Thoughts

[Usma80]

Just to be clear, I wasn't totally happy with the production of the old offense. So don't get me wrong it's not that I particularly want the old offense back with it's same production. It's I want to see us actually run the triple the way it should be run and AFA serves as a model it can be done.

P&D - You make a lot of thought-provoking points in the rest of your post, but it’s essentially a useless exercise. So what’s the common denominator between last year and this year? Who was responsible for how the offense operated last year? We have regressed steadily on offense for the last few years. You could come up with a laundry list of reasons, but let’s put the focus where it belongs. Davis is gone - either because Monken was finally unhappy with his game calling and results, or because Monken believed the cut block rule would further degrade effectiveness of the triple, and he had to make a radical change. We’ve seen some flashes of promise with the new O, and failed in some situations where we were automatic with the triple. Regardless, we’ll get better at execution. If we never reach the level of play and competitiveness of our best year or two with the triple, we’re back to putting the focus where it belongs: on Monken. He’s made the decisions and he’s accountable.

[PrideandDream]

Yep. Can't disagree with that. He definitely owns the production either way. I have some thoughts on why he's struggled with the option and why it's different than AFA but I'll save those for now. Maybe this thing turns around. I am thankful for Jeff Monken and what he's done. However that's not a lifetime pass. you have to continue to produce and as it is said you are what your record says you are. To be honest his last presser after the BC game I think showed some glimpses of his frustration and trying to find answers that I'm not sure he knows what is needed. I'm interested to see tomorrow. Could be a real tipping point for this season.

PD

[madjackv48]

Great comments all around on this thread. I'm in close agreement with PD, with a single minor amendment. Maybe, as many have stated, JM was as frustrated as us with the offense that spun its wheels for the past two seasons. Part, but only part, of his frustration was with BD's play- and game-calling. Further, consider that JM knows the cut block talk is an excuse. His real frustration could be that his staff lacked the ability (knowledge?) to teach the fine points of the TO to his standards. Not just OL, but in every facet of the offense. Thus, he had to allow Davis to revert to the dumbed-down (as PD called it) version of the offense; if he hadn't, the most likely result would've been lots of turnovers.