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Topic: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Topic: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

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Cat-staxx
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WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 12:30:56 AM

What possibly could the coaches have been thinking? If Vick was healthy he should have started period. I get there are times when a starter get hurt and the back-up comes in and wins the job (i.e. Wally Pip) but this certainly was not the case for the bobcats. Since taking over the starting role Sprague had a 45% completion rating (11th in the MAC) and threw 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Yes we won with him against two terrible football teams in Idaho and Eastern Illinois and barely beat Akron (with their back-up QB) but there is no way in hell this kid won the job over Vick in his absence. We were finished from the start with this kid in the game the offense had no rhythm and our T.O.P. was 4:35 because we couldn't move the ball. As soon as Vick comes in the game its a complete turnaround and the offense got some swagger about themselves and started to put together drives. I cant help but think how this game would've turned out if Vick starts this game. I believe we would've had a chance our offense could have sustained drives and gave our defense who played extremely well the first quarter and a half some time to rest. Albin AGAIN drops the ball with this decision and I pray we just let Vick play and not go back to that horrible rotating QBs stuff we did at the beginning of the year.

JerseyArnie
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 9:41:43 AM

I will give them the benefit of the doubt for starting JD. However, my disagreement is that they waited so long to go to Vick, and then only because JD hurt his ankle.

Also I think Burrows should have brought more pressure on their quarterback, especially on the first drive when we were up by 7. I believe there were two 3rd and long in which they converted, that their QB had forever to throw, and proceeded to pick apart our secondary.

Last Edited: 10/26/2014 9:42:16 AM by JerseyArnie

Monroe Slavin
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 10:58:23 AM

ON our first drive of the game and, I think, one in about the mid third qtr, we had third and longs on which WMU did delayed blitzes which destroyed our passing attempts--no conversion.

On WMU's 2nd (I think) td drive, they had a third and about 15 from about our 20. Qb had all day to throw and finally rolled let to complete a 17 yard pass near the sideline. We did not blitz.

The delayed blitz is a good call. We oughta do it occasionally.

What was this? On, I think, the drive in which Seb Smith made that terrific one-handed grab, we had a 3rd and 17. We went for it with a running play (Sprage going left on a sort of read option.) That dreadful call, of course, came no where near getting the needed yardage. Orthodox running play on 3rd down--really?

Last Edited: 10/26/2014 10:59:40 AM by Monroe Slavin

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Cats-22
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 11:09:47 AM

I think the reasons are that in earlier games Vick and Sprague had looked pretty comparable, Sprague had done a solid job for a couple games, and Vick was coming off an injury. It may have been the wrong decision in hindsight, but I'm not sure how predictable that was. I for one was surprised how sharp Vick looked when he came in.

One other thing. If Albin made a terrible error in not starting Vick, then it must be that losing Vick for so many games this season limited Albin's offense, and that's a major part of why the offense hasn't done well. It's not all because of scheme or preparation.

So when people criticize Albin for this, they're also defending Albin in another way. It's a Cats-22! Heh.

Monroe Slavin
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 11:26:00 AM

Deadhorse disagree vehemently. Such as too lightweight running game at the goal line, etc, etc, etc have about nothing to do with player availability.

Games are decided on a handful of plays. Those plays are the result of superior or inferior talent or coaching. Our coaching is so orthodox, conservative that it would be bland unexciting in 1971.

Watch and analyze that way and you'll think differently, I believe.

ytownbobcat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 12:34:13 PM

Why did we start Sprague? It must be because we love walk-ons. Vick had one D1 offer for basketball and I don't know if he had any other D1 football offers. He is half a click above a walk on. Windham is a guy that apparently the staff has no confidence in although he has been in our program 3 years and he had multiple D1 offers. We currently have a commit from a HS QB for 2015 with no other D1 offers.

Staff must be pretty arrogant. They think they can make a respectable MAC QB out of anyone who meets their conceived "measurables" . Duckworth is the exception.

Cats-22
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 12:51:53 PM

I think Vick was a lot more touted out of HS than what you're saying. I found this article that says he had three D1 basketball offers in his sophomore year. And his football page on Rivals shows offers from both Colorado St (not sure if as QB) and Ohio.

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/recruiting/2011-foo...

http://sports.yahoo.com/huskerlandpreps/football/recruiti...

Vick is a good player. The offense has actually played better over the past few games. Not good enough, but better. Give these guys a chance to play out the rest of the season...I think they'll show us something.

Monroe Slavin
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 1:07:56 PM

Offense has played better? Have you been watching? Do you consider the quality of opponent? Better than what?

ytownbobcat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 1:27:41 PM

I have to agree on the offenses performance yesterday. The interception set up the first TD at the 3 yard line. The last TD was in the final seconds of the game after the outcome was determined.
Our only TD was on a bomb to Cochran.
Otherwise no sustainable drives. And all of a sudden we have special teams problems with our FG unit.

Cats-22
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 6:11:38 PM

Monroe Slavin wrote:

Offense has played better? Have you been watching? Do you consider the quality of opponent? Better than what?

Better than games 5 and 6. Worst performance vs. Chips D this season, and a mediocre performance vs. FCS. You can argue we had nowhere to go but up...but at least we did in fact go up.

Vs. WMU the two Bobcat drives that ended in blocked/missed FGs were decent drives. Red zone offense remains a problem, as does running game.

Last Edited: 10/26/2014 6:12:12 PM by Cats-22

L.C.
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 6:52:29 PM

Cat-staxx wrote:

...Albin AGAIN drops the ball with this decision and I pray we just let Vick play and not go back to that horrible rotating QBs stuff we did at the beginning of the year.

Just a note, Isphording is the QB coach.

I do agree that the offense looked a lot better after he came in. It was a day-and-night difference.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

GoCats105
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 7:23:10 PM

Are the QBs, whomever is playing, allowed to audible? I'm just curious. Or do they simply rely on getting the play from upstairs after it's relayed to them by the sideline guys once they line up and look over there?

L.C.
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/26/2014 7:27:27 PM

It's my impression that they audible about 30-40% of the time, but I could be wrong.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

GoCats105
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 9:15:53 AM

Something to chew on: UMass QB Blake Frohnapfel is currently 2nd in the nation in total passing yards. If it weren't for Connor Halliday and Mike Leach's ridiculous numbers in the Air Raid at Wazzu, Frohnapfel could technically be leading the country.

Say what you want about UMass' 2-7 record, but outside blowout losses to Penn State and B.C., they've been in every single game they've played this year because they can score points. They've lost five games to Colorado, Vanderbilt, BG, Miami and Toledo by a combined score of 19 points. Why can't Ohio have an offense like that?

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 10:26:10 AM

GoCats105 wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 10:29:32 AM

ytownbobcat wrote:

You definitely are short-changing Vick. He probably won't ever be an All-MAC player, but he's a fine MAC QB who probably look better with more of a threat of a running game. I'm guessing they went with Sprague because of concern that Vick would be rusty, but I also agree that as bad as Sprague was the first few possessions, they should have made the change sooner. I still think the biggest issue no matter who is at quarterback is there is no consistent running game and Ohio is forced to throw way more than it would like to.

Bcat2
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 10:35:51 AM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

ytownbobcat wrote:

UpSan's vision is better than 20/20.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 11:12:40 AM

Cat-staxx wrote:

Trade Vick for Sprague and you could be describing the Kentucky game. Hmmm... Not saying I disagree, though. Vick seems to be the better passer and we just need more consistency at the QB spot.

GoCats105
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 11:38:06 AM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

Even if they didn't graduate, the Ohio offense isn't putting up those kinds of numbers. I'm talking the program offense as a whole, not just the TT years.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 12:01:29 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

How come in 2011 we installed an entirely new offense, had a first year starter at quarterback but still managed to shatter offensive records and win 10 games, including a bowl? I'm starting to think, in hingsight, Tettleton was even better than we thought. Were we less predictable then, or just executing better? Better talent? At the risk of agreeing with Monroe, I think we've become slower and less dynamic on offense. We rarely throw screens and have NO short passing game to speak of. little to no misdirection in the run game and, as mentioned, the half-assed fakes.

GoCats105
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 12:39:50 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

But you see, when they just half-ass fake (not fully) it's really doing a number on the opposing LBs.

Paul Graham
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 1:05:04 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Was it Tettleton or his receivers/RB's? Brazill, Dunlop, Donte Foster, Phil Bates, Jordan Thompson, Donte Harden. Three of those guys are in the NFL.

Ohio69
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 1:09:26 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

Which is why I had us with 4 wins in the season prediction thread. And, why I am wondering why everyone is so up in arms about this year. But, what do I know?....
(Please don't repeat why. I've read the reasons.)

Last Edited: 10/27/2014 1:10:18 PM by Ohio69

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Pataskala
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 1:17:26 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

Was it Tettleton or his receivers/RB's? Brazill, Dunlop, Donte Foster, Phil Bates, Jordan Thompson, Donte Harden. Three of those guys are in the NFL.

Back then, we had guys who could do a lot of different things. We would run gadget plays, like a reverse/option pass, at least once a game and usually succeed. I think we've tried something like once this year and it went nowhere, so it hasn't been tried since. LaVon made T2 much better than he was. Just look at the Spud Bowl season and at all the unbelievable catches he made. Add to that Paul Hershey, who was always a threat to run or even pass on special teams. The offense we have is more straight-laced (or at least is used that way) so we don't keep teams off-balance.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

L.C.
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RE: WHY DID WE START SPRAGUE!?

Posted: 10/27/2014 3:47:20 PM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

Ohio had something like eight starters on offense graduate, including all-time greats at quarterback and running back. Everyone should have known we were in for a tough year offensively.

How come in 2011 we installed an entirely new offense, had a first year starter at quarterback but still managed to shatter offensive records and win 10 games, including a bowl? ...

The offense isn't just about the QB. Let's look at the 2011 roster. In 2011 the offense consisted of:
LT - AJ Strum, 5th year Sr, was his 3rd year as a starter
LG - Vince Carlotta, 4th year Jr, returning starter
C - Skyler Allen, 3rd year Jr., returning starter
RG - Eric Herman, 4th year Jr, 3rd year as a starter
RT - Joe Flading, 5th year Sr, 3rd year as a starter
TE - Jordan Thompson, 4th year Jr, 3rd year as a starter
TE2 - Zach Clark, 5th year Sr.
RB - Donte Hardin, 5th year Sr, returning starter
WR-F - Riley Dunlop, 5th year Sr, returning starter
WR-Z - Lavon Brazill, 5th year Sr, 3rd year as starter
WR-X - Donte Foster, Redshirt Freshman

As I said in another thread, it's much easier to make changes when you have veterans. They have the fundamentals down, and so the core execution isn't a problem. In 2011 there were nine returning starters, five of them 3-year starters. Eight of the players were in their 4th or fifth year in the program. If you surrounded Sprague with this bunch, he's look pretty good, too. (It also didn't hurt that there were very few injuries that year.)

Note that this year there were 8 returning defensive starters. As a result, this was a good year to install an all-new defense. Even then, they made the changes in Spring, not in the middle of the season.

Last Edited: 10/27/2014 3:49:14 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

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