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(10-22-2019 02:14 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  I'm in the camp that we have an average at-best offensive line that continues to be in transition due to injury or performance. You simply can't play this game effectively if you can't block. Just look south and you will see that play out every Sunday.

Ridder is not everything but the kid certainly finds a way to lead his team to victory. Everyone calling for the backup to play is just silly. The backup will make more mistakes because of that marginal offensive line and his own lack of experience.

I would like to see the offense utilize the middle of the field more also. Alec Pierce is an incredible talent and could provide a great weapon along with our TE's. But Ridder can't throw in that direction because our OL is getting blown up into the backfield and he has no vision between the tackles. And that's where balls get picked off - ask Andy. So Denbrock doesn't put the team at risk with throwing into that area of the field.

Teams are out gaining us because our defense is young and we struggle to get off the field. Stupid penalties and poor special teams do not help either.

Let me get this straight. Our QB is not an issue. Our problem is a defense which just had 5 players out of 11 make the PFF conference team of the week is holding us back. Our defense is top 25 efficiency and our offense is I believe 72nd. Not saying our defense is a finished product but it's not the reason we're being outgained.

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I think there's some merit to the idea that the offensive line is trickling into our critiques of Denbrock and Ridder. I also think it would be foolish to bench Des, as much as I want to see Ben Bryant play. How do you possibly tell a team that your 17-3 QB is heading to the bench? I know, I know, many will point out the situation at Alabama. But guess what, if your backup isn't a bonafide Top 5 pick, it's a lot harder to justify a replacement.

I don't think any of us are blindly saying bench Des because he's awful. But the QB play has been mediocre enough to warrant reexamining during the bye week. As frustrated as I am I wouldn't have made a mid game switch last week because it would have been perceived as a panic. The level has dropped enough where even if Bryant didn't win the job outright I'd give him a couple series to see if he's a type who turns it on in a game situation.

And UC is 17-3, not Des. He's struggled and been knocked out in wins and wasn't the reason we lost those 3

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There's some pretty knowledgeable coaches and former players on this board and I wouldn't pretend to understand the intricacies of the game as they do. But I've also wondered about giving Bryant some sets of downs with different tactics or objectives just to mix it up for the opponent's defensive approach. Similarly, could Warren take some snaps with Doaks in the backfield on occasion to reduce predictability? The offense just seems vanilla--and often stagnant. Reading previews of Tulsa the week before, I really thought UC would run all over their defense. That certainly didn't happen.

(10-23-2019 07:44 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  There's some pretty knowledgeable coaches and former players on this board and I wouldn't pretend to understand the intricacies of the game as they do. But I've also wondered about giving Bryant some sets of downs with different tactics or objectives just to mix it up for the opponent's defensive approach. Similarly, could Warren take some snaps with Doaks in the backfield on occasion to reduce predictability? The offense just seems vanilla--and often stagnant. Reading previews of Tulsa the week before, I really thought UC would run all over their defense. That certainly didn't happen.

We really haven't been up enough lately that we can afford to give up a possession just to let Bryant come in and try to sling it around the field. Especially if he were to throw a pick 6 or something.

(10-23-2019 07:44 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  There's some pretty knowledgeable coaches and former players on this board and I wouldn't pretend to understand the intricacies of the game as they do. But I've also wondered about giving Bryant some sets of downs with different tactics or objectives just to mix it up for the opponent's defensive approach. Similarly, could Warren take some snaps with Doaks in the backfield on occasion to reduce predictability? The offense just seems vanilla--and often stagnant. Reading previews of Tulsa the week before, I really thought UC would run all over their defense. That certainly didn't happen.

i just don't think Coach Fickell wants any part of a pandora's box, especially since they are winning with Ridder now. As a fan i project what i think their ceiling should be so i get the calls for Bryant to get some meaningful snaps. Coach Fickell is in a different position. i think he's taking the pragmatic approach given the circumstances and i don't fault him for that at all. And, fwiw, i don't think this offense under Ridder has hit its ceiling. i think he needs to make better decisions and needs the time to make better decisions. i'm in the camp that they are hamstrung by the OL so as the OL goes, so goes the offense. i''m not asking the coaching staff to raise the dead or turn water to wine. i think there are some adjustments they can make to help the OL and Ridder.

(10-23-2019 08:05 AM)eroc Wrote:  

(10-23-2019 07:44 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  There's some pretty knowledgeable coaches and former players on this board and I wouldn't pretend to understand the intricacies of the game as they do. But I've also wondered about giving Bryant some sets of downs with different tactics or objectives just to mix it up for the opponent's defensive approach. Similarly, could Warren take some snaps with Doaks in the backfield on occasion to reduce predictability? The offense just seems vanilla--and often stagnant. Reading previews of Tulsa the week before, I really thought UC would run all over their defense. That certainly didn't happen.

i just don't think Coach Fickell wants any part of a pandora's box, especially since they are winning with Ridder now. As a fan i project what i think their ceiling should be so i get the calls for Bryant to get some meaningful snaps. Coach Fickell is in a different position. i think he's taking the pragmatic approach given the circumstances and i don't fault him for that at all. And, fwiw, i don't think this offense under Ridder has hit its ceiling. i think he needs to make better decisions and needs the time to make better decisions. i'm in the camp that they are hamstrung by the OL so as the OL goes, so goes the offense. i''m not asking the coaching staff to raise the dead or turn water to wine. i think there are some adjustments they can make to help the OL and Ridder.

I am with you eroc.