[Goose]

That being said, in between an utterly dominant machine of an offense as we had in 2010/2011/2015, and the completely overwhelmed offenses of the dark ages, there is a role for coaching to maximize productivity.  A five yard penalty due to a delay of game won't have much of an impact if you can reliably gain 7 yards per play, and conversely if you can't string together three plays to get you a first down, then you weren't going to get a first down anyways.  But in between, a 5-yard DoG can make the difference between a drive continuing and a drive stalling.


BC

Totally agree. It has always amazed me that a guy who dislikes surprises and plans everything like David Shaw doesn't have a method to eliminate these DOGs that are caused by getting the play in late. Furthermore, if you have a well coached team that can execute a play that isn't "optimal" but is rather "good enough" (no matter what the Cardboard may say) beats a DOG penalty. Some of the DOGs are on the QB just taking too much time himself. Those are bad and shouldn't happen. Good coaching can minimize them. DOGs caused by the coaching staff OTOH should NEVER happen.

[Goose]

That being said, in between an utterly dominant machine of an offense as we had in 2010/2011/2015, and the completely overwhelmed offenses of the dark ages, there is a role for coaching to maximize productivity.  A five yard penalty due to a delay of game won't have much of an impact if you can reliably gain 7 yards per play, and conversely if you can't string together three plays to get you a first down, then you weren't going to get a first down anyways.  But in between, a 5-yard DoG can make the difference between a drive continuing and a drive stalling.


BC

Totally agree. It has always amazed me that a guy who dislikes surprises and plans everything like David Shaw doesn't have a method to eliminate these DOGs that are caused by getting the play in late. Furthermore, if you have a well coached team that can execute a play that isn't "optimal" but is rather "good enough" (no matter what the Cardboard may say) beats a DOG penalty. Some of the DOGs are on the QB just taking too much time himself. Those are bad and shouldn't happen. Good coaching can minimize them. DOGs caused by the coaching staff OTOH should NEVER happen.