Gailey's Offensive Philosophy .....

[cyclejacket]

Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

I guess we have all determined that Gailey's philosophy is to win games through ball control and defense. This would also assume that we need to play a field position game to be successful. I personally like this philosophy compared to run and gun, but then I am an OF. I also think, given some of our recruiting limitations, that this also gives us the best chance of success on a consistent basis.

However, in my mind we have three items missing in order to be the most successful following this philosophy and game plan.

(1) Special Teams play must be excellent. Our punting game was fairly good last year but most will agree that ST overall is an area where we need the most improvement. FG's mised, long KO returns given up, no threat to run one back a long way all hurt us in different ways at different times. This is vital if you are playing a field position game.
(2) Ball Security is paramount. Leading the turnover battle becomes more important because lack of a quick strike game means it is harder to come back if you fall behind.
(3) Penalty Free football. This costs big gains as well as forcing you into offensive plays that may not fit your personnel if you have to go long. Again, can lead to huge changes in field position.

Breakdowns in all three of these areas cost us the last game of the year when we looked to be in a winnable opportunity.

 

[mm42]

Re: Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

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I guess we have all determined that Gailey's philosophy is to win games through ball control and defense.

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I haven't determined that. We do not have a ball control offense. Ball control offenses do not throw out patterns on first down at the opponents 12 yard with the game on the line. Ball control offenses do not throw downfield a lot like we do.

I have determined that Gailey is trying to have an effective, balanced offense, but he is not succeeding.

 

[Y Jacket]

Re: Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

Cycle

The other thing I think you have to have to play like Gailey wants to is to be very effective on the line of scrimmage. Under GOL we had some years where we were good on the Oline but never were very good (with some notable player exceptions) on the Dline. I think Gailey has improved us very significantly on the DLine and if the young talent we have stockpiled on the OLine develops as well as we hope we could be very good on the OLine as well. That would play into the time of possession approach to offense and good defense approach.

 

[GEETEELEE]

Re: Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

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I have determined that Gailey is trying to have an effective, balanced offense, but he is not succeeding.

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Actually, his offense is very balanced, and somewhat effective, but the issue is not ball control, time of possession, or even yardage gains, but simply SCORING! Our redzone success rate is abysmile (abismyl? abymisyl? abymisal?, awful!!) Part of this is caused by our place kicker's sudden inaccuarcy this year after being almost perfect last year.

I am certain that this will be addressed and corrected in the off season.

The other issue with redzone offense scoring is two-fold - earlier in the season, the o-line simply wasn't capable of blowing up the line for a running score...this won't be a problem next year, with offseason weight gains for the line and quality red-shirts coming in for depth.

The other redzone scoring issue is Reggie's accuracy, or rather his lack of it...notoriously the last play of the NCS game-he throws behind CJ and it's picked. Against Miami we ran the exact same play at the goal line and again Reggie threw behind CJ, but it was only incomplete. Fortunately we scored the next play. I'm certain the coaches will work with RB on his accuarcy, but I'm doubtful how much he will improve.

The final issue with scoring is not red-zone but long scoring plays - we are simply NO threat to score on a 45-50 yard pass play or running play for that matter. Reggie has no touch on the deep ball, and PJ hasn't enough speed to outrun DBs on the occasions he breaks through into the clear. Choise may be able to, and maybe Grant might if he is the #2 back next year.

Anyway the BIG issue with the O is not necessarily it's overall effectiveness, but simply scoring. This MUST be addressed.

 

[texstinger]

Re: Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

I think you are correct. That is what is sooooo maddening. We are not a "ball control" offense and look at our points per game.

 

[mm42]

Re: Gailey\'s Offensive Philosophy .....

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Actually, his offense is very balanced, and somewhat effective, but the issue is not ball control, time of possession, or even yardage gains, but simply SCORING!

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We were #98 in scoring and #81 in yardage, both very poor.

You make some excellent points. Bottom line is the passing game stinks (#109 nationally in pass efficiency, with an All-American wide receiver!) and we are no big play threat.

Hopefully we play Minnesota in the bowl game - their defense is awful.