Originally Posted by
BeardoMSU
Ok, fair points.
Just to be clear, though, I haven't been one of the ones hankering for a RTGDFB offense, or saying this "doesn't fit our culture", or whatever else. I agree, the power-run option will only get you so far. And I obviously want Leach's offense to work; I just want him to make it more flexible. Now I don't want him to run the "Fitzgerald" offense, but a designed QB run every now and then would at least put the threat out there. And how about we move the pocket around, some boot-legs, run-pass options, etc. (instead of just having your QB stand back there like a statue)? All of that would make his offense more varied, and help the (struggling) OL out, too.
As others have also pointed out, this offense absolutely must have down field pressure. Granted, some of that is on the QB for not pushing it, but as the coach, Leach has to take the training wheels off and really stress this part; especially (as you note), we've got WR's running open deep. Got to get them the ball.
And you mentioned "look how OM beat Bama". I agree, you have to throw the ball in this day and age to beat good teams, and historically we haven't done that. It's worth pointing out, however, that the pass/run ratio for OM against Bama in 2014 was 31/32, and in 2015 was 33/32....
Finally, I get that Leach is an iconoclast with an ego, and he wants to do things "his way". I hope "his way" ends up working, but I think for it to really be successful, he's going to have to adapt a little more than he probably wants to or is used to.