With regard to the overwhelming sentiment re: Borges...

[AzzurriDawg4]

Let me put forth the following theory...but first, a disclaimer. Let me say that I do not intend to come off as a Croom apologist. Enough is enough. I am ready to see him go. Now, consider this - maybe Croom really isn't 100% at fault here....which many suggest in support of the prediction that Borges (if hired) will make no impact.

I think it is pretty unanimous that the first 15 plays of each game (which are scripted) see us move the ball fairly efficiently. We may not score thanks to Adam Carlson or a red zone stall-out, but we have consistently moved the ball well early in the game. The UT coaches even commented on how good our gameplan was coming out of the gates and how they were glad that we got away from that.

According to Croom, Woody calls the plays and Croom essentially has veto power if he does not like what is called. Assuming that is true and assuming that Croom is completely hands-on with regard to those first 15 plays, maybe Croom isn't that bad of an offensive play-caller. It looks to me like we know how to break down an opponent's defense at the beginning of the game, but fail to adjust as the game goes on. If Woody truly does take over the reigns completely following those first 15 plays, that says a lot.

Now, does this absolve Croom of all blame? Absolutely not, it was his responsibility to recognize what was happening and find a new OC or make the adjustments himself. Moreover, all the plays come from "his" offense, so basically Woody is just picking from a list of ****** plays in the opinion of many. His hypocrisy and stubborness has left us in a pretty ugly hole and it is very tough to defend such a negative record on offense. However, as I said - we have shown we can move the ball when we make the right calls early in the game - which, I presume, are meticulously gameplanned by Croom himself. Maybe Croom should get some credit for that.

 

[NutherT]

I think this is a plausible theory. You know what my theory is, though:

Croom knows what he's doing when he has time to sit and think and ponder. He knows football, and he knows how to gameplan. What he absolutely sucks at is making gametime decisions and adjusting on the fly. When most good coaches are faced with a decision to make, they are going to essentially calculate probabilities of success or failure and risk or reward in their heads, much like a good poker player calculating pot odds. I believe Croom, on the other hand, does not have a logical bone in his body. He is not a calculated thinker, especially not when it comes to making split second decisions.

After watching Croom for almost 5 years, I'm convinced that he makes coaching decisions based on sayings, philosophies, and mantras. He thinks to himself when faced with 4th and 1, "Ok, Sly, here we go. Coach Bryant always said 'if you're meaner and tougher than them, you should always be able to get the yards that count. if you can't do that, you don't deserve to win'" and coaches based on that philosphy. "Ok, Sly, it's decision time. Bobby Ross always preached that the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins nine out of ten times. Let's not risk it." Or "My daddy always used to say 'You can feed a bobcat all the chilli you want, but it don't mean he's gonna crap diamonds.' I'll leave Mike in the game."

Does that make sense? It really reared its head before halftime of the LSU game this year. His thought process went something like this: We threw an interception before halftime last year and it cost us, therefore let's defy what any logical coach would do and sit on the ball. Completely throwing what makes sense out the window in favor of these 'football truths' he has collected over the years.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

After watching Croom for almost 5 years, I'm convinced that he makes coaching decisions based on sayings, philosophies, and mantras. He thinks to himself when faced with 4th and 1, "Ok, Sly, here we go. Coach Bryant always said 'if you're meaner and tougher than them, you should always be able to get the yards that count. if you can't do that, you don't deserve to win'" and coaches based on that philosphy. "Ok, Sly, it's decision time. Bobby Ross always preached that the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins nine out of ten times. Let's not risk it." Or "My daddy always used to say 'You can feed a bobcat all the chilli you want, but it don't mean he's gonna crap diamonds.' I'll leave Mike in the game."

I particularly liked the last one.

 

[gtowndawg]

but that don't make it a biscuit. Croom is not head coaching material. It's that simple. I don't think it really matters what the situation is or who's around him, he's just not a head coach. A running backs coach maybe...

 

[josebrown]

Makes good sense to me. Crooms can't think, not very fast anyway, that is enough for me to say he needs to go. Good job on the analogies. I think, sir, you are correct.

 

[graddawg]

but that don't make it a biscuit. Croom is not head coaching material. It's that simple. I don't think it really matters what the situation is or who's around him, he's just not a head coach. A running backs coach maybe...

What about a "Cathead Biscuit" of Max Howell fame?

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

....and it's kinda funny.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Teleconference. Thanks.

 

[gdogg]

All coaches gameplan, but then throw over their shoulder depending on the defensive reaction, unknowns that make themselves known, turnovers, injury, clock, etc. Good coaches get into a rhythm of play calling.
Croom and Co. hath no rhythm.

 

[99jc]

[No message]

 

[ArrowDawg]

............less talent than he had at Auburn. He won't have the same OL, or an All-American TE, or two NFL running backs in the backfield, or the future starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins. I've said for years that it takes major level talent to make this style of offense go, and that was clearly proven to be true when Borges lost all of that talent at Auburn and his offense went into the tank.

You can consider me totally unimpressed with an Al Borges hire. It's just another typical ******** move for MSU Bulldog football and not the real change that we need.

 

[bonedaddy401]

AzzurriDawg4[/b]]Let me put forth the following theory...but first, a disclaimer. Let me say that I do not intend to come off as a Croom apologist. Enough is enough. I am ready to see him go. Now, consider this - maybe Croom really isn't 100% at fault here....which many suggest in support of the prediction that Borges (if hired) will make no impact.

I think it is pretty unanimous that the first 15 plays of each game (which are scripted) see us move the ball fairly efficiently. We may not score thanks to Adam Carlson or a red zone stall-out, but we have consistently moved the ball well early in the game. The UT coaches even commented on how good our gameplan was coming out of the gates and how they were glad that we got away from that.

According to Croom, Woody calls the plays and Croom essentially has veto power if he does not like what is called. Assuming that is true and assuming that Croom is completely hands-on with regard to those first 15 plays, maybe Croom isn't that bad of an offensive play-caller. It looks to me like we know how to break down an opponent's defense at the beginning of the game, but fail to adjust as the game goes on. If Woody truly does take over the reigns completely following those first 15 plays, that says a lot.

Now, does this absolve Croom of all blame? Absolutely not, it was his responsibility to recognize what was happening and find a new OC or make the adjustments himself. Moreover, all the plays come from "his" offense, so basically Woody is just picking from a list of ****** plays in the opinion of many. His hypocrisy and stubborness has left us in a pretty ugly hole and it is very tough to defend such a negative record on offense. However, as I said - we have shown we can move the ball when we make the right calls early in the game - which, I presume, are meticulously gameplanned by Croom himself. Maybe Croom should get some credit for that.

1.) Croom calls the plays. It's that simple.

2.) The bold, italizized and underlined sentence is where you lost me.

3.) Unless Croom hands the play calling reigns to someone else it will be more of the same UNTIL we get an above average QB. Don't hold your breath.

4.) This is all from the same guy who moments before Brett Favre threw the game winner was calling for him to hang em' up.

Look I see your train of thought and it would be correct if Woody actually called the plays and went through Croom. In fact I think we can all agree that has happened at some point in the past. According to Croom himself he calls the plays. He said so not to long ago multiple times. I think that with a solid OC in place that has all offensive control we can at least have hope.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

I didn't say **** about Favre...although I wouldn't mind it if he would step it up a bit, purely from a fantasy football perspective.

As for the rest...my post was made under the assumption that Woody calls the plays after the scripted 15. I thought I made that clear. So before you find yourself unable to get past the bold and italicized sentence, try reading the beginning of the sentence first.

According to Croom, Woody calls the plays and Croom essentially has veto power if he does not like what is called. Assuming that is true and assuming that Croom is completely hands-on with regard to those first 15 plays, maybe Croom isn't that bad of an offensive play-caller.

Croom has said that Woody calls the plays. I believe he said that he reviews the plays being called and makes changes if he feels they are needed. Of course, he has also said that he calls the plays. Not surprisingly, another contradiction.

 

[jwbigcreek]

but I think he's better the Woody Mc. I don't think Aub had nearly all of the things you mentioned last year (I'm assuming you're referring to Campbell's SR year when they were absolutely loaded). I don't know where they ranked in terms of total O, but they did pretty well in terms of winning games. Cut out the huge # of TOs against USF & us & they win both games (I guess the OC has to take some blame for that). They dominated the 1st half against LUS, but didn't score enough, & it bit 'em in the arse in the 2nd half. Don't really remember the UGA game (but looking at the score they must have got dominated in that one, although they scored 20 points which is a helluva lot better than we normally do).

Edited to say: And I damn sure don't think Crooms is the best we can do either, but if we're stuck with him for another year, I would think Borges would be somewhat of an upgrade (if Crooms will leave him the hell alone).

 

[jwbigcreek]

with ArrowDawg. Think he started a thread blasting Farve Sunday.

 

[bonedaddy401]

apology is due to you. I am sorry I got you mixed up with that know nothing blow hard.

But still....Croom is calling the plays. If he isn't is Al our best option?

 

[rebelleo.nafoom]

pretty please!!!