Money Ball

[BornGrizz]

One interesting thing about going for broke on 4th is that statistics are through the roof to justify going for it almost always. But like all stats analysis this theory can't compute how effective it will be in different contexts, such as practicing the theory in a higher talent pool. Furthermore, I have never heard predictions on how this theory will hold up if a majority of programs started doing it.

But you can't really know how effective your theory is until you get a good body of evidence proving/disproving your theory. That requires games to be played and reps being done. It seems this would be easier in a sport like baseball because there are so many games that it's easier to get a good body of evidence within one season to see what works and what doesn't. For a game like football, however, there are so few games in a season that one game can be what makes or breaks your ability to make the playoffs.

Therefore, the question becomes how long can an alleged elite football program (fans, administrators, players, coaches, etc.) tolerate Stitt's type of play before the theory is proven/disproven? From what I can see, most fans thus far aren't willing to allow much time... at all.

Some fan dissatisfaction may be warranted. After all Coach Hauck and Coach Glenn didn't seem to have much trouble putting together playoff ready teams in their first years. Also, the more successful programs in the country at FBS and FCS aren't really struggling without a Stitt philosophy.

Then again, maybe the dissatisfaction is unreasonable. After all sports fans can be the worst human beings in organized society, second only to kids aged 10-15. Griz fans are no exception and I would argue their sense of entitlement got to be so annoying that it's refreshing to see some humility from a few fans around here. I for one am excited to see how it all plays out, and can't help but enjoy the doom and gloom from many of you. :thumb:

 

[grizpack]

With all due respect, Coach Hauck and Coach Glenn didn't the same talent that Coach Stitt did. And they didn't come in with 180 degree opposite offensive philosophy from the preceding coach as far as what type of athlete you need.

 

[Glendivegriz]

Don't understand lack of talent comment. We have arguably two of the best receivers in the country. Roberts is making a mark. Defense has been good. While unproven, Simmis in limited sample looked like a pretty darn good third stringer. Talent is as much about what you do to get the most out of it. That's a coaching decision that directly plays into the second comment. Perhaps it could be said Hauck and Glenn were better at evaluating what they had and figuring out how to cover the weaknesses.

 

[uofmman1122]

It's an unpopular opinion, but I'm starting to wonder if Alpha and grizindabox weren't right.

We may now just be seeing how important Jordan Johnson and Jordan Canada were to the team last year. Significant downgrades at the positions this year, for sure. The new offensive philosophy surely compounded this, too.

The decimated O-Line might not just be a thing this year, either. We had a great O-Line in 2013, and once we lost the best parts of it, the nearly identical offense saw its production go way down in 2014.

One of the things that bothers me most about this team is how they can't seem to stop playing scared. In the NDSU game, they were so dangerous because they played like they had nothing to lose, and they didn't. Ever since then, it seems they can't get out of their own way and can't seem to get that fire back. Pretty soon they will only be playing as spoiler again, and that's too bad.

I don't know if that's on Stitt or the players, but we just don't seem like the same team that beat NDSU.

 

[mcg]

When the Griz get to the red zone, what percentage result in touchdowns?

 

[kemajic]

With all due respect, Coach Hauck and Coach Glenn didn't the same talent that Coach Stitt did. And they didn't come in with 180 degree opposite offensive philosophy from the preceding coach as far as what type of athlete you need.

Glenn's offensive philosophy was significantly different from Dennehy's. Glenn put far more emphasis on the running game and on defense than had either Read or Dennehy.

 

[grizpack]

That is true kem.

While I have never been an offensive lineman, most "experts" on television and radio seem to say that transitioning from pass blocking to run blocking is much easier than to go from run blocking to pass blocking.

 

[statler & waldorf]

It's an unpopular opinion, but I'm starting to wonder if Alpha and grizindabox weren't right.

We may now just be seeing how important Jordan Johnson and Jordan Canada were to the team last year. Significant downgrades at the positions this year, for sure. The new offensive philosophy surely compounded this, too.

The decimated O-Line might not just be a thing this year, either. We had a great O-Line in 2013, and once we lost the best parts of it, the nearly identical offense saw its production go way down in 2014.

One of the things that bothers me most about this team is how they can't seem to stop playing scared. In the NDSU game, they were so dangerous because they played like they had nothing to lose, and they didn't. Ever since then, it seems they can't get out of their own way and can't seem to get that fire back. Pretty soon they will only be playing as spoiler again, and that's too bad.

I don't know if that's on Stitt or the players, but we just don't seem like the same team that beat NDSU.

Credit where credit is due. Anyone who predicted this disaster in progress should take a bow, and pull up your post(s), re-post them, and strutt about. Lord knows how many on this site roasted you because of your dire predictions. Sugar coaters won't like it. Reality bites at times.

 

[Ursus1]

That is true kem.

While I have never been an offensive lineman, most "experts" on television and radio seem to say that transitioning from pass blocking to run blocking is much easier than to go from run blocking to pass blocking.

Simis said in post game interview the play he fumbled on had a hand off option and he should have done it. ...does this mean line pass blocks and RB is expected to run? Because if they run blocked and got down field (linebacker level) it would be a penalty. If so might explain why run game has had problems....