As much as many folks would like to make some big changes this off-season, what do we think are some REALISTIC short term fixes to salvage the season?
For me:
1. Shorten the rotation. Jesse, Brandon, and Parker mentioned it on the pod, but we are playing way too many inexperienced non-contributors at key moments.
2. See above, but ride with Gavin and Tawee the rest of the way. Daylan should have never been in the game yesterday. This isn’t basketball, the “hot hand” notion doesn’t apply to that room right now. There are clearly two guys providing the most consistent production when healthy right now…so play them every snap.
3. Whenever Stuts returns, Kip takes the starter role from Kanak. Kanak is a liability in pass coverage, just completely lost right now.
4. Sounds like he was hurt, but give RMT and PJ the bulk of snaps at DE. We need to develop a pass rusher and those guys have the best shot from a talent perspective.
5. Focus on gap scheme runs. The zone blocking game has been less effective from what I am seeing.
6. Sounds simple, but eliminate the unforced penalties. Maybe that requires the staff to dumb down some concepts or simplify snap counts, but the pre snap penalties, specifically on offense, are absolute killers.
7. At some point it would be nice if our offensive staff could focus on putting us in manageable 3rd downs, but honestly, I probably shouldn’t even type this point because our OC has shown zero inclination to change or learn as the season goes on.
Quick side thoughts:
1. Listened to Gundy in the postgame yesterday, and as arrogant as he can be at times, it was extremely refreshing listening to him admit their staff did a poor coaching job early in the season. He admitted they made some sweeping changes during the BYE and clearly those changes have resonated with the team. As mentioned above, I don’t think our current OC has the humility to self scout and identify our issues. I think he is too stubborn to believe what we are doing isn’t working.
2. I’ve been whining about it, but if we lose an assistant coach this off-season, please go hire a real special teams coach. ST has cost us these last two weeks in a major way. It also nearly cost us the TX game. It’s going to matter that much more when facing stronger opponents in the SEC next year.
3. Might be obvious, but if we beat WVU I think we will win out. Lose to WVU at home and all bets are off, this team could free fall mentally. An 8-4 season, against this schedule, is a major disappointment and red flag heading to SEC play….
For me:
1. Shorten the rotation. Jesse, Brandon, and Parker mentioned it on the pod, but we are playing way too many inexperienced non-contributors at key moments.
2. See above, but ride with Gavin and Tawee the rest of the way. Daylan should have never been in the game yesterday. This isn’t basketball, the “hot hand” notion doesn’t apply to that room right now. There are clearly two guys providing the most consistent production when healthy right now…so play them every snap.
3. Whenever Stuts returns, Kip takes the starter role from Kanak. Kanak is a liability in pass coverage, just completely lost right now.
4. Sounds like he was hurt, but give RMT and PJ the bulk of snaps at DE. We need to develop a pass rusher and those guys have the best shot from a talent perspective.
5. Focus on gap scheme runs. The zone blocking game has been less effective from what I am seeing.
6. Sounds simple, but eliminate the unforced penalties. Maybe that requires the staff to dumb down some concepts or simplify snap counts, but the pre snap penalties, specifically on offense, are absolute killers.
7. At some point it would be nice if our offensive staff could focus on putting us in manageable 3rd downs, but honestly, I probably shouldn’t even type this point because our OC has shown zero inclination to change or learn as the season goes on.
Quick side thoughts:
1. Listened to Gundy in the postgame yesterday, and as arrogant as he can be at times, it was extremely refreshing listening to him admit their staff did a poor coaching job early in the season. He admitted they made some sweeping changes during the BYE and clearly those changes have resonated with the team. As mentioned above, I don’t think our current OC has the humility to self scout and identify our issues. I think he is too stubborn to believe what we are doing isn’t working.
2. I’ve been whining about it, but if we lose an assistant coach this off-season, please go hire a real special teams coach. ST has cost us these last two weeks in a major way. It also nearly cost us the TX game. It’s going to matter that much more when facing stronger opponents in the SEC next year.
3. Might be obvious, but if we beat WVU I think we will win out. Lose to WVU at home and all bets are off, this team could free fall mentally. An 8-4 season, against this schedule, is a major disappointment and red flag heading to SEC play….
