Hot Take Monday: Cam Coleman

[jcash02]

After watching the historic performance by CeeDee Lamb against the Texans, I listened to Shannon Sharpe & Ocho discuss how the Cowboys moved CeeDee all over the field and utilized him in creative ways.

It got me thinking about how Sark and the Longhorns are using (or not using) Cam Coleman.

My hot take is...

Explain how we're doing anything different than how Auburn used him, through the first 4 games of the season?

We heard all this talk about how he would be a complete WR, have a diverse route tree, be in a creative offense etc.

All I see so far is him being used as a deep ball 50/50 jump ball threat. Same thing in the red zone. All I've seen are fades and glance routes. 

Were we sold a bill of goods? Is this on Sark, Arch or Cam himself? 

[TexasMDcoach]

3 minutes ago, jcash02 said:

After watching the historic performance by CeeDee Lamb against the Texans, I listened to Shannon Sharpe & Ocho discuss how the Cowboys moved CeeDee all over the field and utilized him in creative ways.

It got me thinking about how Sark and the Longhorns are using (or not using) Cam Coleman.

My hot take is...

Explain how we're doing anything different than how Auburn used him, through the first 4 games of the season?

We heard all this talk about how he would be a complete WR, have a diverse route tree, be in a creative offense etc.

All I see so far is him being used as a deep ball 50/50 jump ball threat. Same thing in the red zone. All I've seen are fades and glance routes. 

Were we sold a bill of goods? Is this on Sark, Arch or Cam himself? 

So far, you are right but hopefully his role with evolve and expand as we move into the meat of our schedule and get past all the mental errors our offensive unit has created. 

[Here for the Wins]

Is Wingo faster and quicker?  I think he’s better with the ball in his hands.  If he checks those boxes, then he’s the guy to move around.

[hookem1014]

1 minute ago, Here for the Wins said:

Is Wingo faster and quicker?  I think he’s better with the ball in his hands.  If he checks those boxes, then he’s the guy to move around.

I agree I think Wingo has shown he’s much better as a YAC receiver than a deep ball threat. Need to find ways to get Coleman more opportunities that don’t involve long developing routes. One on one matchups where he can go up and get it. He’s done it in the red zone a couple times.

[Ben Blankenship]

11 minutes ago, jcash02 said:

After watching the historic performance by CeeDee Lamb against the Texans, I listened to Shannon Sharpe & Ocho discuss how the Cowboys moved CeeDee all over the field and utilized him in creative ways.

It got me thinking about how Sark and the Longhorns are using (or not using) Cam Coleman.

My hot take is...

Explain how we're doing anything different than how Auburn used him, through the first 4 games of the season?

We heard all this talk about how he would be a complete WR, have a diverse route tree, be in a creative offense etc.

All I see so far is him being used as a deep ball 50/50 jump ball threat. Same thing in the red zone. All I've seen are fades and glance routes. 

Were we sold a bill of goods? Is this on Sark, Arch or Cam himself? 

I would compare Cam to more of a George Pickens than CD. The deep threat is always there with GP but what makes him dynamic is his slant route. GP had a slant/corner route that almost made the DB fall down. He wasn't targeted but was wide open. I could see a duo similar in style to CD/GP with Wingo/Coleman. Wingo being the RAC/quicker guy that CD is and Coleman being in that GP role.

[Ben Blankenship]

4 minutes ago, hookem1014 said:

I agree I think Wingo has shown he’s much better as a YAC receiver than a deep ball threat. Need to find ways to get Coleman more opportunities that don’t involve long developing routes. One on one matchups where he can go up and get it. He’s done it in the red zone a couple times.

I think the skinny post that Cam had on the first drive against UTSA is a great example of this. Intermediate route in the middle of the field.

[Here for the Wins]

1 minute ago, hookem1014 said:

I agree I think Wingo has shown he’s much better as a YAC receiver than a deep ball threat. Need to find ways to get Coleman more opportunities that don’t involve long developing routes. One on one matchups where he can go up and get it. He’s done it in the red zone a couple times.

I think he’s 4 of 8 on contested catches.  UTSA whipped him once on a catchable ball and bodied him a bit on another.  He can clearly make some spectacular catches.  But……do we want to rely on 50/50 balls?   You are effectively saying they’re a break even proposition.  There’s an element of encouraging your QB to throw to a covered WR.  There are several inherent issues in that.

[Assistant Regional Manager]

His average yards per reception is up almost 5 yards from last year and he has already almost matched his touchdown total.

We have a lot of mouths to feed. Every thread is filled with people demanding Bishop get more touches or Wingo get more involved in the screen game or throw the tight ends more and don't forget about Emmett Mosley and don't forget to run the ball Sark!

There is one football to go around. Coleman is doing fine and will have his big games. 

[ArizonaLonghorn]

7 minutes ago, jcash02 said:

After watching the historic performance by CeeDee Lamb against the Texans, I listened to Shannon Sharpe & Ocho discuss how the Cowboys moved CeeDee all over the field and utilized him in creative ways.

It got me thinking about how Sark and the Longhorns are using (or not using) Cam Coleman.

My hot take is...

Explain how we're doing anything different than how Auburn used him, through the first 4 games of the season?

We heard all this talk about how he would be a complete WR, have a diverse route tree, be in a creative offense etc.

All I see so far is him being used as a deep ball 50/50 jump ball threat. Same thing in the red zone. All I've seen are fades and glance routes. 

Were we sold a bill of goods? Is this on Sark, Arch or Cam himself? 

The numbers are mostly lower than what he did last year at Auburn (see graph below).  When I brought this up last week I was told not to worry, that guys like (either Golden or Mitchell, forgot which) had slow starts after transferring in but came on strong later.  But both those guys had Quinn at QB and ran a lot of shorter and intermediate routes, so somewhat different situations.

Teams seem to be either playing the 3 high safety look to take away the deep ball or blitzing and giving Arch little time to throw (haven't watched for this in detail but that's my impression).

Anyway, table below shows Cam's numbers for 12 games at Auburn and 4 at Texas - multiply the Texas stats by 3 and you end up with 60 targets, 36 receptions (fewer than Deandre Moore had last season), 624 yards (!!) and 12 TDs.  The TD number is excellent but the others are disappointing.

There were two long passes that could have been big catches - the INT he tipped up against OSU and the play against Tennessee where the CB snatched it from him for another INT.  Had he caught one or both of those that would add a lot of yards to his numbers.

It's reasonable to speculate that he'll get better as the season progresses, more in tune with Arch, but I agree with you that he hasn't produced as expected thus far.

Unleash Cam Coleman!

 

 

[hookem1014]

1 minute ago, Here for the Wins said:

I think he’s 4 of 8 on contested catches.  UTSA whipped him once on a catchable ball and bodied him a bit on another.  He can clearly make some spectacular catches.  But……do we want to rely on 50/50 balls?   You are effectively saying they’re a break even proposition.  There’s an element of encouraging your QB to throw to a covered WR.  There are several inherent issues in that.

I could be wrong, but I think some of those were also in double coverage. The deep shot vs Tennessee (which imo he should have still caught) was tough. I would take his chances in a true 1 on 1 situation. Still need to find ways to use him outside of that though I agree.

[Here for the Wins]

1 minute ago, hookem1014 said:

I could be wrong, but I think some of those were also in double coverage. The deep shot vs Tennessee (which imo he should have still caught) was tough. I would take his chances in a true 1 on 1 situation. Still need to find ways to use him outside of that though I agree.

Certainly could be.  The Tenn one was tough.  The UTSA ones stand out most in my mind. I’d just not force it to him.  As a QB I can see the thought that he’s not getting enough looks so I need to look his way more often.  Or that knowing he can go get it that you force it.  This team shouldn’t be chasing numbers because there are multiple viable options.

[kmoore]

I don't have data on actual routes ran (PFF might, but I don't have a subscription) however taking a look at targets:
- Cam is on pace to have way more targets at Z than he did at Auburn last year. Sark seems to be swapping him at X and Z quite often. Oddly enough, there haven't been any targets recorded with Cam in the Slot. This doesn't account for Stacks/Bunches. Could be something to look for as the season progresses.
- He already has more targets from Post routes than he did at Auburn last year, which is surprising. Unfortunately, none have been completed yet.
- There have been 0 targets to Cam on outbreaking routes this year, but that is somewhat of a theme across all pass catchers. "3" Routes accounted for about 15% of Cam's target share at Auburn last year.
- With an understanding that this data is skewed (targets vs. routes ran) it does seem as if the route tree is essentially the same, but he has definitely been put on the wide side of the field more. I think the idea was to allow him to get comfortable in the offense with things he already knew how to do... stretch the defense vertically. He was not coming in as a very polished route runner in my opinion. I'm hopeful that we see improvement and expansion of his game as we move forward.
- Obvious, but worth a reminder: OL & QB performance are factors in this.

[AJJ_Sports]

For us to fully unleash Cam he’s also got to get better on his end especially with separation on routes under 15 yards down the field. He came into a Texas with a limited route tree. I’m sure we will find a true way to unlock him but it might take more time.

[horns96]

We were told Cam makes 50/50 balls 80/20, but so far he’s batting .000.  That ball in Knoxville was just taken from him.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Yall want him to be our version of jeremiah smith, But that just isn’t his game. We’re going into game five, So have some patience. 

[Texasborn91]

As long as we are clicking at the end of the year…

[Jafwolf]

I mostly agree.  I think he’s just less developed than we assumed.  I think he is still learning all the nuances of the position.  I really think he needs to stay another season .  He will be drafted in the first round, but will he be ready for those expectations?  Also 2 of Arch’s are on Cam.  Lots of ball to be played.

[BurntOrangeHorn]

4 hours ago, horns96 said:

We were told Cam makes 50/50 balls 80/20, but so far he’s batting .000.  That ball in Knoxville was just taken from him.

Look at that play again.

🤘🏻🤘🏼🤘🤘🏽🤘🏾🤘🏿

[Jordan91]

It isn’t him. Go back to the first two games. Cam is wide open and Arch never looks his way. Not sure which game that was but the tape is there. Cams drop against Ohio State is about the only thing I can even put on him. Arch has to get him the ball. Cam’s ability doesn’t disappear because he goes to a better team. Is he any slower? Did his hands suddenly lose the ability to catch passes few can? If anything Cam should be upset. 

[PaulieD]

20 hours ago, hookem1014 said:

I agree I think Wingo has shown he’s much better as a YAC receiver than a deep ball threat. Need to find ways to get Coleman more opportunities that don’t involve long developing routes. One on one matchups where he can go up and get it. He’s done it in the red zone a couple times.

I actually would like to see Cam in more of a H back scenario, he's a tall target and would be great in intermediate routes.

[Here for the Wins]

8 hours ago, Jordan91 said:

It isn’t him. Go back to the first two games. Cam is wide open and Arch never looks his way. Not sure which game that was but the tape is there. Cams drop against Ohio State is about the only thing I can even put on him. Arch has to get him the ball. Cam’s ability doesn’t disappear because he goes to a better team. Is he any slower? Did his hands suddenly lose the ability to catch passes few can? If anything Cam should be upset. 

It’ll be a combination of all things.  Versus UTSA, he a go route down the sideline.  The ball is on him, no catch.  On the goalline, he has a slant for a TD, but the Cb whips him.

His path to the ball versus Ohio State, versus Tennessee weren’t the smoothest.  I really have no idea how fast he is.  And retrospectively many of highlights were with him making great catches against decent coverage.  So not real sure he’s a great separator.

If anything Cam should be upset?  Not really.  Wingo 25 targets, 19 catches, Mosley 12-21, Coleman 12-20.  He’s been here the shortest time so it wouldn’t be surprising his rapport with the QB is less than the other two.

He was brought here to help win it all.  That’s still on the table.