It's ok RR, even Pope Urban can't run his offense with a pro-style QB
As much as RR said he could "adapt" his offense to a pocket passer (e.g. Threet), it is pretty obvious that it runs much better with a dual-threat at the controls regardless of stated rhetoric. The great litmus test for this concept is Florida who runs a similar offense which has been established for a number of years, has a fourth year Jr, pro-style QB at the controls, and is stock full of multiple highly ranked recruiting classes. Considering that Florida, with all the above advantages, is also struggling with this transition. It is pretty obvious this system only fits a guy that can also run which is not a bad thing, simply the way it is. This message is gaining more mention over the "internets" regarding Urban's offense with Florida's beat down at Alabama coupled with their struggles this season.
When I think about Florida struggling under optimal conditions, I can only believe there was really no hope for RR year one. I am surprised we even had any offensive numbers after installing a new system with a thin oline and inexperience at QB along with the wrong type of athlete at the controls. It honestly could not have been a much worse starting point.
Edit: Thought Brantley was a Sr and is only a RS Jr. The guy is still in his fourth year with the system.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
Huh, where have I heard this before?.....
October 4th, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
Denard has 214 yards more than the whole Florida team
October 4th, 2010 at 11:53 AM ^
How long do you think that will last for? I figure with Florida playing LSU and us playing MSU this week it would go for at least another week, but after Iowa I doubt Denard will still have more as Florida plays Mississippi State that same week.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^
The fact that it went this long is amazing in and of itself... enjoy this ride folks!
October 4th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
...has former Florida OC and QB coach Dan Mullen as its HC. I think he'll know how to defend the Florida offensive scheme and Brantley a little bit.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
... they are struggling with Gilbert as well.
It's amazing how Florida and Texas have fallen off this year. Granted, it's only 1 loss for FL and 2 for Texas - but neither team looks like the teams we've been accustomed to seeing on Saturday. Also, they are not anywhere near the depth in which Michigan fell in 08 and 09 (not yet, but could they?), but to see those teams fall off so quickly and show obvious Offensive struggles from the previous year is shocking.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
are trying to change the offensive system into a more power running team. That has never been their identity. The OL can't make a good push up front which is part of the reason why Texas struggled in the running game. Throw in a 1st year starting QB, you have a recipe for a offense that is destined to struggle.
Florida is somewhat the same except that they think that Brantley is like Tebow and tries to run spread option with him at QB. Not going to work because he's, like the OP said, is a pro-style QB.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
would like to disagree with you. Granted, Texas has been running a more open spread-ish offense for about 7 years now, but Mack B does have a history as a power running coach. They tried to open it up more when Chris Simms and Applewhite were there, but even with a Frosh Vince Young, it was pretty buttoned up conservative offense. Problem is, when you recruit to a specific system, and then try and do things significantly different in that system with little transition time, you're going to have problems. If you want to put some blame, put it on Mack B for not recruiting a transition class of guys (RB's & OL) who should be 2nd-3rd year in the program but more suited for a power game as soon as McCoy hit the streets.
See also Texas Tech w/ Tuberville, or Auburn with Tuberville when they tried to go from a Cadillac Williams / Ronnie Brown type of power running offense to a spread offense in one off season.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
every program has highs and lows.
RR had his issues the last two seasons.
Now Urban, Miles, Kelly are all struggling - these are all coaching "geniuses" everyone was clamoring for to replace RR.
USC, Tennessee, Florda, Florida State, Penn State, LSU, Notre Dame are all previous powers struggling now.
Who would have thought 10 years ago these programs would be down and Oregon, Alabama, Boise State, Auburn, Arizona riding at the top?
October 4th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
Is a red shirt junior. Not his 5th year. And I'd making his first starts this year. Not like he's a grizzled veteran who just can't operate an offense. I think a lot of the traditional powers are struggling because of their inexperienced QBs. We're just crazy lucky that our inexperienced QB runs on dilithium, possibly making him a cyborg and immune to first year starter jitters.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:42 PM ^
I thought he was a senior this year.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
Have you seen Florida's offensive line? They couldn't even snap the ball correctly in week one, and got blown off the ball by Miami of Ohio. The problems with Florida lie a lot deeper than just the quarterback.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
...as did our problems in 2008. As much as we try to dispel lazy MSM analysis here, it seems a lot of people gravitate towards it anyway.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
Just to be clear, my post had no underlying comparision to the '08 Michigan team, who had many, many issues on offense outside of the quarterback as well.
October 4th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^
I know - I was more backing up your point. Breaking in a new QB is frequently difficult, especially when the OL is unsettled. The OP is sticking to the lazy "Square peg/round hole" analysis.
October 4th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
you make in a system when you bring a new coach in. The examples noted show how critical you have the right type of players. What is amazing is that Florida would put so much on the line with Brantly when it is clear that he does not fit what Florida wants to run, and that despite that, Meyer stubbornly refuses to adjust.
October 4th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
I think we're forgetting that Rich Rodriguez was once the offensive coordinator at Tulane, where he ran a spread offense. In 1998, he led them to an undefeated season behind quarterback Shaun King, a prototypical pro-style, pocket-statue quarterback.
The difference between Shaun King and Steven Threet: Shaun King didn't suck. He was selected in the second round of the NFL draft, and eventually ended up playing 8 years in the NFL, starting a good number of games along the way.
There's only so much you can do with a bad quarterback.
October 4th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
It's sort of a backhanded compliment to suggest guys like RichRod and Urban need "their" players to be successful. This is false. The talent level at UF is remarkable, but their offensive line is porous. Just like our offensive line prevented us from making a run against better competition last year. Texas has struggled mightily with blocking too, and that's why theyre unsuccessful.
Urban and RichRod have both proven they can win with any sort of QB. No "adjustments"(as posted above me suggests) are necessary. Just better blocking.
October 4th, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^
I really need to quit drinking at work.
October 4th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
That's why Rich's practice of equalizing reps in practice and keeping an open competition for the QB spot seems progressive to avoid those lulls. Also remember his stated goal of having two equally productive offensive lines that he can simply rotate in and out.
Really ambitious, but you gotta love the way he attacks these problems.