Im not trying to let Beck off the hook. Alot of the calls in the last 3-4 games have been mind boggling. Its not like we are so one dimensional that we have to run the same game plan every week. We are talented enough to adjust to the situation, yet we dont. If Beck goes to KU my worry is another buddy taking his spot. I like what our offense COULD be.
Tommy on he other hand is still just desperate to make a play. When it was Taylor he was the focal point. Tommy is second banana to Ameer and I get the feeling he wants the spotlight on him hence long bomb passes to receivers wearing a different color. Our Center play was atrocious as well but gimme a break, even sophmores shouldnt bobble that many snaps.
The game shouldve been 28-0 going into the 2nd quarter. How many gifts can you receive and not capitalize on. Putrid series after putrid series.
Hey man, I'm not just absolving Tommy of any blame either. That fumbled snap on the one yard line was easily Tommy's fault. I've re-watched it, the kid just dropped it. At what point do we declare this an issue and change something though. The coaches have to decide this, Tommy can't. Tommy went under center and immediately fumbles that one but there's two contributing issues here.1. We don't play under center ever, which leads you to believe we don't practice it much either. Kind of hard to be efficient or effective at something you don't practice.
2. A center rotation is the coaches decision and it is really adding confusion and inconsistency to this situation. It shouldn't be. Pelini should NOT be playing.
A few more things to discuss here but I felt like moving this out of the woodshed to see other viewpoints on it.
Beck is not 100% to blame but Tommy isn't either. You simply begin to start looking at offensive coaching staff when the same issues arise year after year.
1. QB's have struggled with some very basic concepts for quite some time now. At what point does the thought of a designated QB coach start to enter the minds of some people in charge. We've heard the argument about a lot of other schools not having one and still being successful, well we aren't other schools, and we are struggling in this area and have for quite some time.
2. Tommy Armstrong is still not checking down. 9 games into the schedule we watch the same problems. What's the excuse? We can't fix it as a staff? If not why, and why are you paid so highly then? The beginning of the second quarter 84 chips a blocker and comes off it, wide open probably an 8 yard pass with plenty of green in front of him. Tommy throws down field 20 yards to a man covered by three defenders. In the same series, Newby comes out of the backfield, possibly could have blocked the blitzing safety but Tommy had time regardless. Newby is standing all alone 4 yards off the line of scrimmage, easy throw 100% completion rate (you would hope), Tommy launches one downfield. Incomplete.
3. Who is responsible for all of these deep passes? Is Tommy not capable of taking a shorter route? Why does every pass seemingly have to be a home run? Are these deep routes designed play calls? We've been told receivers make reads and determine their routes, are they the ones that just can't seem to stop running 25-50 yard routes all damn game? If so, why are we not telling them to stop it? All game long this went on, it has all season....has nobody talked about this?
4. Why are we giving these kids so much responsibilty and control of the play designs? It isn't working. It seems like a lot to handle. We may have scored 35 points, but Purdue is a weak defeense, and for as many possessions as we had, and the great field position, we sure look ineffective a lot.
5. Relates to number 3, but in that wind, at what point does someone get in Tommy's ear and these WR's ears and stop chucking it into the wind? When do we take the passing game out for a bit?
6. Ahead by two scores and throwing the ball?
7. Ahead by two scores in the fourth, trying to maintain a lead, and snapping the ball with over 10 sometimes 15 seconds on the play clock? Where is the awareness by the QB or anyone else for that matter? Understanding the situation? Wheres a coach telling him this is not the time for a hurry up offense.
8. Offensive line has been an issue at Nebraska seemingly every year. When do we fix it? When do we identify the issue? Or do we just keep letting it go? We couldn't push Purdue defensive line at all, not even on the 1 yard line. Kind of sad IMO.
9. "Overcoached em". Heard it twice this year now. For a season, an off season, and half another season fans have been showered with promises of simplification, fundamentals, and efficiency. How is "overcoached" even part of the vocabulary after all that?
10. Does a TE exist at Nebraska? Do we know that TE are allowed to not only block, but receive passes as well? At this point, I don't think we do know. A deep pass to back of opposing defenses is effective, but a short out route to a TE is too. If that TE breaks a tackle or even picks up 6-8 yards on that play on a consistent basis, it's hell for a defense to load up on your run game. TE are generally big bodied and big enough targets to be a high percentage completion for a QB.
11. The rocket ball. Does Tommy have a touch pass? If so, I haven't seen it. Does he realize every ball doesn't have to be a rocket? Has one coach, any of all the guys we pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to mentioned to Tommy that he needs to work on this. Hell, in practice, make him throw touch passes only the entire time. If he rockets it, he runs. It just may help him develop that part of his game, who knows? Shouldn't the coaches at least be trying?
12. IMO Beck needs to be on the sideline. It may help him understand the elements a bit more. See what the QB is actually up against out there. Also, a sideline view will take away the "video game" wizard type of feel Beck seems to approach this game with.