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Five reasons for optimism as Vanderbilt's offense moves forward
This no way around it, the Vanderbilt Commodores were terrible on offense in 2014. They finished #119 in scoring offense, #116 in rushing offense, #107 in passing offense and #125 in total offense.
Give credit to Derek Mason for pulling the plug immediately on this side of the ball and firing long-time friend Karl Dorrel after only one season on the job. It's rare a coach only gets one season but the results did not warrant another shot.
Mason now turns over the offense to a coordinator with 20 years of experience in Andy Ludwig. Ludwig comes over after a season as Wisconsin's offensive coordinator.
If bringing in a new OC wasn't enough of a reason to celebrate, The Tennessean recently discussed five things Anchor Down Nation have to look forward to this season on offense.
1) Ralph Webb
Webb rushed for a Vanderbilt freshman record of 907 yards last season, and according to his head coach, has only improved this offseason.
"Ralph Webb is a hungry young man. As soon as the season finished, he was the first one back in the weight room and first one back on the field," Mason said. "He didn't rest on any accolades or the things that he had done. Under (new strength coach James Dobson) he has stepped into the weight room and per pound has become one of the strongest players on this football team. He has gotten stronger and faster."
2) One, and hopefully only one, quarterback playing
Last season was a comedy of errors at the position, as Mason pulled quarterbacks in desperate attempts to correct the offense. Four different players started last season, all failed to produce on the field.
"These guys did an excellent job of spending time with (Ludwig) once spring was done," Mason said. "The biggest part is that they've been able to grow in the leadership part. (Quarterbacks) have to be the first in and the last one to leave."
3) Better offensive line play
Four offensive linemen return in 2015. The unit returns 89 starts total in their combined careers.
"We had a veteran group a year ago that somewhat underachieved," Mason said. "That veteran group has been working with (Dobson). Competition has been critical. With growth and maturity of (new starting guard) Delando Crooks added to (four returning starters) should make us pretty formidable up front. We feel like we are going to be a group that's strong and physical in the run game, but be more athletic and better in pass pro."
4) Nothing was shown during the spring game
The Black & Gold game was dominated by the defense in such a fashion that the defense looked to be one of the best units in the country. The offense threw five interceptions and took seven sacks.
"Our spring game was really not indicative of what we were doing," Mason said. "We didn't want to show a whole lot in terms of our versatility and our sets. So we were really very vanilla in the spring game. (In closed practices), we found it hard (on defense) to line up against what (Ludwig) was doing at times. He is very good at what he does."
5) Switching up the schedule
Mason believes by moving practice to first thing in the morning, instead of in the afternoon, will be beneficial to his team as a whole.
"So I'll have my afternoons somewhat free to take care of university business or Vanderbilt football business," Mason said. "It worked extremely well (in the spring)."
Mason had better hope the offense improves drastically this season, or he may not make it to year three in Nashville, no matter how great the defense looks under his watch.
(h/t The Tennessean)
