The Kent St. game has seemed to create a crescendo and climax in our fans as to their serious concerns or flat out desperation where this season is headed. While we tend to overreact (both directions) to singular game results, I believe there is either some serious issues, in large part due to health of o-line and tight ends, or there is a serious disconnect in lack of trusting the coaches in light of our results from last season. I'm not sure which it is yet, but expect we will know after the next two games.
Last year, we won 5 conference games for the first time in decades. We beat a Michigan team (even though it was down) comfortably on the road. We beat a ranked Nebraska team on the road. We lost to the national championship team by a td, when they were rolling over everybody else in the country including Alabama and Oregon. Claeys has been telling us all offseason that our defense would be better than last year, and I don' think anyone would disagree with him at this point. Our offense returned a lot of experience, and lost 3 main contributors. While two of those contributors are in the NFL, and were serious losses, our team as a whole shouldn't go from being a 5-3 conference team, to a team that will be lucky to find a couple more wins on the schedule as some are stating. I overheard the fan next to me tell his buddy that he doesn't want to travel to the Purdue game anymore because we are going to get killed. Really?
I believe the Cobb loss has hurt, but not sure he would have done a lot more so far based upon the holes that have been there. Maxx would have helped as he had a knack for making big plays, but more than anything, I think he gave Mitch confidence as a security blanket. I think Bobek has done fairly well in filling in for Olson and Christenson shouldn't have been a drop off from Epping if healthy. Bottom line is that our offense shouldn't be struggling as much as it has based upon what we had returning. With an even marginally better offense than last year, which we should have, along with a great defense, our expectations should not be overhauled like they are being overhauled .. . . unless there are some serious problems with the offensive line due to health issues.
We already know that we are currently down 3 of our top 4 tight ends, including our best blocking tight end in Plsek. Both Lauer and Pirsig are dinged and not playing near 100%, especially Lauer. I think with Christenson now out, and Bjorklund playing hurt, our O-line and blocking may have some serious concerns unless Moore comes in and is an upgrade, and we get some health back in our tackles.
I guess my convoluted point is that if there are some concerns with our offense that will significantly affect our season (a point that is still open IMO), then it is primarily due to a large amount of injuries to our line and tight-ends that has taken our offense two steps back from last year. I agree there are some fair criticisms to the play calls and offensive game plans, but think our biggest issue is whether we are going to find some health and improvement up front, which will create a domino effect on Leidner, the rb's, and passing game, or maybe I need to start being more concerned with the rest of the season.
Last year, we won 5 conference games for the first time in decades. We beat a Michigan team (even though it was down) comfortably on the road. We beat a ranked Nebraska team on the road. We lost to the national championship team by a td, when they were rolling over everybody else in the country including Alabama and Oregon. Claeys has been telling us all offseason that our defense would be better than last year, and I don' think anyone would disagree with him at this point. Our offense returned a lot of experience, and lost 3 main contributors. While two of those contributors are in the NFL, and were serious losses, our team as a whole shouldn't go from being a 5-3 conference team, to a team that will be lucky to find a couple more wins on the schedule as some are stating. I overheard the fan next to me tell his buddy that he doesn't want to travel to the Purdue game anymore because we are going to get killed. Really?
I believe the Cobb loss has hurt, but not sure he would have done a lot more so far based upon the holes that have been there. Maxx would have helped as he had a knack for making big plays, but more than anything, I think he gave Mitch confidence as a security blanket. I think Bobek has done fairly well in filling in for Olson and Christenson shouldn't have been a drop off from Epping if healthy. Bottom line is that our offense shouldn't be struggling as much as it has based upon what we had returning. With an even marginally better offense than last year, which we should have, along with a great defense, our expectations should not be overhauled like they are being overhauled .. . . unless there are some serious problems with the offensive line due to health issues.
We already know that we are currently down 3 of our top 4 tight ends, including our best blocking tight end in Plsek. Both Lauer and Pirsig are dinged and not playing near 100%, especially Lauer. I think with Christenson now out, and Bjorklund playing hurt, our O-line and blocking may have some serious concerns unless Moore comes in and is an upgrade, and we get some health back in our tackles.
I guess my convoluted point is that if there are some concerns with our offense that will significantly affect our season (a point that is still open IMO), then it is primarily due to a large amount of injuries to our line and tight-ends that has taken our offense two steps back from last year. I agree there are some fair criticisms to the play calls and offensive game plans, but think our biggest issue is whether we are going to find some health and improvement up front, which will create a domino effect on Leidner, the rb's, and passing game, or maybe I need to start being more concerned with the rest of the season.
