Big 12 Media Days dispatch: Patterson expects much better from Frogs in 2017

[caption id="attachment_18908" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Graham Staniforth Photo by Graham Staniforth[/caption] The last time TCU evaluated a losing season, the Horned Frogs returned the following year to post a 7-6 record. Although the 2013 season was not what Gary Patterson envisioned for his program, TCU enters 2017 under similar circumstances with hope of a better outcome. After a 6-7 season (4-5 in the Big 12), the Horned Frogs look to their high-powered offense to take the program back to the top of the conference. “Really like the team, I really like the kids,” Patterson said. “So I think, just like I am, they’re ready to go.” When asked about the return of QB Kenny Hill, Patterson didn’t deny that changes on offense needed to happen, while assuring that the offseason had been successful for the QB and his weapons. “We’ve got to give him help. We’ve got to catch the ball better. I think we’re going to be better up front offensive line wise," he said. "And then we’ve got to put him in an offense, too, that bends toward his strengths.” While Patterson put a focus on the offensive improvements, he made no excuses for his defense. Even though the Horned Frogs were ranked second in the conference in overall defense last season, their defensive guru head coach was not content with the “average” performance. “As I said before, we weren’t happy with defense. We went out and recruited four deep tackles and three ends, and got bigger.” “At the end of the year, we got beat up in the second half against a couple of teams. We’ve got to be stronger. We’ve got to be more physical and mentally tough.” Overall, Patterson cited the need to perform on the road. Given that the Frogs travel to Fayetteville, Stillwater, Norman, and Lubbock, there is no doubt that the teams’ mental toughness will be tested early. Can the Horned Frogs turn into road warriors and bring a championship back to Fort Worth? That’s the question.