This unit will define our season.
First, we'll always hear the TO is "figured out" after the offense fails to put up big numbers. The reality is that it isn't just the defenses that have to play assignment and disciplined football when running the TO and when you play a fast, physical defense the margin for error is certainly reduced. Right now we are making a lot of undisciplined and mental mistakes on this side of the ball. Credit the other team for doing a better job on their side of the ball but it isn't as simple as, if they play assignment football they shut us down. The other big problem right now seems to be the inability for us to scare teams with the passing game. I think this was one of the big parts of the offense that PJ thought would help slow down defenses on the run but Nesbitt really seems to struggle with making both the reads and putting the correct touch on the ball. The problems on the offensive side can be corrected both in the short and long term.
As for that defense, it was a big concern for many of us headed into the season and their role in last year's success was huge. If they continue to get no pass rush or push up front then it will be a long season because the offense simply isn't in a place to be consistently winning a shootout. I tip my hat to Harris and their offense for executing all night long but you can't give a Div-1 QB that much time and not expect them to light you up. This side of the ball looks slow and completely out of sync right now to the point that one of your best playmakers (Burnett) is looking average at best right now. I'm hopeful they can generate some adjustments and improve some executions to improve the performance on this side of the ball but I honestly don't know if it can be done this year.
The next 10 days will be spent with every media outlet saying the TO is finally being proven as an out of date offense but they will be missing the biggest issue with this team. IMHO, the TO will be fine in the long run but the defense is the key to any success both in the short and long term. Keep playing like they have been and it won't matter if the TO is working or not.
I wish next Saturday were here already because I'm anxious to see the team put this type of game behind them and get some positive movement going forward.
First, we'll always hear the TO is "figured out" after the offense fails to put up big numbers. The reality is that it isn't just the defenses that have to play assignment and disciplined football when running the TO and when you play a fast, physical defense the margin for error is certainly reduced. Right now we are making a lot of undisciplined and mental mistakes on this side of the ball. Credit the other team for doing a better job on their side of the ball but it isn't as simple as, if they play assignment football they shut us down. The other big problem right now seems to be the inability for us to scare teams with the passing game. I think this was one of the big parts of the offense that PJ thought would help slow down defenses on the run but Nesbitt really seems to struggle with making both the reads and putting the correct touch on the ball. The problems on the offensive side can be corrected both in the short and long term.
As for that defense, it was a big concern for many of us headed into the season and their role in last year's success was huge. If they continue to get no pass rush or push up front then it will be a long season because the offense simply isn't in a place to be consistently winning a shootout. I tip my hat to Harris and their offense for executing all night long but you can't give a Div-1 QB that much time and not expect them to light you up. This side of the ball looks slow and completely out of sync right now to the point that one of your best playmakers (Burnett) is looking average at best right now. I'm hopeful they can generate some adjustments and improve some executions to improve the performance on this side of the ball but I honestly don't know if it can be done this year.
The next 10 days will be spent with every media outlet saying the TO is finally being proven as an out of date offense but they will be missing the biggest issue with this team. IMHO, the TO will be fine in the long run but the defense is the key to any success both in the short and long term. Keep playing like they have been and it won't matter if the TO is working or not.
I wish next Saturday were here already because I'm anxious to see the team put this type of game behind them and get some positive movement going forward.