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Vanderbilt spring analysis: backs, linebackers key

Analysis by Jeff Lockridge
jlockridge@tennessean.com;
  • Vanderbilt's spring practice showed running backs, linebackers will be crucial.
  • Vanderbilt matured at the receiver and secondary positions.
  • Inconsistent special teams concerns coach Derek Mason.

Vanderbilt's offense must rely heavily on the run, and the Commodores' new 3-4 defense will showcase outside linebackers as the primary playmakers.

Those are two central themes at the conclusion of coach Derek Mason's first spring practice.

"Moving through spring, we got everything done," Mason said.

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Vanderbilt's spring concluded with the Black & Gold scrimmage and offered some answers about what this staff might have in mind from a personnel standpoint.

Redshirt freshman Oren Burks, tabbed as the team's lone nickelback to start the spring, played at safety alongside Andrew Williamson with the projected first-string defense Saturday and looked comfortable in that role.

Redshirt freshman Ralph Webb has all but locked up a spot in the running back rotation, capped by a 114-yard game Saturday that featured a 60-yard touchdown.

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The offensive line helped Webb and Brian Kimbrow (11 rushes, 55 yards) combine for 6.8 yards per carry while the passing game had just 6.3 yards per attempt — not including pass calls that led to seven sacks.

A simplified approach factored into those numbers, but it was still on point for this spring after losing quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels as well as leading receivers Jordan Matthews and Jonathan Krause. The line and running backs now provide the best chance for Vanderbilt to muster a consistent scoring threat.

"It's going to be very important," Webb said. "Even at running back, we still don't have that much depth coming in."

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What the spring didn't offer was a definitive answer to which quarterback will be the starter in 2014 — and if that individual is even on campus yet.

Stephen Rivers is expected to transfer from LSU and push Patton Robinette and Johnny McCrary for the job this summer. McCrary might have caught and even passed Robinette by the end of the spring in the coaches' eyes, but the competition remains close and probably will spill into August camp.

The quarterbacks progressed as they learned the playbook, but Saturday's game exposed areas where work is needed. Robinette has to improve his timing and touch on longer throws. McCrary must handle his progressions more efficiently and sense when pressure is coming.

PHOTOS: Vanderbilt spring game

The spring offered no assurances that Vanderbilt has a surefooted replacement for kicker Carey Spear. Tommy Openshaw, who is expected to assume the field-goal duties, struggled in both open scrimmages. That could open the door for walk-on David Holtgrave or incoming preferred walk-on Hayden Lekacz.

The punting competition between Colby Cooke and Taylor Hudson didn't appear to resolve itself either.

"Right now we're not very consistent, and that's a concern," Mason said of his special teams.

Vanderbilt sharpened its youth at the receiver and secondary positions, but those could be spots where some players have to learn on the job this fall. Redshirt freshmen C.J. Duncan and Gerald Perry made the biggest strides among the receivers.

Tight end was another position where strides were made. After years of lip service about how the tight ends would contribute to the passing game, it actually occurred this spring in offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell's West Coast system.

Steven Scheu has established himself as the top option, but redshirt freshman Nathan Marcus came on strong and reeled in three catches on Saturday. Robinette and McCrary seem content to target the tight ends now that Matthews is gone, and the offense is set up for a short-passing attack.

"It's tailor-made to get everyone the ball," Marcus said. "Tight end is a big part of it, but we're making plays everywhere and it's opening up the tight end."

Initial summer workouts begin May 12 for players who are on campus. For everyone else, including freshmen, workouts begin in early June.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR VANDY FOOTBALL?

May 12: Summer workouts start for players on campus

Early June: Summer workouts start for everyone else, including freshmen

July 14: Vandy appears at SEC Media Days

Late July: Players report for first fall practice

Aug. 28: Season opener vs. Temple

Reach Jeff Lockridge at 615-259-8023 and on Twitter @jefflockridge.