I waited a day to write this post to make sure I still felt like writing it. In my opinion the decision to play for overtime was the wrong one for a couple of reasons.
1. The previous possession at the Iowa 30 with 5 minutes left up 3 we decide to be aggressive and throw the ball to try to score. I think we should've run the ball and tried to kill clock in a low scoring game, but the coaches decided to be aggressive. I disagree with that strategy (and think it almost cost us the game as Iowa subsequently drove down the field to tie and might've won if not for a false start), but if that is your strategy stick to it. Don't abandon your (unfounded) faith in the offense on the next drive in a tie game.
2. In a close game every possession counts. Why waste one? If you think your offense is too ineffective to get into field goal range, how are you going to score points in OT?
At this point, I'm convinced we need to make changes on the offensive staff.
- Clayton has regressed. Yes Austin Carr is gone, but Clayton has been making some awful decisions that a senior QB should never make. There are many times a receiver is open underneath and he forces it into coverage or takes a sack rather than dumping the ball off.
- We run this offense as if the passing game is the strength of the team. Our best player is JJ, and its not close.
- Watch how Penn State gets Saquon Barkley the ball in space. We haven't done anything like that with JJ. When we do, he makes amazing things happen, like on third down in OT. Im not saying JJ is Barkley, but good OCs find a way to get their best player(s) the ball.
- The head coach has so little faith in the offense's ability to move the ball that he plays for overtime out of fear of punting into the wind. Whether Fitz admits it or not (he won't) that right there should be the nail in McCall's coffin.
1. The previous possession at the Iowa 30 with 5 minutes left up 3 we decide to be aggressive and throw the ball to try to score. I think we should've run the ball and tried to kill clock in a low scoring game, but the coaches decided to be aggressive. I disagree with that strategy (and think it almost cost us the game as Iowa subsequently drove down the field to tie and might've won if not for a false start), but if that is your strategy stick to it. Don't abandon your (unfounded) faith in the offense on the next drive in a tie game.
2. In a close game every possession counts. Why waste one? If you think your offense is too ineffective to get into field goal range, how are you going to score points in OT?
At this point, I'm convinced we need to make changes on the offensive staff.
- Clayton has regressed. Yes Austin Carr is gone, but Clayton has been making some awful decisions that a senior QB should never make. There are many times a receiver is open underneath and he forces it into coverage or takes a sack rather than dumping the ball off.
- We run this offense as if the passing game is the strength of the team. Our best player is JJ, and its not close.
- Watch how Penn State gets Saquon Barkley the ball in space. We haven't done anything like that with JJ. When we do, he makes amazing things happen, like on third down in OT. Im not saying JJ is Barkley, but good OCs find a way to get their best player(s) the ball.
- The head coach has so little faith in the offense's ability to move the ball that he plays for overtime out of fear of punting into the wind. Whether Fitz admits it or not (he won't) that right there should be the nail in McCall's coffin.
