Wow. Here I go. Rant time. And it's not gonna be what you would normally expect from me.
First off, I was furious from the opening kickoff of our playcalling. What Beck did yesterday from start to finish is just mind boggling (well, maybe not mind boggling, becuase this kind of ridiculousness has become way too common). Trying to use Taylor as a pass first qb and all. I just didnt understand. And then the type of passes. Short dink and dunk. I thought we were watchin 2004 all over again. The only time it appeared effective is when Kenny Bell took matters into his own hands and turned a negative 2 yard route into a 15 yard gain time and time again. When we stretched the field (td passes to Enunwa and Bell) it was clearly obvious that UCLA did not have the personell to deal with our deep receiving core. But yet we refused to stretch the field whatsoever beyond the 21-3 lead, with agitated me greatly. Where were all the wrinkles? Where was the "turnin Taylor loose" that we expected. I would like to ask Bo and Beck first hand "guys, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE HOLDING BACK FOR". This was the BIG game we were preppin for. Who give's a f#*k about Michigan and so on. Let's play for now. I really believe this is a mentality within the staff. And it hurts. I just wish for once, we could play for today and just do what we do. I watched other games yesterday and last night, and saw teams appear to just run what they run, and follow their identity, regardless of the competition.
Which brings me to my point on Taylor Martinez. He's been a great player for us. I believe at times he's beein shorthanded from lack of defense, to lack of Oline and so on. Yesterday he was extremely handicapped due to lack of savy of an Offensive coordinator. The playcalling did not whatsoever play to the strengths that we as fans have easily identified of this unit the first two games. It also turned Taylor into something he's not, but into something he's not even close to competent in doing. If we're gonna play offense as we did yesterday, Ron Kellogg is a better choice at qb. And I dont know if it's even close it's so obvious. He throws a better ball, and if you watch his play in the spring game, he is constantly looking around and progressing through choices. He just has a better mental grasp in a multiple choice route combination. No mention of Tommy Armstrong yet. That's coming in a bit.
Now the intriguing part in my eyes regarding Taylor Martinez. I really dont want to throw this kid under the bus. It's his senior season. He's put in obvious work and is a fantastic young man. But what I really noticed yesterday immediately, is he still cant handle the "moment" or the "spotlight". Over throwing his first few passes. He just appeared to be a little overwhelmed again by the pressure, the moment, and the weight of the game. Now, he did settle in much quicker than he used to, but over time, and especially when he was called on to make plays, he just couldnt get it done.
Now it takes a turn. He shows up at the post-game press conference with a boot on his foot. Now, I'm no doctor, but I've sprained and twisted ankley. I've broken toes and so on. And I'm assuming that the use of a boot means a pretty signifficant injury to the foot, even if it is "precautionary". Taylor publicly says it was from prior to the game. Now, if he's hurt going into the game and the coaches know it, and his #1 skill-running-is self-neutralized, why is he in the game? Or why didnt we lean on our stable of backs a bit more? Or, put in Tommy Armstrong and start getting him rolling? Or Ron Kellog to handle Beck's Watson attack? But I'm not the coach, so I dont really know. I dont see these guys in practice everyday.
Next point. Coaches didnt know about Taylor's foot (but Beck's playcalling suggests they did) which leads me to ask one gigantic question. What the hell is going on under the north stadium?
Lastly, this was a full team loss. From Bo, all the way to the waterboys/girls. But at this point, my disappointment in the offense is so severe, and so incredible that I just dont know where to go from here. My faith in this staff and Bo has been severly hurt. I'm not totally on the "fire Bo" wagon, becuase I cant get myself to stress over something that will no way in hell happen for another 3 months regardless what happens, so I just sit back quietly and worry about what's next. I'll read and entertain the ideas of new coaches, which I used to just ignore and not even acknowledge.
Honestly, I truely believe we're gonna win our 9-10 games per current status quo. But I'm not gonna allow myself to be sucked back into the kool-aid party as I was last year after the 6 straight wins, or like I was this fall camp. I require obvious and consistent improvement and progress in all areas. I will not be paying attention to the scoreboard. It will be details within the game. And i also require a solid win against Northwestern and at worst, and competitive and competent showing at Ann Arbor (if it is a loss) for me to get back on the faith train. The scary part is, after watching games yesterday and last night, Purdue and Illinois are not the givens we once thought they were. it's gonna be an interesting next month and half.
