Some positives from our players on offense

[OttoinGrotto]

I don't want to get in to another coaching vs talent discussion, but whether we have a new staff or Shafer and co. are back next season I think we actually return enough on the offensive side of the ball to be excited about if used correctly. It's hard evaluating our offense because we just run so few plays (if my math is right we average ~62 a game - that's really, really low) but these players have been highlights in a disappointing season:

Dungey, if healthy and with an offseason of S&C and informal stuff with his wideouts, is a very promising QB. We all know this, but hopefully it doesn't get lost that he showed some instincts and ability that are rare for a quarterback his age. With time to improve, I think he returns a better player. (Way to go out on a limb, I know)

Fredericks is averaging close to 6 yards a carry and is going to end the season over 600 yards rushing I'd guess. Those are impressive numbers for a true freshman, and like Dungey, will benefit from an offseason to work on S&C and become more familiar with this level of play and preparation. Morris seems to have solidified the backup RB spot heading in to next year too, and while Run DMC has struggled this season, he has made plays in the past and I think that guy is still in there.

Philips and Strickland are both electric. They have 10 TDs between the two of them, and they both have the it factor that allows them to extend plays. You can work with that.

At wideout Ish's talent speaks for itself, and he's shown he can shine if given the opportunity. I think Lewis is a gamer, and Estime has also had bursts. We also have some once highly regarded guys on the end of the bench in Custis and Enoicy that I don't think we should give up on. I think you can consistently move the ball with this group.

I'm not sure what to make of our TEs. Moore is hurt, Parris isn't a negative out there but I don't think he's a huge plus or anything, and we haven't even seen Dunk for whatever reason, but people were really excited about his potential. I think you can get what you need from this unit, though.

Obviously the success of the skill players is partly dependent on how the line comes together, but we have some guys on the bench that had decent offers coming out of highschool and that had respectable ratings. We won't know until we see it, and the group might be raw, but I think you can get a good unit out of the group that's returning.

As a unit the offense hasn't performed as hoped this season, but we're bringing back every key skill player. Considering how young many of them are, it's not unreasonable to expect them to improve as a group. I think we have enough to be dangerous under the right circumstances.

 

[orangepassion]

The key is Dungey's health and the developement of our young OL

 

[javadoc]

Imagine if we had a QB yesterday who could have hit Estime and Ishmael running free on those deep routes.

 

[GoSU96]

I don't want to get in to another coaching vs talent discussion, but whether we have a new staff or Shafer and co. are back next season I think we actually return enough on the offensive side of the ball to be excited about if used correctly. It's hard evaluating our offense because we just run so few plays (if my math is right we average ~62 a game - that's really, really low) but these players have been highlights in a disappointing season:

Dungey, if healthy and with an offseason of S&C and informal stuff with his wideouts, is a very promising QB. We all know this, but hopefully it doesn't get lost that he showed some instincts and ability that are rare for a quarterback his age. With time to improve, I think he returns a better player. (Way to go out on a limb, I know)

Fredericks is averaging close to 6 yards a carry and is going to end the season over 600 yards rushing I'd guess. Those are impressive numbers for a true freshman, and like Dungey, will benefit from an offseason to work on S&C and become more familiar with this level of play and preparation. Morris seems to have solidified the backup RB spot heading in to next year too, and while Run DMC has struggled this season, he has made plays in the past and I think that guy is still in there.

Philips and Strickland are both electric. They have 10 TDs between the two of them, and they both have the it factor that allows them to extend plays. You can work with that.

At wideout Ish's talent speaks for itself, and he's shown he can shine if given the opportunity. I think Lewis is a gamer, and Estime has also had bursts. We also have some once highly regarded guys on the end of the bench in Custis and Enoicy that I don't think we should give up on. I think you can consistently move the ball with this group.

I'm not sure what to make of our TEs. Moore is hurt, Parris isn't a negative out there but I don't think he's a huge plus or anything, and we haven't even seen Dunk for whatever reason, but people were really excited about his potential. I think you can get what you need from this unit, though.

Obviously the success of the skill players is partly dependent on how the line comes together, but we have some guys on the bench that had decent offers coming out of highschool and that had respectable ratings. We won't know until we see it, and the group might be raw, but I think you can get a good unit out of the group that's returning.

As a unit the offense hasn't performed as hoped this season, but we're bringing back every key skill player. Considering how young many of them are, it's not unreasonable to expect them to improve as a group. I think we have enough to be dangerous under the right circumstances.

This was always going to be a good team next year. People don't get that this actually makes it good time to make a change.

If Shafer had stayed and made a couple of change it's a 7 win team, unless there is a bunch of early departures due to injury, stupid weed polices, academics...

Key is getting a real OL coach.

Nice three wide set with Ishmael, Estime, Lewis, two functional TE's, decent set of backs.

Need to figure out where to use Phillips and Stickland (wonder if he can play safety).

Defense should be better, hopefully Thompson doesn't follow Eskridge with a bad decision.

 

[Scooch]

Let's hope Dungey plays next year.

 

[HtownOrange]

Several things could improve the offensive side of the ball with the current players and incoming kids:

1) Speed up the game! Pass more in first (stop the idea that we have to establish the run game to set up the pass game - The kids play in a Dome for at least 6 games and in good weather another 3-4)
2) Stop running the clock down, go no huddle, using only the time needed to get new plays in.
3) Get some D-backs on the team (though the younger kids seem to be improving, a few more would help!)
4) Game plan much better. Once it is seen what the opposing defense will do, call the plays they don't defend, make them defend those plays, then use other plays to screw with their minds.
5) Make in game changes! No need to wait until the half, make the changes on the fly. This applies to offense and defense.
6) Position coaches need to grill and drill the fundamentals and build strategies form that point. I cannot recall how many plays our defense screwed up because they did not wrap up an offensive player.

Of course the obvious, get several QBs ready for the season. Apparently we will be using 3-4 annually so get them ready!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

This was always going to be a good team next year. People don't get that this actually makes it good time to make a change.

If Shafer had stayed and made a couple of change it's a 7 win team, unless there is a bunch of early departures due to injury, stupid weed polices, academics...

Key is getting a real OL coach.

Nice three wide set with Ishmael, Estime, Lewis, two functional TE's, decent set of backs.

Need to figure out where to use Phillips and Stickland (wonder if he can play safety).

Defense should be better, hopefully Thompson doesn't follow Eskridge with a bad decision.

Whoa whoa whoa, you'd move Strickland to defense? No way. He's an absolute game changer on offense. Let's not get so comfortable with what we have on that side of the ball that we feel comfortable making a trade like that.

We need our best talents on offense, and likely will for a while.

I agree with your point though that this is a good time to make a change. There's stuff to work with. I believe that's true on the defensive side too.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Let's hope Dungey plays next year.

Hail Mary if he doesn't - Taysom Hill as a 5th year transfer.

 

[Crusty]

Pretty accurate OttoinGrotto. However, I fear Dungey has had two concussions and will never finish his career at Syracuse.

Fredericks is the real deal and I have to ask why he hasn't had more touches other than Lester's incompetence. The same applies to Ish.

Phillips however, is feast or famine and makes an awful lot of mistakes for a sophomore. Lining up incorrectly, dropping a lot of passes (including the infamous helmet bop), missing blocking assignments, all diminish his contributions.

There is enough talent on this roster to be a bowl eligible team if used properly. We need an new offense as this one will never work in the ACC. I think we are about to get one.

While not my preference, I am not so opposed to an offensive coordinator as others. While we have had bad experiences with defensive coordinators without HC experience that has not been the case with OC's (Marrone was a very good coach.) I think it is easier to hire a really good DC than it is a really good OC. So, I am not afraid of a guy like Frost if that is what happens.

 

[RICuse44]

I would like to see the following:
1. Oline coach like Adkins or Perles.
2. Strickland or erv gets moved to the slot.
3. Bris moved to the slot
4. Hurry up offense after big plays when the defense is on their heels
5. Custis or enoicy or x emerge as a viable #3 wideout. I think ish and Lewis should start although ideally I want Lewis to put on 15-20 lbs and play TE

I like the looks of a four wide set with ish, Bris, Strickland/erv and lewis out there.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Phillips however, is feast or famine and makes an awful lot of mistakes for a sophomore. Lining up incorrectly, dropping a lot of passes (including the infamous helmet bop), missing blocking assignments, all diminish his contributions.

I don't view Phillips' negatives as a positive, but I do view it as a positive that despite those issues he has enough raw ability to make things happen. I'll roll the dice on that for now.

 

[Crusty]

I don't view Phillips' negatives as a positive, but I do view it as a positive that despite those issues he has enough raw ability to make things happen. I'll roll the dice on that for now.

He certainly has raw ability, but so does Strickland and I would rather see more of him.

 

[anglerman]

I think the obvious place for Strickland is RB. He and Fredricks can be as good as anyone in ACC.

 

[Millhouse]

I don't think there is anything wrong with Phillips Strickland and estime at WR that a zillion reps doing the same things over and over wouldn't fix

More than enough arms to have everyone catching passes all the time

 

[GoSU96]

Whoa whoa whoa, you'd move Strickland to defense? No way. He's an absolute game changer on offense. Let's not get so comfortable with what we have on that side of the ball that we feel comfortable making a trade like that.

We need our best talents on offense, and likely will for a while.

I agree with your point though that this is a good time to make a change. There's stuff to work with. I believe that's true on the defensive side too.

There are too many RB/XB/WB/TE/WR - you can't play them all, I don't care who they are, if they can help on defense, move them.

 

[Chip]

There are too many RB/XB/WB/TE/WR - you can't play them all, I don't care who they are, if they can help on defense, move them.

Maybe move George Morris to safety, based on his size and hope for a little Tebucky magic.

If the new coach likes quickness at RB, then Fredericks/Strickland is a nice 1-2 punch.

Ish, Bris, Erv, Avant at WR, move Lewis to TE. Or leave him at WR if you'll get enough from existing TEs.