Everyone Wants To Know: Where Did Wake’s Offense Go?
The question was asked just about every way a question can be asked at today’‘s media conference at Wake Forest, and if there were any clear, succinct answers I didn’t hear them.
So what is going on with a Wake Forest offense that has managed just 13 points in the last two games and two touchdowns in the last 10 quarters?
Tight end Cameron Ford called it a slump, something that pretty much all teams go through. He did acknowledge that it was time to ``Put up or shut up’’ against Miami on Saturday.
“It makes us really motivated to score,’’ Ford said. “We know as an offense that we can score and we have scored. And just in the past two weeks we haven’t. So I think we’re really ready to show what we can do now.’’
Coach Jim Grobe fielded the question from all angles, falling back time and again on the quality of the opponents the Deacons have played and the horrendously wet and soggy conditions in last Saturday’s 13-10 loss at Navy.
“I don’t what to think of the Navy game to be honest with you,’’ Grobe said. “I wasn’t out there playing. I was having trouble just standing on the sidelines, so I don’t know how tough that must have been to be out there on the field.’‘
Grobe was asked if he still believed in the Deacons’ offensive schemes. He said he did.
“The issue for us is finding a way to mix run and pass,’’ Grobe said. “It was pointed out in the Clemson game when we got behind early that we’re not going to be a team that can stand back there in the gun and fling the ball every snap. We’re not capable of doing that. So we’ve got to find a mix in there.’‘
Grobe was asked if he was concerned about not capitalizing of the abilities of Riley Skinner, the guy I’ve repeatedly called the best quarterback Wake Foret has ever had.
“It’s always a concern,’’ Grobe said. “I think the first thing you do if you come back in and you haven’t scored points or gotten yards that you need to win, you always look at yourself as a coach first.
“We’re always trying to design a plan that will give Riley a chance to be successful. That’s always a concern. If you’re not good offensively and you’ve got a good quarterback, as coaches we look at ourselves first and then we look at the supporting cast. And in some cases we maybe expect too much out of Riley. I think sometimes you think he’s going to go out and be perfect, and that’s not going to happen for anybody.’‘
Grobe was asked how one of the most experienced lines in college football could allow Skinner to be pounded into the turf of Clemson’s Memorial Stadium or repeatedly fail to get the short yardage necessary to keep drives alive against Navy.
“With an experienced offensive line you should be able to say `Hey, we can get a yard.’ ‘’ Grobe said. “We’ve got big fullbacks and with the older offensive line in there, you’d like to think that you can run for a yard and get it. At the same time I want you to know we don’t take coaching lightly. We look at ourselves more than we look at the kids.’‘
Grobe is obviously not wanting to beat up on his players. And I admire that in him. But seeings how this blog is My Take on Wake, here’s my take on the Deacons’ offensive woes.
When Grobe said it’s the job of the coaching staff to have the team ready to play football well, I take him at his word. Coaches have good games and bad games. Wake was leading the ACC in offense as recently as three games ago against Maryland, but Grobe, and by extension the offensive coaching staff, has had two pretty bad weeks in a row.
That said, there are shades of gray to everything. And Wake Forest may never have as many offensive linemen who have played as much football as it has now. I know Chris DeGeare and Jeff Griffin and Joe Birdsong and Barrett McMillin and Trey Bailey well enough to know that they don’t want to end their senior seasons, as well as that of Skinner, with a losing record.
Actually Ford put it best. It is, indeed, time to put up or shut up because time is fast running out.
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 10/27/2009 (5:09 pm)
Comments
RonnieFranchise,
We had a piece in this morning’s paper saying that Harris is good to go, and that both Wilber and Haynes are practicing this week and expected to at least give it a try.
Dan on 10/28/2009 (2:36 pm)
Do we have a injury update on Kevin Harris and Wilbur? I agree 100% with the previous comment that the injury to Harris has been a larger issue than mentioned and prevented this team from achieving “the balance” that Coach Grobe craves.
RonnieFranchise on 10/28/2009 (2:16 pm)
Oh I agree the offensive line isn’t good enough. But, against Navy the few times Riley did pass they gave him plenty of time (in the 4th quarter, amongst torrential rain, making the weather argument even more lame). Furthermore, why aren’t they better? Maybe I am wrong, but it seems to me that being a good offensive line player is more about practice, size, and coaching than it is about inherent athletic skill. Considering that passing seemed to be successful when attempted (I was listening to this on the radio, there was no where on the Wake campus to listen to our own game), it doesn’t seem like the players could be at fault for this one.
It seems pretty clear to me that nothing was going like it should at Clemson. The game plan, the players, the coaches, etc. I think a large part of this is simply being intimidated by the place and the record. But at Navy the coaches didn’t even give the players a chance.
Tim on 10/28/2009 (11:26 am)
Dan,
Thank you for noting the under utilization of Pendergrass. I thought he was very effective, along with the offensive line shuffle, that accompanied his single long drive. I cannot comprehend why he was not used more in the bad weather. I also think the loss of Harris has had a bigger impact on the offense than many suspect.
Harris has a unique ability to set up his blocks better than any of the other backs. He actually makes the offensive line better.
The play calling has been predictable and lacking imagination. I recall how creative the staff was in getting the ball to Kenny Moore. Maybe the creativity to set Skinner in the pocket is not as challenging as getting Moore open across the middle?
In any event, the Miami will be vital if the Deacs have any hope of going bowling this year.
Hal on 10/28/2009 (9:53 am)
Tim,
I think you make good points. Going back to the ACC Championship, I completely agree with you that Wake Forest was a defensive football team in 2006, as was the case in 2007 and 2008. The offense fit into the game plan by controlling the ball and maintaining our edge in the field position battle, where we could either score with Swank from long distance or pin the opponent back with a good punt.
The role of the offense had to change this year because of the personnel losses on the defensive side of the team. The offense still needs to control the ball (i.e. we can’t throw it 50 times per game), but it has to score touchdowns.
I think that Coach Grobe is absolutely correct when he notes that we are having difficulty finding the right balance between the run and the pass. That is the only way to maximize Riley Skinner’s talents and for the offense to be able to carry the team this year.
This begs the question: why are we falling short? Forgive the cliche, but it all starts up front. I feel compelled to point out the false premise that an experienced offensive line is a good offensive line. When you bring back the same players who were terrible last year, how do you expect them to be good this year? What exactly did they do (other than age one year) to improve? I’m really asking.
It is not all on them either. Josh Adams, who I think has been under-utilized this year, goes through spells where he does not hit the hole nearly as hard as he should (Pendergrass was actually a much more effective runner against Navy when he had the opportunity). He could have single-handedly worn Navy out last week, but he was very tentative on a lot of his runs - completely different from that tenacious first down he got against NC State. And part of the reason why Riley Skinner gets sacked a lot is because he holds onto the ball for an inordinate amount of time. And the receivers really could do a better job of coming back to him when he’s in trouble. So yes, the players bear a lot of responsibility.
But so do those who recruit the players and install their game plan. First off, if there is a problem finding a balance between the run and pass, then it might make sense to ask a couple of questions to whoever is responsible for calling the plays. It shouldn’t require more than a third grade math education to establish a better balance. But more specifically, part of the reason Riley Skinner holds onto the ball so much is because we run plays where the receivers all run late-breaking routes. There are other ways to utilize a speedy receiving corps (flanker screens, quick slants, crossing routes, etc.). When we were passing effectively against Navy, we were completing passes underneath their zone on plays that only took a few seconds to develop. But generally the “timing” element of our offense seem to be lacking.
What concerns me the most is that the lack of balance in the offense is what plagued us last year (remember when we ran the ball like 22 consecutive times against Miami?). I can accept bad games, but I can’t accept failing to learn from obvious lessons.
But I am glad that the players and coaches seem to be looking forward. I certainly hope that they can put together a good game against Miami. There is a fine line between thoughtless rants and concerned criticism. I certainly endeavor to fall into the latter category. Despite my frustration this year, I am still proud of the job that Coach Grobe (and his staff) have done, and I am proud of the manner in which the players have represented my school.
DC on 10/28/2009 (8:42 am)
I don’t understand how people can say there is a problem and then say that it isn’t the players, the coaches, or the game plan. It’s one of those, and, seeing as how the experience of the offense speaks for itself, my money is on a combination of the latter two. To blame it on the weather is nothing but a cop out. The team that beat us wasn’t playing in blue skies and sunshine after all.
I also don’t understand why people will defend the offensive strategy employed by the coaches, saying that we won an ACC championship with it. In retrospect, it seems to me like the defense won the championship, and, even if it didn’t, what matters is what works now, and this just isn’t working.
Tim on 10/27/2009 (7:13 pm)
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