Holgerson, WVU keep foot on the Gas
by Lakepoets on Jan 5, 2012 7:56 AM EST
Email
Print
Did anyone notice the comments relayed from Dana Holgorsen coming out of the half in the Orange Bowl?
With his WVU Mountaineers leading 49-20, he was asked if he would go conservative in the second half. His answer was, basically, NO. He said that his team would continue to run its game plan and continue to be aggressive. As we all know, In the second half, they threw the ball and took chances and changed nothing in their offensive game plan until basically 5 minutes were left in the game. As a result, the Mountaineers won the game 70-33, setting a bowl record for most points scored in the process. I was interested to see the reaction of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney postgame. What do you know? He wasn't even upset. He embraced Holgorsen for several seconds and they had what seemed to be a congenial exchange. No shame in falling to a superior foe. Back to my initial point: Coach Holgorsen went into the second half planning to keep his foot on the gas, because that's what his team does. They continued to do in the second half what was working in the first half. THIS is what I am convinced that Mike Bobo doesn't get and will never get. This is what will most likely keep UGA from becoming an elite team in the SEC. Thoughts?
91 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Agree...
But we also aren’t getting rid of Richt or Bobo and even if Bobo was let go, his replacement would be under the same conservative constraints as Bobo is now. UGA is what it is and will be for as long as Richt is the coach. Time to embrace it and hope you are young enough to see us back into a NC at some point.
Yes, that is my son. Yes, that is a bottle of Crown.
That's not necessarily true. Coach Grantham has "stood up" to Coach Richt several times. The positive results are already seen.
Coach Richt may or may not agree, but he will listen. It takes a real coach to try different approaches. Bobo isnt diverse enough or experienced enough to have any sway with Coach Richt.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed about Grantham
Though I’d argue it may have been more a deferment on Richts part to Granthams knowledge of D.
I do acknowledge that a new OC would bring some fresh ideas that would perhaps balance out some of Richts conservatism. But i still think Richt directs any OC to be conservative. Richt isnt going to change his philospophy in most situations. Though, Yes, a new coordinator would perhaps find better ways to sit on a lead and milk clock other than sweeps with Samuel. I think Bobo needs to go, I just don’t think we’ll dump him.
Yes, that is my son. Yes, that is a bottle of Crown.
by BCDawg97 on Jan 5, 2012 12:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I partially agree, Lakepoets...
… but it must also be noted that Clemson’s defense will never be mistaken for a top-half-of-the-conference SEC defense.
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
Point Taken.
I just really enjoyed hearing a HC/OC say that his team was going to stick with what was working, even though they were leading by 29 points. Had they not scored nor tried to score in the second half, they could have easily won 49-33. Bobo would be doing cartwheels over that kind of opportunity to “go conservative.” I suppose Richt would also, to be completely fair in my comments. This is the source of my frustration, as evidenced in our recent Outback Bowl debacle. Conservatism lost us that game. And as predicted in the game day comment thread, Bobo blamed it not on the three straight running plays. Wait for it… he said it was the player’s lack of execution on those plays. Bobo. What a Bozo.
"I know I'm asking a lot, you guys, but hunker it down one more time!"
Conservatism...
Had they not scored nor tried to score in the second half, they could have easily won 49-33.
Does it really matter whether you win 70-33 or 49-33? This isn’t a video game where you’re trying to run up stats just for your own amusment. On the flip side, a coach would get absolutely destroyed for staying aggressive and letting his QB throw a few interceptions to make a competitive game of it rather than milking the clock. Remember, it was a poor pass by Murray following two of the most successful runs of the day that initially let Michigan State back into the game in Tampa.
Conservatism lost us that game.
No it didn’t. The complete inability to run the ball (1.3 YPC) due to playing five guards on the offensive line along with total dysfunction at the running back position lost us that game. It is really hard for any offensive coordinator to do much when half of his playbook becomes virtually useless. This is exactly what happened to us against the three quality defensive lines we faced all year (Boise (1.9 YPC if you take out Boykin’s run), LSU (2.3 YPC), and MSU…Florida probably had the best line we were actually able to run on).
If we had any running game at all, there were several instances where we could have iced the game. Instead, Bobo was stuck trying to choose between running the ball/clock which was already obviously ineffective and throwing it anyway, which Murray had already shown was a risky proposition. Bobo certainly wasn’t great by any means, but he also wasn’t given a very manageable situation. Given choosing between two bad choices, conservatism isn’t necessarily the wrong move.
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 5, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How does that explain the lack of a hot pass, slant,out, or the "money" behind back pass to Mitchell?
How does it explain trying a play action pass, with what you described as no running game, on 3rd and long. Whom is responsible to look 1-3 years in the future and ensure we don’t have a shortage on the line? Why is the DC responsible for all things “D” but the OC gets to blame it on the players execution or lack of depth? With two of the best TEs around, what excuse it there for the lack of their use? Why do we fail to “dink and dunk” for 3-7 yards to help the run, rather than run bad running plays with the bad O line, or use the deep bomb?
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
That's a totally different question...
yes, Mike Bobo, and ultimately Mark Richt, are responsible for making sure that their team has the players to be able to run their offense. That has nothing to do with blaming conservatism for losing the Outback Bowl, though.
Honestly, Willie’s playcalling wasn’t all that bad either. The reason he had to go was because he simply wasn’t putting his players in a position to execute those calls. The technique and effort degraded to a point that you could have put BVG back on the sidelines and it wouldn’t have made much difference. Maybe we’ve gotten to that point with our offense? I’m not as sure as you are, but I’m willing to listen to the argument. But using the Outback Bowl’s playcalling as justification for wanting to eviscerate Mike Bobo while ignoring the larger issues (personnel) is missing the forest for the trees.
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 5, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
It took Coach Lakatos just one full year to turn a horrible secondary into one of the best ever.
It’s more than Xs and Os. Its finding solutions to problems, having a vision, putting the best skills to work in the right areas. Bobo’s job is to coordinate the offense. Not part of the offense, not just play call, but to coordinate the entire offense. This means recruiting, coaching skill sets, moving players around to find strengths, and generating schemes to utilize talent. It took a great DC and CB Coach just one full year to take us to top 5 in the nation on D, while Bobo gets a pass every year.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Good questions
I was surprised at the offense’s inability (or unwillingness) to do “ball control” using short passes mixed with screens, etc. Way back in the loss to BSU I remember thinking that UGA has the athletes to do the same thing (or close) as BSU could do, if for no other reason than to keep the ball away from a Kellen Moore (or Kirk Cousins the other day). You guys can score from anywhere, but the stuff between the running game and the long passing game (like TE’s) seems to be getting short shrift.
Stick with what is working and dump what is not.
That is my point here. How many passes did we throw to TEs? How many short passes? Slants? Screens? Running up the middle did not work yet we kept on and on and on…
"I know I'm asking a lot, you guys, but hunker it down one more time!"
Again, this isn't a video game.
You can’t just keep running the same play over and over again and expect it to work. That team wearing green and white had these things called defensive coaches on the other sideline and in the booth who would have figured that sort of thing out.
Besides, how can you asy “stick with what is working” and then wonder why we didn’t throw to the TE more? How do you know that was even working? Didn’t we only throw one pass to a tight end all game?
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 5, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
I'm going to pay you the compliment of talking to you like an adult
despite the fact that you are obviously speaking down to me. My initial point is the comparison of overall coaching philosophy. Dana Holgorsen, to me, was a breath of fresh air. He did not change the game plan and go conservative because his team was winning. That was my point in saying “stick with what is working.” As far as UGA not throwing to the TE, well we will never know if that would have worked because we did not give it a chance. You say conservatism did not lose UGA the game and I say it did. Were we leading the game by 7 with 3:30 left? Yes. Did running it up the middle get us that lead? No. We were desperately trying not to lose the game, not trying to win it. Of course, these are just my opinions. One last point, I don’t play video games so that is a wasted reference on me.
"I know I'm asking a lot, you guys, but hunker it down one more time!"
The offense didn't have anything to do with our lead...
You say conservatism did not lose UGA the game and I say it did. Were we leading the game by 7 with 3:30 left? Yes. Did running it up the middle get us that lead? No. We were desperately trying not to lose the game, not trying to win it.
The defense and punt return teams, specifically Brandon Boykin, had everything to do with that lead. The point is that virtually nothing was working. Unless Bobo could figure out a way to convince the defense to score again, I’m not sure he had many options (again, given the in-game situation, this isn’t a larger discussion of the offense’s functionality).
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 6, 2012 7:45 AM EST up reply actions
"You can’t just keep running the same play over and over again and expect it to work"
The Ben Leard/Ronney Daniels post play Auburn game, and the Ron Zook bubble screen Cocktail Party, would disagree with you on this point sir.
I’d agree that in general, that would be a correct statement, but there are special circumstances where it does work, over and over and over and over.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
Yes, but that's an indictment of the D-coordinators on the other side.
Michigan State had a top-five defense this season, so I’m not sure going to the well over and over again is a very smart strategy. That’s how you get pick-sixes scored against you.
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 6, 2012 7:47 AM EST up reply actions
It's funny you say "run the same play over and over and expect it to work"
Because we ran the same play over and over and no one expected it to work. Also, in the case of Auburn this year, if it is working, their is no reason to stop. We lost to Auburn last year because we stopped throwing to AJ on the post after going up 17-0. If it works, more please. If it doesnt, find something that does. And as far as knowing what would work, that’s just the point – we never tried anything creative. At least we opened against LSU with some good stuff. We didnt even do that against MSU.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
You don't think Boykin's TD on offense was creative?
That play was completely different than anything we normally see from the UGA offense.
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 6, 2012 7:46 AM EST up reply actions
Boykin had the game of career for one thing. The other thing is we never tried that again.
One play out of the game was creative. And honestly, it really wasnt because when Boykin is on offense, there is about a 90% chance he is getting the ball. And you are having selective memory, because their were several other Boykin/Smith plays that were busted all to heck, because everyone knew it was coming.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I hate how often we have plays that show up 1-3 times per year.
May be time to thin out the playbook. Stop wasting practice time (and shorten playbook study time) on these plays we’ll never run. Or just start running more of these plays. Why do we keep some of our best, most creative plays in our back pocket? Use ’em or lose ’em.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 6, 2012 2:30 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
The reason we probably didn't try it again...
is because if a middle linebacker happened to recognize it from the first time, there’s a good chance they could have stepped in front of the pass and taken it to the house.
Every coordinator’s playbook has certain plays that are intended to surprise but can’t be run repeatedly because they’re high risk. Do you recall us running the rooskie with David Greene multiple times per game?
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 7, 2012 7:54 AM EST up reply actions
Yes - he did run it several times in several games. He also had a great fake handoff for play action that used very often.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Nope
The rooski play was run one time by Greene and made another apperance with Shockley and then once with Stafford where it didn’t work.
I am more refering to his great play action fakes actually.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
We ran lots of play action against MSU as well.
We never ran the rooskie more than once a game, though, because it would have gotten our quarterback absolutely killed and lost us about 25 yards.
by FisheriesDawg on Jan 7, 2012 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
We ran the play action improperly and poorly and with no run game.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Richt has said before
you can only use it sporadically, or else the defense keys on it and gets your QB killed. Once a year, or every other year, max.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
You actually have a quote of Bobo blaming the players?
In the military, you would be destroyed for that kind of talk. And from what little I know, business as well.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
From a Seth Emerson post
Bobo on not putting it away Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo also got into the play-calling strategy at the end of regulation. After getting one first down, Georgia ran it three times before punting, and Michigan State ended up having enough time to go downfield and tie the game. "There was a lot of discussion there," Bobo said. "We were able to get the first first down. It was play-ball situation. After the first down, we decided to go ahead and run it three times and make them use their timeouts. So we felt we still would have a chance to get it we just didn’t execute the run plays tshat were called."
Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/01/02/1847510/richt-i-felt-like-my-man-would.html#storylink=cpy
I think this is the quote Lakepoets was referring to
I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs
Ask and you shall receive
The lack of a running game was a big reason Georgia didn’t put it away: After getting one first down, Georgia ran it three times before punting, and Michigan State ended up having enough time to go downfield and tie the game.
"There was a lot of discussion there," offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. "After the first down, we decided to go ahead and run it three times and make them use their timeouts. So we felt we still would have a chance to get it; we just didn’t execute the run plays that were called."
Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/01/02/1847585/off-target-missed-field-goals.html#storylink=cpy
"I know I'm asking a lot, you guys, but hunker it down one more time!"
This would be around the 6th time this season that Bobo's mouth makes him look worse than he already does.
He never, ever takes any responsibility. And too many people are buying into it.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Well, tankertoad, I fail to see the problem here.
I mean, Bobo had the courage to order his men to run through a brick wall armed only with a loincloth and no protection of any kind. Is it really his fault that they couldn’t execute the plan?
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
Yes, he is the OC.
Was it not clear at that point we couldnt run very well? And yet he called it anyway? Would you want to work for a man that blamed you for failures, rather than create solutions and find direction? I don’t know of one single great leader in any instance that blames his people. It’s his job to motivate his people and find solutions.
I have an inspection for the entire group in Feb. If we fail, I will not be able to blame the squadrons for it. It’s my job to insure the folks know what to do, how to do, and find solutions to problems. If the inspection busts, it’s my fault. Blindly calling plays and then blaming a failure of execution is a leadership failure and a spreading disease.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
pretty sure that vineyarddawg was being sarcastic haha
by DocSkraynj on Jan 5, 2012 4:00 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Actually...
… “the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning” is, I believe, the definition of “being ironical.”
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
As opposed to, say...
… ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife.
That’s just existential torture at the hands of a cruel universe.
Editor, Dawg Sports.
Go Dawgs!
by vineyarddawg on Jan 5, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Once, while pledging a fraternity,
we were asked to cut down a tree with a spoon. After several days and several nights of sawing, you can put a pretty sharp edge on a spoon. I’m just saying if Alanis needed a knife that bad, it’s not like she was out of options.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 5, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It's looking eerily similar to Willie
the wheels are getting awful shaky, is next year when they fall completely off ala Willie in 2009?
http://sportsandgrits.com/
Glad other folks are seeing the similarity as well.
“I called good plays! The players [who I coach] just didn’t execute! The QB [who I coach] turned the ball over! The running game [with no run blocking or tailbacks] has to get better [although I could have done something else since that clearly wasn’t working].”
That’s how it sounds to me.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 5, 2012 3:59 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
This isnt the first time this year he has said similar things.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
And Ol' Two Thumbs said the same thing, repeatedly..
until Richt finally, mercifully pulled the trigger.
Who has two thumbs and thinks the problem is solely player execution?
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 5, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Just makes it that much more annoying.
Turning the players into your scapegoat?
I’m starting to think Bobo is the greatest (worst?) energy vampire of all.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 5, 2012 6:17 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
the wheels are getting awful shaky
Are they really though? Aren’t we still in the top 3 of the conference in most offensive categories? Did Bobo’s QB not break the school touchdown record? Did we not have a receiver go over 200 yards against a very stout defense? I don’t think the sky is falling in regards to the offense as much as it seems like some y’all do. The Willie situation was wayyy more dire in my opinion. It was obvious to outsiders and insiders alike that it was time for a change. Offensively, we’re still scoring more points than we ever have in the Mark Richt era. That doesn’t necessarily equate to wins but we wouldn’t even be having this discussion right now if Blair makes his field goal.
by DawgGirl32 on Jan 5, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
We got the yarddage on the big play, not the chess match. And AM got the TD record because we couldnt execute in the red zone.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
We also wouldnt be having this discussion if we got 2 first downs.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Also, let me add, I would be having this discussion, along with many others, even if he had made the FG,
because this was one of the worst prepared offenses I have seen in recent memory. The discussion is not because we lost, it is because our team, once again, wasnt prepared for the big stage. And CMR and CMB failed at getting them ready as well as being ready themselves.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I have to agree with you
regardless of the outcome of the Outback Bowl, this conversation would still have occurred. Too many people are starting see the inability for Bobo to plan a game, make game time changes and adjust to the defensive adjustments. This is not about the last minute of the outback bowl, this is the culmination of 6-7 years of fan base frustration with watching talent be under-coached at the college level and then when selected to go to the NFL stage they are stellar performers. Mike Bobo is mediocre as a QB coach (thankfully quarterbacks like Greene and Stafford had the raw materials to succeed with out being coached) and is a very poor OC.
I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs
I mean this sincerely, do you really think Aaron Murray is getting coached well?
He lacks some of the most basic football fundamentals. His handoffs are poor, he stares down guys, he doesnt wrap up with two hands and two arms (football 101) in traffic, he has thrown maybe 2 balls away in his career. Joe Cox had many of the same problems. AM was just one INT short of Joe Cox’s year. These are coaching issues, either in the recruitment of or development of QBs. If we ever needed someone coached up at QB it’s right now. Additionally, AM gets big game jitters really badly, which is where some good mentoring from the QB Coach and/or OC comes from.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Could not have responded any better
Am reminds me much more of Cox than he does Green or Stafford. I would love to have seen his NFL draft screening to see if they are recognizing the same things you mentioned above
I HATE ORANGE, and DGNBs
A strong defense that gives great field position assists big time in those numbers
and 200 yards off essentially two plays means you got two big plays, it doesn’t mean you run an effective offense.
The numbers are what they are, but then again, the numbers looked pretty good for Willie before the collapse took hold, and for the team as a hold until the downward sprial started to get out of hand in 09 and 2010. As Kent Brockman knows, “You can use stats to prove all kinds of things. 14% of all people know that.”
http://sportsandgrits.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 5, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think we need to be more nuanced about the big play.
In a defensive struggle, the easiest way to score is on the big play – max protect Murray and hope that your one guy can burn their one or two DBs. If you miss, you’re likely punting. But, because your opponent has a good defense, you’re likely punting anyway, so there’s no reason not to try. The bomb won’t work often, but it doesn’t have to work often as long as it works a couple of times. High risk, high reward, and high variance.
Instead of excising the big play from the stat sheet, my criticism is that we went away from the big play on the playbook. They were determined to stop us short and we had some success going long. Sparty’s defense wasn’t giving us anything, but we had a better chance of taking the long pass than just about anything else (though the quick slant/TE seam game would have been nice to see, too).
by first and thom on Jan 5, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think it's some of A and some of B.
Does our offense put up good numbers relative to our peer programs? Yes. Murray had a good statistical season, as did Corwell, Charles, and Mitchell.
But (except for 1-2 quarters against Florida) our offense never really showed its stuff against tough competition. Too much of our statistical success came against weak competition. Watching our offense makes it clear that we’re not firing on all cylinders. We don’t get the best use of our players.
Bobo calls some great plays and put together a few gems this year. But he’s not consistent, and he needs to be. At his best, he’s good enough. When he’s merely average, he’s not. We can do better.
by first and thom on Jan 5, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It wasn't just individual players that had a good season.
The offense as a whole ranked third in the SEC in offensive yards this season, and fourth in scoring offense. With a sketchy offensive line and a very inconsistent running game.
Just wondering, what pro-style offensive coordinators currently in college football do you wish Bobo could be more like?
Fourth in offense out of 12 teams, with 6 of those teams being pretty terrible isnt that strong a stat,
particularly with the TE/WR group we had. Additionally, you have to factor in our horrid red zone stats. Finally, it’s not just about scoring points, it’s about management, which we fail at, even against Ole MIss. As I said before the LSU game on the podcast, we may not score a lot of points, but we have to at least get a few first downs, move the chains, flip the field, rest the D.
It would be a painful exercise, but strip out all the cupcakes and see how the SEC shakes out. Scoring 60 points against Coastal Carolina or what not isn’t saying much.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
A painful statistical exercise eh? I'm on it.
And actually it’s not that painful thanks to the good folks at cfbstats.com (who rule!)
These are where Georgia ranked offensively in the SEC considering only games against ranked opponents:
Scoring O: 3rd
Total O: 1st
Rushing O: 6th
Passing O: 1st
Turnover Margin: 7th
Sacks allowed per game: 9th
Tackles allowed per game: 9th
Third down conversion: 6th
Red Zone TD%: 6th
Red Zone Score%: 9th
It’s pretty consistent with the bigger picture. The offense is productive, but there are too many turnovers, sacks, and tackles for loss allowed. Don’t run it very well.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 5, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You rock.
Red Zone really stands out to me. No running game – no way to score in the red zone = more passing and therefore more passing TDs.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yep, . . .
. . . and even that wouldn’t have been so bad, if we’d just done what we’re good at doing in overtime. First in passing offense in the SEC, and we don’t throw the ball on the would-be game-clinching drive at the end of regulation or on the would-be game-winning drive in overtime?
By the way, TQCOA, is “tackles allowed per game” intended to refer to tackles for loss? wouldn’t [tackles allowed per game] = [offensive plays per game] – [incomplete passes/interceptions] – [kneeldowns/trips] – [slides/runs out of bounds] – [fumbles] – [touchdowns]?
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
If everybody just did what Bobo wanted, it would work perfectly. I know because he said so.
/bobonarrative control freak
First in passing offense in the SEC, and we don’t throw the ball on the would-be game-clinching drive at the end of regulation or on the would-be game-winning drive in overtime?
Another perfect little synopsis of what is driving me bat – crazy. And I told y’all in the Ole Miss game this would bite us in the butt.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Short passes please
easy completions, helps move the chains, helps your QB get in rhythym, helps the receivers get in rhythym, and with our speed and athletes out wide, you never know if they turn a 6 yd quick slant in to a 76 yd TD.
http://sportsandgrits.com/
Yes....sorry typo
should have been tackles for loss allowed per game.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 6, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Actually that doesn't include Auburn....
CFBstats considers year end ranking, not ranking at time of the game.
So the four games represented in those stats are: BSU, SCar., LSU, and MSU.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 6, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Teams with good offensive staffs don't blame their shortcomings on one problem all year.
“Lack of a running game” was a theme this year and, outside of the Tech game, we just kept on wasting plays insisting that Harton or Thomas could hit the A gap for a few yards (they couldn’t). Somehow the coaches also thought that eventually Samuel would be able to get the corner and outrun the d (don’t think he ever did).
We would go into games knowing that the opposing defense was only good at stopping the run up the middle. Then we’d run it up the middle 30 times anyway. I thought at the LSU game that we probably scripted the first few drives. Then, we never went back to those plays and the offense looked totally different. That happened so many times this year.
If you KNOW you don’t have a running game, why keep trying to force the issue? That’s stupid. You have to use what you got. Know the line doesn’t protect well and you have no backs? Spend every day, every week working on pass blocking and go West Coast. There’s nothing wrong with that. Figure what you can do well and do it. It was like watching a kid slam a square wooden peg into a round hole over and over. Then, take a week to think about it, and do it again.
We had good receivers and an amazing TE. We had a bunch of little backs a big guy (+a FB) who could catch out of the backfield. We were not going to be a power running team. The coaches have to recognize that and use our talent accordingly.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 5, 2012 6:29 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
I like the way Chris Petersen calls plays:
The base offense is power running, and he changes the passing game to adapt to his players and what his opponents are giving. Kellen Moore is wicked accurate, so he installs a precision passing game. UGA’s stud ILB gets hurt, so he adjusts the game plan to attack the ILB with option runs and inside passes. When something works, he does it until you stop him. When you stop him, he has a plan B.
Petersen is a really good coach, and we won’t get anybody of his caliber to be our OC. But I want somebody who is aggressive and flexible – perhaps somebody from his coaching tree.
At any point, we have guys on our roster that can win a game if we run the offense through them. Murray and crew can deep-ball and back-shoulder their way down the field all day if the secondary isn’t solid. If the box empties out, we can run inside with speed and power and outside with some burners. If the box is stacked, our QB can run, or TEs can catch and run, and our WRs can run good routes. But we have to adapt.
Any good team can take away part of our game. A team can decide to deny the run, or protect against the deep pass, or attack the QB, or take away some other element of our game. Excellent teams will be able to take away big chunks of our offense. When MSU did this, it looked like Plan B was to try plan A again.
by first and thom on Jan 5, 2012 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
BTW DawgGirl32 - thanks for the participation. Kind looks like you got gang tackled, but differing viewpoints are appreciated.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
by chuckdawg on Jan 5, 2012 6:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good points DawgGirl32 and not to be taken lightly.....
A few things to consider along with what you have written.
Aren’t we still in the top 3 of the conference in most offensive categories?
We are fourth in points per game, third in total yards per game, seventh in rushing yards per game, and second in passing yards per game. Not too shabby.
We are fourth in yards per play total offense, ninth in yards per carry, and in a three way tie for second in yards per pass.
We have thrown the third most interceptions, fumbled the second most frequently, allowed the fourth most sacks per game, and allowed the sixth most tackles for loss per game.
In summary, we have produced a lot of yards and points, but gone backwards and turned the ball over frequently. A glass half empty view would be “man Georgia sure screws up a lot,” while a glass half full might be, “man even though Georgia screws up a lot, they still produce as much offense as the SEC teams that don’t.”
Did Bobo’s QB not break the school touchdown record?
He did, however the interception and sack stats from above should be considered as well. Also, Georgia was ninth in the SEC in rushing touchdowns.
Did we not have a receiver go over 200 yards against a very stout defense?
Indeed. We were also held to 51 yards rushing and tackled for loss 17 times. In terms of total yards and yards per play against MSU, we were about average based on their other opponents. MSU is a very good defense.
I think your points are quite valid. In my opinion a fair assessment of the Georgia offense cannot ignore the production of the offense in yards, yards per play or points, nor can it ignore the frequency with which it is sacked, tackled for a loss, or unable to run. Not an easy call at all. Well said in your comments above and thanks!
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 5, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I can accept this. If you can explain to me a play action pass on 3rd down with no previous and/or successful attempts to run the ball.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Well that probably falls under....
“man Georgia screws up a lot” regardless of GHE, or GHF.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 5, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
I think, however, my comment is the simplest way to summarize my frustration.
You have shown we have had some good O production and the line is a big weakness. I can’t argue with that fact. But the mind blowing mix up of plays is what concerns me.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I think the way I would summarize it is . . .
. . . our offense does many things well, but not the most important things well or consistently enough.
First in total offense, but third in scoring offense, sixth in red zone touchdown percentage, and ninth in red zone scoring percentage. That’s moving the ball, but it’s not finishing the drill, because it’s not producing points at a rate even remotely commensurate with its yardage totals.
First in total offense, but sixth in rushing offense, sixth in third-down conversions, seventh in turnover margin, and ninth in sacks allowed. That’s moving the ball, but it’s not finishing the drill, because it’s not moving the chains to sustain drives and run out the clock.
(Also, notice that turnover margin statistic. Bear in mind that Georgia’s defense boasts Brandon Boykin, who is tied for twelfth in the SEC with three interceptions; Shawn Williams, who is tied for sixth in the SEC with four interceptions; and Bacarri Rambo, who is in sole possession of first place in the SEC with eight interceptions. Boykin, Amarlo Herrera, Jarvis Jones, and Alec Ogletree all are tied for tenth in the SEC in forced fumbles. The defense is doing its part; Georgia is tied for first in the league with 32 total takeaways . . . more than Alabama, and more than LSU. For our turnover margin to be anything less than stellar requires markedly poor ball security by our offense.)
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
What would have happened.....
if by “keeping his foot on the gas” WVU let Clemson back in the game by way of a pick-six or two? I only watched until the 3rd quarter but it looked to me that the WVU defense was stonewalling Clemson on every possession. How loud would the howls have been if they blew a 29 point half time lead and lost?
I have been a Bobo defender on here all season and while I don’t think that he called his best game by any means, I do think he was basically handcuffed on play calling in the second half. After Murray’s second INT (the pick 6 that let MSU back into the game) our “offense” was done. We couldn’t run the ball and hadn’t run it to amount to anything all game, we couldn’t pass protect either. It’s hard to throw and accurate ball when you have a 6’7 DT in your face as soon as you take the snap. If you look at what the strength of the MSU defense (their D Line) and our biggest weakness (our O Line) it was bound to happen. I wondered why we didn’t throw some screens to try and slow down the pass rush and I believe that it is because other than IC our RB’s don’t have good receiving hands. The play that IC was injured on was a middle screen that gained about 7 yards. I think had he stayed in the game we would have used that play or a variation several more times.
The reason we didn’t see anymore of our TE’s or FB catching passes is because we were in Max Protect most of the game. Bean was getting whipped on every play and couldn’t get any help from the G due to the fact that he had his hands full. The result of that game comes down directly to the fact that our O Line stinks and basically got whipped all game. I happen to believe that Will Friend will have the line in much better shape next season, the two youngsters that played this year will have a year of S&C under their belt and a year of knowledge in the system. If John Theus is as good as advertised along with this JUCO Tackle I think we’ll be ok.
by RocketDawg on Jan 5, 2012 9:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Although we may have different opinions of Bobo, I find this to be a very thoughtful take.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Thanks!
See we aren’t so different after all. I think we all want the same thing and that is for our beloved Dawgs to bring home the crystal ball at some point.
I think if we could just be really, really good at absolutely everything, . . .
. . . a lot of the concern about where we’re most in need of improvement would go away.
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
If we're good at everything
I could be the OC and we’d score at will. And I have a music degree and a cognitive science degree and haven’t played football since middle school.
(maybe a little hyperbole, but still…)
I’d also like to see how our numbers compare nationally before I get too excited. We could be 4th in the SEC in one category and that be the difference between being 6th and 42nd nationally. Especially this year. I’m not sure most people would call what Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Auburn (in most games) or Vandy were doing “offense.” Auburn a couple games where they scored a bunch on a horrible team. And Vandy randomly scored a bit. The others were all sad. If we WEREN’T better than all those guys with our personnel, maybe Bobo would already be gone.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 6, 2012 2:51 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
That's been my continual 3 year running argument - "if everybody just did everything perfect" - well, in that case you wouldnt need an OC. Just randomly dial up plays.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Just get Stafford back and block for 5 seconds.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
Three for the pass...
…and two for that weird little arms-across-the-chest thing that he does after completing the bomb.
by first and thom on Jan 6, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Based on the data TQCOA has broken down, going for the bomb every single play may not have been a bad idea.
And if you google Mathew Stafford, there are a lot of pictures of him with the ladies. I guess being the star UGA QB + $60M paycheck helps that out. I also noticed he has really nice natural throwing form. It wasn’t coached, he has it.
Editor, "Dawgsports"
"The ball ain't heavy." Herschel Walker
I was, by the way, . . .
. . . kidding.
Manager, Dawg Sports, SB Nation's Georgia Bulldogs weblog.
Go 'Dawgs!
I took it as a joke.
But figured it was reference the people who (for 6 years) give the offense a pass because there’s something missing. Every team has stuff missing. Hell, LSU did everything this year without a good QB and only 2 receivers worth anything in the roster.
They knew what they could do well and they did it.
by DocSkraynj on Jan 6, 2012 2:35 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
On the max protect point...
… a few things.
First – a credit to Bobo. On Boykin’s TD, Boykin avoided coverage by appearing to block, and then releasing. The play was drawn up and executed perfectly and shows admirable creativity. Great play.
Now – the not so good. If we’re in max protect, why are we trotting Charles out there instead of Lynch and White? He’s the weakest blocker of the three if he’s going to stay in to protect. And if we’re going to leave him in, why not spring him to the flat every now and again to slow down the pass rush? Charles is a great hybrid TE, but he is neither a pure blocker nor a pure receiver. He’s at his most dangerous when he’s a threat to either give leverage on a run play or create matchup problems on a pass. As an extra OT, he’s less valuable. This is Tank’s point about not getting the most out of our players.
And credit MSU for identifying the weakness at RT and building the defensive gameplan around it. It was risky (and we made ’em pay time and again!), but they won in the end.
by first and thom on Jan 6, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
