Texas Tech Football: Cantrell says receivers want to be pressured

Despite Texas Tech Football emphasizing the run game this offseason, some are determined to ensure vitality at receivers position, and hopefully it has a positive effect on the defense.

Texas Tech Football is notorious for its offensive production, and without its air assault, the epicenter for the spread in college football would likely die a painful death. But while coaches have emphasized running the football more to control the time and tempo, others are stressing that receivers still want to be the critical playmakers.

During the media availability at Monday’s Fall Camp practice, wide receiver Dylan Cantrell was on-hand to discuss all things, Tony Magnum (his media personality alter ego), to expectations this season at the position.

“(At Big 12 Media Days) They talk about a lot of pressure that’s put on us as a receiving corps, but that’s what we want.” Cantrell said. “We want all the pressure on us; we what those third, fourth down plays going to us, and making a play to win a game. That’s our mindset that we approach every single day, every workout, [and] every practice with.”

Cantrell understands that to be successful as an offensive player for Texas Tech Football, players must not only play at a high skill level, but understand that it requires a balance. “At the same time… you’re not out there thinking about it. You know the system, you’ve been in it for years, you don’t have to think; you can just go out there and play, so that’s what makes it more fun.”

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Texas Tech Football runs an iconic “Air Raid” offense, where in some instances, the lethal yardage and points could warrant a “Mercy Rule.” In a way, however, it’s its own defense that’s asking for mercy. With quick scoring drives that often leave little time for the defense to recover, many attribute that as to why Tech just can’t seem to get crucial stops.

Whatever the case is, the defense needs to find ways to harness the mindset of the offense, and make moves in 2017.

When Cantrell says receivers want all the pressure, he’s essentially saying they don’t want to rely on an exotic offense filled with run plays, and if it takes receivers playing lights out for all four quarters to be heroes, that’s a responsibility they’re prepared for.

Perhaps Cantrell emphasizing how players know the system, and “don’t have to think” about the plays, is what makes playing for Texas Tech Football fun. With head coach Kliff Kingsbury finally learning and committing to splitting his time between the offense and defense, perhaps the defense will be able to adopt the same mindset, and Tech can finally begin to build, rather than play catch up.

From hiring friends that didn’t have coaching synergy, to taking five seasons to become defensive-minded, we’ve discussed Kingsbury’s biggest mistakes as head coach in great lengths now. One thing he hasn’t made a mistake on, however, is engraining it into players’ heads that if they’re having fun, they’re doing their job.

Hopefully 2017 is the year the defense commits to that mindset.