FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Tight-Knit Wideouts Receptive To New Offense

However, the most influential individual for the receivers may not be Rettig, but new offensive coordinator Doug Martin instead. With the premature departure of Martin’s predecessor, Kevin Rogers, the former Kent State head coach has been installed to lead the offense for the 2012 season and beyond.

The players praised Martin’s new offense, often referring back to the word “simple,” as the best way to describe what they have seen so far.

“[The new offense] is not as complex, the concepts and messages are straightforward,” said Larmond. “There’s no trickeration, it’s easy for us to understand. He’s done a great job from day one, coming in and explaining the offense.”

While “trickeration” may not exist in Webster’s dictionary, it does seem to be the most difficult thing to understand in what Martin has brought with him to the Heights.

One can see that this group of receivers is not just another cliche. When they say they’re close, they mean it. If Rettig is to make the next step in his quarterbacking career, he will need all five of these players to make that step with him this season.

Coming off of a 4-8 season is not conducive to unrealistic expectations though, especially in what was a bit of a down year for the receiving core—and who better to provide the finishing touch on a season’s worth of expectations than Larmond?

“If we don’t win the first game of the season, the season’s not over,” Larmond said of his hopes for the receivers and the 2012 season on the whole. “But also if we win the first game of the season, we’re not going to the Orange Bowl. For us now, we’re still 4-8 until the season’s over.”