Experience a key for improving offense

Check out today's post practice notes as Offensive Coordinator/Shawn Watson talks about the growth of his offense, some of the key players and how that quarterback battle is going right now. A true freshman playing this year on offense? Just maybe, Watson says.

• The team went in full pads inside Hawks Indoor Center. Offensive Coordinator/Quarterback Coach Shawn Watson was one of the primary speakers after practice
• On the wide receiver competition Watson said that junior Brandon Kinnie has made huge strides. He's chasing Niles, so he has improved a lot, Watson said. He said he's also impressed with Michael McNeill. Those three he picked out as the primary guys, but said the competition is hot and heavy for the other three spots
• One of those spots could go to a true freshman as Watson said he has been impressed with Quincy Enunwa. "He’s physically gifted. He has a knack for making plays. He has really figured into a look,” Watson said. “He still has to earn his place. He is still working on that, but he has talent, and he has that ability to make plays that’s just natural. So, he has put himself in the hunt for depth at receiver.” Watson said that he saw Enunwa as a dual-threat type of receiver in that he thought he was both a possession type as well as a speed threat. "He plays big and he plays fast," he said. "He's really a complete player. We are really pleased with him."
• On the offensive line Watson talked about how good the competition has been, thus making everyone better across the board. "I think we have depth, and when you have depth you have competition. Because of competition, Marcel Jones and D. J. Jones have made each other better. Keith Williams is making the younger guards better. The older players are good examples of how to play the game fundamentally and a high motor," he said.
• On the quarterback battle, Watson said there still is one. "They have all done well. They have all handled managing the aspect of the offense pretty well," he said. "I am really happy with the whole group in the way they are competing and the way they are making plays."
• As for anyone being above another, this is an important week. "This is a big testing week for them. This is a huge week for us on both sides of the ball. We're just scratching the surface. It's only Tuesday."
• More on McNeill, Watson said he's a nice piece to the puzzle. "We use him in so many different ways, it helps us create a lot of multiplicity," he said. "He can block, lead block, perimeter block. He can run routes that work underneath and over the top on linebackers. He can make matches on the secondary with his length. He's a factor. He's really a key piece of our work this year.
• Running Backs Coach Tim Beck said after practice today that they are looking for that fourth back to compliment that top three; senior Roy Helu Jr. and sophomores Rex Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson.

Click the following link to hear the full post practice audio with Shawn Watson

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