that's what everyone told me last year. too bad the offense got even worsenot that our offense is going to be much better by the end of the year but it's pretty silly to compare any offense over the first 4 games in college football.
Look at 2001, and then look at the 3 years of Marrone (ignore the 4 years of GumpRob, they never happened, OK, just like Rocky V, they NEVER HAPPENED!)...
We were able to thrive in '01 with minimal offensive production because we had a defense that not only was good at stopping opponents, but was a turnover creating machine. I think Freeney had double-digit forced fumbles that year, along with double-digit sacks. THAT was the kind of team where you can play conservative on O (hand to Mugro, tell RJ not to turn the ball over, later, rinse, repeat) and let the D give you short fields.
In other words, I don't know what Marrone sees as the future of our offense (kinda weird that we're in year 3 and I have to say that) but it can't be some dink-and-dunk, 19 PPG crap.
I thought we were suppose to be heading toward a New Orleans Saints style offense. At least that was what we were led to believe. Now there's an offense that would fill the Dome.
Cheers,
Neil
no one can tell us what the saints offense actually is. it's hard enough to define the west coast offense in original form, which payton then tweaked. they actually do throw the kitchen sink at people. a zillion formations and a zillion packages (be still chip's heart). which is great when you have all the time in the world to practice and great talent everywhere.I thought we were suppose to be heading toward a New Orleans Saints style offense. At least that was what we were led to believe. Now there's an offense that would fill the Dome.
Cheers,
Neil
So we're hoping to recruit a 27 year old Drew Brees? Awesome.
not that our offense is going to be much better by the end of the year but it's pretty silly to compare any offense over the first 4 games in college football.
Actually that's the best time, your #'s should be inflated from playing the cupcake portion. Granted we had USC mixed in there (who gave up 7,000 yards to Arizona State for whatever that's worth), and Rutgers (who gave up over 400 yards to the 2 FBS opponents on their schedule yet suddenly they're awesome and to be feared). But still... Toledo and Rhode Island should be inflating us, Tulane even further (will it? doubtful), and then the conference schedule brings us back to earth.
I get that but we obviously have a lack of talent at some important spots, so when we play Toledo and RI we're playing to win comfortably. When the top 25 teams play schools like that it's like a practice game against the walk-ons. The question is, do those numbers decrease as the season progresses as a result of a tougher overall schedule. If it does, I'm assuming it does but I could be completely wrong, then judging the first 4 games of a season only shows you so much.
400 is the middle of the pack this year. 380 was middle of the pack at the end of last year
when can we hope to be average? we didn't hire marrone just to improve toughness, right?
We need better depth... and recruiting...
I think it's evident that we lack some real playmakers and quality depth at any number of positions.
Last year's offense was a conservative band-aid shell of its intended self due to all the injuries by mid season... we only got a full taste of the full offensive scheme in the bowl game.
I thought we were developing that when Nassib is throwing 39 passes. Now I guess that's not who we are.2) I get what you're saying about recruiting because subbing Sanu for Chew alone probably adds a few points and 20 or so yards (minimum) to our offensive output. But that said, I think one HUGE thing missing is any sort of identity. What the do we actually want to do? Do we do anything well? I think at some point they have to decide what they want to do and start implementing it. Otherwise you're stuck in perpetual treading mode. I really think identity is one of the most underrated aspects of football. Knowing what you want to do and what you can do and truly believing in it, as corny as it sounds, is important. It's why some guys who may be total monkeys in every day life (schiano, RichRod, brian kelly) actually make for good football coaches in some weird way. (Note: I'm not saying schiano is a great football coach but he's become a D1 head coach despite, by all appearances, being a slimy turd.)
The real issue is recruiting. Marrone is relying on GROB's recruits (Nassib, Bailey, Provo, Lemon & Chew) because he hasn't brought in any skill guys good enough to have impact as frosh or sophs. He has gone the JUCO route to add toughness, but not for skill guys. Until this changes (bringing in some serious talent at skill positions), the offense is going to struggle. Whether West Coast or New Orleans or whatever, you need some skill guys who can make people miss or run through people or get open on WR routes.
I'm not a recruiting guy by any means, but this is what concerns me. 3 years in (2 full to be fair to Marrone) and yet we don't have one RB or WR who's contributing in any significant way. And those are the two positions where someone can most make an immediate impact if they have the raw talent.
Discouraging, to say the least.
I'm not a recruiting guy by any means, but this is what concerns me. 3 years in (2 full to be fair to Marrone) and yet we don't have one RB or WR who's contributing in any significant way. And those are the two positions where someone can most make an immediate impact if they have the raw talent.
Discouraging, to say the least.
I don't think the issue on offense is depth or injuries. Marrone is playing his top 5 OL -- hasn't look to depth, hasn't tried to mix up any of the slots. This group was put in place in early Spring, hasn't changed. The guys who are banged up (Hickey, for example, or Allport) would be sitting the bench even if healthy.
We have depth at WR (missing Sales, of course, but we have numbers) -- the front line guys (Chew, Lemon, Graham) are pretty good, but there is no real number one in the mold of Mike Williams. We have 3 TEs (good depth) but you'd like to see another playmaker at that spot. Bailey has been good (apart from fumbles) and certainly doing his share with two 100 yd games.
Overall, you have Sales out, and Gulley out -- that's it.
The real issue is recruiting. Marrone is relying on GROB's recruits (Nassib, Bailey, Provo, Lemon & Chew) because he hasn't brought in any skill guys good enough to have impact as frosh or sophs. He has gone the JUCO route to add toughness, but not for skill guys. Until this changes (bringing in some serious talent at skill positions), the offense is going to struggle. Whether West Coast or New Orleans or whatever, you need some skill guys who can make people miss or run through people or get open on WR routes.
I'm not a recruiting guy by any means, but this is what concerns me. 3 years in (2 full to be fair to Marrone) and yet we don't have one RB or WR who's contributing in any significant way. And those are the two positions where someone can most make an immediate impact if they have the raw talent.
Discouraging, to say the least.