Concerns on offense

[CougPatrol]

After 3 games, it's clear that we're missing a true #1 WR. We have a solid group of 2's and 3's, but not a guy like Mayle who intimidated physically and who could take it the distance. Marks is a great player, but he's fragile. Dude gets up slow after every catch. Not dissing him, but it's a tempo and morale killer. Would love to see us go after a big JC WR next season.

Harrington is going to be a great player before it's all said and done. It's a matter or when, not if he takes over the starting RB job.

Falk is a solid player, but he's young and he's thinking too much. There were so many times where he could have tucked the ball and ran for 7+ yards or dumped it off for an easy 5 yard gain. I realize the skill set for what Leach looks for in a QB doesn't match what I'm about to say, but if we could ever find a QB who could run a little, this offense would be so much more difficult to deal with.

 

[425cougfan]

After 3 games, it's clear that we're missing a true #1 WR. We have a solid group of 2's and 3's, but not a guy like Mayle who intimidated physically and who could take it the distance. Marks is a great player, but he's fragile. Dude gets up slow after every catch. Not dissing him, but it's a tempo and morale killer. Would love to see us go after a big JC WR next season.

Harrington is going to be a great player before it's all said and done. It's a matter or when, not if he takes over the starting RB job.

Falk is a solid player, but he's young and he's thinking too much. There were so many times where he could have tucked the ball and ran for 7+ yards or dumped it off for an easy 5 yard gain. I realize the skill set for what Leach looks for in a QB doesn't match what I'm about to say, but if we could ever find a QB who could run a little, this offense would be so much more difficult to deal with.

I'm with you. Leach's retort is that he'd prefer to have an RB or WR running with the ball instead of the QB, but that assumes that it's trivial to get the ball to those guys in a position to gain substantial yardage. It doesn't account for all the situations where the QB has some clear field ahead of him, and to do my best to sound like Leach, I'd prefer to play 11-on-11 instead of 10-on-11. Even if all it does is make the defense have to stay home on the QB and respect his ability to run, that opens it up even more for the other guys.

 

[Cougatron]

I think Marks is getting up slow after every play because he's getting lead into big hits by Falk instead of getting the ball to him quicker so he can make some moves before the hit.

While Priester hasn't clicked yet if you watch how fast he turns up field after he catches it the ingredients are there for someone explosive. It took Mayle a little bit to come on strong. Priester is the future.

Harrington is incredibly good.

Falk has to improve his decision making into something quick. If he can get that cleaned up he'll be just fine.

 

[Coug95man2]

I'm with you. Leach's retort is that he'd prefer to have an RB or WR running with the ball instead of the QB, but that assumes that it's trivial to get the ball to those guys in a position to gain substantial yardage. It doesn't account for all the situations where the QB has some clear field ahead of him, and to do my best to sound like Leach, I'd prefer to play 11-on-11 instead of 10-on-11. Even if all it does is make the defense have to stay home on the QB and respect his ability to run, that opens it up even more for the other guys.

My initial reaction is to agree with you guys. I love your 11-on-11 vs 10-on-11 thing. But when I stopped to really analyze and think about it… QB's aren't prepped, they aren't recruited, they aren't doing the same "things" to build a body for the issues of running the ball. Example: In pre-game, when the players come out prior and just when they open the gates… many players come out without shirts on… HOLY crap, are our RB's built. MASSIVE muscle, especially Wicks. Don't see that with our QB's.

To a certain extent, QB's are much more fragile than the WR's. And the initial post is about how fragile our WR's are. Boy, if we want a kid to get up slowly, lets have the QB run more (remember the PSU game, anyone?). If they're built for it, I'm game! But I don't see tall-and-skinny 'ol Falk built for that. If he can run a couple times a game, get a couple yards, slide safely PRIOR to a hit and put the D on notice, that's all I want/need from him in the running game. Keep 'em honest. I'd rather him not run, if possible, though. He just isn't built for it and I think it's asking for injuries.

And might I say, Bender isn't either. He seems just as skinny and a tad shorter, going by memory

 

[chinookpirate]

So if we want to run from the QB position, we need to start recruiting a different style QB?

 

[425cougfan]

So if we want to run from the QB position, we need to start recruiting a different style QB?

There are shades of gray here. Falk seems more mobile than Connor (Connor looked to me like a baby stork trying to stagger around when he attempted to run or get out of the pocket) and can pick up 7 yards or so here and there. I would like to see him keep doing that to keep the defense honest. I'd hope and expect Leach is on board with him taking those opportunities a few times a game, at least, if they are there and aren't a substitute for getting the ball to a playmaker in space.

I think we're talking about a QB who is a real threat to run, though, potentially taking the offense to the next level. Of course, any QB in the Air Raid also needs to make good decisions, have a reasonably good arm, and to be accurate. If a guy has all those attributes and also has the build and athleticism to be a dual-threat guy, (i) everyone would want him, and (ii) not only would he be tough to recruit generally, but I'd think he'd be more likely to play for a staff that had demonstrated it was more open to a dual-threat QB keeping the ball and running.

 

[CougPatrol]

I'm not talking about a dual threat QB. Just someone with escapability and who can occasionally run the read-option.

As far as Priester goes, you're probably right. He's a legit talent, and after his cross-country transfer, it stands to reason that this is going to be a "get the rust off" year.

I don't agree that Falk is to blame for Marks getting dinged on seemingly every play. If you play WR in Leach's offense, you're going to catch A LOT of underneath routes and get knocked around.

 

[Cougatron]

So if we want to run from the QB position, we need to start recruiting a different style QB?

I think it's hard to find a player who can throw and be as accurate in timing passing the ball. It's a pretty rare combination to get both. For example Goff for example is not some sort of mobile QB wizard and he's running an extremely similar sort of offense.

I think in this type of offense there have been two guys that come to mind that were mobile / could operate the offense. Manzel and Robert Griffin III. And both ended up winning the Heisman. So that kind of shows that if you CAN find someone that is extremely mobile and can make the reads/has the quick release to make the passing game work they can do incredibly big things, but they are extremely rare.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

Trevone Boykin at TCU is another extremely mobile guy that comes to mind.

 

[702coug]

Seems to me another example of Cougs pIaying to the level of the competition. I get the sense Falk is always looking for the big play when he gets the extra time the o-line is affording him lately. He knows he could check down and take the easy 5-7 yards, but hey, it's only Wyoming...may as well look for big play. Perhaps he will change his decision making and won't hold the ball so long once he starts facing pac12 defenses?

 

[95coug]

There are multiple issues. Some are new and easily fixable. Others are chronic problems that haven't been solved in years.

1. Even with a solid, veteran OL, we struggle to run. Sure, we get a few 7-10-15 yard bursts here and there, but for the most part we still have trouble getting 3 yards on the ground when we need it.
2. Falk does hang receivers out. Seems like it's worst with Marks. He throws high, or throws behind, and forces receivers into vulnerable positions. I thought Marks was going to be done after his TD catch at Rutgers.
3. Falk thinks too much, and takes too long to throw. He waits til a receiver turns, instead of throwing to a spot. Problem with this is that it gives the D time to get there too. This offense depends on timing, and when he waits too long, it throws the time and screws up any kind of rhythm.
4. Maybe this is related to #3, but this offense doesn't play with any energy. They're very mechanical. Defense is only marginally better.
5. While the defense was better in the second half than in the first (especially in the 4th quarter), they're still not very good. They don't tackle well, there's still nobody playing outside contain, and they don't account for the QB. When we run up against a team who has a QB that can actually run, they'll eat us alive.
6. Defensive speed is not good. Watch the first Wyoming TD...the WR just ran past our DB, and had 5 yards on him. Not on a move or a fake, he just ran by him. Watch Allison's INT return. He looks like he's running in mud. Maybe this is why our containment sucks - our LBs actually aren't fast enough to hit the edge before the RB. Or even before a pulling guard.

Pre-season, I thought there was a possibility of 7-8 wins. Right now, I'm not banking on more than 4. It still doesn't look like we have a Pac-12 defense, and it doesn't look like our offense is ready to go against a Pac-12 defense.

 

[702coug]

The Cal game is going to be a shock to the system for the Coug D. So far Cal look to be hugely improved from last season. Grinch has a lot of homework to pour over, good thing he has the time.

 

[CougPatrol]

I'm not overly optimistic about the rest of the season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see us raise our level of play against conference opponents. I expect that we'll get run out of a few games, but also that we play some very competitive games.

 

[Coug1990]

I'm not overly optimistic about the rest of the season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see us raise our level of play against conference opponents. I expect that we'll get run out of a few games, but also that we play some very competitive games.

I expect things to get a lot better. They are not far from exploding. The team is not just firing on all cylinders right now offensively, but they do show glimpses. If you go back and look at 2013, the bowl season, Connor was downright awful his first few games, much worse than Falk. Halliday was barely 50% in the first game against Auburn with 3 ints. Next game against USC he had 215 yards with no TD's and two Ints. His total after two games were 1 TD and 5 Ints. Many times it just takes a few games to get going. It is also why I am not in the least worried about the Seahawks this season.

 

[YakiCoug]

After 3 games, it's clear that we're missing a true #1 WR. We have a solid group of 2's and 3's, but not a guy like Mayle who intimidated physically and who could take it the distance. Marks is a great player, but he's fragile. Dude gets up slow after every catch. Not dissing him, but it's a tempo and morale killer. Would love to see us go after a big JC WR next season.

Harrington is going to be a great player before it's all said and done. It's a matter or when, not if he takes over the starting RB job.

Falk is a solid player, but he's young and he's thinking too much. There were so many times where he could have tucked the ball and ran for 7+ yards or dumped it off for an easy 5 yard gain. I realize the skill set for what Leach looks for in a QB doesn't match what I'm about to say, but if we could ever find a QB who could run a little, this offense would be so much more difficult to deal with.

I've stated as much several times. A seven- or eight-yard run is there for the taking nearly every time a defense drops eight back.

 

[CougPatrol]

I've stated as much several times. A seven- or eight-yard run is there for the taking nearly every time a defense drops eight back.

After watching this offense for a few years now, you can clearly see why so many of Leach's coaching disciples have had success morphing his offense into one where the QB has the ability to make plays with his legs.

 

[dgibbons]

After 3 games, it's clear that we're missing a true #1 WR. We have a solid group of 2's and 3's, but not a guy like Mayle who intimidated physically and who could take it the distance. Marks is a great player, but he's fragile. Dude gets up slow after every catch. Not dissing him, but it's a tempo and morale killer. Would love to see us go after a big JC WR next season.

Harrington is going to be a great player before it's all said and done. It's a matter or when, not if he takes over the starting RB job.

Falk is a solid player, but he's young and he's thinking too much. There were so many times where he could have tucked the ball and ran for 7+ yards or dumped it off for an easy 5 yard gain. I realize the skill set for what Leach looks for in a QB doesn't match what I'm about to say, but if we could ever find a QB who could run a little, this offense would be so much more difficult to deal with.

Williams is a number 1. Priester should get there.

 

[dgibbons]

I'm not talking about a dual threat QB. Just someone with escapability and who can occasionally run the read-option.

As far as Priester goes, you're probably right. He's a legit talent, and after his cross-country transfer, it stands to reason that this is going to be a "get the rust off" year.

I don't agree that Falk is to blame for Marks getting dinged on seemingly every play. If you play WR in Leach's offense, you're going to catch A LOT of underneath routes and get knocked around.

Which is a reason people shouldn't bitch about the receiver substitutions.

 

[wazzubruce]

I don't see the receiver position as any problem for WSU. They are producing. I can't wait for Dom to over take MW for TD catches.... won't be long!

 

[Coug1990]

I don't see the receiver position as any problem for WSU. They are producing. I can't wait for Dom to over take MW for TD catches.... won't be long!

I was thinking the same thing when I saw a graphic on TV. The lower that guy is on the all time receiving charts, the better.

 

[YakiCoug]

I don't see the receiver position as any problem for WSU. They are producing. I can't wait for Dom to over take MW for TD catches.... won't be long!

Dom tends to get his TD grabs early in games rather than long after the outcome was determined.