[stupac2]

How important is the QB's ability to get the team into the right play in terms of production. Seems like Shaw called out Luck and Hogan as being excellent in that regard. My question/worry is that the offense steps back not because our new QB isn't effective throwing/running but in reading the defense and getting us into the optimal play.

Thoughts?

Important but I think it's overblown. If you execute a play well, it should gain yards. Some plays are going to work better against some defenses than others. But the best offense is going to make it so the defense can't win unless the offense screws up. That's what has guys like OF and Hulk so excited about this team, if you put Irwin, Schultz, Love, McCaffrey, and a FB/TE on the field you can give so many different looks that the defense will always be wrong. Here's an article talking about the Patriots with Gronk and Bennett, but the same idea could work with us. If the defense comes with nickel, then flex out one of the RBs and run it against a 6-man box. If they play base, throw to whoever gets matched up with an LB, because it's a mismatch whoever it is.

If the coaching staff are smart, that's how they'll build the offense. Make it so that, no matter what, the defense can't match your personnel. It might not work flawlessly against, say, Alabama, but it should shred the Pac-12 provided the QB and OL are even just competent. If they're good? Yikes.

[stupac2]

How important is the QB's ability to get the team into the right play in terms of production. Seems like Shaw called out Luck and Hogan as being excellent in that regard. My question/worry is that the offense steps back not because our new QB isn't effective throwing/running but in reading the defense and getting us into the optimal play.

Thoughts?

Important but I think it's overblown. If you execute a play well, it should gain yards. Some plays are going to work better against some defenses than others. But the best offense is going to make it so the defense can't win unless the offense screws up. That's what has guys like OF and Hulk so excited about this team, if you put Irwin, Schultz, Love, McCaffrey, and a FB/TE on the field you can give so many different looks that the defense will always be wrong. Here's an article talking about the Patriots with Gronk and Bennett, but the same idea could work with us. If the defense comes with nickel, then flex out one of the RBs and run it against a 6-man box. If they play base, throw to whoever gets matched up with an LB, because it's a mismatch whoever it is.

If the coaching staff are smart, that's how they'll build the offense. Make it so that, no matter what, the defense can't match your personnel. It might not work flawlessly against, say, Alabama, but it should shred the Pac-12 provided the QB and OL are even just competent. If they're good? Yikes.