What has changed Mac to Chizik
- Thread starter JCloned
- Start date
I would lose every game for the next two years for the CHANCE at being better than we have been in the "previous 12 years not to be named."
LAST YEAR
Last year Bret usually rolled out wide right on third down to fling the ball at Todd who was so graciously pushed out of bounds. He usually had two really short running plays up the middle for no gain after handing to a back. We thought we coukd score to Todd at any time. The oline was usually tired in the fourth quarter. Last year we punted a lot from our own 30. We made some short fieldgoals. We score enough to win some games. We win the close ones.
THIS YEAR
This year we set up with a wide right run by JJ who likes to skirt the end with no blocking in front of him. Then we might have Bret or JJ run up the middle. Sometimes we will throw a short pass on second down. On third and short ( we always seem to be in short situations) we will either get stuffed running or we try to throw a short West coast pass to RJ Sunrall or Marques Hamilton. We fumble/throw the ball away a lot on the their 30. We usually have no push in the 4th quarter as the other team is swarming on defense. We cannot make a fieldgoal. We sometimes miss extra points. We score less, like a Michigan or Notre Dame. We have not been that close in the end.
Last year Bret usually rolled out wide right on third down to fling the ball at Todd who was so graciously pushed out of bounds. He usually had two really short running plays up the middle for no gain after handing to a back. We thought we coukd score to Todd at any time. The oline was usually tired in the fourth quarter. Last year we punted a lot from our own 30. We made some short fieldgoals. We score enough to win some games. We win the close ones.
THIS YEAR
This year we set up with a wide right run by JJ who likes to skirt the end with no blocking in front of him. Then we might have Bret or JJ run up the middle. Sometimes we will throw a short pass on second down. On third and short ( we always seem to be in short situations) we will either get stuffed running or we try to throw a short West coast pass to RJ Sunrall or Marques Hamilton. We fumble/throw the ball away a lot on the their 30. We usually have no push in the 4th quarter as the other team is swarming on defense. We cannot make a fieldgoal. We sometimes miss extra points. We score less, like a Michigan or Notre Dame. We have not been that close in the end.
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One difference, without focusing on any specific stats, is that we are playing more guys in the rotation without a drastic dropoff in results. This should help some as the season progresses by avoiding late season dropoffs due to injuries or exhaustion.
It should pay off even more in future seasons as we should never again have to field a team with half the starters having zero meaningful experience. I would much rather have a starting 11 consist of 3-5 multiyear starters, 4-6 proven backups, & 1-3 Juco studs or bluechip freshmen vs 6 multiyear starters and 5 guys who have never played in crunch time.
Without trying to bash or prop up past or current coaches, I believe that limiting player rotation has contributed to many of our disappointments. Too often we fail to dominate supposedly weaker early season opponents as well as falter later when injuries mount up. Too many inexperienced guys unable to play up to their abilitiy because they were denied real game experience that is critical to player development.
It should pay off even more in future seasons as we should never again have to field a team with half the starters having zero meaningful experience. I would much rather have a starting 11 consist of 3-5 multiyear starters, 4-6 proven backups, & 1-3 Juco studs or bluechip freshmen vs 6 multiyear starters and 5 guys who have never played in crunch time.
Without trying to bash or prop up past or current coaches, I believe that limiting player rotation has contributed to many of our disappointments. Too often we fail to dominate supposedly weaker early season opponents as well as falter later when injuries mount up. Too many inexperienced guys unable to play up to their abilitiy because they were denied real game experience that is critical to player development.
The first thing that popped into my head when I saw that rushing yards statistic was that last year we had Curvey anchoring at DT. This year we don't. A good, BIG D-Tackle like that can have a major impact on the run defense. Even if he's not making plays, he was usually taking up two blockers and freeing one of the LB's.
I like them going deeper as well - at every position. I like the 2-3 back option. Keep them fresh - get them experience - we'll cope with the errors in order to get a seasoned club 1-2 years down the line.
C
Cyclone42
Guest
Dan McCarney's a REALLY GOOD assistant coach. A few years ago, after Dan McCarney's 1-10 third season, I made a point that if we somehow demoted him to defensive coordinator, re-hired Jim Walden as our offensive coordinator, and hired some good organization specialist as our head coach, that we'd win a national championship for sure.
Steve, good point on the number of players rotated in. Saturday there were several series when our entire front seven on defense were backups. Rotating like thate will pay off this year and beyond.
Superfan, the other big change defensively in addition to going from Curvey to Braaksma is from 2nd team all big 12 middle linebacker Tyrone McKennzie to Jessie Smith. Both are big drop offs.
Superfan, the other big change defensively in addition to going from Curvey to Braaksma is from 2nd team all big 12 middle linebacker Tyrone McKennzie to Jessie Smith. Both are big drop offs.
I feel oddly compelled to agree with this. Walden's offenses were innovative and entertaining, McCarney was a stud as a Defense guy. Put them together with someone who could put the whole picture together and recruit - and it could have been.... better than Walden & McCarney alone...
I'm not so sure that Smith is a huge drop off. Lots of Mackenzie's sticks were of the many yards downfield variety.
At first glance, I have a feeling as this team grows, they're going to lose games they shouldn't, and win some games they shouldn't. I think it's different than the previous regime winning what they should, and losing all the big games (minus Iowa).
How would people feel about that if ever year we lost to a UNI or a MAC school but would upset an Oklahoma or a Texas? Would that be an improvement?
How would people feel about that if ever year we lost to a UNI or a MAC school but would upset an Oklahoma or a Texas? Would that be an improvement?
oh for god's sake it isn't mac's team he is the defensive coordinator. South Florida has been building up for years and likely would have upset Auburn with anyone running the Defense.
Yep you are correct sir. What do you think would have happened in that game if good 'Ol Mac took his own D-Line players from ISU down to South Florida. Same results? Likely not:skeptical:
I can tell you what is the same...our overall team speed is not good. Until we improve our overall team speed position by position we are going to struggle.