Ed Warriner and the Kansas Offense Aim for the Honor Roll

There's been plenty of hype surrounding KU's offense over the past year or so, but just how good have the Jayhawks really been through the first three games?

Well, not particularly spectacular, to be honest. The numbers are there, but even coach Mark Mangino admits that opportunities are being squandered.

However, I do feel that the Hawks appear to be heading in the right direction, judging by their second-half performance against Duke last weekend. They have one more contest before Big 12 play to prove me right.

All previews aside, here's how they've panned out thus far...

Offensive Line: B-

Strengths

They're youth isn't a positive, but they seem to play smarter each game. Also, great depth and competition is keeping these youngin's fresh up front, and KU has been dominant in second halves this season.

Needs Work

Consistency up front is the biggest reason for a B- and not something higher. Sometimes they create solid holes and extra seconds for Todd Reesing. Other times they create bottled-up backfields and headaches for Todd Reesing.

If the O-line shows me a solid body of work against their next three slightly upgraded opponents, their grade will reflect such.

Setting the Curve

Mangino has had several positive things to say about Sal Capra so far this seasons. He has brought maturity, versatility, toughness, and a little experience to a young O-line in need of a leader.

Tight Ends: C

Strengths

Tim Biere is great at pop-blocking then taking off on his routes. He doesn't get many balls thrown his way, but he gives Reesing extra time and still takes a defender off one of the other targets. Did I mention he's a great run blocker too?

Needs Work

Apparently Biere's immune system. It's hard not to drop the grade significantly in the absence of our starter. No offense to Bradley Dedeaux, but he is not as talented or as experienced as Biere.

Setting the Curve

Your grade is never good if you don't show up to class, Tim.

Wide Receivers: B-

Strengths

Talent, depth, toughness, experience, beautiful chemistry with Reesing, and a knack for big plays all come to mind. Despite some concerns, Kerry Meier and company always seem to get the job done.

Needs Work

I know this group has heard it enough this week, but the most important job a receiver has is catching the passes thrown his way. Dropped balls kill confidence, momentum, and, most importantly, drives.

Setting the Curve

Jonathan Wilson is the primary reason for the grade, and not in a good way. He received nothing but praise from me—and nearly everyone else—all offseason, and the opportunities have been there. If Wilson has an opportunity to be the No. 1 guy next year, he needs to either start hauling in those big passes or cede the opportunities to Bradley McDougald.

Running Backs: A-

Strengths

Jake Sharp and Toben Opurum complement each other perfectly. Don't forget that both have great hands out of the backfield and that Toben is an excellent blocker. Most importantly, these two play very smart football and find the end zone more than any other two teammates in college football (11 total touchdowns).

Needs Work

I didn't let Sharp's absence affect the grade too much, but KU's offense did lack some foundation without him. Opurum is good, but Sharp is a leader who can really help offset the young offensive line.

Setting the Curve

Even with all of the team's talent at wide receiver, Sharp is an excellent dual-purpose guy. For any lesser team, he would be the focal point of the entire offense.

Quarterbacks: B+

Strengths

Reesing and Kale Pick alike are at their best when their on the move. They think on their feet and make big plays happen. This offense was built around Reesing, and it goes as he goes.

Needs Work

The numbers look good, but really Reesing has had a rather pedestrian year considering the talent surrounding him. The early success of the running game might be to blame, but some of Reesing's throws have been uncharacteristically errant and forced.

Fortunately, the second half of the Duke contest displayed Reesing stepping closer to midseason form, other than one bad overthrow to a wide-open Briscoe in the end zone.  Improvement always bumps a grade up.

Setting the Curve

We all know what Reesing is capable of, and he is still the key to KU's success. However, I'll give props to Pick here for being opportunistic. He's taking what defenses are giving him (apparently running lanes), and he's taking a lot of it (six carries for 152 yards).

Don't worry about his arm, either. We may not see it much, but Mangino says that Pick can throw, and I believe him. Remember when Mangino used to tell the media how well his freshman quarterback could run?

Ed Warriner's Overall GPA: 2.93

Not quite the honor roll, Ed, but as I told Clint, the big tests ahead will either make or break your grade.

While the Jayhawks thrive on their offensive success, being only slightly better than the defense's 2.89 makes sense. Outside of a few big plays, the defense has been every bit as good as and likely better than our offense.

I may not be the best grade-giver in the world, but the underlying point here is that KU has work to do on every side of the ball, especially if they plan to reach the top tier of the Big 12 this year.

The Jayhawks are a cram session and an grade-A test away from being a very good football team.