always has been one to score them.
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Comments
FlaHawk (anonymous) says...
Like this Texans attitude. Need more like him!
August 27, 2008 at 5:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkarmy (anonymous) says...
Do what you got to do man just win win win man saturday is taking forever to get here
August 27, 2008 at 5:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1jayhawker (anonymous) says...
FlaHawk, actually Joc was born and raised in Tennessee. He just played JUCO FB in Tejas.
August 27, 2008 at 5:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5DecadeHawk (anonymous) says...
Clearly the man can run with the ball.
Can he block?
If he cannot block for the passing game in this spread offense, the defenses will be able to key on him. That would make it more difficult for him to run and for KU to pass.
If he can block for the passing game. LOOK OUT.
I predict that his blocking will determine his short term future. That's all about being in the right place at the right time, using the proper techniques, leverage, and WANTING TO DO IT. If he can be a relentless blocker for his teammates, that 2000 yard goal is very very reachable.
If top calibre defenses don't know whether Jocques will be carrying the ball, catching a pass, or throwing a block, the ceiling is very very high.
August 27, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
topekahawk (anonymous) says...
Joc is a good blocker. Do you really think that Mangino would be planning on playing him "significantly" and "a lot" if he didn't block well. C'mon, quit it already.
August 27, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nschmi04 (anonymous) says...
Great article, Keegan.
August 27, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...
do It Crawford, I dare you!
August 27, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
leikness (anonymous) says...
Nice call 5Decade...that's the biggest thing KU needs from a new RB this year. Sharp will not be able to pick up where McAnderson left off in the blocking dept. And it's not all just being a big dude, you have to know what you're doing as well.
August 27, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justanotherfan (anonymous) says...
Joc has the physical build to be a good blocker. Whether that will make him a dynamic blocker or not, I do not know.
I will predict, however, that if he stays healthy, Jocques will replace Jake as the starter once the conference season rolls around. Jake is fast, so I get the feeling he'd be a little more effective if was a change of pace back, running wide more so he was one on one rather than trying to pound it up the middle, which you need to do in the spread to keep the defense honest about how they defend you.
August 27, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GrayHawker (anonymous) says...
He is a good blocker. Proven it already the past couple of years.
August 27, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5DecadeHawk (anonymous) says...
Some of the greatest backs of all time were great blockers.
Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith jump to the front of the list.
I wouldn't call either of those flyweights, but they weren't exactly the size of Okoye or Earl Campbell either. Christian and Earl as big as they were, were never a particularly great blockers.
One of my favorite KU RB's to watch throw a block was E.J. Jones. He was an amazing blocker. He credited taking Judo classes for teaching him how to block.
I remember one play in particular where E.J. launched himself horizontally at 3 defenders and flattened all 3 simultaneously. It was an absolutely amazing block. The ball carrier walked into the endzone untouched.
(Kerwin Bell was the other RB maybe??? I don't remember for sure. I think it was about that time frame. Kerwin was hurt so much it's hard to say. )
August 27, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...
Kid's got moxie!
August 27, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5DecadeHawk (anonymous) says...
http://www.malibulongboards.com/moxie...
August 27, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawkclassof02 (anonymous) says...
We need to run some 3-wide sets with two backs in the field. Send the receivers on deep routes and Crawford and Sharp on quick outs. It'd be easy to get some open looks that way. Run the same set next play and run a lead-block or an iso. D's won't know what to expect. We've got four backs that are all pass catchers. Quigly is a former receiver, and Foster caught plenty of balls in highschool, so we know he has hands too. Having four backs that we can run or pass to on any play is a massive addition to our offense. I hope the coaching staff hasn't overlooked this.
August 27, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rockn_Chalkn_KU (anonymous) says...
Is it Saturday yet? I can't wait!!! I know the expectations are high because of last season's success, but I'm confident our coaches and players will give it everything they've got. This will be a great season.
August 27, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownhawk (anonymous) says...
From what I've seen, the coaching staff is fairly capable at doing the basics of their job, classof02. Quigley is a backup running back who was switched to WR b/c he wasn't going to get in at RB and WR didn't stick, so I wouldn't quite call him a "former receiver."
August 27, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawkclassof02 (anonymous) says...
What, then, would you call him? It said receiver on the roster right next to his name. They won't take any kid out of his natural position and just throw him in with the receivers for no good reason. Obviously he doesn't have bricks for hands. Whether he plays a single down this year he's still a RB with experience catching the ball - even if just in practice. The kid has to have had plenty of reps practicing with the wideouts.
August 27, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
troutsee (anonymous) says...
Quigley is a very good back. From what I've seen of him in limited duty, he can flat out run the ball.
August 27, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_Sandman (anonymous) says...
I think that 2,000 or even 2,200 + between the two backs is certainly a reachable goal. It really depends on how the tackles play because the interior line should be better with a year of experience and defenses will have to respect the passing game.
August 28, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
2 days and 9 hours.......But who's counting?
August 28, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )