As did I
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Dwayne is right, you are missing the point. We agree with you that they all have to study the same playbook and run out of formations that are in that playbook but the play calling changes depending on the personnel. We know it's technically the same offense. But the play calling is dumbed down. I don't know if you remember this far back but I used to rant on this board all the time that when Zac Champion was a backup and we were up late in games Zac would be inserted and he would hand the ball off like 8 times in a row. IF a pass play was called,it was a very simple route and throw. I said back then this is no way to groom him for a starting role next year. Dwayne was saying the same thing about Stallworth when he was a backup. Stallworth and Champion were NOT prepared to be starters. Now would they have played poorly anyways?? We'll never know, but let's at least give them a fighting chance. Also if they gave a hard time during mop up duty and you are running the real offense the coaches can show them mistakes on film and help them correct flaws. It gives the QB and backups a chance to get experience running a real college offense and it lets the coaches find out what they really have.
Agree, but I'm saying the coaches see them more in practice than they do in the last 2 drives of a blowout win. That's the only time WE see them. Sokol has been in this offense for about a month and has played better than some of our QBs in the past who were in a system for 4 years. Some guys are just more talented than others. Higgins got 8 games and threw 6 TD passes and 13 interceptions. Sokol has played 3 games and has thrown 9 TD passes and 2 interceptions. It is a different play-caller with Sokol, but I think it's more about talent than play-calling. I admit I could be wrong about that though. We would need to see Higgins play a full game in this offense to know for sure. Holtz did say he trusts Sokol to throw over the middle and he implied that our QBs last year didn't earn that trust from him.
Completely agree with this.
I would never have been as down on our team or coaches if they had shown any sign of improvement last season.
Here's what i think:
1. the coaches got the message that last season wasn't acceptable. Our coaches arent as inept as '13 showed. In fact they may be better than we thought as '14 is looking good so far.
2. I think DD hit on the idea that the team didnt buy into Holtz last season. Holtz brought in a lot of new faces and the team is putting out a much greater effort.
3. Dias falling in our laps was a miracle. At least so far.
4. As for qb, imo the good ones have a mental advantage on the bad ones. Physically there is not always a lot of difference. Sokol looks so comfortable; the game isnt too fast for his brain. Plus he throws some nice passes :)
Also Sokol is so much more seasoned than Higgins. All those games at the JUCO. The time practicing against a good Iowa defense. I'm inclined to agree with you but hopefully Higgins matures and improves. If he does, having him be a capable backup to Wilson or even push Wilson for PT would be great.