Big 12 Syllabus Series: Baylor Bears

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Who would have thought at this time last season, the Baylor Bears would be replacing a Heisman Trophy winner and five offensive NFL draft picks going into the 2012 season?

Baylor fans had the joy of watching their team win 10 games for the first time in three decades and their first bowl victory in nearly two decades.

Now, they’re faced with the task of turnover. Baylor isn’t going to be mistaken for Texas and Oklahoma in terms of reloading, but the Bears have the luxury of an offensive system that has proven to be a key to the recent success. Robert Griffin III was the greatest player the program has ever seen and his presence will be missed undoubtedly, but life will go on without him.

The offense is actually in good shape with the veteran presence of senior quarterback Nick Florence, a good sized group of receivers and a running game that will be able to take advantage of the open space the Baylor offense provides.

Terrance Williams, Lanear Simpson and Tevin Reese lead an attack from the receiving core that will provide Florence with all the support he needs to have a great season. They have the speed, size and big play ability to work the open field and be a nightmare for an opposing secondary.

There’s no doubt about the amount of athleticism and speed on the defense, but without production, the offense will have to keep pace with 30 plus points a game. Last year’s version was 118th in the nation against the pass. The plus side is the secondary returns all five starters and the experience from last season should result in better production…should.

Overall the defensive unit isn’t very strong and could hurt the Bears’ chances of repeating another 10-win season. The bright spot in the secondary is Sam Holl. Holl may be the best player on the defense as he racked up 113 tackles with three picks in 2011. Holl was forced to do too much last season because the front six didn’t do its’ job. How many times must it be said that the best passing defense is a strong front line?

The effect of Robert Griffin III could be felt for quite a while with his career in the NFL. Baylor can now attract recruits who may have steered clear of the program because they hadn’t produced pro talent. It’s not only Griffin III, either. Kendall Wright, Terrance Ganaway, and Philip Blake all broke into the NFL draft and give reason for recruits to see they can have the same success under Art Briles.

3 & Out

1st Down: The Art Briles effect

Since Art Briles took over as head coach at Baylor, there has been a bit of a change in the way the nation looks at the football program. The casual analysis is RG3 led the Bears to their first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1991-1992, but people tend to leave out just how much of an impact Briles has had with the program.

Bear fans can feel fortunate having a coach like Briles. There should be optimism, even with a turnover the Bears had on offense. He is a skilled offensive mind who can place the right pieces in his system and has shown he can recruit NFL talent. While Baylor doesn’t have the talent turnover Texas or Oklahoma have, they can bring in enough talent to make another 10-win run.

2012 will be the first year as head coach at Baylor that Briles will be without Robert Griffin III, but don’t expect a huge drop off from the 10-3 finish in 2011. How on earth is that even possible? There were four other players taken in the draft from last year’s squad.

Briles was able to surround RG3 with the talent around him to produce the number two offense in the nation. Let’s also not forget, Briles was part of the staff that recruited Griffin. Briles was able to surround Griffin with NFL caliber players, and has done the same for senior quarterback Nick Florence and the quarterbacks who follow.

Briles will be challenged this season replacing the five NFL draft picks from 2011, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He has always liked to step up to a challenge, that’s part of the reason he chose to coach in Waco. Up to this point in his career, he has always risen for the occasion. Yes, RG3 was obviously a big piece to the success, but the system in place on offense is also a factor and will help the Bears move on.

2nd Down: Is Nick Florence ready?

How does a team move on from losing a second round pick and Heisman Trophy winner behind center? They move on with a smart offensive mind in Art Briles, a great receiving group and a veteran quarterback who knows the system. Senior quarterback Nick Florence is ready to fill the shoes of Griffin.

No, Florence will probably not put up the numbers RG3 was able to last season, but remember, Briles has always got production from whoever takes his place under center. Florence isn’t a runner, but where he lacks in the threat on the ground, he makes up for with his knowledge of the offense. He is smart; he knows the offense and has a nice cushion with NFL talent Terrance Williams and the always reliable Lanear Simpson.

Baylor fans will remember Florence from 2009, when he stepped in for the injured RG3. He completed 62% of his passes. Last season, Florence again came in after RG3 went down with a concussion, as he went 9-12 with 151 yards and a touchdown in route to clinch a win.

Florence is certainly showing the confidence needed to lead the offensive attack. The challenge of replacing RG3 seems to have him pumped up.

3rd Down: The Offense can still flourish

Realistically the running game probably won’t put up the same type of numbers as it did with RG3 and Ganaway. However, Oregon transfer Lache Seastrunk and Jarred Salubi are more than capable of carrying the load. Since Seastrunk was originally recruited to play at UO, you can guess what type of player he is. While he’s not LaMichael James, he does have that type of dynamic explosiveness that’s perfect for the spread offense. Salubi was highly recruited and while he doesn’t have Ganaway like size, he is still 5-9 210 pounds.

The running game has to replace a duo in Ganaway and Griffin III that was responsible for 2246 rushing yards last year, but a two back system with Seastrunk and Salubi is just enough to produce in the open holes with the offense.

What Nick Florence lacks in running ability, he makes up for with his veteran knowledge of the offensive system. He will make smart throws and has one of the best receiving groups in the Big 12.

With or without a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, the system produces. Art Briles made it work in Houston and the same should happen with Florence.