How does all the blame fall on the coaches?

[Husky25]

...That defense should have been disciplined to know, that whatever happened, Temple had no timeouts, so if the ball was down in the field, they needed to be ready for Temple to get back to the line of scrimmage as fast as they could, and run the next play...SHould the coaches have called timeout? Sure, but I'd rather have a team that's disciplined enough, to wait until they're coming off the field, to celebrate, and have the urgency to get up off the QB, and get back and get set for the next play in that situation when they've made a great play on second down, but the offense is in 4 down territority, with no timeouts and the clock running.

Discipline, and by extension, communication and football awareness are soft skills and taught/developed in practice by the coaching staff. We can say that the players did not execute on this play or that one, but discipline is a pervasive skill throughout the team on every play. At the end of the day, that may be on the coaches as well.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I don't know. If its close I might just go with him. It isn't just that Chisten has missed 4 in a row, He has actually missed 5 straight and he's only 1-6 from 40 yards or more. Seems to me you are pretty much saying we are not even going to try to score.

But he fact remains, that the offense played well enough to win that game fairly comfortably. They drove into scoring position 5 times and came away with 14 points. They drove early. They drove in the 3rd quarter and they drove late in the 4th. Not great long drives, other than the first one,but into scoring position. You cannot come away with 0 points.

I'm just going by what I see during warmups, but the walk on kid (Goodrich?) kicks a better ball than Puyol right now. If anyone pushes Christen for the job, I bet it's him.

 

[Husky25]

I don't know. If its close I might just go with him. It isn't just that Chisten has missed 4 in a row, He has actually missed 5 straight and he's only 1-6 from 40 yards or more. Seems to me you are pretty much saying we are not even going to try to score.

But he fact remains, that the offense played well enough to win that game fairly comfortably. They drove into scoring position 5 times and came away with 14 points. They drove early. They drove in the 3rd quarter and they drove late in the 4th. Not great long drives, other than the first one,but into scoring position. You cannot come away with 0 points.

That's not what I'm saying. In fact, I think that with a little more aggresive play calling, those attempts at 3 quite probably should have been attempts at 1, as in PATs. The play calling as a whole was better on Saturday than the previous 5 weeks, but it was still far from putting the boys in the best position to succeed on a consistent basis.

We are not at the point where 2012 is a lost yet, but we should also be a little more pragmatic about sacrificing a redshirt with only 42% of the season remaining. Christen is at least a serviceable kicker for the last five games and potentially a bowl game (again, outside looking in, but still).

 

[freescooter]

I'm just going by what I see during warmups, but the walk on kid (Goodrich?) kicks a better ball than Puyol right now. If anyone pushes Christen for the job, I bet it's him.

I don't care who it is, you need to try someone else or just announce that you're quitting on the season.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

If you always despised when Edsall blamed "execution," then why are you raising the issue?

Players, for the most part, win and lose games. Coaches, absent clear and egregious mistakes, are reviewed and judged at the end of the season as to how well their players executed. But in what world do you get to blame the coach for players not executing when you don't like the coach, and then be upset when others blame a different coach for their players failure to execute?

I so far have only seen the last few minutes, but fwiw I blame the collapse at the end primarily on the players.

Well the only reason I brought up Edsall and execution is that, in general, I don't really approve of blaming the players. And since I was about to do it, I wanted to point out that I found it a little hypocritical of me to do so, and acknowledge it, before I went and railed against any specific efforts.

It wasn't my intent to have one set of rules for FHCRE and one set of rules for HCPP. I realize now it was unclear. I wasn't blaming Edsall for poor previous efforts any more than I'm blaming Pasqualoni for current poor efforts.

I actually think, for the most part, that the players are busting their asses and doing their best. I am just starting to think that the differences in OL/DL/RB, talent-wise, were more significant than I had previously believed, and I wanted to point that out with this thread.

For instance, at the end of the UConn/Temple game, all we needed to do was run the ball. There's nothing complex about it, coaching-wise. If you can run the ball, you can run down the clock and win. If you have a good OL and a good RB, it doesn't matter if they know it's coming cause you can get the yards. We can't. And we didn't.

We also had a nearly lights-out kicker and right now, obviously, we're struggling in that regard.

My apologies for my lack of clarity or any perceived disrespect towards the effort of players, who I think, for the most part, leave it out on that field every game.

 

[freescooter]

That's not what I'm saying. In fact, I think that with a little more aggresive play calling, those attempts at 3 quite probably should have been attempts at 1, as in PATs. The play calling as a whole was better on Saturday than the previous 5 weeks, but it was still far from putting the boys in the best position to succeed on a consistent basis.

We are not at the point where 2012 is a lost yet, but we should also be a little more pragmatic about sacrificing a redshirt with only 42% of the season remaining. Christen is at least a serviceable kicker for the last five games and potentially a bowl game (again, outside looking in, but still).

He's hitting at a 50% clip, has 5 straight misses, and he is no better than a coin flip form 40 yards and out. Actually way worse than a coin flip. We'll be lucky if he hits another kick this year.

I'm not saying we played great on offense, but UConn was in scoring position 5 times including once late in the game. Those should be if not automatic, at least highly probable. He makes the first one, maybe not a chip shot, but close, and this game is over in the first quarter. Nobody seems to want to knock the kid, and again he seems like a great kid, but place kicking is one of those parts of the game where you either make it or you don't. A couple of years ago, our field goal kicker missed a couple of big kicks and he was replaced. I think if you don't do it now, you are pretty much raising the white flag on the rest of the season.

 

[ZooCougar]

We better have more than one kicker on the roster that can make a 27 yarder.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

He's hitting at a 50% clip, has 5 straight misses, and he is no better than a coin flip form 40 yards and out. Actually way worse than a coin flip. We'll be lucky if he hits another kick this year.

I'm not saying we played great on offense, but UConn was in scoring position 5 times including once late in the game. Those should be if not automatic, at least highly probable. He makes the first one, maybe not a chip shot, but close, and this game is over in the first quarter. Nobody seems to want to knock the kid, and again he seems like a great kid, but place kicking is one of those parts of the game where you either make it or you don't. A couple of years ago, our field goal kicker missed a couple of big kicks and he was replaced. I think if you don't do it now, you are pretty much raising the white flag on the rest of the season.

Kickers are as good as their confidence. More mental than anything else. The first name that came to mind when I was thinking about the kicking game on the way out of the stadium......Mackey Sasser.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

It falls on the players too.
But this coaching staff is making glaring mistakes and decisions week in and week out.

Clock management is always an issue with P. Also now GDL is running McCumings in at times when the offense is actually flowing with Widmer. McCummings comes in gains (or loses) next to nothing and sets up a 3rd and long every time.
That is on GDL. The guy seems to be a guy that likes to reinvent the wheel.
Temple adjusted the second half and our staff did not.

So yes the players are to blame too but ultimately this failure is falling on HCPP and staff.

Anyone out there think that HCPP and GDL can lead us to where we want to go? No Frickin Way !!!

 

[The Funster]

What I see from the coaching staff is that instead of trying to put the players in a position to succeed they try to put their players in a position not to fail.

 

[SAMCRO]

This particular loss falls on the whole lot (players and coaches), but the performance over the past 19 games and lack of improvement, development, basic organization or ability to make a friggin adjustment falls on the coaches (I'm referring to the offensive side of the ball). Our OL is getting worse and worse under GDL. They no longer fire off the ball on run plays, resulting in them getting pushed 2 yards into the backfield, blowing up most of our running plays befoe they even have a chance to start. Our next in game adjustment on O will be our first. We started the game off great, and then you saw it, Temple made some adjustments, and GDL put our offense in turtle mode. He pulled the legs, arms, tail, and head into the shell and put the weight of the game on the D's shoulders AGAIN. I do believe we have the talent to win 7 games with this years schedule, and we may not win another game this year with this clown running the O.

GDL needs to go, and needs to go today. Shoot, move Foley over the OL, and let Day call plays to finish the season. Pay GDL his salary to not show up at practice or games. What's the worst thing that could happen, we lose a game we should win? Can't, we won't be favored in another game the rest of the season.

 

[Husky25]

I don't know what to tell you. This is my opinion. I understand that a switch at kicker might be in order, I'd just prefer not to burn a redshirt this far into the season, especially being an unknown comodity in pressure situations. I'm sure Puyol's been told all year that they planned on redshirting him for whatever reason (Mental Maturity, Leg Strength, Accuracy, just to get the 5th year, etc.), that to change gears on that and to potentially kill the kid's confidence in the process, would be devastating to the kicker and the program. Is there a walk on kicker? Fine, open a competition. Puyol is supposed to be another Teggart (potentially better) and I'd love to see him succeed for the next 4 years...starting in 2013.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

This particular loss falls on the whole lot (players and coaches), but the performance over the past 19 games and lack of improvement, development, basic organization or ability to make a friggin adjustment falls on the coaches (I'm referring to the offensive side of the ball). Our OL is getting worse and worse under GDL. They no longer fire off the ball on run plays, resulting in them getting pushed 2 yards into the backfield, blowing up most of our running plays befoe they even have a chance to start. Our next in game adjustment on O will be our first. We started the game off great, and then you saw it, Temple made some adjustments, and GDL put our offense in turtle mode. He pulled the legs, arms, tail, and head into the shell and put the weight of the game on the D's shoulders AGAIN. I do believe we have the talent to win 7 games with this years schedule, and we may not win another game this year with this clown running the O.

GDL needs to go, and needs to go today. Shoot, move Foley over the OL, and let Day call plays to finish the season. Pay GDL his salary to not show up at practice or games. What's the worst thing that could happen, we lose a game we should win? Can't, we won't be favored in another game the rest of the season.

Minor correction......he didn't necessarily go into turtle mode. He just kept running the same stuff that worked in the first quarter. I just think we didn't make any adjustments to Temple's adjustments. They blitzed more aggressively in the last 3 quarters. A screen pass or two would've been nice before the very last meaningless drive.

 

[ruskin]

I don't care who it is, you need to try someone else or just announce that you're quitting on the season.

IMO that applies to the playcalling duties, not Chad. Geez, you don't have to fire GDL. Just announce you're going to do something different. The big news at Auburn is their first-year OC moved from the field to the booth for games.

 

[freescooter]

I don't know what to tell you. This is my opinion. I understand that a switch at kicker might be in order, I'd just prefer not to burn a redshirt this far into the season, especially being an unknown comodity in pressure situations. I'm sure Puyol's been told all year that they planned on redshirting him for whatever reason (Mental Maturity, Leg Strength, Accuracy, just to get the 5th year, etc.), that to change gears on that and to potentially kill the kid's confidence in the process, would be devastating to the kicker and the program. Is there a walk on kicker? Fine, open a competition. Puyol is supposed to be another Teggart (potentially better) and I'd love to see him succeed for the next 4 years...starting in 2013.

We kind of disagree on this I guess. I think we're at the point where Christen is a liability. He missed routine kicks. I don't need him to be Teggart. But I need him to make 32 and 28 yarders consistently.

 

[freescooter]

IMO that applies to the playcalling duties, not Chad. Geez, you don't have to fire GDL. Just announce you're going to do something different. The big news at Auburn is their first-year OC moved from the field to the booth for games.

I don't disagree with you on changing the offensive coordinator. Or at least the responsibilities for calling the plays. But kicking is the one part of football that is the least dependent on what other guys do. yeah, the hold and the snap are part of the equation, but nobody is saying those were bad. Apparently the block was due to a low kick, The other 3 were wide. Kicking field goals is sort of like free throws in the sense that you can't blame anyone but yourself if you miss...ask Donyell Marshall

 

[huskymedic]

Re offensive line/pass protection: IMO the "scheme" and philosophy bear a lot of responsibility for the sacks. Chandler rarely deviates from the 5-7 step straight drop, so opposing DC's have a pretty good idea where he's going when he steps back and can plan accordingly. In the process of that planning, they can pretty easily figure out where to send the extra blitzer. Most of the sacks at W. Mich. came because we didn't have enough guys in protection. We ran empty backfield a lot Saturday so without looking at video (and I don't have the stomach for it) I'll bet at least half the sacks came when they had the extra guy.
The very few times we use a short drop or, God forbid, a true rollout off play action, the plays seem to work. Why these and more short passing to the tight ends aren't used is one of the biggest mysteries of this godawful season.

Why is it so easy for you to blame the coach but not blame the players?? Roll-outs don't work if those that are also suppose to roll with the QB have no lateral speed. mark my words - this o-line is going to get CW hurt before the end of the season.

 

[businesslawyer]

Why is it so easy for you to blame the coach but not blame the players?? Roll-outs don't work if those that are also suppose to roll with the QB have no lateral speed. mark my words - this o-line is going to get CW hurt before the end of the season.

The good news, however, is that by the time that happens the season is likely to be over for all practical purposes.

 

[ruskin]

Why is it so easy for you to blame the coach but not blame the players?? Roll-outs don't work if those that are also suppose to roll with the QB have no lateral speed. mark my words - this o-line is going to get CW hurt before the end of the season.

Wish I had the rollout vs straight deep drop stats in front of me. I dont, but my eyes tell me I didn't see any rollouts Saturday and ony a few short drops. I did see a wonderfully executed rollout to Griffin on the first drive at W. Michigan. Whitmer isn't RGIII but his footwork is good enough to succeed. At least give the man a chance.

 

[huskymedic]

Wish I had the rollout vs straight deep drop stats in front of me. I dont, but my eyes tell me I didn't see any rollouts Saturday and ony a few short drops. I did see a wonderfully executed rollout to Griffin on the first drive at W. Michigan. Whitmer isn't RGIII but his footwork is good enough to succeed. At least give the man a chance.

Ruskin - I'm not talking about CW's footspeed... it's "the others". He does well running for his life as it is.

 

[ruskin]

Gotcha medic. . . . I think the OL could hold their blocks if the release time was 1-2 seconds shorter. I wish such plays were tried more.

 

[jdb50]

I felt that the 4th and 2 punt in the first half was a bad call. It set a bad tone and I said so to the wife at the time. We're up 14-0 with 6:40 to go I believe. Showing some confidence in the Offense at that point would have been a good coaching move by the staff. Instead we play not to lose. We've become the UConn Grandpas. We hike up our janitor pants, tighten our suspenders and play it safe. Iowa St, halfback option turns the game around, Buffalo played not to lose and executed the plays to give them a chance. We do what other teams expect us to do. No fake punt, rare screen passes, no option pass, hook and lateral. There is no "Damn the torpedos full speed ahead" confidence on the sidelines. Just a whole bunch of Whoa Nelly.

 

[huskymedic]

I felt that the 4th and 2 punt in the first half was a bad call. It set a bad tone and I said so to the wife at the time. We're up 14-0 with 6:40 to go I believe. Showing some confidence in the Offense at that point would have been a good coaching move by the staff. Instead we play not to lose. We've become the UConn Grandpas. We hike up our janitor pants, tighten our suspenders and play it safe. Iowa St, halfback option turns the game around, Buffalo played not to lose and executed the plays to give them a chance. We do what other teams expect us to do. No fake punt, rare screen passes, no option pass, hook and lateral. There is no "Damn the torpedos full speed ahead" confidence on the sidelines. Just a whole bunch of Whoa Nelly.

I don't argue that's what you might do if you had a reason to be confident in your offense BUT if he did and the tailback/fullback ran into the of his blockers being pushed backwards like so many other plays this year - he would be vilified and crucified for the call.

But hey, that's why he gets the big bucks.

 

[jdb50]

Yes he would be lambasted if it failed but maybe they don't score who knows. At that point in the game it wasn't that risky a call. It's about injecting some life into this team. Edsalls 4th down call against Pitt basically told the team that if you want to get somewhere, you have to go get it now and I believe in you and will give you that chance.

 

[businesslawyer]

Yes he would be lambasted if it failed but maybe they don't score who knows. At that point in the game it wasn't that risky a call. It's about injecting some life into this team. Edsalls 4th down call against Pitt basically told the team that if you want to get somewhere, you have to go get it now and I believe in you and will give you that chance.

Really? I'm an Edsall fan, but I would almost guaranty you that what Edsall thought at the time was "I think I have a better chance to win the game letting Hurd lead Todman through the hole and converting the 1st down here than I have letting Pitt start at their own 40 only needing a FG to win."

No more,, no less. Any coach -- even our current one -- is trying to win the game, not please fans or send a message to his players. If you're winning games, your players will assume you believe in them because everyone will believe in them.

 

[ZooCougar]

The coaches are the only professionals on the field. Of course most of the blame is on them.

 

[businesslawyer]

The coaches are the only professionals on the field. Of course most of the blame is on them.

Hate to break this to you Wisky, but the coaches aren't on the field. Eleven young men are on any particular play.

 

[ZooCougar]

Hate to break this to you Wisky, but the coaches aren't on the field. Eleven young men are on any particular play.

They make decisions that directly impact the game on every down. The field is just one part of the battlefield.

 

[businesslawyer]

They make decisions that directly impact the game on every down. The field is just one part of the battlefield.

They do directly impact the game. And I'm certainly not defending this staff's ability to do so. But you can have the best plan in the world, and if players don't make plays you're not going to win.

 

[ZooCougar]

They do directly impact the game. And I'm certainly not defending this staff's ability to do so. But you can have the best plan in the world, and if players don't make plays you're not going to win.

Your players have to be prepared to execute properly. The good field generals put their players in position to compete at an elite level by giving them ample opportunity.

We basically throw plays away every time we run the Wildcat or not call a TO at an opportune moment.