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July 30, 2006
In the football wing at the University of Memphis's Athletic Office Building, each Tiger football assistant has his own office, complete with desk, files, telephone, VCR and huge Dry Erase writing board. The board is normally reserved for various notations, plays, practice times, recruits' phone numbers, etc. Poke your head into UofM assistant head coach/receivers coach Clay Helton's office, and you'll see in large, capital letters at the top of the board a proud declaration -- 'PRAT IS BACK' -- written in a non-approved permanent marker. Helton feigns mild disappointment, but the truth is he'll welcome the perpetrator's permanence this season ... on the field. Senior Mario Pratcher, who missed last season with torn knee ligaments and who etched his name with a Sharpie, will be back when the Tigers open preseason practice, adding depth to a position that should be a team strength. But Pratcher won't be the only welcome sight for Helton Aug. 10, when the Tigers begin workouts at the Murphy Athletic Complex. All the Tiger receivers return, with the exception of Maurice Avery, who was converted to quarterback at midseason and completed his career in December's Motor City Bowl win over Akron. Others back include leading receiver Ryan Scott, a senior who had 37 catches for 577 yards and emerged as a favorite target. Five promising sophomores return, a group led by former White Station High standout Maurice Jones, ex-Bolton High receiver Carlton Robinzine and former Crockett County (Tenn.) High all-state player Earnest Williams. Jones earned Conference USA All-Freshman team recognition after finishing with 15 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Williams was as efficient a receiver as the Tigers had, dropping, according to Helton, only one pass in 12 games. Redshirt freshman Carlos Singleton, at 6-8 and 195 pounds, will provide an intriguing addition. Incoming freshman Duke Calhoun, the ex-Raleigh-Egypt star, has the potential to make significant contributions as a first-year player. For a team that is expected to return to a more balanced offensive attack -- after having to rely heavily on the run a year ago -- the depth at receiver is encouraging. "We'll have a lot of kids out there who are very talented," Helton said. Tiger coach Tommy West, on the summer speaking circuit, has frequently mentioned the strength the team will possess at the position. It's a group with pass-catching ability and size. Scott, who steadily improved a year ago, is 6-4. So is Pratcher. Robinzine is 6-3. "The most skilled guys on our team are the wide receivers," West said. Pratcher will be a pleasant addition. He was named co-MVP of the spring game in 2005 after catching five passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. "I remember being sick for a day when he got hurt (last August in a preseason scrimmage)," said offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. "He had had such a good spring, and the light bulb had just come on. I know he's had a good summer and should be ready to go." Scott is looking forward to being on the same field with Pratcher. The combination should make a team with better depth at quarterback a threat to score more than the nine times it did through the air in 2005. "It's going to be real exciting because we're going to throw the ball a lot more," Scott said. "Last year (because of the injuries to quarterbacks Patrick Byrne and Will Hudgens) we let (departed running back) DeAngelo (Williams) do his thing." Williams, a first-round pick of the Charlotte Panthers, led the nation in rushing (178.5 per game) and helped the Tigers to their third straight bowl. But the Tigers will be able to run their spread offensive more efficiently behind quarterbacks Martin Hankins, Byrne and Hudgens. Hankins, a prolific passer at 1-AA Southeastern Louisiana, was the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice. Byrne, who won the starting job last year, sat out the spring while continuing his rehabilitation from a broken leg in the 2005 opener against Ole Miss. Hankins and Byrne are expected to battle for the No. 1 job in the preseason. "The nature of this offense is to spread the ball around and take advantage of what the defense gives you," Helton said. "Two years ago with Danny (Wimprine) at quarterback, we were able to do that. We had eight different guys catch passes every game. That's when this offense is clicking. "And we are going to have some guys who can get them the ball." Except for Scott, no Tiger receiver had more than 17 receptions in 2005. In 2004, six receivers had at least 17 receptions. Fichtner is excited about the group because of the experience it gained a year ago, even if it didn't make a large number of catches. "Clay does a great job with the receivers," Fichtner said. "They were MVPs last year because they took on new roles (to help the running game). I would think it is making them excited about this year."
-- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543
