Lewis Told to Work on Blocking

Tight end Marcedes Lewis, second on the team with 30 receptions last season, has been practicing harder than he ever has and should be even more productive this season -- if he becomes a better blocker.

“This [West Coast] system plays to the tight end, sometimes more than to others,” explained Tom Cable, the first-year offensive coordinator, who has made Lewis one of his projects. “His job is to block and get the edge for you offensively to run the football. Then, if he does a good job blocking, it opens up the middle of the field and you’re able to throw him the football quite a bit. We’re hoping to throw it to him four to five times a game.”

Asked how the 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior has been responding, Cable said: “Everybody knows the athlete he is: he can run fast; he has a big body; he can jump. But you know what? The best tight ends in football knock your teeth into the back of your throat, and that’s important and what he’s got to learn how to do.”

Said Lewis: “At first I didn’t care about blocking too much, but now I feel better about it and it’s getting easier. Now when I get a pancake on someone [knocking a defender on his back], I feel as good about that as I do making a catch.”

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Lewis’ role has taken on paramount importance, as tight end is one of several thin spots for the Bruins. Keith Carter, who suffered a fractured right hip in a motorcycle accident in the spring of 2003, is being nursed along slowly and hasn’t played since 2002. Matt Raney has been slowed by an abdominal hernia, and J.J. Hair has been among players losing time because of post-concussion symptoms. Hair was back on the field Thursday but played only in non-contact drills.

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Quarterback Drew Olson has been working on “looking off” his intended targets so as not to telegraph passes. But there’s no question which receiver is always in his mind: fifth-year senior Craig Bragg, who led the team last season with 73 catches and who needs 23 receptions and 659 yards to set school records in both categories.

“He’s one of the biggest parts of this offense. He’s our top receiver, our go-to guy, our ... everything, really,” Olson said. “He sets the standard for the other top receivers to catch up and get to that bar where he’s at right now. He’s above and beyond everybody else. If we’re on the same page then he’ll be breaking those records.”

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Inside linebacker Justin London suffered a right ankle sprain during run drills and judging from the immediate swelling, trainers said he could be sidelined two to three weeks.

Tim Warfield took London’s place with the first team and suffered a hyperextended left knee. Coach Karl Dorrell said he expected Warfield back “fairly soon” and said “injuries are just part of the preparation” when reporters observed that suddenly the Bruins are thin at yet another position. Junior college transfer Danny Nelson figures to get more playing time leading to the Sept. 4 opener against Oklahoma State.

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David Koral had perhaps his most effective passing day of the summer session, consistently hitting receivers on long and short passes, and strengthening his case as the No. 2 quarterback. He and Brian Callahan, however, are still struggling with the West Coast offense.

Asked what would happen if Olson were unable to play against the Cowboys, quarterbacks coach Jim Svoboda replied, “It’d probably be a deal where we’d have to cut back and simplify our play calling.”