Oregon’s vaunted offense started to come alive in the second half of the Purdue game. It “flashed” as coach Chip Kelly would say, but it’s still missing something. You don’t get the sense that every third down play is a conversion waiting to happen. Well, fortunately, despite a lack of any relevant coaching or playing experience, I know what needs to be done.
Get some experience
Hey, I didn’t say my ideas were actionable. I noted yesterday that only 1 of the 22 players on Oregon’s two deep is a senior. Remember a year ago what it was like watching the engine run as it tried to find a quarterback? Well, right now, it’s trying to find an entire offensive line, the right receiver options and at least one consistent running back. It’s just going to take time, whether we like it or not. With that said, can we hurry it up just a bit? Utah and Cal are on the schedule. I just thought you’d like to know coach. Don’t shoot the messenger.
If you've seen this 6'-5" tight end, please alert Jeremiah Masoli. He'd like to know where to look.
Use your tight end. You know, that Ed Dickson guy?
I went to one practice in August. That makes me an expert. No really, it does. I was most impressed with Ed Dickson that day. I know, what a revelation, huh? The senior and potential All-American tight end stood out. With apologies for stating the obvious here, this guy needs the ball. It doesn’t have to be complicated, either. Put him in the game plan early and get him some easy catches. Get Jeremiah Masoli used to finding the guy again.
Get creative and artificially make the offensive line look better than it is
Let’s be real. The offensive line is the biggest problem. A year ago, Oregon had a veteran line that could dominate. Half of Masoli’s hair was grown in the time he had to sit back and make decisions. But that was last year and the young line just isn’t ready to dominate yet.
Still, there are ways. We saw it against Purdue. Masoli running the ball opens up holes for the running backs because the defense has to protect sideline to sideline. It spreads them out. I like having two tight ends at the same time with David Paulson and Dickson. The extra protection will help. It would be nice to try some deep balls every once in awhile, too (uh, I swear those last three sentences were completely clean when I wrote them). There is a world-class speedster in Jamere Holland on the outside (catching the ball is optional). He would help stretch the defense vertically which should keep defenses from stacking the box.
Have your receivers catch the ball
Remember how I said I went to that one practice and became an expert? Well, it’s true. I was a bit alarmed that day by the number of drops receivers had. I thought it was just the volume of drills or one bad day of catching the ball, but turns out, there really is a problem with the fundamental nature of receiving with this group of wideouts.
Please, please use LaMichael James more often
I do not care that he fumbles. Every time he gets the ball, something big could happen. Same with Kenjon Barner. I like the commitment of Andre Crenshaw to this program, but he should not be the leading ball carrier in any game. I will live with the fumbles and the other freshman mistakes. It’s just the reality of the running game now that, ahem, you-know-who will not be playing this season. Please, just give James the ball. I swear I will not lose my mind the next time he puts one on the turf. I think.
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Love the milk carton!
The issue with hitting the tight end, or any other receiver, is that Masoli needs time. Getting that time will rely on having a serious running threat so that has to be the first order of business. If the opposing team does not have to worry about a running game then Masoli will not have the time to work down the list of receivers.
I respectufully disagree about James and fumbling. I love the guy and want to see him run but if you put the ball down you get benched. This team is not good enough to make up for coughing the ball up in their own territory. A dropped pass is bad but a fumble is much worse. CK sat him down for a good spell after the fumble and I believe he will continue to do that if the ball goes loose. Having said that I think that James and Barner showed wonderful potential and their style of running opens things up for Masoli and the passing game.
In my opinion the offense is all about Masoli. He is the engine that drives this offense. He made a big improvement against Purdue and if he does it again against Utah then we will have a chance to win.
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My thought on James and the fumbling issues was that I just don’t think we’re going to get anything out of Crenshaw. We have two freshman running backs that whether we like it or not, are going to be have to be in the game. It’s not like SC where they could sit Joe McKnight down and put another 5* out there while he worked on his fumbling problems. Hopefully, James hurries up and learns how to hold onto the ball.
But you’re right. It’s all going to come down to Masoli. His effect on the running game was obvious and the more he can do, the more impossible the offense is to stop.
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I completely agree about our two young RBs. I am psyched that we might have these guys for four years!! I’m getting my head around the idea that this is a young developing team, not the NC-caliber team we hyped about, and I’m getting excited about the opportunity to see them develop.
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I have a hard time letting go of the most ambitious goals, but I’m really good at rationalizing and adapting my excitement level to the current week’s reality. For now, I’m still BCS bound, but much like TJ Ward’s ankle, those expectations are day-to-day.
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With such a furious pass rush and altogether bunching guys at the line of scrimmage, it would seem that, if the wideouts can get down the field far enough and fast enough, it sets up screens to either side – TE screens, Tazer screens, etc., and dinks and dunks to the TEs over the middle or down the slot.
I think we need to restore respect for the passing game in the minds of our opps – and that comes with catching the durn ball!!
People have figured out that we don’t pass effectively and are jamming the LOS – we aren’t “spreading” out anybody the way the offense is drawn up.
I like the double tight end – if you put Dickson in the slot and force a linebacker to cover him – a mismatch for most LBs.
I, too, appreciate what ‘Dre has done for the program – and reluctantly agree his greatest value may be on Special Teams. What a glaring turn of events now that you-know-who isn’t around anymore.
I had noticed early on and speculated about next year with no upperclassmen in the RB stable (other than Remene) – unless we go after another JC guy (would have to be a quality guy, though, not just any hack).
Bottom line is (as noted) it’s all about the OL and how fast they can come together.
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You are right. The passing game needs to ramp up. With a developing O-line, We have to get that field spread out as much as possible.
It’s interesting how quickly a position (RB) can go from your strongest to a complete cluster. All it took was the absence of one senior.
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can I be on the milk carton next week? I think I can be found.
OK so really this is what I think. With the Utes coming in, I belive C.K. should take a closer look at using Nate Costa as the quarterback [on some plays mind you] and Masoli as a half back [with the option to throw]. It would be totally mind boggling for the Ute defense and give the Oregon offense a new dimension [much needed]. Just a thought. Also I totally agree with you we need to find Dickson again. GO!!! DUCKS!!!!
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See, that’s why I like you. If I ever need inspiration for a crazy idea, there you are. Of course, Masoli would probably make a great “Thunder” back to James and Barner’s lightning, but Washington State has a better chance of winning a game this year than we have of seeing Masoli anywhere but quarterback.
Oh and by the way, the one we call FOTB says you are basically talking about her new position, the QTERB (Quiet Rabbit).
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when the defenses stack the box, they are vulnerable to passes over the middle and deep balls to holland
also, i am tired of bend but dont break – in the purdue game, they bent and broke – it was pure luck the 2 point conversion catch was 2 inches out of bounds
we need better quarterbacking in throws other than quick outs and we need tighter pass coverage so we are not just giving opponents easy first downs
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Wow, the coaches must read Off The Pond:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2009/09/oregonutah_ducks_working_to_ge.html
“Hi Chip!”
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Well, I just assumed they had an assistant assigned to the reading of this blog. They can check back for other brilliant assessments of their performance and game plans in the weeks to come.
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You think Chip would delegate something as important as reading Off The Pond to a flunkie? I am sure he has at least 10 minutes a day in his Schedule For The Year ™ set aside for reading important blogs. Oh wait, ‘important’ blogs. Maybe you do get a flunkie after all…
“Hi Nick!”
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I can only assume the quotes around the word “important” are for emphasis. I shudder to think it’s sarcasm.
I’d be flattered if I was even assigned a flunkie’s assistant.
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