All this talk about TM's passing game. The passing game wouldn't improve if Tom Brady was the QB. The reason for this is simple. The type of passes we throw is the whole problem. The passes or pass I should say, is called the bomb! There problem is solved. Takes longer for play to develop and we have to hold blocks longer to give receiver time to run down the field. If our stubborn coach would work on a short to median range passing game, it would be much more effective.
Thoughts:
The whole point of this offense is to suck people in tight and throw over the top. If they have to commit 11 to the run, then every pass is for a TD. It takes the Nebraska run offense, and dials it up a notch because it prevents people from playing us like they played Nebraska - a 5-3 with tight safeties.
That said, we have to be able to execute the pass over the top. If we can't execute the pass over the top, and all we're ever going to do is run the ball, then we'd technically be better off just lining up in the for-real-actual-wishbone.
When we can complete 50% of our passes, our passing efficiency is off the charts deadly disgusting mindblowing. This is a true thing, and you cannot argue that it's not true. And we have achieved those sorts of numbers in the past.
Reeling it all back in .... there is definitely a short passing element that I feel we don't use enough - the screen. Quick short passes for us are complete garbage because we're throwing right into the teeth of a stacked area - there's no room to do it. But when our opponents are flowing heavily towards the motion, which is quite often, back side screens are really nasty. They're not only effective in scoring, they're also deadly psychologically, because it makes the defense second guess their read keys. In my opinion, we should have two unique screen plays installed for every game plan.
If we were really good at executing the triple option towards the motion side of the field, and making our blocks, the only way to stop it is to flow to that motion with safety support. And if we can force our opponents to flow to motion with safety support regularly, on like two thirds or more of our plays, then the first screen we pop against that motion is going to go for 80 yards and a touchdown. We've seen this before. It works a lot. If I were King of GT Football, I would replace all those play calls where we run the counter off motion with a screen instead. The upside is just higher.