Actually, learning the playbook is rather difficult. This is not to excuse TT, but it isn't an easy task. Add to that, I can imagine a Crowton playbook being very difficult to learn. Even if it doesn appear Vanilla when it is executed on the field.
Ya know, I thought of that right after I said it. What if one of the real problems with our offense is that these kids, aren't grasping the playbook. That Crowton's scheme is truly more diverse, but since these kids have trouble with it he waters it down. Might be grasping for excuses, but it could be.
I guess my mentality toward these sorts of things is vastly different as a 30-yr old with teaching experience than a 20-21 yr old kid, but I've always looked at athletes with NFL 1st/2nd round potential like someone born with a winning lottery ticket in their hand. All that stands between them and a very comfortable living compared to what most folks are going through these days is 3-4 years of working hard and keeping their nose clean. If Coach says lights out is 10pm, then podnah you better believe my butt is in bed for 9:45. After you get drafted and get guaranteed money, go crazy to your heart's content. I guess this is why I tend to come down harder on guys like Perrilloux when so much of the fan base was willing to give him 5th and 6th chances. All you gotta do to cash in that lottery ticket is do what you're told and stay out of trouble, and so many athletes are unable to do that. Having said that, I'm sure Toliver has had his "come-to-Jesus" meeting with Les, and likewise with Trent and Harris, and won't cause any more problems. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.
Then it's Crowton's job to simplify it sufficiently to get the kids on the same page, while keeping opposing defenses off balance enough to pick up yards. Jimbo was never considered a brilliant offensive mastermind at LSU, and had half the raw talent through most of his tenure that Crowton has now, but never had a season as abysmal as 2009. There was, and perhaps still is, a big disconnect somewhere between coaching, practice and execution on the field.
Agreed on all accounts, but this one is the most alarming and would be the biggest concern. No matter what the plays are, simple or complex, many times over the past 2 seasons it is evident that the communication just isn't there.
what if we are getting players that just don't have it upstairs. gifted athletically, but their noggin is a bit slow. If you have one or 2 guys like that in key positions, quarterback cough cough, it could throw your whole offense off.
This could be the case, but as pointed out it is still the OC's and coaches jobs to put together an offensive scheme that the players do understand, works to their strengths, and keeps opposing defenses off balance. There are many different offensive schemes out there that are pretty basic, yet still effective. Ours hasn't been, and I think that it could be attributed to either/or/all lack of ability to comprehend, not making adjustments to work with the players strengths, trying to make the player fit the system, and poor communication from the coaches.
the coaches have no right to tell players where not to go or when to go to sleep. they can tell them when to be somewhere but these players are not minors and coaches are not their parents.
I think the point is that these kids do have a curfew that they are supposed to adhere to, not if they should be asleep at a certain time. Although you are right in that they are not their parents, they do have the responsibility of making sure these kids follow rules. Same as I know that I am not the parent of my employees, but for many of them if I don't spell out how things are supposed to be done, no different than my children, it won't be done properly. These kids more often than many would like to think, need to be treated like they are children and not young adults. Granted, I can understand wanting to Enjoy their college time as much as the non athletes. I know that I sure did.
