The bad...and it's ugly.

[CSCatFan1]

 

[Hungry Jack]

Yikes. At least it should settle the debate about the best way to improve this team (hint: it does not involve changing the QB or replacing the receivers, nor is it really schematic).

 

[WoodersonCat]

Yikes.

It simply blows me away how everybody in basically the entire football world ageees that the OL is the beating heart of the offense. And how everybody on this board pays lip service to this obvious concept.

Yet people here still defend the utterly and completely hapless and inept coaching that's been going on with respect to this incredibly important position. It's literally 45% of our positions and likely somewhere around 75% of the key to the game.

But we put up with pure, proven incompetence out of loyalty...

 

[mikewebb68]

Yikes.

It simply blows me away how everybody in basically the entire football world ageees that the OL is the beating heart of the offense. And how everybody on this board pays lip service to this obvious concept.

Yet people here still defend the utterly and completely hapless and inept coaching that's been going on with respect to this incredibly important position. It's literally 45% of our positions and likely somewhere around 75% of the key to the game.

But we put up with pure, proven incompetence out of loyalty...

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

 

[RevCat]

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

 

[RevCat]

But if we had fired our coaches, and replaced them with Knute Rockne and Bud Wilkinson, we would have beaten Iowa. It's the coaching. Fitz is too loyal to a bunch of losers. That's why we lost last week and our passing game was shut out of the end zone.

 

[Deeringfish]

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

There are bad coaches and then there are the good coaches whose line has allowed the second most QB hurries in the FBS. (sarcasm)

Some things are measurable. It is either recruiting, development, coaching, scheme, or lack of player commitment. It is not like our offense has been just a little below average these last few years, it has been close to last. Something needs an upgrade.

 

[PlayStrongPlayProud]

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

Just out of curiosity, what would you do to fix the OL (with the assumption that you do think it is a problem)? What should have been done 3 years ago to fix the OL? Clearly there are some on this board that think OL coaching is the problem. You are not in that camp. So I'm wondering what the solution is from your perspective.

 

[Hungry Jack]

We need to hire Tony Wise.

 

[Trigatos]

So if we are the 2nd worst and IO is the 2nd best, just imagine if IO had a game against our line. I guess that would lead us to 1st place 2x

 

[Sheffielder]

As Fitz has stated, he looks at the total body of work - not just one or two games - a quote that does him no favors.

 

[hdhntr1]

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

Except that Io*a has had many good to great OLs over the years. So one bad year does not necessarily mean problem with coaching. But 6 years with the best being one somewhat competent year (or was that the combination of KC and VM running behind it) sure is an indication of problems in this area. Will not comment on PSU because, first Franklin and company have not been there that long and second, with the sanctions, OL is likely still short of mature bodies.

 

[DaCat]

Going back to Fitz's "body of work" statement, teams like Io-a and Wiscy generally have really good OL's and a poor performing line is the exception, while NU in recent years have generally had crappy lines that occasionally performed ok. It's very difficult to defend the body of work of our OL these past years.

 

[hdhntr1]

Just out of curiosity, what would you do to fix the OL (with the assumption that you do think it is a problem)? What should have been done 3 years ago to fix the OL? Clearly there are some on this board that think OL coaching is the problem. You are not in that camp. So I'm wondering what the solution is from your perspective.

I think the WMU OL coach has done a pretty good job over the years. Have to think a BIG gig is desirable over MAC, even if we are lower paying than others in P5

 

[Deeringfish]

Going back to Fitz's "body of work" statement, teams like Io-a and Wiscy generally have really good OL's and a poor performing line is the exception, while NU in recent years have generally had crappy lines that occasionally performed ok. It's very difficult to defend the body of work of our OL these past years.

Well, they blamed the receivers the last couple of years but still the offense in general needs some help. Maybe we will get a talent bump with the new facility and everyone will decide that great talent makes great coaches.

 

[RunnersLunge]

OL issues are just going to be a challenge in all levels of football at this point. In the NFL the limited time in full pads- getting after it has clearly impacted the OL development across the league. Obviously, college gets to practice even less and it shows. Some coaching scheme and adjustments can help mitigate poor OL play but it cannot mask a bad online.

Furthermore, you have athletes on the defense that have to be gap sound but can also be opportunistic- see ball/ get ball attitudes. That's why in camps the defense is usually humming along quicker and faster than an offense that is installing protections, timing, et cetera.

Lastly, Oline is a team concept. Blocking schemes can be blown to hell with missed assignments or simply a weak link in the five guys. No expert will improve any OL without time and athletes to match their scheme.

 

[EvanstonCat]

If deficient OL play is primarily due to coaching,then there are a ton of bad coaches out there, since a lot of OLs are bad. Did you notice Iowa's OL on Saturday? And Penn State's OL finally got through a game without allowing a sack for the first time in like, forever... And I thought of these two examples in 15 seconds, no doubt there are countless others.

So, what's your point? We should accept the incompetence at OL because there are ****** OL's at other places too? Great to see you have standards. Yes, there are ****** OL's everywhere. Half of Div I OL's are below average.

The difference between NU and the rest of them is that at other schools, the OL coaches at the programs where the OL's terrible year after year after year get fired. Usually, it's just year after year and you're not given that 3rd year, much less what's it been for Cushing? 8?

 

[WoodersonCat]

But if we had fired our coaches, and replaced them with Knute Rockne and Bud Wilkinson, we would have beaten Iowa. It's the coaching. Fitz is too loyal to a bunch of losers. That's why we lost last week and our passing game was shut out of the end zone.

So you wife cheats on you every day for 3+ years, but manages to not cheat on you just one day - and suddenly everything is right in the world again and none of the rest matters?

 

[mikewebb68]

Just out of curiosity, what would you do to fix the OL (with the assumption that you do think it is a problem)? What should have been done 3 years ago to fix the OL? Clearly there are some on this board that think OL coaching is the problem. You are not in that camp. So I'm wondering what the solution is from your perspective.

I have no idea, since I am not a football coach,and neither is the poster to whom I responded, which just blindly hates coaches. What I do know is, as other posters have pointed out, that OL play is an issue throughout college football,and even in the pros.I trust in our head coach to provide solutions,since,well, he is the head coach and I am not. After all, WR was a major deficiency last year, and WRs are fast becoming a strength this year. I would imagine that coaching has something to do with that.

 

[mikewebb68]

So, what's your point? We should accept the incompetence at OL because there are ****** OL's at other places too? Great to see you have standards. Yes, there are ****** OL's everywhere. Half of Div I OL's are below average.

The difference between NU and the rest of them is that at other schools, the OL coaches at the programs where the OL's terrible year after year after year get fired. Usually, it's just year after year and you're not given that 3rd year, much less what's it been for Cushing? 8?

See the post above yours for some insight.

 

[Deeringfish]

See the post above yours for some insight.

Based on the post you reference by Runnerslunge, would you say that an OL can discover itself over the course of a season by finding the timing and adjusting to it's strengths and weaknesses? More so than other units on O or D?