(06-21-2011, 06:24 PM)terry link Wrote:I think Owusu stayed healthy in 2009.
That to me is one of the biggest questions of the 2011 season. Owusu just might have been our second-biggest offensive threat that 2009 season, between his effects on field position and his deep-threat ability. If you'd told me before the 2010 season that both of those areas would be significantly depressed relative to the 2009 season, I would've guessed we'd be three or four wins fewer at least.
Nevertheless, you can see the effects in the stats. Our biggest deep threat last year averaged 15 yards/catch; Owusu in 2009, 18.4. Owusu got a carry per game on end arounds in 2009; in 2010 he got two carries total. Owusu averaged nearly 30 yards per return in 2009 and his mere presence forced many out-of-bounds and squib kicks (our field position was rated 23rd in 2010 and 4th in 2009 by Football Outsiders, despite getting better punt returns and better kickoff/punt coverage). It seems to me that Owusu's productivity is a major uncertainty factor for 2010. We can still reach the national championship game if Chris Owusu 2011 is similar to Chris Owusu 2010. But if Chris Owusu 2011 is similar to Chris Owusu 2009, the odds are significantly increased.
