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Message: [QUOTE="Shrmdougluvr, post: 1137005, member: 396"] My thoughts on the coaching (positives and negatives) from someone who is beyond a "lay fan" but well below someone with real football knowledge: 1. It took Marrone and Hackett a few years to get there, but they finally realized that they had to scheme to their talent, and be different in a way that made up for deficiencies. They were uniquely qualified to do this as Marrone had served under an offensive genius and Hackett was a blank slate. I don't get what McDonald/Shafer are trying to do with the offense. Running what Oregon and Clemson do with far less talented players is never going to yield Oregon/Clemson type results. 2. The indecision with where players play is a recurring problem. To me, the two most dominant athletes on the team are Ashton Broyld and Ron Thompson. Ashton has played two consecutive seasons (even practice seasons) at the same position since he go on campus. To me, he would have made an excellent mike (though i am told he has an aversion to contact), but on offense, the prototype is Sanu at Rutgers. Instead they waste a year with him at RB (i blame Marrone for that) and use him as a slot receive (a spot generally reserved for jitterbug-types). Thompson came in with all kinds of promise at TE. Was shifted to defensive end because it was thought he would "outgrow" tight end (an idiotic premise). Then they had him slim down to fit within the defensive system (more on that next). Now he is mostly playing as a woefully undersized defensive tackle. Is it not obvious that Thompson should be wreaking havoc as a 285 lbs defensive end? 3. The defense is too small. Villanova was able to play with us because we are about the size of a 1-aa defense. Really tiny up front (though they play the run fairly well). We keep trying to get faster, but all that speed can't help us compete with bigger (and still fast players). I don't know if i am barking up the right tree here, but too me, i would recruit kids to more natural positions. I think Davis would have been an amazing 215 lbs strong safety. Instead we have Desir in their at a 180. this is an example. 4. The running back rotation is dreadful and silly. If gulley is who the coaches deem best, he should be in as often as possible. I can't recall whether it was second or third quarter, but we needed to score, and Morris came in. We had a big 3 and 2 and i believe he got stuffed. Gulley or Moore needed to be in there. 5. Love the energy and camaraderie of the staff. Shafer is an amazing advocate and spokesman for the program. 6. I know folks love to bag on McDonald, but the "I'd be fine with McDonald just as a position coach" comments are laughable. We wouldn't sniff a coach with his recruiting pedigree if he wasnt offered a coordinator gig. [/QUOTE]

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