Big Shots, but Elusive Targets

Getting the Ball to Top Playmakers Isn't as Easy as It Sounds

When discussing wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey before the start of training camp, Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin dabbled in self-deprecation to explain how he plans out ball distribution during each game.

"I'm not very smart, but I do understand if we have a good player, get him the ball," Franklin said in a late-July interview. "Coaches aren't stupid. If you're making plays and giving us a chance to win, then we're going to create more opportunities for you to do that."

Six games into the 2008 campaign, Heyward-Bey has proven to be Maryland's most dynamic offensive threat, yet has touched the ball only 19 times. He has not recorded a reception since the third quarter of a Sept. 20 win over Eastern Michigan. The ball was thrown in his direction only six times in the Terrapins' past two games combined.

Franklin's concept seems straightforward -- a team should get the ball to its best offensive player as often as possible -- but many coaches agreed the notion is much easier to express than it is to execute, specifically if a team's playmaker happens to be a wide receiver.

Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy can sympathize with Franklin. As the Cowboys' offensive coordinator for four seasons before taking over the program in 2005, Gundy frequently has obsessed over formulating ways to get his top wide receiver in position to make greater impacts on games.

This season, wideout Dez Bryant has become Gundy's go-to option in Oklahoma State's passing game. Gundy, who calls the plays for the Cowboys' offense, said he has lined up Bryant in different positions on the field and often has put him in motion before the snap in an attempt to create some advantages for the wide receiver. Bryant averages 5.7 receptions and 99.5 receiving yards per game, which ranks fourth in the Big 12.

"It's a little more difficult to get a wideout the ball because [opposing defenses] can put a guy over him and a guy under him, and they weaken themselves in other parts of their defense, but they want to take that guy away on the perimeter if they can," said Gundy, who was an offensive assistant at Maryland from 1997 to 2000. "It's not always easy with a guy that's on the perimeter. It's much easier with a tailback."

At Michigan State, running back Javon Ringer leads the nation in rushing attempts (247), rushing yards (1,112) and rushing touchdowns (14). He averages 35.3 carries per game.

Spartans offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said it's easier to get Ringer the ball because, as a running back, Ringer is a part of the team's base plays. With a top wide receiver, Treadwell said the play-caller has to be conscious of how to get him to "the point of attack."

"Each scenario is a challenge within itself, and 'easy' is never the word, but it's probably something that gives you more options when you have someone like Javon," Treadwell said. "We don't have to go out of our way to say, 'Okay, these plays are for him.' "

Missouri's game plan always includes five to 10 passing plays in which wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is the primary read, and another five to 10 plays in which Maclin is the only option, according to Tigers offensive coordinator Dave Christensen. Maclin, who set an NCAA freshman record for all-purpose yards (2,776) in 2007, ranks third in the nation this year in all-purpose yards per game (192.8).

"If it's a screen play, [Maclin] will get the ball," Christensen said. "If it's a passing concept, then he's one of three receivers in that concept, and he might be the primary read but coverage will dictate where the ball goes."