It's obvious that Marrone wants to establish the run. He believes in it and it's clearly a big part of his offensive DNA. And that's fine. Throughout football history, run-oriented offenses (usually accompanied w/ solid play-action passing and stout defenses) have won countless championships. As a Giant fan, I can appreciate the smash mouth approach. So philosophically, imo, there's nothing wrong w/ a 'run 1st approach' when you have the personnel to do it.
And last year, when DM had a powerful, NFL-quality running back and a bullish All-Conference senior center anchoring the O-line, his run-dominated approach wasn't spectacular but it was ultimately effective as it was able to compensate for the inconsistent and often ineffective quarterback and receiver play. Combined with a strong, senior-led defense and the late emergence of Marcus Sales, DM was able to squeeze out a promising 8-5 season.
This season, DM replaces his two All-Conference offensive studs w/ an undersized sophomore center and an undersized former 3rd down back, and then he loses his only real threat at wideout and his #2 (maybe his best) tailback for the year. Well, surprise, surprise, these changes have really had a profoundly negative impact on this offense b/c in essence, Marrone is still getting that same inconsistent, often ineffective play from his QB and his receiving corps, except this year, there is no reliable running game and Top 10 defense to pick up the slack. As a result, this unproductive offensively-challenged team will have to be be lucky to get that 6th win.
I mean, we can quibble and nitpick about Marrone's game management or Hackett's playcalling til we're blue in the face but imho, the real problem is that DM simply doesn't have the pieces in place to effectively run his "system." And as a result, his system -- no matter how it's designed or defined -- simply looks like crap right now, and I don't think there's much he can do about it.
While some people may prefer a more aerial-based attack, DM's approach is what it is: he wants to pound the rock and set up the pass. But when your "feature back" -- who at most BCS schools would still be a 3rd down back -- is about 5'6 and not blazingly fast or exceptionally powerful, and you're obviously not too excited or too trusting of his larger back-ups, then that smash mouth approach just isn't going to work. I mean no disrespect to Bailey who's a very good player and he's demonstrated that throughout his career. But what he's not, is the centerpiece of your offense. And what he's not is a 20+ carry-a-game, pound it up the middle, classic tailback like DC3 or James Mungro. And unfortunately, we're seeing what you get when you try to force AB into that role: lots of minimal gains leading to lots of 3 & outs, and an ineffective offense overall!
But what's DM to do? Because on the other hand, his very average QB has accuracy and touch issues. And aside from Lemon and Provo (who are solid but not spectacular) he has a stable full of unreliable receivers who can't consistently catch the ball. So again, I ask, what's Marrone supposed to do?
I'm not trying to be DM apologist/defender here, I'm just trying to be objective and fair. You can chide him for maybe not bringing in enough talent and that's fair. But then you must also consider the sullied reputation SU had and how that obviously hurt his initial recruiting classes.
But as far as what's happening on the field now, I just think Marrone (and we as fans) are basically screwed b/c between the redshirts, non-qualifiers, injuries and suspensions this season, he simply doesn't have the eligible, offensive horses he needs to make his -- or any -- system work, right now. Marrone needs a bell cow tailback (doesn't have one right now), he needs playmakers and deep threats at WR to keep opposing DBs out the box (doesn't have even one right now), and he needs a better right tackle (obviously doesn't have one of those right now, either).
If we can somehow squeeze out that 6th win, get into a bowl, and get those important 15 extra practices, at this point, that would be make this season a shocking success. And then hopefully we can close out this recruiting class with at least one of the kids that better fit Marrone's running back prototype: Lynch, Perkins, or Morris, as well as retain McFarlane's commit.
If that happens, I think btwn the new kids and the returning RBs, Marrone will find his guy (or guys) for '12 . And w/ Hickey returning and improved line play (hopefully), next season Marrone should be able to have the kind of rushing attack that his system is obviously centered around. But this season, unless he tries something different, like starting Smith or AAM (wasted redshirt?) and putting AB back into his 3rd down/change-up role, I don't see the running game clicking this season, which means this offense will continue to stink.
And last year, when DM had a powerful, NFL-quality running back and a bullish All-Conference senior center anchoring the O-line, his run-dominated approach wasn't spectacular but it was ultimately effective as it was able to compensate for the inconsistent and often ineffective quarterback and receiver play. Combined with a strong, senior-led defense and the late emergence of Marcus Sales, DM was able to squeeze out a promising 8-5 season.
This season, DM replaces his two All-Conference offensive studs w/ an undersized sophomore center and an undersized former 3rd down back, and then he loses his only real threat at wideout and his #2 (maybe his best) tailback for the year. Well, surprise, surprise, these changes have really had a profoundly negative impact on this offense b/c in essence, Marrone is still getting that same inconsistent, often ineffective play from his QB and his receiving corps, except this year, there is no reliable running game and Top 10 defense to pick up the slack. As a result, this unproductive offensively-challenged team will have to be be lucky to get that 6th win.
I mean, we can quibble and nitpick about Marrone's game management or Hackett's playcalling til we're blue in the face but imho, the real problem is that DM simply doesn't have the pieces in place to effectively run his "system." And as a result, his system -- no matter how it's designed or defined -- simply looks like crap right now, and I don't think there's much he can do about it.
While some people may prefer a more aerial-based attack, DM's approach is what it is: he wants to pound the rock and set up the pass. But when your "feature back" -- who at most BCS schools would still be a 3rd down back -- is about 5'6 and not blazingly fast or exceptionally powerful, and you're obviously not too excited or too trusting of his larger back-ups, then that smash mouth approach just isn't going to work. I mean no disrespect to Bailey who's a very good player and he's demonstrated that throughout his career. But what he's not, is the centerpiece of your offense. And what he's not is a 20+ carry-a-game, pound it up the middle, classic tailback like DC3 or James Mungro. And unfortunately, we're seeing what you get when you try to force AB into that role: lots of minimal gains leading to lots of 3 & outs, and an ineffective offense overall!
But what's DM to do? Because on the other hand, his very average QB has accuracy and touch issues. And aside from Lemon and Provo (who are solid but not spectacular) he has a stable full of unreliable receivers who can't consistently catch the ball. So again, I ask, what's Marrone supposed to do?
I'm not trying to be DM apologist/defender here, I'm just trying to be objective and fair. You can chide him for maybe not bringing in enough talent and that's fair. But then you must also consider the sullied reputation SU had and how that obviously hurt his initial recruiting classes.
But as far as what's happening on the field now, I just think Marrone (and we as fans) are basically screwed b/c between the redshirts, non-qualifiers, injuries and suspensions this season, he simply doesn't have the eligible, offensive horses he needs to make his -- or any -- system work, right now. Marrone needs a bell cow tailback (doesn't have one right now), he needs playmakers and deep threats at WR to keep opposing DBs out the box (doesn't have even one right now), and he needs a better right tackle (obviously doesn't have one of those right now, either).
If we can somehow squeeze out that 6th win, get into a bowl, and get those important 15 extra practices, at this point, that would be make this season a shocking success. And then hopefully we can close out this recruiting class with at least one of the kids that better fit Marrone's running back prototype: Lynch, Perkins, or Morris, as well as retain McFarlane's commit.
If that happens, I think btwn the new kids and the returning RBs, Marrone will find his guy (or guys) for '12 . And w/ Hickey returning and improved line play (hopefully), next season Marrone should be able to have the kind of rushing attack that his system is obviously centered around. But this season, unless he tries something different, like starting Smith or AAM (wasted redshirt?) and putting AB back into his 3rd down/change-up role, I don't see the running game clicking this season, which means this offense will continue to stink.
