Having read numerous comments about the Florida game and its results I have come to a couple of conclusions, that are actually in conflict with each other. Those conclusions stem from a number items that have been frequently mentioned in the PM threads and they revolve around Drink ...
* Drink is an offensive savant (my word)
* Drink needs/doesn't need an OC
Here are my conclusions and conflicts ...
Savant ... Drink has shown flashes of creativity (think of the first TD against South Carolina) but then he counteracts that by running a predictable and defensible offense for the majority of the game. Leaning on Tyler Badie is not necessarily a bad thing, but changing running backs and groupings could actually help the running game. The passing game has been largely stagnant and there seems to have a consistency to throw the ball short and sideways. Is there advantage of NOT using the middle of the field since the most successful passing offenses use the entire field.
OC ... In the PM recaps of the Florida game, there were two specific mentions of direct player involvement in determining play-calling strategy. In one, Tyler Badie recommended that he be used as a decoy on a screen pass ... the result was the TD to Niko Hea. The other, Drink was questioned about the play call on the two point conversion. Drink said that Bazelak improvised the play during Friday's practice session ... Drink noticed and let it play in the game. My point is, the two most important offensive plays were 'designed' by the players on the field, NOT in the office of the HC.
The first successful HC/OC that comes to mind is Mike Gundy and he is the extreme rarity. Gus Malzahn was relatively successful, but even he relented to an independent OC eventually. In my opinion. Drink needs a dedicated OC ... if anything, to assist him in the offensive game plan. The two of them could build and coordinate a game strategy during the week and the OC could run it on game day from the coaches box. Drink would constantly be linked in via headset and be involved if needed. But as far as play calling, personnel groups, injuries and other distractions, allow the OC to handle all the 'traffic', Drink would be able to free up his attention to the entire team on the sideline.
* Drink is an offensive savant (my word)
* Drink needs/doesn't need an OC
Here are my conclusions and conflicts ...
Savant ... Drink has shown flashes of creativity (think of the first TD against South Carolina) but then he counteracts that by running a predictable and defensible offense for the majority of the game. Leaning on Tyler Badie is not necessarily a bad thing, but changing running backs and groupings could actually help the running game. The passing game has been largely stagnant and there seems to have a consistency to throw the ball short and sideways. Is there advantage of NOT using the middle of the field since the most successful passing offenses use the entire field.
OC ... In the PM recaps of the Florida game, there were two specific mentions of direct player involvement in determining play-calling strategy. In one, Tyler Badie recommended that he be used as a decoy on a screen pass ... the result was the TD to Niko Hea. The other, Drink was questioned about the play call on the two point conversion. Drink said that Bazelak improvised the play during Friday's practice session ... Drink noticed and let it play in the game. My point is, the two most important offensive plays were 'designed' by the players on the field, NOT in the office of the HC.
The first successful HC/OC that comes to mind is Mike Gundy and he is the extreme rarity. Gus Malzahn was relatively successful, but even he relented to an independent OC eventually. In my opinion. Drink needs a dedicated OC ... if anything, to assist him in the offensive game plan. The two of them could build and coordinate a game strategy during the week and the OC could run it on game day from the coaches box. Drink would constantly be linked in via headset and be involved if needed. But as far as play calling, personnel groups, injuries and other distractions, allow the OC to handle all the 'traffic', Drink would be able to free up his attention to the entire team on the sideline.
Last edited:
