01-06-2015, 08:50 PM
Good discussion. In the end, of course, the proof is in the pudding, and for much of the year, the offense didn't just struggle; it was probably the worst in the conference. This despite starting a bunch of four and five star recruits on the offensive line, a veteran QB, an all-conference receiver. The case that "it's the coaching" is pretty strong, at least on the face of things.
Still, there are some reasons to be a little more sanguine about the coaching. Our performance in the last three games was much better than earlier in the season. And, if your metric is how does the coaching staff adapt and correct deficiencies, the offensive coaching staff did reasonably well. Then there is also the issue that this is a single year. Would we have as weak an offense with 4 out of 5 starters in the offensive line returning? With McCaffrey given a full year to learn the playbook? With Hogan not having his father's illness hanging over him (if that is what was happening)? With three tight ends having a year of experience under their belt? With if not a single running back, at least the running back position more settled than it was this year?
Offensive continuity is important. If Bloomgren and whoever else leaves, it will be Hogan's third offensive coordinator in four years (if he's around). I'm not convinced that this wouldn't be a case of "be careful what you wish for".
But I wouldn't mind getting Mike Sanford back if Bloomgren left.
BC
Still, there are some reasons to be a little more sanguine about the coaching. Our performance in the last three games was much better than earlier in the season. And, if your metric is how does the coaching staff adapt and correct deficiencies, the offensive coaching staff did reasonably well. Then there is also the issue that this is a single year. Would we have as weak an offense with 4 out of 5 starters in the offensive line returning? With McCaffrey given a full year to learn the playbook? With Hogan not having his father's illness hanging over him (if that is what was happening)? With three tight ends having a year of experience under their belt? With if not a single running back, at least the running back position more settled than it was this year?
Offensive continuity is important. If Bloomgren and whoever else leaves, it will be Hogan's third offensive coordinator in four years (if he's around). I'm not convinced that this wouldn't be a case of "be careful what you wish for".
But I wouldn't mind getting Mike Sanford back if Bloomgren left.
BC