OK, let's talk about the Offense

[fatmike91]

Offense was good enough to score on two plays to beat (well crush) Miami on the road.

In the post game interview, we hear our QB say (something like this): "we worked on scrambling in practice. The receiver did what he was supposed to do and I didn't think - I just threw the ball".

I love every part of that.

The offense was prepared for that opportunity.

/

 

[The Champ]

Offense was good enough to score on two plays to beat (well crush) Miami on the road.

In the post game interview, we hear our QB say (something like this): "we worked on scrambling in practice. The receiver did what he was supposed to do and I didn't think - I just threw the ball".

I love every part of that.

The offense was prepared for that opportunity.

/

^ Things that happen when you don’t play kickball at practice all summer. ^

 

[stinger78]

Maybe? I'm leaning more toward "who cares if we doubled the offensive production (over a really REALLY bad year of offensive production) if it didn't lead to more wins".

I'd argue somewhat against the "output doesn't matter because we won" in the sense that it is a predictor on likelihood of future wins. More output is generally better than less. Also would say in particular from the mental aspect, we've already once taken a week off against an inferior opponent because we thought we were better. Don't need to toss fuel on that fire again by saying "who cares if something was bad, we won!"; the players need to care about that to win again.

I think, generally, the one (improved O) has to come before the other (wins), though sometimes you win simply because you hang tough and get the TO at the right time. Also, this program has lost so much the past 4 years it has to "learn how to win" again. Games like Saturday are character-builders. They teach a team how to win - that is, never, ever quit. Don't quit on a play, on a game, or on your team. [The Braves have this down in spades. They've won a lot of games simply because they don't ever quit. The Jackets need to learn that, too.]

Look at it this way: That strip happened on what was very likely going to be the last play of the game. You put that mentality together consistently with an O that's improved and your chances to win have just improved significantly.

 

[gt9589]

OL run-blocking leaves a lot to be desired. I do feel like lost in all the insanity of this past game though was how beastly Haynes was on his TD run. He was met head-on at the LOS by a linebacker, and he willed his way the 4-5 yards to the end zone. Reminded me of that Marcus Marshall first down run against UGAg in 2016. Just a man possessed.

Not super relevant to the greater offense conversation, but just wanted to give him a shoutout.

Indeed he was but I don't like seeing our QB run like that because he has to. The play broke down and he had to take off. Luckily it ended well. He has taken some big shots to the head/upper body. He's a great QB and I'd much rather prefer for him to sit back and pick a defense a part and hand off to a capable RB who HAS open lanes created by our OL. That hasn't happened with any consistency whatsoever. except when J Williams has been in the game.

 

[malak05]

The running back play hasn't been stellar in my opinion at times so far. Haynes is a great weapon out of backfield catching/running but he's not the guy you want running 20 times he's a clean hole and then before you know it he's 10 yards downfield he's not gonna be running thru ton of tackles. Cooley has at times had fumble issues and he really has been indecisive at times and he's one of that guys you would like to see just pick a hole even if it's not much and just grind thru for 3-4 yards at a time but he mostly just tip toes in backfield. Hopefully we get D. Smith back and he comes in and becomes that consistent runner or Felix/Evan get more involved. The oline is not completely off the hook there definitely need more more on downs but some combo of those elements will help pull our rushing attack up some and help balance this offense.

 

[coit]

Using a drive chart for one game is sorta like looking at a stock price for one week to determine if you should buy or not.

What excites me is that we scored 34 on a Lville team that is giving up on avg just 17 PPG. We put up 23 on Miami who averages 14 PPG. 30 on a Wake team that averages 21.

Feel free to post the Bowling Green drive chart and tell us about how it excites you.

 

[BigDanT]

I mean anything is an improvement over the last 4 years, we’re just talking about wanting to get even better.

Or not wanting to regress. The offense has been getting worse over the last three weeks. Buster needs to adjust. Hopefully we do that over the bye week

 

[WracerX]

Or not wanting to regress. The offense has been getting worse over the last three weeks. Buster needs to adjust. Hopefully we do that over the bye week

I think there are two main drivers. First, no one knew exactly what we would do on offense. No tendencies, no formation or personnel groupings, no idea how our transfers would play. Now there is film, so opposing DCs are more ready. Second, our RBs are light. They have just gone half a season playing 3 ranked teams. The wear and tear is obvious. As our running game has regressed, so has the O as a whole. Hopefully the bye week will help.

 

[gtg712x]

Indeed he was but I don't like seeing our QB run like that because he has to. The play broke down and he had to take off. Luckily it ended well. He has taken some big shots to the head/upper body. He's a great QB and I'd much rather prefer for him to sit back and pick a defense a part and hand off to a capable RB who HAS open lanes created by our OL. That hasn't happened with any consistency whatsoever. except when J Williams has been in the game.

I was talking about Jamal Haynes's TD run (but I get the confusion).

Haynes King's TD run was a bit more open but he did take some contact as he crossed the goal line, so agreed there. I still think his ability to scramble and take off when it's there is a big part of his game. Ideally I'd love to be at a place where he didn't have to, as much though.

 

[stinger78]

I was talking about Jamal Haynes's TD run (but I get the confusion).

Haynes King's TD run was a bit more open but he did take some contact as he crossed the goal line, so agreed there. I still think his ability to scramble and take off when it's there is a big part of his game. Ideally I'd love to be at a place where he didn't have to, as much though.

Hasslebeck was saying this most of the 2nd half: that HK needed to learn to "climb" the pocket (step up as the rush is moved past him) which would open passing - and running - opportunities to him. I felt like his persistence saying this indicated the strength of his belief that this is a major opportunity for improvement for King and our O. If so, I'd have to agree. It would slow down the rush and freeze a LB.

 

[The Wasp]

We are halfway through the season, team has had time to settle in with the offense. Is this the type of drive chart that excites you?

Five of first six drives were essentially 3 and outs, with the other one ending in an INT. Of the next 3 drives, one was nice sustained drive, and the other two we benefitted from starting essentially in the Red Zone. After that, two more 3 or 4 play drives and then the miracle in Miami.

And the BG game chart looks a whole lot like this one. Scary to be even saying that.

Team has a bye week and hopefully that will allow for some serious reevaluation of what they are trying to do on offense and some needed corrections in the running game.

Relax bro. Those stats don't tell the whole story. Back when Clown was here I begged for a team that exhibited some discipline and on any given day is capable of winning. Key has given us that. All without 404 takeover, weight lifting in the end zone, rap music at practice, and money down. Is it perfect? Absolutely not, but then again the guy needs a fair shot at recruiting for 2 or 3 years before we throw in the white towel. Like Prime said, it's not culture, winning is based on good players. Key needs a chance to upgrade our talent.

 

[gtg712x]

Hasslebeck was saying this most of the 2nd half: that HK needed to learn to "climb" the pocket (step up as the rush is moved past him) which would open passing - and running - opportunities to him. I felt like his persistence saying this indicated the strength of his belief that this is a major opportunity for improvement for King and our O. If so, I'd have to agree. It would slow down the rush and freeze a LB.

He was also giving him credit for doing it occasionally though too, right? I feel like he was saying how he needed too, but then there were a handful of plays we're he praised him for doing it (such as the TD run). But yeah, doing that more (and having the OL continuing to give him a decent pocket) is certainly an opportunity.

 

[originalwombat]

Feel free to post the Bowling Green drive chart and tell us about how it excites you.

I doubt there’s a coordinator out there that excites the fanbase every game of the season. If this is your measure of success then every year is gonna be miserable or at least very frustrating for you.

 

[GT89]

Play some two back sets put Boyd in there as the second back, you will see some holes open and some better runs since guys will have a lead blocker and a true short yardage option

 

[coit]

I doubt there’s a coordinator out there that excites the fanbase every game of the season. If this is your measure of success then every year is gonna be miserable or at least very frustrating for you.

I'm talking about a trend. Despite the good individual performance from QB and OL in certain situations, we have a serious issue, and that is reflected in our drive charts in the past two games.

We couldn't move the ball against Bowling ööööing Green. We are struggling now with things we didn't struggle with as much in the first few games.

 

[WracerX]

I'm talking about a trend. Despite the good individual performance from QB and OL in certain situations, we have a serious issue, and that is reflected in our drive charts in the past two games.

We couldn't move the ball against Bowling ööööing Green. We are struggling now with things we didn't struggle with as much in the first few games.

The trend is our running game disappeared. We have about the same number of rushing yards in our last two games as any single game before it.

 

[stinger78]

He was also giving him credit for doing it occasionally though too, right? I feel like he was saying how he needed too, but then there were a handful of plays we're he praised him for doing it (such as the TD run). But yeah, doing that more (and having the OL continuing to give him a decent pocket) is certainly an opportunity.

Yes.

 

[originalwombat]

I'm talking about a trend. Despite the good individual performance from QB and OL in certain situations, we have a serious issue, and that is reflected in our drive charts in the past two games.

We couldn't move the ball against Bowling ööööing Green. We are struggling now with things we didn't struggle with as much in the first few games.

A two-game “trend” where game #2 was against an undefeated, top 10 defense, at their place, that we WON on a last-second offensive play?

Okay.

 

[coit]

A two-game “trend” where game #2 was against an undefeated, top 10 defense, at their place, that we won on a last-second offensive play?

Okay.

Undefeated against TAMU and a bunch of lightweight teams. They'd still be undefeated if their coach wasn't an idiot.

Clearly you are cherrypicking what you want, so there's no point in trying to rationally discuss. There's a problem with the offense, even if you choose to ignore it.

 

[gnats67]

I noticed later in the second half their D started to play a little gassed. Slow getting back to the line.