Tyler Russell is not the problem... never has been, never will be. Hell, Tyler has 10 fold the talent and football smarts of Chris Relf, and Relf ran the more consistent offense. Everyone who pointed toward coaching hit the nail on the head, particularly cohesion between the OC and the head coach. Here are my thoughts:
1. Mullen's best offense is an option-read, run first scheme. He wants a quarterback that can open the defense up with mobility... see Tim Tebow and Chris Relf.,. coupled with an equally dangerous running-back. Even a 2 star wishbone QB was successful in Mullen's system
2. Russell does not exhibit either of those qualities. Russell could be compared more to Peyton Manning than anyone else in regards to his raw skillset. A quarterback with a great, accurate arm who prefers not to move around in the pocket. Nothing wrong with that.
3. I do not thing Mullen truly UNDERSTANDS the system in which Tyler Russell will be most successful. That is what this offense is missing. Our runs are a simple dive option or handoff, our passes focus on intermediate routes only. There is no variety. A defense knows that a heavy blitz to bring pressure and defending the 5-12 yard passes will mean a successful day against us.
So... what needs to change?
For Russell to be successful, simply look at the Denver Broncos or former Colts. What did Manning and the Colts do during their most successful years? Here's what they had:
1. Lot's of confusion up front. A quarterback who talks a LOT at the line of scrimmage back and forth. Making a defense THINK and be distracted... wondering what's coming next
2. A GREAT deep threat... a WR who was a master at deep post, corner, or fly patterns.... and Manning not afraid to challenge a 1 on 1 matchup. It would also be helpful if he was tall... or could challenge jump-ball or back-shoulder throws. This is a great way to open up the goal line
3. A tight-end who could screen, as well as challenge the middle of the field. This will keep the safeties honest... and make them respect the deep route, as well as the tight-end seam route over the middle
4. And this is what we DON'T have... a true slot receiver... a hot-route go-to guy who would run a quick dig, crossing, hitch, or slant pattern inside. If a team wants to challenge Manning (or Brees, this is also a good comparison), these QBs welcome it, because all they will do is go to their relief valve... who is always conveniently placed on the same side the blitz is coming from. You have no idea how much this simple addition opens up the field. It makes a team think twice about blitzing.
5. Receivers who, when a play breaks down, know exactly when to break into their patterns when a QB scrambles. WE don't do this well, either... partly because Russell will take a sack before he scrambles. this is an area that can greatly open up the field.
6. A running back that can challenge the front 7. Not a world-beater (Joseph Addai was not that good... but the system he was in MADE him good... because defenses had to respect the rest of the field).
Ultimately, we are too predictable. Russell would always settle into the pocket and, just like clockwork, pick his intermediate routes. Couple that with a predictable running-game, and that equals a lot of passing yards, but not really accomplishing scores. Mullen does not understand the deep intricacies of a true, pass-first offense... and personally, I think he is too stubborn to listen and hand over the reigns to someone who does.
Tyler has too much potential and raw talent... he can be coached by someone who can put him in a system that will take advantage of his strengths. Mullen simply can't do that.
