Clock is running for Fisch

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Nothing positive happened at Kinnick today?

Defense held Iowa to 171 yards of total offense, 1-for-13 on 3rd down, and one offensive TD in their own house. And before you argue that it's because of their young and inexperienced QB, that's the same QB that went into the Horseshoe last week, in front of 105,000 fans, in his first start, and threw for 233 yards, taking the BT Champ Buckeyes to OT.

Bottom line, the defense played outstanding today and Cosgrove and company should be applauded. Fantastic effort, beginning to end, no other way to say it.

Bob Griese hit the nail on the head. Offensive line is just plain fat and slow, SOFT. The 5 guys that take the field on the O-line next fall had better look SUBSTANTIALLY different than the ones that did this year, either in name or in physical shape.

Weber's confidence is shot. He's thinking too much, the 3rd offensive coordinator he's worked with in his 4 years with the Gophers.


Brewster probably pulled the plug too early on Dunbar. If he wanted to change offensive philosophies, he should have waited until his job was a little more security and the program had some continuity.

The lack of continuity (coaching staff) on the offensive side of the ball doomed the season from the start and has cost the Gophers a few wins this year.

Jed Fisch has approximately 9 months to get this group of guys understanding and buying into his offense. If that doesn't happen, the Gophers coaching staff could be in for a serious overhaul around this time next year.

 

[JPIIGopher]

Couldn't have said it better Ogee. I'm really sick about Dunbar being let go right now. This season could have been pretty special with the play we got from D and special teams.

 

[Monty519]

Let's be honest, things have sucked, mainly on offense. And yes, the standard should be to be better than the previous regime. 6-6 was pretty much expected, but it didn't happen the way most thought it would. However, he has made two bowl games, so I think he should get more than 3 years to work in his program. That's not to say I'm happy with everything's done, I just believe he's done JUST enough to earn a little more time. But one thing I think Maturi needs to do is make him guarantee no changes on the offense or defense this offseason. The self-inflicted wound of changing up the offense backfired this year, and I want to see another offense of continuity to see if improvement can be made. I would like to see what a year of consistency (same coaches, no coordinator changes) does, specifically on offense.

Another reason you probably saw struggles on offense, is just there were a ton of first year guys on that offense, whether it was transfers, JUCOs, or freshmen/sophomores getting their first real bit of playing time. The best RB on the team was Whaley, he's a freshman. After Decker went down, all the receivers were basically sophomores or less. The offensive line had a lot of "implanted" guys, like Wills, Carufel, and just seemed to lack continuity till later in the year, when I thought their pass blocking really improved. Their run blocking left a lot to be desired however. That leaves the QB play, which really needed to be on point with all the newness surrounding the offense. Once that aspect took a fall, it was gonna be a tough year to score. I hate to just throw blame on any players or anything, but Weber really needed to step up this year. This could easily be the coaches' fault, but I'm just going on what I've seen on the field. The misfires, the bad pick 6's, the fumbles. Just things that an already off kilter offense didn't need to make it worse.

On defense, they were "solid". Nothing great at all, but in the least, they put this team in position to win 11 of their 12 games. OSU is the only game where they kinda let things get out of hand in that second half, and even then, they had us within a touchdown at the half. If they had even a reasonable amount of backing from the offense, there's probably three more wins on this year's team. There's concern about next year due to a lot of players leaving, but there is also a lot of talent returning that got a lot of playing time. We lose a lot, but fortunately some of its in a position we have some depth. Small and Brown were big, but I think Kirksey and Edwards can hang. The LBs were good this year, but we have Cooper, Tinsley, and others who have shown some signs. The secondary is truly the real concern. But most would argue that we didn't get much from there anyway.

This team could potentially take a giant leap forward, whether Brewster is here or not. QB play will be a big determinant for that.

 

[CaliforniaGopher]

Would Mason take the offensive coordinator's job next year if it were offered to him? Probably not, but I'd love to see Mason calling the plays again.

 

[husker70]

Fire Fisch and where is Roger French

You want an Offensive Co-ordinator who has done it. Roger migh have a season or three in the tank. Last I knew he was helping coach in the City Conference. In a story about his tenure at BYU, he mentioned he always wanted a call to coach the Gophers but it never came. Not when Lou Left, not when Goodie was fired. Roger has forgotten litte, but that represents about how much Fisch knows or can implement.

 

[MGGopher]

Brewster probably pulled the plug too early on Dunbar. If he wanted to change offensive philosophies, he should have waited until his job was a little more security and the program had some continuity.

AGree with this 100% and have been thinking it since last off-season. I couldn't believe Dunbar was fired. Of course it's hindsight, but I just can't imagine a scenario in which the offense would've been this bad with Dunbar at the helm. Oh well...

 

[50PoundHead]

I never liked the Dunbar hire in the first place, but Fisch looks like he's trying to do too much.

Other than that, I want to thank Monty and Ogee for a couple of really good posts. Two of the more thoughtful posts of the day. Thanks.

 

[littlebigboy]

Too much has been made of the O-Coordinator effect on Weber. He was here for the spring and pre fall. By now or even midseason for that matter, it shouldn't be a factor. We have too many puss-guts on the O-line. I'm sure ND was happy to have the scholarship back when Matt C left.

 

[GoForGold]

Yeah, Coach Brew gets rid of Mike Dunbar, a guy who has been a successful coach in the Big Ten and PAC Ten, for Jed Fisch, a guy who barely looks old enough to drive. This is the kind move that gets head coaches fired.

 

[Handsome Pete]

Baloney

This is BS. Weber whipping the ball 6 feet over the tops of his receivers' heads has nothing to do with changing a system. Weber is totally clueless, totally lost, and totally unable to execute even the most simple plays. He is Daunte Culpepper without Randy Moss.

 

[Firejumper]

I HATED that damn offense of Mike Dunbar's. They were nearly as bad the last half of last year as they were this year. Glad he is gone.

I like Fisch's offensive scheme better, but he can't seem to get them to execute it properly and today, his play calling was suspect. Besides Weber, I think the biggest problem is the pro-style smash mouth blocking schemes in the running game (we go straight ahead and get smashed in the mouth). To execute that type of running game, you need more powerful running backs with vision, cut back ability, and decisiveness. We have none of those. But we are too big and slow to execute a pulling, trap blocking scheme which would open more defined holes.

Fact is, we just don't have the personnel or discipline to run his offense. Blame for that has to fall on Brewster. I think if we'd have put a Fisch type system in place from day one, and recruited properly to fit the system, including finding a pro-style QB, we'd be headed to Florida for a bowl this year.

 

[Halsey Hall]

Fisch, Mr. Kill Shot, is another example of Brewster's Millions (mistakes that is)

 

[StartGrayPlz]

I can't wait for the bowl game so that Fisch can call more fade routes to receivers that are shorter than the corners.