- I understand the frustration with CPJ. I agree that O'Leary was better, but also think O'Leary had a different set of rules to work under, specifically with regard to academic progress. There is a noticeable difference in that regard between these two coaching regimes...and a noticeable difference on the field as well. But I don't think you can hold that against CPJ, I think that's the Hill.
- I am also very frustrated by our offense. Beyond words frustrated. It bothers me...a lot...that we seem to start out the games well, with good schemes, and then after the defense makes adjustments, we seem lost. We score 21 against UNC very quickly, then 10 the rest of the game. 14 early against VT, then nada on offense. I think we had 21 against pitt midway through the 2nd quarter, then 7 the rest of the game. We seem to be failing after the defense adjusts. That is something I had not seen before this year and it bothers me beyond words.
- Offensive execution, as Boomergump has mentioned before, seems to actually be regressing, not improving as the year goes on. Again, bothers me beyond words.
- The calls for better play calling and for other personnel to play (Marshall vs Allen) are not calls I am all that sympathic to....if you can't execute it generally doesn't matter what the play call is and 95% of the time the guy who is playing is playing because he is better than the guy on the bench. Both issues, while common amongst fan bases to complain about, are usually not the issue. And I don't think they are here either.
We'll go 3-9 this year....that should be quite apparent to everyone by now. CPJ isn't going anywhere, not after the raise and extension he got last year. This freshman class from last year looks pretty decent, especially on defense. IF we can do some good recruiting again this year, there is hope for the future. I will admit I would prefer to see us change things offensively (I have long lobbied for more of a short passing game, and frankly it was the ONLY thing that worked last night after the 1st quarter, but we called so few of them it did not matter much.)
I also do think JT is not the best passer I have seen...but he is by far the quickest QB on the roster...meaning that as a runner he adds a threat to take it to the house that defenses have to respect and as a passer he can (sometimes) elude a pass rush and try to make a play. I remember seeing this offense with slow QB's running it. Defenses would force the QB keeper play after play, because they knew they would only give up 4-5 yards on the play, and they got to pound on the QB. Now, they try to force it out of JT's hands because they fear his speed (just ask FSU). I personally think the coaches have done a poor job this year, any way you want to measure it. And I think they have done a lousy job of giving JT a short passing game that he can execute that might make a difference to this team. CPJ's refusal to even try the shotgun, his stubbornness about adding more short passes to the attack...those are on the coaches, not on JT. (NB-I am not naive enough to think a shot passing game would magically turn us into 2014's offense, but it *would* add a dimension that might help a bit...)
Mostly, it comes down to something simple.....3-9 is not acceptable. But I have seen CPJ try to make changes in the past (not always successfully, but he has made moves) and will wait to see what this off season brings. Do I have optimism for 2016 and beyond? Not really. I share many's feelings on this board that 5 of the last 6 years have been unacceptable to me as a GT fan. Going 7-5, losing to our major rivals year after year....none of those are acceptable results to me. But there are some indications that the academic restrictions on CPJ may have loosened in the last couple of years. That *may* lead to better recruiting classes. If that happens, we may become significantly better. A lot of "maybes" in all that, but we are certainly stuck with CPJ for ...what...3 more years before we could afford to let him go? All I can do is hope is some of those "maybes" happen.
I will say I am tired of CPJ's apologia. He has defended may things and I suppose that's only human. As I said earlier, I actually don't blame him. But it annoys me, to no end, to hear him make excuses. I would like to hear him say that 5 of the last 6 years have been unacceptable. In truth, I don't think he believes they have been unacceptable, because in truth, I think the Hill has told him to get the graduation rate up, and then going to a bowl game is "good enough". That is exactly what he has done. I believe the man has done what was asked of him, which is why it is very hard for me to blame him.
I blame GT Administration for where we are with football.
