Blame lies squarely on Leach & Falk...
- Thread starter 79COUG
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Falk has always done this. In the pros,he would not last long if he does not learn when to throw the ball away.
It's not just holding on to the ball too long, it's the refusal to run the ball and inability to understand that deep shots need to be taken to loosen up the defense. Minnesota sat on the intermediate stuff the entire game, giving up running lanes and were vulnerable on deep routes and Falk never took advantage. These are the things that will make him fail in the pros. The NFL is about constant adjustments.
He's short on leaders. When you see a coach rallying the troops on the sideline, not once but multiple times during the season, he doesn't have much for leaders in his locker room. He just doesn't.
The biggest improvement WSU can make in the off season, the improvement that will result in W's, isn't necessarily in the weight room or conditioning or talent.... It's between the ears.
Shame and embarrassment doesn't scare them. Clearly after losing to EWU. Getting rolled up by a big score doesn't scare them either.
Maybe some of these guys need to be seniors? Sometimes the light doesn't go on for some kids until it's their last year and now they decide they're gonna go out like warriors. The idea that they're trying to impress NFL scouts to make a payday might light a fire under their ass.
How many times this year have you seen consistent, start to finish, 60 minutes of all day tough, inspired, ultimate effort football being played by WSU?
Excellent post. I thought that last night as well. Doesn't anyone get pissed off anymore? Luke, it's OK to slam your helmet down on the sideline or get up from the pile and shove the defender.
Same with the coaches. You see this is a 6-3, Big-10 style game at halftime. OK, so challenge your team. Tell them, f#$k it. We're going to bring in an extra o-lineman, pound the ball, and set up play action. We're going to use 2-RBs sets because they're our most effective skill players right now.
We actually have run the ball roughly the same amount in the last three games (22 v. Colo; 24 v. UW; 23 v. Minnesota) but yardage gained got worse (137, 65, 39 - this includes sacks, however). But Biggs' point is well taken. Why not try a power running scheme for a couple of series, just to give the defense something to think about? Toss in some misdirection here and there, just as UW does (a far more interesting offense to watch, btw).
But Leach is Leach. He's all about a manic adherence to his scheme, even though he admits in his book that it can struggle - AND DOES STRUGGLE - against superior defenses, which have the athletes to play base and then close. Look at our total offense the last three games: 462 v. Colorado, which, btw, was missing starting DBs; 334 v. UW, which, btw, was missing its top two defenders; 303 v. Minnesota, which was missing a bunch of starters.
One of the biggest and best changes that could occur this off season is for Leach to diversify his scheme. It's a change that likely won't happen, however.
Spreading the field is just spreading the field. If you're not taking advantage of the spacing you might as well take advantage of your play makers. Line up in a full house backfield and run your dink and dunk routes out of it cause you're not throwing down field anyways and everyone knows it.
Or move your backs to receiver. What is it Bobby Knight told the Blazers??
Blazers to Knight, "we need a center."
Knight to Blazers, "draft Michael Jordan."
Blazers to Knight, "but we need a center."
Knight to Blazers, "draft Michael Jordan and play him at center."
Jesus H. Christ, receiver is either running left, right or straight. Turn around and catch the ball if it's thrown to you. If you can't coach that on the fly go sell insurance. Move your backs to receiver and let them make plays. Why leave kids on the field that don't make plays and stock pile your talent at one position?
I was going to respond to the OP with something you posted here. Don't know if you meant to look at it from this angle or not but this was my thought...
CML "gathered the troops" how many times during the game? twice?
Madison "gathered the troops", as well. And he was fired up!
To blame CML for not getting them ready is a supposition that has no basis. To think those rallies on the sidelines was the only time CML was trying to get them fired up, has no basis. To think the position coaches didn't "rally" them up, has no basis.
Just because they didn't react to these talks doesn't mean it didn't happen. At some point, this has to be layed on the feet of the players, IMHO. CML could talk until he's blue in the face but it isn't his fault if the players don't respond.
I agree that Leach is NOT to blame. Falk's got a job: make the right reads, make the right adjustments at line, etc. make the throws, etc.
You heard Brock Huard comment that Gabe had every right to be pissed at Falk for not making the correct throw. Brock inferred that in single coverage Gabe was supposed to hold is position at the first down mark. Falk threw it long. Being a good QB isn't your ability to chuck it around the school yard. It's being smart with the football.
You heard Brock Huard comment that Gabe had every right to be pissed at Falk for not making the correct throw. Brock inferred that in single coverage Gabe was supposed to hold is position at the first down mark. Falk threw it long. Being a good QB isn't your ability to chuck it around the school yard. It's being smart with the football.
As a Blazers fan, this always makes me sad. They repeated history again with KD and Oden.
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