- Joined
- Mar 30, 2012
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There's way, way too much negativity around here.
To my mind there's been one major screw-up. GDL should have realized in spring ball that we needed some kind of spread offense to create space if we were going to move the ball effectively. We have reasonable depth at receiver -- 5 competent WRs, 2 TEs, and a few backs who should be able to catch -- but our OL is just not overpowering anyone, nor are our backs. Our RBs can pick up yards if they get the ball in space, which a spread can do using draws, screens, and late releases from the backfield. The screw-up: GDL didn't establish a workable style of play or identity, instead we had a mix of power running, wildcat, and several types of passing game -- we didn't practice any approach enough to become good at it.
We saw against Temple that the spread passing game has potential, but there were too many miscommunications between QB and receivers -- clear evidence that we haven't practiced this style of play much.
So we're about 7 games plus a month of practice behind other teams in establishing our style of play. That's enough to turn 6-1 into 3-4 and put us behind the eight ball as we head into a difficult closing schedule.
The good news is, the team may finally be working on the approach it needs to be successful. We can hope for significant improvement as the season progresses -- maybe not in victories, given the level of opponent, but in level of play.
If so we'll be setting a good foundation for next year. We'll have some good playmakers coming in on offense, notably Dhameer Bradley who will probably play right away. The OL will still be a problem but Whitmer will be quite a bit farther along and the backs will be another year along.
It's going to be a building process that we didn't expect to be so difficult, and it's quite right to blame the coaches for taking so long to find a path forward, but if we can follow this path forward and practice the spread until it can be executed consistently at a high level, we can have a very successful program on both sides of the ball.
Whether to change coaches can be left for the end of the season. The great thing about college ball, the fun thing for me, is watching players and teams develop. We're seeing Geremy Davis emerge as a receiver. If the offense develops an identity that we can practice enough to become good at, we may see many more playmakers emerge - starting with Whitmer, Griffin, Nick Williams, and whichever RB proves he can catch the ball.
Whether or not the team makes a bowl, let's root for them to improve and develop. That much can still be fun and even exciting. Have faith!
To my mind there's been one major screw-up. GDL should have realized in spring ball that we needed some kind of spread offense to create space if we were going to move the ball effectively. We have reasonable depth at receiver -- 5 competent WRs, 2 TEs, and a few backs who should be able to catch -- but our OL is just not overpowering anyone, nor are our backs. Our RBs can pick up yards if they get the ball in space, which a spread can do using draws, screens, and late releases from the backfield. The screw-up: GDL didn't establish a workable style of play or identity, instead we had a mix of power running, wildcat, and several types of passing game -- we didn't practice any approach enough to become good at it.
We saw against Temple that the spread passing game has potential, but there were too many miscommunications between QB and receivers -- clear evidence that we haven't practiced this style of play much.
So we're about 7 games plus a month of practice behind other teams in establishing our style of play. That's enough to turn 6-1 into 3-4 and put us behind the eight ball as we head into a difficult closing schedule.
The good news is, the team may finally be working on the approach it needs to be successful. We can hope for significant improvement as the season progresses -- maybe not in victories, given the level of opponent, but in level of play.
If so we'll be setting a good foundation for next year. We'll have some good playmakers coming in on offense, notably Dhameer Bradley who will probably play right away. The OL will still be a problem but Whitmer will be quite a bit farther along and the backs will be another year along.
It's going to be a building process that we didn't expect to be so difficult, and it's quite right to blame the coaches for taking so long to find a path forward, but if we can follow this path forward and practice the spread until it can be executed consistently at a high level, we can have a very successful program on both sides of the ball.
Whether to change coaches can be left for the end of the season. The great thing about college ball, the fun thing for me, is watching players and teams develop. We're seeing Geremy Davis emerge as a receiver. If the offense develops an identity that we can practice enough to become good at, we may see many more playmakers emerge - starting with Whitmer, Griffin, Nick Williams, and whichever RB proves he can catch the ball.
Whether or not the team makes a bowl, let's root for them to improve and develop. That much can still be fun and even exciting. Have faith!
