these coaches should b fired!

[Turk]

Nah just joking. The coaching has been alot better this year.
Coaching was poor yesterday but Harbaugh has a way of exposing other coaches.

I know peeps think our OL sucks after yesterday but i see progress along the front and coach adam imo has done a decent job this year.

McCall isnt doin himself favors but he can use the tape to fashion CT a bit more.

If our team sucked then id be ripping someone....but we have an excellent team that just played poorly yesterday.

 

[iskaboo]

I am not sure whether McCall is the best at calling plays, but he has certainly been good at QB development. I still think Thorson should be a real force in two years' time.

 

[Turk]

I am not sure whether McCall is the best at calling plays, but he has certainly been good at QB development. I still think Thorson should be a real force in two years' time.

I think McCall is mediocre but maybe the best we can get here since i doubt an oc like kevin johns with a bigger ego could ever be retained under fitz.
That said, i will disagree about his success in qb development insomuch that i havent seen any evidence of it ever at NU except maybe with CJ. The reality is that we havent had a senior QB at Nu that was capably developed under mccall.
I believe Fitz has recruited very well under McCall at the qb position but watkins alviti oliver have shown little to no development. Alviti looked lost out there yesterday. Persa was hurt his last two years so who knows. Colter and TS showed little development as seniors, making the same mistakes or plays they made in their early days.And Thorson has absolutely no clue on the basics of the option play. McCall has been given a gift in Thorson as a pure double threat but hasnt developed thorson on much of anything at this point. He came in with pinpoint accuracy and he has displayed that but ive seen no evidence to suggest McCalls fingerprint yet. Thorson has not developed. He is a talent and should get better with experience regardless if McCall can finally communicate with him about how to qb the read option. If anything Thorson has regressed on running the ball after he got hit a few times. He seems timid and acts like the ball is a hot potato, and when he does run, he turns his body sideways and stops as he doesnt run as hard as he needs to. Give me a redshirt freshman tebow manziel winston or the kid from clemson and those are what dual threat qbs are suppose to look like if they are developed by an oc. Thats a credit to CT because i think he can do just as good as those qbs when they were redshirt freshmen. Thats development. As it stands, thorson is very very raw and hasnt been developed.

 

[NJCat83588]

That said, i will disagree about his success in qb development insomuch that i havent seen any evidence of it ever at NU except maybe with CJ.
Persa was hurt his last two years so who knows.

McCall's first season was 2008, CJ's senior season, so you really can't draw any conclusions about his impact on CJ's development. It certainly helped CJ to have Ross Lane, a very good NU receiver.

Persa had developed into an outstanding QB until his season ending injury int he Iowa game. To say "Persa was hurt his last two years so who knows" is just plain wrong. True, his senior season was disappointing to him as he never recovered from injury, but before the achilles rupture he was playing at an all Big 10 level.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

How could there possibly be enough room in the room for an OC with a big ego and Fitz?

Pretty pathetic that Fitz still hasn't figured out that he NEEDS the best possible people around him.

Honestly, after that 4th attempt at running the option, after it was CLEAR that that play had no chance of working, I would have fired McCall right there, on the spot. That call showed a level of ignorance or stubbornness or both that simply cannot be tolerated. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE that McCall could have thought that play would work. Impossible.

 

[Katatonic]

I am not sure whether McCall is the best at calling plays, but he has certainly been good at QB development.

How do we know that QB development has been due to McCall?

Kafka and Persa credited the summer workouts w/ Baz for really helping their development and they also got work w/ various QB gurus.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

How do we know that QB development has been due to McCall?

How do we know it hasn't?

 

[CommodoresAndCats]

Fitz is too big into loyalty to fire McCall. It's a moot point to even discuss getting rid of him since it simply won't happen.

 

[Katatonic]

How do we know it hasn't?

Well, we don't know whether some of the development of certain QBs can't be attributed to McCall (common sense says that unless McCall is totally incompetent, that some is due to him), but we do know that some of Kafka's and Persa's development is due to Baz (as they have stated themselves) and Baz, in turn, has attributed part of his development to his work w/ local QB guru, Jeff Christianen, among others.

So at the very least, we can't contribute the development of Kafka and Persa to just McCall.

 

[corbi296]

McCall is not the problem.

 

[Katatonic]

^ Right, since telegraphing plays hasn't been an issue (opposing players have even noted the patterns that McCall tends to stick with).

Or repeatedly trying to go w/ the power set on 3rd and short and repeatedly failing to convert (was calling for the QB sneak way before McCall finally got around to that last season), not moving the pocket until the 4th Q of the UM game last year, not putting in a passing QB against Army (weakness was the secondary) until it was too late, repeatedly trying to run the speed option with Thorson and repeatedly failing, etc.

 

[Wildcatfootball12]

McCall is not the problem.

Who is? Springer?

 

[Sheffielder]

Seems like a lifetime ago since we were known for our offense.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Guys, tell me if this is just my perception or if it's actually true. It seems to me that whenever CT run an "option", it doesn't really play like an option at all. It always - and I do mean every time - seems like it's predetermined that he'll pitch; the way he carries the ball, his path, his body language . . . it never projects as a possible keeper; a threat for the defense to acknowledge. From the first step he takes, it's as though his only intention is to pitch, even if he's leading the RB right into a gang tackle. The whole idea of an option is to make the defense honor both the pitch and the keeper, and I just don't see CT even attempting to sell the threat of a keeper. I'm sure that can be coached, and he'll get better at it with experience. For now, though, the way this play inevitably progresses is telegraphed from the word "go", and doesn't seem to be fooling defenses as much as it might, were it not so predictable.

 

[mybrotha]

Welli see progress with Thorson every game. That bs pick six should have been a long catch by McHugh that he inexplicably coughed up. Thorson also threw that ball into the teeth of a heavy pass rush. Matt Rice even said that Saturday Thorson played pretty well considering the wolverines and his first trip to the big house. I don't think we will have to wait two years, I think by the end of this year Clayton will be very good. He has another 6 games to go plus a possible big ten championship and bowl game to play.

 

[mikewebb68]

How could there possibly be enough room in the room for an OC with a big ego and Fitz?

Pretty pathetic that Fitz still hasn't figured out that he NEEDS the best possible people around him.

Honestly, after that 4th attempt at running the option, after it was CLEAR that that play had no chance of working, I would have fired McCall right there, on the spot. That call showed a level of ignorance or stubbornness or both that simply cannot be tolerated. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE that McCall could have thought that play would work. Impossible.

Yeah firing coaches in game makes a lot of sense.

 

[Turk]

Welli see progress with Thorson every game. That bs pick six should have been a long catch by McHugh that he inexplicably coughed up. Thorson also threw that ball into the teeth of a heavy pass rush. Matt Rice even said that Saturday Thorson played pretty well considering the wolverines and his first trip to the big house. I don't think we will have to wait two years, I think by the end of this year Clayton will be very good. He has another 6 games to go plus a possible big ten championship and bowl game to play.

CT had about 100 yards dropped by wideouts. McHugh has had chance after chance for 3 years but is a glaring weak spot as he struggles bringing it on saturdays. Also very very disappointed in his blocking. Christian dropped two and carr didnt go after one as noted by millan.
So how is CT going to get any better if he is doin his job but fitz keeps the same underperforming wr group on the field for the second straight year? Never mind that young dickerson vault long anderson and other wide receivers remain mostly on the sidelines.

 

[hdhntr1]

I am not sure whether McCall is the best at calling plays, but he has certainly been good at QB development. I still think Thorson should be a real force in two years' time.

He is somewhat handicapped by weak WR and OL play.

 

[hdhntr1]

Guys, tell me if this is just my perception or if it's actually true. It seems to me that whenever CT run an "option", it doesn't really play like an option at all. It always - and I do mean every time - seems like it's predetermined that he'll pitch; the way he carries the ball, his path, his body language . . . it never projects as a possible keeper; a threat for the defense to acknowledge. From the first step he takes, it's as though his only intention is to pitch, even if he's leading the RB right into a gang tackle. The whole idea of an option is to make the defense honor both the pitch and the keeper, and I just don't see CT even attempting to sell the threat of a keeper. I'm sure that can be coached, and he'll get better at it with experience. For now, though, the way this play inevitably progresses is telegraphed from the word "go", and doesn't seem to be fooling defenses as much as it might, were it not so predictable.

It doesn't really set up as an option. Generally, the RB and QB are in the same zone and the defender never has to commit. CT does not run it well. Have to think McCall can coach it OK as KC was a master.

 

[FanatiCat]

It doesn't really set up as an option. Generally, the RB and QB are in the same zone and the defender never has to commit. CT does not run it well. Have to think McCall can coach it OK as KC was a master.

All it seems to do is funnel all the pursuit toward one sideline, then the poor RB gets a pitch 5 yards behind the LOS and has to fight and break tackles just to avoid a TFL. I would much rather see more jet sweeps with Vault and Roberts than more option.

 

[shakes3858]

It doesn't really set up as an option. Generally, the RB and QB are in the same zone and the defender never has to commit. CT does not run it well. Have to think McCall can coach it OK as KC was a master.

Kain was a master at running the option. He was just downright good at it. He had that innate ability to draw a defender and then pop the ball out and make it look like he was going to pitch it and then take the ball up field. I think some of that subtlety is developed by playing that style of QB for years. Thorson played WR for much of his HS career. I have no idea how much option he played when he was QB. I also think that some people have a "knack" for certain things. Kain just "it" when it came to running the option. Not sure if that was developed or not, but I don't think it was. It seemed like Kain didn't really respect the coaching staff so I don't know how coachable he was. He might have just been good.

 

[mikero1]

Fitz and our coaches and look like morons against coaches like Harbaugh during games and in recruiting. The Michigan playbook looked bigger than NU's in the fricken first quarter. The day I am surprised by any call of our OC will be a first. The worst part is a complete idiot couldn't possibly think that Thorson knows how to run the option. And yet we continue to run it. He runs like a 6'5 inch Bambi who is afraid of getting hit and pitches for the expected 5 yard loss. I would rather just quick toss the ball at least the RB has a chance of getting to the edge. To say I dislike our coaching is an understatement and we still don't play to win. Fourth and one down 14 and we just try to get points after a nice drive...the chicken shit, let's keep it close call. Harbaugh is a jag, but I would take his smarts and killer philosophy over Fitz every day of the week.

 

[shakes3858]

Fitz and our coaches and look like morons against coaches like Harbaugh during games and in recruiting. The Michigan playbook looked bigger than NU's in the fricken first quarter. The day I am surprised by any call of our OC will be a first. The worst part is a complete idiot couldn't possibly think that Thorson knows how to run the option. And yet we continue to run it. He runs like a 6'5 inch Bambi who is afraid of getting hit and pitches for the expected 5 yard loss. I would rather just quick toss the ball at least the RB has a chance of getting to the edge. To say I dislike our coaching is an understatement and we still don't play to win. Fourth and one down 14 and we just try to get points after a nice drive...the chicken shit, let's keep it close call. Harbaugh is a jag, but I would take his smarts and killer philosophy over Fitz every day of the week.

Why are you even a fan? You hate the coaching staff, hate the fans, hate the administration, the admissions policy.... Name something you like about NU football. If you can't think of anything, go be a Michigan fan or something.

 

[Turk]

Kain was a master at running the option. He was just downright good at it. He had that innate ability to draw a defender and then pop the ball out and make it look like he was going to pitch it and then take the ball up field. I think some of that subtlety is developed by playing that style of QB for years. Thorson played WR for much of his HS career. I have no idea how much option he played when he was QB. I also think that some people have a "knack" for certain things. Kain just "it" when it came to running the option. Not sure if that was developed or not, but I don't think it was. It seemed like Kain didn't really respect the coaching staff so I don't know how coachable he was. He might have just been good.

Colter did have prater and lawrence blocking out there as well. Our wr really struggled blocking last week but that was the least of our probs.

 

[Turk]

Why are you even a fan? You hate the coaching staff, hate the fans, hate the administration, the admissions policy.... Name something you like about NU football. If you can't think of anything, go be a Michigan fan or something.

He is a great fan and its in his blood. However, his opinion has merit and cant be refuted. I dont think we can do anything about it though cuz we will never be able to bring in incredible coaches like harbaugh meyers or dontello.
Fitz is the best we will ever be able to get and keep. Better ones come and go (ara gary). But fitz is good enuf and imo doing a great job this year even with the brain farts.
btw what is wrong with michigan fans? Are nu fans better? I wish more of our fans were like michigan fans.

 

[mikewebb68]

He is a great fan and its in his blood. However, his opinion has merit and cant be refuted. I dont think we can do anything about it though cuz we will never be able to bring in incredible coaches like harbaugh meyers or dontello.
Fitz is the best we will ever be able to get and keep. Better ones come and go (ara gary). But fitz is good enuf and imo doing a great job this year even with the brain farts.
btw what is wrong with michigan fans? Are nu fans better? I wish more of our fans were like michigan fans.

When any fan uses terms like "moron" and "idiot" in posts describing our coaches, such loses just a tad of credibility, even if their post has some validity (never mind violating the board rule of "If you wouldn't say it to their face, then don't say it on here"). I believe that is what prompted Shakes reaction, though I agree that questioning Mikero's fandom was a bit overboard, imo.

 

[shakes3858]

btw what is wrong with michigan fans? Are nu fans better? I wish more of our fans were like michigan fans.

There's nothing wrong with 99% of Michigan fans (the one that kept screaming that Vitale should learn what football is and how to take a hit when the targeting penalty was called and Vitale was staring up at the sky is an ahole and needs to learn what's important ). That's what so great about sports. There's another team with their fans and you get play a game against them. Otherwise, you'd just be practicing for nothing.

Mikero seems to not like NU or anything about the program. As such, he should root for a program that he does like. He seems to like Harbaugh's playbook so he should watch them every week and root for them.

 

[shakes3858]

When any fan uses terms like "moron" and "idiot" in posts describing our coaches, such loses just a tad of credibility, even if their post has some validity (never mind violating the board rule of "If you wouldn't say it to their face, then don't say it on here"). I believe that is what prompted Shakes reaction, though I agree that questioning Mikero's fandom was a bit overboard, imo.

I 100% stand by my statement. Someone that trashes the team, the coaches, the players, the administration, the fans, the stadium... isn't a fan. If you don't like anything about Northwestern football, then you can jump ship. Nobody will care.

 

[Purple is Forever]

When any fan uses terms like "moron" and "idiot" in posts describing our coaches, such loses just a tad of credibility, even if their post has some validity (never mind violating the board rule of "If you wouldn't say it to their face, then don't say it on here"). I believe that is what prompted Shakes reaction, though I agree that questioning Mikero's fandom was a bit overboard, imo.

He never called our coaches morons. But our coaches did look like they didn't know what they were doing and had a poor plan. In that sense, they did look like morons, as he said. If we are honest, we all would have to agree.

I don't agree with him that Thorson is afraid to get hit, even if that appears true. At this point, I just think he is extremely raw and unsure of himself, as a runner. Someone posted on here that he was a wide receiver in High School, so he may not have ever ran the option.

 

[shakes3858]

He never called our coaches morons. But our coaches did look like they didn't know what they were doing and had a poor plan. In that sense, they did look like morons, as he said. If we are honest, we all would have to agree.

I don't agree with him that Thorson is afraid to get hit, even if that appears true. At this point, I just think he is extremely raw and unsure of himself, as a runner. Someone posted on here that he was a wide receiver in High School, so he may not have ever ran the option.

Just because we lost bad, it doesn't mean our coaches look like morons. Michigan is a damn good veteran football team with talent all over the field. Hoke did a damn good job recruiting, but lacked a QB. Harbaugh got a fifth year senior with loads of Big Ten experience. While we were on defense, Harbaugh did a great job coaching with the the Hback in motion and a quick handoff that we weren't ready for. Does it make us look like morons that we weren't ready for something that he's never done before? No, it just makes Harbaugh a good coach. What happened after we adjusted to it? 3 punts, a field goal, and 2 more punts. Then the 2nd string came and gave up a TD late. While the scoreboard says 38 points, it was only 17 to the starting defense. That's not our defensive coaches looking like morons.

On offense, we had an offensive line get abused by a defensive front that was just leaps and bounds better physically. That's what happens when a team has Jr and Sr 4 and 5 star recruits all over their line. Not much you can do with a line that is getting beat. On top of that, we have lots of problems at WR. I think we recruited poorly at that position. Like a few years ago when our DB play looked atrocious and people were screaming fire Jerry Brown, our WR play isn't at the level of the rest of the team. I'm not going to call players out by name, but go through the 2011-2014 classes at WR and look at the production. Dickerson and Buckley have injuries and Fuessel is not with the team. Christian Jones has injury issues too. The rest of them just aren't producing. Does that make McCall and the offensive staff look like morons. I don't think so. It means that we need to step up recruiting at that position. It also means that we got beat by a better team.

 

[Turk]

Just because we lost bad, it doesn't mean our coaches look like morons. Michigan is a damn good veteran football team with talent all over the field. Hoke did a damn good job recruiting, but lacked a QB. Harbaugh got a fifth year senior with loads of Big Ten experience. While we were on defense, Harbaugh did a great job coaching with the the Hback in motion and a quick handoff that we weren't ready for. Does it make us look like morons that we weren't ready for something that he's never done before? No, it just makes Harbaugh a good coach. What happened after we adjusted to it? 3 punts, a field goal, and 2 more punts. Then the 2nd string came and gave up a TD late. While the scoreboard says 38 points, it was only 17 to the starting defense. That's not our defensive coaches looking like morons.

On offense, we had an offensive line get abused by a defensive front that was just leaps and bounds better physically. That's what happens when a team has Jr and Sr 4 and 5 star recruits all over their line. Not much you can do with a line that is getting beat. On top of that, we have lots of problems at WR. I think we recruited poorly at that position. Like a few years ago when our DB play looked atrocious and people were screaming fire Jerry Brown, our WR play isn't at the level of the rest of the team. I'm not going to call players out by name, but go through the 2011-2014 classes at WR and look at the production. Dickerson and Buckley have injuries and Fuessel is not with the team. Christian Jones has injury issues too. The rest of them just aren't producing. Does that make McCall and the offensive staff look like morons. I don't think so. It means that we need to step up recruiting at that position. It also means that we got beat by a better team.

While we can leave name calling out of it, it does seem to me that our coaches coached very very poorly. Would you agree, Shakes? Had nothing to do with Jones injury issues of last year, or Buckley or Fuessel, we just got our fannies kicked in the mouth, mostly due to very very poor planning on defense and offense. On defense, we went vanilla and tried to play them straight up for the first two series. As you pointed out, the physical match wasn't in our favor. Unfortunately, Fitz didn't see that. But, give credit to Fitz for adjusting after the second series and getting more aggressive. The result was punt punt punt FG punt with our first team D over the last 48 minutes. So, that little adjustment, while late, gives us reason to hope if we see Michigan again, since the Michigan offense never saw the endzone again, against our first D, after the 3 minute mark of the first quarter. Again, the damage was already done.

On offense, the plan was to run the ball as Fitz continues to evolve us into a power running team. That's fine, but the play calling doesn't have to be so ridiculously predictable or have 93% tendencies. Running on first down 11 out of 12 times puts the whole offense behind the eight ball. Running options when you haven't properly developed your QB to do so isn't fooling anyone. A quick pitch would have better chances for our RB to turn the corner. Then, situational play calling was very very bad. 3rd and 2. Watch BTN2go and count all the Michigan players who just knew Jackson on 31 dive right up the gut. Do you think Jackson had a chance? I didn't. And neither did Fitz because Fitz already lost trust and was planning for the FG, otherwise, the only reason you run Jackson up the gut in front of 11 defenders is because you are using two plays. You may disagree but I think most will say that was a very very poor play, given the situation. And what does it tell the players? Fitz was outpsyched by Harbaugh. It happens. Harbaugh is a much better coach than Fitz but that's not a rub on Fitz, it's a credit to Harbaugh.

And did you ever check the lineup we run on those options? Go back and look at the tape and after reviewing it, you will be able to tell every time it is coming. There is a reason why 11 Michigan defenders all blew up that play and were 5 yards in the backfield every time.

No, Shakes, we didn't just lose bad, our coaches coached very very bad.

Hopefully, they learned from the error of their ways. Yes, we have learned that we can be a running team, so why not try to run against Michigan and see where our OL is. Now we know a few things. Still run against Iowa, we have to, but coach better and have better planning.

And please put Mitchell in there at kickoff. Endzone kicks are better than target kicks.

 

[NJCat83588]

we just got our fannies kicked in the mouth,

Now THAT"S a great mixed metaphor!!

 

[shakes3858]

While we can leave name calling out of it, it does seem to me that our coaches coached very very poorly. Would you agree, Shakes? Had nothing to do with Jones injury issues of last year, or Buckley or Fuessel, we just got our fannies kicked in the mouth, mostly due to very very poor planning on defense and offense. On defense, we went vanilla and tried to play them straight up for the first two series. As you pointed out, the physical match wasn't in our favor. Unfortunately, Fitz didn't see that. But, give credit to Fitz for adjusting after the second series and getting more aggressive. The result was punt punt punt FG punt with our first team D over the last 48 minutes. So, that little adjustment, while late, gives us reason to hope if we see Michigan again, since the Michigan offense never saw the endzone again, against our first D, after the 3 minute mark of the first quarter. Again, the damage was already done.

On offense, the plan was to run the ball as Fitz continues to evolve us into a power running team. That's fine, but the play calling doesn't have to be so ridiculously predictable or have 93% tendencies. Running on first down 11 out of 12 times puts the whole offense behind the eight ball. Running options when you haven't properly developed your QB to do so isn't fooling anyone. A quick pitch would have better chances for our RB to turn the corner. Then, situational play calling was very very bad. 3rd and 2. Watch BTN2go and count all the Michigan players who just knew Jackson on 31 dive right up the gut. Do you think Jackson had a chance? I didn't. And neither did Fitz because Fitz already lost trust and was planning for the FG, otherwise, the only reason you run Jackson up the gut in front of 11 defenders is because you are using two plays. You may disagree but I think most will say that was a very very poor play, given the situation. And what does it tell the players? Fitz was outpsyched by Harbaugh. It happens. Harbaugh is a much better coach than Fitz but that's not a rub on Fitz, it's a credit to Harbaugh.

And did you ever check the lineup we run on those options? Go back and look at the tape and after reviewing it, you will be able to tell every time it is coming. There is a reason why 11 Michigan defenders all blew up that play and were 5 yards in the backfield every time.

No, Shakes, we didn't just lose bad, our coaches coached very very bad.

Hopefully, they learned from the error of their ways. Yes, we have learned that we can be a running team, so why not try to run against Michigan and see where our OL is. Now we know a few things. Still run against Iowa, we have to, but coach better and have better planning.

And please put Mitchell in there at kickoff. Endzone kicks are better than target kicks.

Turk, I don't agree that in game coaching is the issue. I think we have a complete lack of talent at WR. Part of that is due to injuries and the Fuessell illness and part of that is due to recruiting misses. That takes away a lot of things out of the playbook. I'm not sure how you start throwing in all sorts of creative plays when your WR can't get open or catch the ball. I'm with you that Vault is in the wrong position and can help more at WR than RB, but it might be too late to get him up to speed on a new position.

On top of that, Michigan's defense is phenomenal. They have 3 consecutive shutouts. Is Maryland great? Of course not, but they did put up 28 against OSU. BYU is averaging 33 points outside of the Michigan game and they got shut out too. You want to start throwing some fancy tricks at them to feel better about the game? Execute the offense. Then throw in the tricks.

As I said, defensively, we made adjustments and the starting defense did enough to give our offense a shot to win the game which was incredible with the field position they had. If you give up 17 points in todays game, you should be able to win. You had a return TD, a pick 6, and late TD against the 2nd-3rd team.

 

[Turk]

Turk, I don't agree that in game coaching is the issue. I think we have a complete lack of talent at WR. Part of that is due to injuries and the Fuessell illness and part of that is due to recruiting misses. That takes away a lot of things out of the playbook. I'm not sure how you start throwing in all sorts of creative plays when your WR can't get open or catch the ball. I'm with you that Vault is in the wrong position and can help more at WR than RB, but it might be too late to get him up to speed on a new position.

On top of that, Michigan's defense is phenomenal. They have 3 consecutive shutouts. Is Maryland great? Of course not, but they did put up 28 against OSU. BYU is averaging 33 points outside of the Michigan game and they got shut out too. You want to start throwing some fancy tricks at them to feel better about the game? Execute the offense. Then throw in the tricks.

As I said, defensively, we made adjustments and the starting defense did enough to give our offense a shot to win the game which was incredible with the field position they had. If you give up 17 points in todays game, you should be able to win. You had a return TD, a pick 6, and late TD against the 2nd-3rd team.

We may not be that far apart with our views, but Nate Williams himself basically said the coaching sucks and we have a mickey mouse offense. He backed everything up with a great analysis. Fitz blew this one.

 

[shakes3858]

We may not be that far apart with our views, but Nate Williams himself basically said the coaching sucks and we have a mickey mouse offense. He backed everything up with a great analysis. Fitz blew this one.

1. Nate Williams is on record saying he likes to act like an asshole in order to "hold people accountable" which is pretty absurd seeing as he's no longer a part of the team and is a blogger. Holding the team accountable isn't his job and acting like a dick wouldn't accomplish anything if it were.

2. I wouldn't call his analysis great. He pulled out 2 defensive plays and then made fun of the offense.

3. Fitz didn't blow this one. Maybe the score should've been 24-13 or something closer, but we lost to a vastly superior team.

 

[Gladeskat]

He never called our coaches morons. But our coaches did look like they didn't know what they were doing and had a poor plan. In that sense, they did look like morons, as he said. If we are honest, we all would have to agree.

I don't agree with him that Thorson is afraid to get hit, even if that appears true. At this point, I just think he is extremely raw and unsure of himself, as a runner. Someone posted on here that he was a wide receiver in High School, so he may not have ever ran the option.

Thorson has been a QB for many years. He only played WR for a portion of the season his junior year so that his high school team could get both Thorson and his buddy, Johnny Peltz, on the field at the same time. Peltz was a senior and a pretty good QB himself, receiving at least an offer from FCS North Dakota before choosing to play for Wheaton College where his father is the defensive coordinator. Last year, he had a 159.3 QBR while Luke Thorson, one of Clayton's brothers, was his leading receiver. Another brother, Hunter, also played WR at Wheaton. Anyway, Thorson has always been a QB, WR was just a part-time gig for one year. I have no idea if he has ever run the option before. Doesn't look like it.

By the way, Clayton Thorson was a very good receiver and could have gotten a scholarship, probably at the FCS level, as a WR. I saw him make some nice catches when I caught a WNHS game a few years back. He should be effective if we throw a throwback pass to the QB so long as there isn't a safety bearing down on him with a knockout hit like what we saw earlier this year. I don't fault him for alligator arming that catch; we cannot allow him get injured this year.