The importance of Mahoneys performance

[bothsocksup]

After watching what Mahoney did, it feels good to know that our head coach and offensive coordinator are able to gameplan and help even a 5th string walk on become very successul against a top tier team like LSU. I think what many of us felt, including myself, especially myself, was our offense was a product of Dungey. When he went down, we assumed, i assumed, that our season was going down with it. After watching the LSU game I finally have the same confidence level that I did when Dougy Fresh was on the hill. Even though Marrone was an unlikeable guy, you always felt comfortable that we would have a proper gameplan installed no matter who we were facing. You never felt liek we were going to get outcoached, maybe out talented, but not outcoached. For a while, I was losing faith in SS and the Offensive Staff. Last year really shook me up as a fan, and it made me think we were closer to Grob then we were the Marrone days. Anyhow, after watching Mahoney, who did his damndest to look as awful as possible in the first half, its easy to see that the coaching staff has a plan, and the offense being installed, while simple, is effective and can even be run effectively by a "5th string" walkon. It's also good to know that the future of our program doesnt rest on the shoulders of a freshman qb from Oregon. With that said, I cant wait to see what a talent like ED can do with the gameplanning and vision of Lester and Co.

 

[SoBristol]

Yes, the coaching is better with Lester.

Now, for balance, consider what else we have surrounding our QBs. Multi-year starters on the offensive line in 4 spots. Emerich (a 4th year player) knows the center position and has added enough size to play it . Veterans at TE. Speed (Estime) and talent (Ishmael) at the WR spots, and a little depth at hybrid. It all helps.
Mahoney started as a 5th string talent, but is that a fair evaluation? He has starting JUCO experience under his belt, and has worked his way up our depth chart. Lester couldn't get much done with Long, Kimball, or Wilson -- maybe Mahoney is a different talent?

 

[TheCusian]

Yes, the coaching is better with Lester. Now, for balance, consider what else we have surrounding our QBs. Multi-year starters on the offensive line in 4 spots. Emerich (a 4th year player) knows the center position and has added enough size to play it . Veterans at TE. Speed (Estime) and talent (Ishmael) at the WR spots, and a little depth at hybrid. It all helps. Mahoney started as a 5th string talent, but is that a fair evaluation? He has starting JUCO experience under his belt, and has worked his way up our depth chart. Lester couldn't get much done with Long, Kimball, or Wilson -- maybe Mahoney is a different talent?

No - it's the system. He was running Mcits system last year with Long, Kimbell, and Wilson.

 

[jgeorge322]

Agree. Lester puts these kids in a position so they can succeed, even w their own limitations aka good coaching

 

[SoBristol]

No - it's the system. He was running Mc. . . . its system last year with Long, Kimbell, and Wilson.

I like the system, and I like Lester. In fairness, the "system" wasn't working magic in the second half against Cent Michigan or in the first half against LSU, when Mahoney was shaky. Even Lester's system needs a QB who can make the throws, avoid interceptions, and run a little option. And, unlike the back half of 2014, it helps that he has a healthy OL and Estime.

As to what Lester was running in the second half of 2014, it wasn't pure George M with flanker screens etc. Not pure Lester either, but it isn't quite as simple as you wrote.

 

[TheCusian]

I like the system, and I like Lester. In fairness, the "system" wasn't working magic in the second half against Cent Michigan or in the first half against LSU, when Mahoney was shaky. Even Lester's system needs a QB who can make the throws, avoid interceptions, and run a little option. And, unlike the back half of 2014, it helps that he has a healthy OL and Estime. As to what Lester was running in the second half of 2014, it wasn't pure George M with flanker screens etc. Not pure Lester either, but it isn't quite as simple as you wrote.

I don't totally disagree but-

All systems outside of GTech need a competent QB.

The second half of CMU, I think the team and OC were struggling with the reality of Eric being out.

First half of the LSU game was clearly Mahoney being wide-eyed. There were guys open he was just missing the throws.

I think you described the last half of last season perfectly. We were trapped between systems with no oline and young QB's. Also pretty clearly missed Estime. I don't mean to make it all sound so simple - the problems were complex - but clearly having Lester run his system with healthy players is way, way better than whatever that was.

 

[Millhouse]

I don't totally disagree but-

All systems outside of GTech need a competent QB.

The second half of CMU, I think the team and OC were struggling with the reality of Eric being out.

First half of the LSU game was clearly Mahoney being wide-eyed. There were guys open he was just missing the throws.

I think you described the last half of last season perfectly. We were trapped between systems with no oline and young QB's. Also pretty clearly missed Estime. I don't mean to make it all sound so simple - the problems were complex - but clearly having Lester run his system with healthy players is way, way better than whatever that was.

he had the yips big time. or maybe the shanks. the yanks. good job giving him throws where he had to put some mustard on it.

bayside mentioned it but he reminded me of a two week stretch where i was great off the tee and kept shanking pitches sideways off the hosel. it made no sense and I thought the universe was messing with me

 

[TheCusian]

he had the yips big time. or maybe the shanks. the yanks. good job giving him throws where he had to put some mustard on it. bayside mentioned it but he reminded me of a two week stretch where i was great off the tee and kept shanking pitches sideways off the hosel. it made no sense and I thought the universe was messing with me

You could predict that first half from his interviews mid-week. Seemed nervous. (No slight to him, I'd have peed myself too).

But that 2nd half was unreal.

 

[Millhouse]

You could predict that first half from his interviews mid-week. Seemed nervous. (No slight to him, I'd have peed myself too).

But that 2nd half was unreal.

he was 11-25, 119 yards, 3 TD, 1 int in the second half

that's a very weird line. 3 td in a half should get you higher than a 116 rating. he still had the yips.

 

[RF2044]

he was 11-25, 119 yards, 3 TD, 1 int in the second half

that's a very weird line. 3 td in a half should get you higher than a 116 rating. he still had the yips.

They couldn't connect on any of those screen plays that should be easy completions.

And that stat line is why I suggested in the other thread that Mahoney actually struggled, even though we were excited about his performance in the second half.

 

[Millhouse]

They couldn't connect on any of those screen plays that should be easy completions.

And that stat line is why I suggested in the other thread that Mahoney actually struggled, even though we were excited about his performance in the second half.

i had a lot of "WHAT THE HE...walk on, calm down" moments

 

[Nahson]

Also, I think it says a lot that the staff gave Zach the keys and had his back through thick and thin. At half, I think most of us, including myself, were screaming for Wilson or Long and I think the staff sticking with Mahoney was fantastic. Did wonders for the kid's confidence knowing Shafer and company had his back. Noticeably looser in the second half. It was a tough call though. You bench him and you lose the kids confidence, you don't bench him, and he comes back and continues to struggle, everyone would be questioning the staff. #hardnose

 

[ImperialOrange]

I still think AJ could run this system if healthy and called upon. I feel like some sell him short.