Anyone who knows anything about the kind of offense Mike Leach runs knows wide receivers are an integral part of said offense. Not just good receivers, but great ones.
Fans got a chance to see that in the Crimson & Gray scrimmage Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium. Marquess Wilson led the team with four catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Dominique Wilson had 121 yards.
Both played well on Saturday – no question. But still, Leach said he is not completely satisfied. Speaking to reporters after the spring game, it was as if the coach was calling them out, particularly Wilson. He demanded more out of them not only when it counts – in games – but at practices, too.
"The two of them need to be guys who can consistently do that in practice," said Leach. "If they want to be good players that periodically make great catches, that's where they are right now. If they want to be guys who can consistently – and be great receivers – right now they're good receivers, they're not great receivers. If they want to be great receivers they need to practice and play with that sense of urgency every snap in practice."
Wilson, obviously a speedster, and obviously a talented receiver, has been knocked down the rung a time of two this spring. From time to time Leach has placed him with the third team players - a wakeup call to show the kid he has potential if he puts his mind to it.
In a way Wilson didn't do himself any favors on Saturday. His excellent performance probably set a new, higher bar for himself. And now he, and Coach Leach, have something to look at say, "look at what you can do!". It is up to Wilson to rise to the occasion.
Marquess Wilson had a banner day on Saturday at the Crimson & Gray scrimmage: 149 yards and a touchdown (Photo: SWX)
