I don't think I've made more than 2 or 3 serious posts in my entire time on The Fort. But today will be my most serious and probably my last.
First, I want to address the offensive "woes". Yes, there is a play calling issue. This is Jim Harbaugh's offense. Have you heard that a thousand times before? Sure. But that doesn't mean Jim is calling the plays. Whether or not this is a committee approach like we saw for years before or it's just Jim telling Josh that he wants a run or a pass, whether we are going for it on 4th or not, and managing the clock, Jim is obviously involved in some ways. And despite what you think, that's a good thing. The way yesterday played out falls on Gattis and that's obvious (if you have first hand knowledge on this then let me know whether or not I'm wrong), and it falls on Cade.
The posts we've seen are all emotional and for a good reason -- we're pissed because this team looked like one that could finally beat OSU. But we're jumping the gun. Will Gattis miraculously discover that you don't have to call the offense like a frightened turtle when you're in a close game? Highly unlikely. But being forced to be more aggressive will help -- and that's where Jim comes in. Jim Harbaugh is not a conservative play caller (though he's never had the title). He is a run heavy aggressive minded coach and it's about time that he puts Gattis feet to the fire by making him call it the same way. There is a time to run up the gut, but it sure as hell isn't after you had four 3-and-outs, followed by a Blake Corum perimeter run.
Jim Harbaugh has to take more responsibility offensively and make sure that whatever play he allows Gattis to call is the right one at the right time. If that can not happen, then Gattis needs to be relieved of his play calling duties.
It's a tricky situation, demoting a coordinator to a position coach or worse -- just like Ohio State is currently doing -- demote a guy to the booth and not even let him have input on his side of the ball. It's a bomb that could go off. That's why the best scenario is for Jim to be more involved. What else could help the offense?
A quarterback change.
Yes I know how you all feel. You're either team Cade or JJ and there's no in-between.
But the current quarterback issues are almost exactly what Josh Gattis issues are. Cade McNamara is also a turtle when put in tight positions, and that's what will hold this team back. The same issue exists as has been discussed over the last 12 hours+ on this board. That is that when do you insert JJ? Obviously -- and God forbid -- an injury would insert JJ into the role, and that's honestly the best case scenario. What you can't do is give the keys to JJ and then take them back if he's not ready because spoiler alert that's gonna kill his career arc. It has to be handled delicately and ultimately what I believe will lead to the change is JJ having a dang near perfect week in practice, or Cade's poor play forces Jim's hand.
If JJ currently in the pass game is what Cade's ceiling is (which is what I believe it is) then you start JJ. Simply because of the running threat he gives you.
Think about how many times there has been a zone-read call or a situation where Cade should have pulled it, but didn't. If JJ is in the game and just due to his speed, that edge defender has to respect the edge which opens up the run game. On top of that you have a passer who can fit the ball into tight windows and make the defensive coordinator on the opposite sideline think twice about putting 7 in the box.
I'm day drinking and watching my favorite Norm MacDonald clips (RIP), so if you didn't understand any of this that's fine, I'll some it up for you.
Jim Harbaugh needs to force Josh Gattis to make play calls that set the offense up for success. Jim is more than qualified to do that and the talent is capable of delivering more than 2 yards up the middle against a stacked box.
Second, give JJ a shot. JJ has shown us in game that he is just as good of a passer as Cade, and if we're being honest he's probably better right now. But if he is just on par with Cade you've gotta start JJ. Even if you continue to run the ball 75% of the time, the athleticism JJ gives you puts the defense in a conflict that Cade just doesn't. Cade isn't keeping it with no one on the edge. JJ is and he's getting a chunk each time.
Like I said at the start, I don't post serious stuff. I won't again for a while. If you hate my words and hate my opinions that's fine, just be sure to like this post so I can get my next badge.
--jjlafd
First, I want to address the offensive "woes". Yes, there is a play calling issue. This is Jim Harbaugh's offense. Have you heard that a thousand times before? Sure. But that doesn't mean Jim is calling the plays. Whether or not this is a committee approach like we saw for years before or it's just Jim telling Josh that he wants a run or a pass, whether we are going for it on 4th or not, and managing the clock, Jim is obviously involved in some ways. And despite what you think, that's a good thing. The way yesterday played out falls on Gattis and that's obvious (if you have first hand knowledge on this then let me know whether or not I'm wrong), and it falls on Cade.
The posts we've seen are all emotional and for a good reason -- we're pissed because this team looked like one that could finally beat OSU. But we're jumping the gun. Will Gattis miraculously discover that you don't have to call the offense like a frightened turtle when you're in a close game? Highly unlikely. But being forced to be more aggressive will help -- and that's where Jim comes in. Jim Harbaugh is not a conservative play caller (though he's never had the title). He is a run heavy aggressive minded coach and it's about time that he puts Gattis feet to the fire by making him call it the same way. There is a time to run up the gut, but it sure as hell isn't after you had four 3-and-outs, followed by a Blake Corum perimeter run.
Jim Harbaugh has to take more responsibility offensively and make sure that whatever play he allows Gattis to call is the right one at the right time. If that can not happen, then Gattis needs to be relieved of his play calling duties.
It's a tricky situation, demoting a coordinator to a position coach or worse -- just like Ohio State is currently doing -- demote a guy to the booth and not even let him have input on his side of the ball. It's a bomb that could go off. That's why the best scenario is for Jim to be more involved. What else could help the offense?
A quarterback change.
Yes I know how you all feel. You're either team Cade or JJ and there's no in-between.
But the current quarterback issues are almost exactly what Josh Gattis issues are. Cade McNamara is also a turtle when put in tight positions, and that's what will hold this team back. The same issue exists as has been discussed over the last 12 hours+ on this board. That is that when do you insert JJ? Obviously -- and God forbid -- an injury would insert JJ into the role, and that's honestly the best case scenario. What you can't do is give the keys to JJ and then take them back if he's not ready because spoiler alert that's gonna kill his career arc. It has to be handled delicately and ultimately what I believe will lead to the change is JJ having a dang near perfect week in practice, or Cade's poor play forces Jim's hand.
If JJ currently in the pass game is what Cade's ceiling is (which is what I believe it is) then you start JJ. Simply because of the running threat he gives you.
Think about how many times there has been a zone-read call or a situation where Cade should have pulled it, but didn't. If JJ is in the game and just due to his speed, that edge defender has to respect the edge which opens up the run game. On top of that you have a passer who can fit the ball into tight windows and make the defensive coordinator on the opposite sideline think twice about putting 7 in the box.
I'm day drinking and watching my favorite Norm MacDonald clips (RIP), so if you didn't understand any of this that's fine, I'll some it up for you.
Jim Harbaugh needs to force Josh Gattis to make play calls that set the offense up for success. Jim is more than qualified to do that and the talent is capable of delivering more than 2 yards up the middle against a stacked box.
Second, give JJ a shot. JJ has shown us in game that he is just as good of a passer as Cade, and if we're being honest he's probably better right now. But if he is just on par with Cade you've gotta start JJ. Even if you continue to run the ball 75% of the time, the athleticism JJ gives you puts the defense in a conflict that Cade just doesn't. Cade isn't keeping it with no one on the edge. JJ is and he's getting a chunk each time.
Like I said at the start, I don't post serious stuff. I won't again for a while. If you hate my words and hate my opinions that's fine, just be sure to like this post so I can get my next badge.
--jjlafd
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