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The 5 big things for 2017

As for where this falls into an order/priority, I am not sure, but here it is.
Last season, the offense became more predictable in terms of who would be utilized, how they would be used, and where the ball would go. Maybe that was from inconsistent OL play, young WR's, etc. Fortunately, OL play should be more consistent and deeper. WR depth will have more experience and depth. Those things will likely help whoever the qb is.

Last season, the offense was way too reliant on JLM, screens, passes to the flats, and occasional deep balls. As a whole, the offense did not mix things up well in terms of ball distribution and field utilization. The offense very seldom passed to the middle 1/3 of the field, or medium length passes. Rather it was short or long passes, too many passes were to the outside. I believe some of that was due to lack of time for Gustafson to go through all the possible reads, and being no threat to run. A more mobile qb should be of some help, as well.

As for player utilization, we threw up jump passes to smaller WR's, instead of utilizing taller WR's with those kind of passes. The offense needs to look for and trust bigger WR's more often. I am sure that Stitt and the staff knows all this. The question is, can they figure out how correct these things?
 
George Ferguson said:
Sam A. Blitz said:
Can't really argue with any of the 5 from BW. I think the consistency argument could be made for almost all positions. It's amazing how much easier things are when everyone can trust each other to do one's job.

I'm hoping our depth on the defense will translate to better ST play. We have the talent to have very good coverage teams. Hopefully that can become a tone setting strength.

I'm also interested to see how much production we will get out of the DE position, graduating both of our starters from last year. It makes such a big difference if your DE's can get pressure on the QB, whether you are a blitzing defense or not.

The starting DE's I'm not the least worried about. The guy wearing No. 37 this year could have started for every team in the Big Sky last season. And on the other side is a kid who shunned several FBS offers to come play for the Griz.
Really?, that's kinda a big statement about no.37, not saying he isn't a good player but he wasn't even honorable mention last year.
 
agreed mtgrizrule, way way too much emphasis on the swing pass to JLM, he is not going to finish the season if that continues. It was really cringe worthy watching the opposing D tee off on JLM, that needs to stop. I want to see more in-game adjustments, especially after the half. Half time adjustments, or the lack thereof, hurt last year. Special teams needs to step it up in a big way. This is on the coaching staff. Period. Bigly.
 
My five are a little bit different but in the larger scheme of things they correlate well with BW's original post.

1. Win time of possession, not by 30 seconds but by 6 (or more) minutes. Not really Stitt's gig but it means a solid run game and recognition that when we have the ball our opponents don't. We only need 10 yards for a first down .. and another .....and another.
2. Assuming #1, score in the red zone at least 90 % of the time with 70% resulting in TD's. I realize that is a ambitious goal but gives value to winning time of possession.
3. On defense, reduce long drives and 3rd down conversions. This has been a sore spot for me a lot longer that Stitt's tenure. The defense plays well on 1 and 2 only to yield a big play on 3. This of course supports the goal to win the TOP.
4. Reduce the number of stupid (actually all) penalties
5. The coaching staff need to adapt during the game. If certain plays aren't working due to the defensive scheme we need to be able to change up. Make the changes during the game and not recognize during the press conference after the loss, that changes during the game should have been made. Overall the coaching staff needs to step up a few levels to achieve "deep into the playoff" status.
 
NorthEndZoneDan said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: oh, and thanks BW for the post, good stuff as always

Just trying to talk a little football around here instead of... well... what the usual 10 page long thread contains. :thumb:
 
braves84 said:
George Ferguson said:
Sam A. Blitz said:
Can't really argue with any of the 5 from BW. I think the consistency argument could be made for almost all positions. It's amazing how much easier things are when everyone can trust each other to do one's job.

I'm hoping our depth on the defense will translate to better ST play. We have the talent to have very good coverage teams. Hopefully that can become a tone setting strength.

I'm also interested to see how much production we will get out of the DE position, graduating both of our starters from last year. It makes such a big difference if your DE's can get pressure on the QB, whether you are a blitzing defense or not.

The starting DE's I'm not the least worried about. The guy wearing No. 37 this year could have started for every team in the Big Sky last season. And on the other side is a kid who shunned several FBS offers to come play for the Griz.
Really?, that's kinda a big statement about no.37, not saying he isn't a good player but he wasn't even honorable mention last year.

Because he wasn't the starter, and actually got a lot fewer reps than I thought he was going to get going into last season. He played behind the guy who was the Preseason Defensive POY in the Big Sky last year, and who gave him No. 37, as well as IMHO, the best D-end in the league, Ryan Johnson. Kinda tough to get All-Conference when you aren't even a starter. Trust me, I've heard from more than one Big Sky coach that says they wished they had the problem at D-end UM had last year, and that was, Tucker Scheye being second on the depth chart at his position. I have no clue how Tucker is going to produce now that he's finally a starter, but I know he could have started on one side of almost ever D-Line in the league last year.
 
sdk.catfish said:
My five are a little bit different but in the larger scheme of things they correlate well with BW's original post.

1. Win time of possession, not by 30 seconds but by 6 (or more) minutes. Not really Stitt's gig but it means a solid run game and recognition that when we have the ball our opponents don't. We only need 10 yards for a first down .. and another .....and another.
2. Assuming #1, score in the red zone at least 90 % of the time with 70% resulting in TD's. I realize that is a ambitious goal but gives value to winning time of possession.
3. On defense, reduce long drives and 3rd down conversions. This has been a sore spot for me a lot longer that Stitt's tenure. The defense plays well on 1 and 2 only to yield a big play on 3. This of course supports the goal to win the TOP.
4. Reduce the number of stupid (actually all) penalties
5. The coaching staff need to adapt during the game. If certain plays aren't working due to the defensive scheme we need to be able to change up. Make the changes during the game and not recognize during the press conference after the loss, that changes during the game should have been made. Overall the coaching staff needs to step up a few levels to achieve "deep into the playoff" status.
Has anyone ever won the TOP by over 6 minutes? That's seems like an absurdly unrealistic number to expect for ANY offense.


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1) "smarter" play from the front 7. That Bozeman game hurt to watch. If only we had some guys stay home and protect the draw/scramble we could have held them to a much smaller rushing total.

2) tougher WR play. It seemed like we were either beating the hell out of weaker opponents, or rolling over once we hit some resistance. We need some guys that can be clutch, and bring some toughness to those skill positions.

3) playmaking in the defensive secondary. I love our corners and safeties. We've got some depth, but if they can establish a reputation of forcing turnovers via INT's, then offenses will be more one dimensional.

4) QB consistency and resilience. Similarly to the WR spot, I think we need our starting QB to thrive in big games. They'll also have to fight through a slow start, or a bad pick, and come right back and win it back.

5) special teams. I'd love to see some of these younger guys gain a reputation as hitters on kick/punt coverage. Momentum and field position will follow.


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1. Better offensive line play. (Leads to better run game and QB cosistency.)
2. Better pass coverage.
3. More consistent play on the road.
4. Utilizing a QB who is actually a threat to keep the ball on zone reads. Keeps the defense honest.
5. Better kicking game. I'm sick and tired of nearly having a nervous breakdown every time the Griz line up for an extra point.
 
BWahlberg said:
NorthEndZoneDan said:
:clap: :clap: :clap: oh, and thanks BW for the post, good stuff as always

Just trying to talk a little football around here instead of... well... what the usual 10 page long thread contains. :thumb:

Thank You! :thumb:

GO GRIZ!
 
I believe for the offense to be effective, it all comes down to the O-Line. This position hasn't done well for a long time. If the same guys continue to play the same way they have for the last four years, I hope they get benched and we try new guys. We can't wait for the seniors to develop anymore, the experiment is over, try the sophmore or freshmen. If the line blocks, almost every play is successful.

The other key is the play calling, rather from Stitt or the QB, the line and entire offense need to know where they are going on each play. Last year to many players were out of position and the play was a disaster. Get the play in and execute!
 
I like the post!

I want the Griz to be nasty up front-both sides of the ball. Give our secondary some help by pressuring the QB with the front four, allowing the back 7 to make plays (force some dang turnovers)

Also, there's no reason why we can't have a couple rb's finish out the year w/1800-2k yards in this offense. Plenty of schools use the pass to open up the run, no reason we can't either.

GO GRIZ
 
fanofzoo said:
What will the suicide watch rate be if a bubble screen pass is the first play ?

Depends on the success of the play I guess. I compare it to a basketball coach yelling at a player for taking such a deep three while the ball is still in the air and then saying "great shot" after the ball goes in.
 
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