What's wrong with the offense..
- Thread starter 57stratdawg
- Start date
I voted for the OL, and I think that is the biggest weakness, but dropped passes is a close second to me. I don't have the numbers, but I'm willing to bet we've dropped more passes this year than all of last year combined. Every game we have dropped passes that were great throws.
I would have voted "all of the above" if it was an option. Now, having no QB, no WRs and no OL, pretty much means you can't run or pass. I'm not sure there are any other options available.
HOWEVER, I really don't understand how the loss of two OLs means the entire offense is ruined. This was our third game with a makeshift OL, and we're still trying to run the same plays that didn't work in the other two games. Adapt. Show you are an offensive genius by coming up with a gameplan that works around your weaknesses in the OL. Auburn's done it. La. Tech doesn't have much of an OL, but they have an offense that hides that weakness. I realize we don't have the personnel to run La. Tech's offense against SEC competition, but find something that has a chance of working.
HOWEVER, I really don't understand how the loss of two OLs means the entire offense is ruined. This was our third game with a makeshift OL, and we're still trying to run the same plays that didn't work in the other two games. Adapt. Show you are an offensive genius by coming up with a gameplan that works around your weaknesses in the OL. Auburn's done it. La. Tech doesn't have much of an OL, but they have an offense that hides that weakness. I realize we don't have the personnel to run La. Tech's offense against SEC competition, but find something that has a chance of working.
The main problem you have is just what you said. what gameplan can you run with no QB, no WRs, and no OL? <div>
</div><div>The OL can't block for the running game which means the only option is to have a passing game, except that our QB can only get half his passes on target and the WRs can only catch about half of those. It's not a recipe for a decent offense.</div><div>
</div><div>I'm as pissed as everyone else but I wouldn't want to be on the staff right now trying to figure out how to make that collection of crap successful.</div><div>
</div><div>My order of issues</div><div>OL can't block</div><div>WRs can't catch or get open</div><div>QB can't throw</div><div>Play calling is predictable</div><div>
</div><div>Apparently Tobias was the best OL we had because without him we can't block a damn thing</div><div>
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</div><div>The OL can't block for the running game which means the only option is to have a passing game, except that our QB can only get half his passes on target and the WRs can only catch about half of those. It's not a recipe for a decent offense.</div><div>
</div><div>I'm as pissed as everyone else but I wouldn't want to be on the staff right now trying to figure out how to make that collection of crap successful.</div><div>
</div><div>My order of issues</div><div>OL can't block</div><div>WRs can't catch or get open</div><div>QB can't throw</div><div>Play calling is predictable</div><div>
</div><div>Apparently Tobias was the best OL we had because without him we can't block a damn thing</div><div>
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Hopefully my lack of posting here for the last couple weeks will buy me some cred here -- in conference through 3 games last year you had less points and yards than through 3 conference games this year. It's like some of you have forgotten that MSU averaged something like 19 points a game in conference last year. Defense ruled the day last year.
I almost wish some of the other Ole Missers would come back over here to help straighten out this bunch of women posting on this board. <div>
</div><div>Almost. You can stay, though, Jack. Especially since I agree with you.</div>
</div><div>Almost. You can stay, though, Jack. Especially since I agree with you.</div>
It could be talent. Sometimes the teams you lose to are just better than you.
It reminds me of the story of the guy who always felt that he was an underachiever. He felt bad about himself for so long. Until he realized that he was not underchieving. He came to see that he was just averege and pretty much hitting on all cylinders. He found some sort of solace in that.
Perhaps Auburn, LSU and Georgia simply have more talent on defense that you do on offense.
Just a thought.
It reminds me of the story of the guy who always felt that he was an underachiever. He felt bad about himself for so long. Until he realized that he was not underchieving. He came to see that he was just averege and pretty much hitting on all cylinders. He found some sort of solace in that.
Perhaps Auburn, LSU and Georgia simply have more talent on defense that you do on offense.
Just a thought.
I'm not saying I have the answers -- I have none -- but its ludicrous that losing two OLs means you have no offense to speak of.
The coaches have known since the Spring that they were thin on the OL. They had to develop a strategy for playing with the backups. That doesn't necessarily mean designing a whole new offense, but designing plays and schemes that hide your weaknesses. Auburn's OL is terrible, but they still manage to run the ball fairly well, and they now have a higher rushing average than MSU.
The obvious answer is to pass more effectively, but if the players simply cannot do that, then you have to design better rushing plays.
The coaches have known since the Spring that they were thin on the OL. They had to develop a strategy for playing with the backups. That doesn't necessarily mean designing a whole new offense, but designing plays and schemes that hide your weaknesses. Auburn's OL is terrible, but they still manage to run the ball fairly well, and they now have a higher rushing average than MSU.
The obvious answer is to pass more effectively, but if the players simply cannot do that, then you have to design better rushing plays.
You make a fair point, but the statistical difference in the Auburn game really throws things off.
Last year, State had 246 total yards and only 14 points against Auburn. This year State had 531 yards (more than double) and 34 points.
The Auburn game is where the OLs got hurt, and where the offense went into a tailspin. Everyone was happy with the offense up until that point.
The stats against LSU this year are not significantly worse than last year (193 yards vs. 268), but the performance against UGA is shockingly low. Throw in an embarrassing performance against La. Tech, and I really don't think you can say defense is the difference between this year and last.
Last year's offense was no juggernaut, but they were able to mount time-consuming drives that effectively shortened the game and took pressure off the defense. This year's offense is a 3-and-out machine, that also turns the ball over. Combine that with this nonsense, hurry up scheme (which I was opposed to when I first read about it in August), and the offense is a disaster.
Last year, State had 246 total yards and only 14 points against Auburn. This year State had 531 yards (more than double) and 34 points.
The Auburn game is where the OLs got hurt, and where the offense went into a tailspin. Everyone was happy with the offense up until that point.
The stats against LSU this year are not significantly worse than last year (193 yards vs. 268), but the performance against UGA is shockingly low. Throw in an embarrassing performance against La. Tech, and I really don't think you can say defense is the difference between this year and last.
Last year's offense was no juggernaut, but they were able to mount time-consuming drives that effectively shortened the game and took pressure off the defense. This year's offense is a 3-and-out machine, that also turns the ball over. Combine that with this nonsense, hurry up scheme (which I was opposed to when I first read about it in August), and the offense is a disaster.
to begin with ** ..... ok, now that the cynicism has passed, I just think we won the OOC games as we were supposed to and then beat some really bad SEC teams last year and we were not nessecarily playing over our heads .... I'm trying to remain patient until Dan starts fielding HIS complete team....I think we need to remember that the talent level we have is still on the lower level of the conference .... and no, I have no wool left ... this is the only comforting rationale that I could come up with
wr can't get open against great defenses or corners.
when relf actually does hit someone in the hands....he drops it or worse yet it goes through the wr hands into the defeners.
no holes to run.. what ballard gets he had to do on his own
can't pass block at all.
apparently, KJ, chris white, etc we pretty damn good.
when relf actually does hit someone in the hands....he drops it or worse yet it goes through the wr hands into the defeners.
no holes to run.. what ballard gets he had to do on his own
can't pass block at all.
apparently, KJ, chris white, etc we pretty damn good.
This is the single biggest difference between last year and this year, at least in terms of offensive production. No, we didn't score on every drive last year, but we moved the ball. I would bet that we've had more more 3rd and 7+ yard situations this year through 5 games than we had all of last year combined.
As far a picking a single point of failure from the poll, there are issues with all of them. However, we have essentially the same backfield, receivers, and QBs that were here last year. Therefore, I don't know how you could point to anything other than the line since it's the only thing that has really changed. Also, I get the whole "adapt to your personnel" philosophy, but when you are having linemen completely missing assignments on every other play and then getting pancaked on the other half, there ain't no way to adapt to that. Of all the atrocious lines we've had in MSU history, this may be the absolute worst I've seen.
But seriously - I'm buying that the SEC is just un-freakin-believable this year. Hard to say the conference is underrated, but I believeit is. Only time will tell - but look at the teams we've played.
Lost to Auburn, and yes this one will sting all year because it's one that got away. But they just beat what was supposed to be the #1 SEC east team on the road, and their only loss is to a very good Clemson team.
Got beat by LSU, who is possiblythe#1 team & defense in the nation.
Lost to Georgia, who at this point has only lost to a top 5 team in Boise and barely got beat by what was supposed to be the #1 SEC east team.Not to mentionthe head coach being on the hot seat may provide a little extra motivation.
We've got a 2-star QB being blocked by mostly 2-star O-linemen, and trying to compete in the toughest division incollege football. How good can we really expect to be this year?
Lost to Auburn, and yes this one will sting all year because it's one that got away. But they just beat what was supposed to be the #1 SEC east team on the road, and their only loss is to a very good Clemson team.
Got beat by LSU, who is possiblythe#1 team & defense in the nation.
Lost to Georgia, who at this point has only lost to a top 5 team in Boise and barely got beat by what was supposed to be the #1 SEC east team.Not to mentionthe head coach being on the hot seat may provide a little extra motivation.
We've got a 2-star QB being blocked by mostly 2-star O-linemen, and trying to compete in the toughest division incollege football. How good can we really expect to be this year?
LSU's defense is just ridiculous, and I think Georgia was way underrated going into the season. Right now, I think UGA should win the East (they should have beat USC by 2 touchdowns). Auburn's defense still isn't that good, but we did OK offensively against them.
Funny you said that, because me and a buddy were discussing this same thing. The offense really went in the crapper when Tobias went down. We were really fine with Clausell in for the latter part of the Auburn game. The only Answer? Tobias was our best OL and the glue that held the entire 17ing offense together. <div>
</div><div>I am half-joking about this, but it is an interesting coincidence. </div>
</div><div>I am half-joking about this, but it is an interesting coincidence. </div>
He registered 1 start prior to this year. I know he played a good bit last year, but our3 veterans (Lawrence, Saulsberry, and Jackson) have been fairly healthy. I know Saulsberry missed some time in the AU game but other than that, our most experienced guys have been available.
They've now got over80 starts between the three of them, with Saulsberry & Lawrence accounting for about 70 starts themselves. Those are the guys that have got to step their game up. Can't keep blaming everything on Clausell, Day, Carmon, etc.
They've now got over80 starts between the three of them, with Saulsberry & Lawrence accounting for about 70 starts themselves. Those are the guys that have got to step their game up. Can't keep blaming everything on Clausell, Day, Carmon, etc.
I think we all saw how Lawrence really stacks up when he was singled out this weekend at UGA. Saulsberry is a great leader but an average OL. <div>
</div><div>They both are solid guys, but neither could be the anchor to a good line. Tobias and Sherrod had that kind of ability. Brignone was probably a step above "filler" which also helped us last year. Ask any D-linemen who they hated going up against the most and it was Tobias. </div><div>
</div><div>Now, if we had 5 solid/average OL, it would probably work for us, but 3 "fillers" and 2 freshmen just isn't. I think Gabe has the potential to be an above average player, but he isn't showing that right now either (although he is still just a Soph.). </div>
</div><div>They both are solid guys, but neither could be the anchor to a good line. Tobias and Sherrod had that kind of ability. Brignone was probably a step above "filler" which also helped us last year. Ask any D-linemen who they hated going up against the most and it was Tobias. </div><div>
</div><div>Now, if we had 5 solid/average OL, it would probably work for us, but 3 "fillers" and 2 freshmen just isn't. I think Gabe has the potential to be an above average player, but he isn't showing that right now either (although he is still just a Soph.). </div>
He was by far our best run blocking interior lineman. If he had been able to stay healthy, he would be playing in the NFL after this year.