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5 Major Issues Facing Temple Football In Spring Practice

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5 Major Issues Facing Temple Football This Spring

Matt Rhule, Temple football,
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Due to 20 starters returning from the nation’s fourth-best scoring defense, Temple will be one of the favorites in the AAC. The major obstacle will be fixing an offense which was last not only in the conference, but in the country in third-down efficiency. While two refs in the photo above seem to be telling head coach Matt Rhule what they think of his time management skills, the Owls will work on these five other issues.

5. Protection For P.J. Walker

P.J. Walker, Temple,
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5. Protection For P.J. Walker

P.J. Walker, Temple,
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The offensive line seemed to be the major problem for the team a year ago, but protection schemes are more than offensive line-related. Great coaches can tweak the protections by adding a back or two as last line of defense for an embattled quarterback. If fans at the spring game see a back or two in front of QB P.J. Walker, it’s a positive sign. If not, expect more of the same sad sacking.

4. Stadium Construction Question

Devin Scott, Temple,
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4. Stadium Construction Question

Devin Scott, Temple,
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Since the Cherry and White game will be played at 10th and Diamond, it will take a walk west to see if the endless talk of an on-campus stadium being a “done deal” will turn into some action. If there are a few bulldozers and a few shovels parked on the team’s former practice field at 15th and Norris (where quarterback Devin Scott is shown in 1999), then Owl fans will have their answer. If not, it’s no more than talk.

3. Punt Returns

John Christopher, Temple,
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3. Punt Returns

John Christopher, Temple,
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No team in the AAC started in worse field position than the Temple Owls, mostly due to fair catches on 67.5 percent of their punt returns — the highest such figure in the conference. The Owls elected to use a possession receiver, because head coach Matt Rhule said he “had no one else.” Rhule must have forgotten one of his reserve DBs, Nate L. Smith, is the leading punt returner in Pennsylvania high school football history.

2. Explosive Plays in the Passing Game

Romond Deloatch, Temple football,
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2. Explosive Plays in the Passing Game

Romond Deloatch, Temple football,
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The Owls have some interesting options in the receiving game and must replace leading receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick. They have two similar receivers in tall but speed-challenged Keith Kirkwood and Romond Deloatch (84). One must grab that outside spot, but the Owls need to find someone with Fitzpatrick’s speed on the other side.

1. Establishing the Run First

Jahad Thomas, Temple,
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1. Establishing the Run First

Jahad Thomas, Temple,
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This is where the coaches have to think outside the box again and help the line jump-start the run game with an extra lead blocker like a big, bruising fullback. Temple could learn a lot from LSU, whose offensive MVP last year was a fullback named Connor Neighbors. The Owls have a Connor Neighbors on their team in Rob Dvoracek who could help open their offense up with his blocking ability for backs like Jahad Thomas (34).

Mike Gibson is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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