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dominating DL renders offense useless

buffaholic

Club Member
Club Member
Tonights OU game showed what an overmatched OL does to the offense. Most of us thought that Texas Tech could score at will against any team. OU's front took the TT offense out of it. Harrell looked less like a Heisman trophy candidate and more like Cody running for his life.

All the Helfrich bashing makes no sense in light of the injury situation and youth of this O-line. When the O-Line can't block anyone, all the talent in the world on offense (TT) looked pretty poor tonight. OU outplayed TT on both lines by a large margin. Everyone looks great with a dominating line in front of them....

I have always questioned Cody's ceiling in the long run and I think Hansen getting a little experience sets us up for a good QB battle in the spring and fall and we'll proceed with the best guy for the job. I do know that the Cody we saw getting hammered at midseason was NOT the Cody from last year or last week! He may not have the highest ceiling, but he should be good enough if the right bodies and scheme are around him.

OU DISproved the other favorite complaint on these boards that Helfrich doesn't allow a RB to establish a rhythm. They were gushing tonight about the ability for OU to run it with one guy for three plays and then change it up with another fresh RB without losing anything. What a STRENGTH!

The jury is still out on our O, but until we get some experience, depth, and health on the O-Line, we won't have a clue of how good it can be. I think that if we can get Simas back and two young WR's who can contribute next year, we can be pretty darned good. Not BCS good, but top-25 good. Then we can truly evaluated MH's offensive mind.
 
All the Helfrich bashing makes no sense in light of the injury situation and youth of this O-line. When the O-Line can't block anyone, all the talent in the world on offense (TT) looked pretty poor tonight. OU outplayed TT on both lines by a large margin. Everyone looks great with a dominating line in front of them....

I suggest you are attempting to defend the defenseless. Helfrich has been offensive coordinator for one game shy of three years, Year one was 2-10, year two was 6-7, year three is now 5-6. I'm sick of of this business with the offensive line. They have now played 11 games, one game shy of a full 12 game season. If they haven't improved, maybe it's the play design and scheme, and the coaching. Quit blaming them for everything wrong with the offense.
I have discussed the weaknesses of the offensive design and scheme all season. I'm not going to repeat it now. Suffice it to say, if you execute a poor design and scheme, you still have a poor design and scheme.

The 35 year-old Helfrich is the 3rd youngest offensive coordinator in the 120 D1-A schools and youngest in the BCS schools. This is his 3rd year at Colorado as OC. Read his bio. His only offensive coordinator experience was as the player/OC for the Vienna Vikings in 1997. Yes, that is Vienna, Austria. He was quarterback coach at Boise State for 3 years and at Arizona State for 5 years. Look at his record at Colorado. The evidence over the past 3 years strongly suggests that Dan made a very bad choice in selecting Helfrich for on the job training at Colorado. Maybe Helfrich will redesign the offense for next year and they will do well. If so, so be it. Maybe he will learn something from his 3 years of failure and have an offense that finally produces. If so, I'll lay off. I'm not buying that 3 years of failure is due entirely to injuries, academic losses and youth on the offensive line during this year.

You can tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't care. I've been studying the game of football for 23 years more than Helfrich has been alive. There is no evidence to suggest over the past 3 years that he knows what he is doing. After 3 years I am tired of waiting for someone to learn from on the job training. It's past time to put up or move on.
 
The beef against Helfrich as OC is that there's no apparent plan to his offense. There's a lot of times when observers simply scratch theirs heads and wonder 'what the **** was THAT?' Yes, execution comes into play to some degree - but I can't tell if we want to run the spread option, or be a powerful rushing attack, or do some version of the west-coast offense, or what. THAT's my issue with the OC.
 
The beef against Helfrich as OC is that there's no apparent plan to his offense. There's a lot of times when observers simply scratch theirs heads and wonder 'what the **** was THAT?' Yes, execution comes into play to some degree - but I can't tell if we want to run the spread option, or be a powerful rushing attack, or do some version of the west-coast offense, or what. THAT's my issue with the OC.

:congrats:
 
The beef against Helfrich as OC is that there's no apparent plan to his offense. There's a lot of times when observers simply scratch theirs heads and wonder 'what the **** was THAT?' Yes, execution comes into play to some degree - but I can't tell if we want to run the spread option, or be a powerful rushing attack, or do some version of the west-coast offense, or what. THAT's my issue with the OC.

Correct.
 
The beef against Helfrich as OC is that there's no apparent plan to his offense. There's a lot of times when observers simply scratch theirs heads and wonder 'what the **** was THAT?' Yes, execution comes into play to some degree - but I can't tell if we want to run the spread option, or be a powerful rushing attack, or do some version of the west-coast offense, or what. THAT's my issue with the OC.

Well said 96.
 
BTW, Tech is a completely different team when they're playing on grass instead of the turf in Lubbock.
 
Oklahoma has amazing players all over their defense, not just DL.

Look at their safety, #5. He was, to me, the most impressive player in that game with the exception of Murray (who is amazing). He was everywhere on every play.
 
...They have now played 11 games, one game shy of a full 12 game season. If they haven't improved, maybe it's the play design and scheme, and the coaching. Quit blaming them for everything wrong with the offense.

Did you just wake up after a long slumber? This O-Line has NOT played 11 games together! This patched-together, mostly 2nd and 3rd teamers have been starters collectively together now for 7 games! And the last couple games we've seen a lot of improvement!

I know must of you know the facts, so here's a good place to jump off. For those who just AWOKE FROM A YEAR LONG SLUMBER, here's the info:

We lost 3 starters from last year and returned Miller and Sanders. Projections coming out of spring had an O-Line of Faatagi, Miller, Iltis, Sanders and TE Nate Solder, who was making the move to OT. First help off the bench at OT was to be Sione Tau.

Faatgai ended up ineligible and Iltis tore ACL before game #1.

By games 2 and 3, Max Tuioti-Mariner (MTM) was starting at OG. He was lost for the season in game 3 (but it was NOT lost on many that the running game we had in games 1-3 were running right behind MTM - watch the CSU 2nd half game tape or the WVU tape). Miller (by far CU's best O-linemen) was lost for the season in game 4.

Miller's replacement is freshmen Matt Bahr, who was practicing at guard mostly, but due to academic issues with Freshmen Sione Tau, he had to step into a starting OT spot.

The current starting lineup includes a OT who should have had at least one year as a backup to learn how to be an offensive linemen (Nate Solder - I don't care how good he "could be someday", he sits the bench at the other 11 schools in the Big 12 for at least a year). It includes two RS Freshmen (Bahr and Behrens).

The offensive line has been together since mid-game 4. That's 6+ games together. It's easy to see they've started to play better the last several weeks.

On a team that is the third youngest in the NCAA, to lose 4 guys who would normally of been playing right now is pretty devestating.

I'm not sold on Helfrich either. It's a concern. But I am also smart enough to know that if the line can't block, no plays are going to work consistently.

No one is blaming the O-Line for EVERYTHING wrong with the offense. Having slow/short WR's who have yet to make a tackler miss in the open field is a problem. Having RB's who are young and don't block well on pass protection is a big problem. Having to keep your tight ends in to block on pass plays is a problem. But the bottom line is that the offense goes as the O-Line goes. If the QB is pressured in the passing game and the holes aren't there on the running game, the offensive coordinator is an idiot?

The OC needs to make sure the offense runs - I get that. Pull your heads out of the sand and be realistic that with the injuries and youth on our O-Line this year, it's about what one should expect. If our best talent was anything but freshmen and Sophomores, I'd be really questioning Helfrich. Not yet.

Next year's starting O-Line:

Solder(JR) Bahr(SO) Behrens(SO) MTM(FR) Miller(SO) (and that's if Iltis (SO) or Givens (FR) don't beat someone out - which is certainly a possibility). This will be BY FAR the youngest starting front in the conference - and that is NEXT year!

And people will be wondering how we are moving the ball so well with such a young front! Polk(FR), Scott(SO) and Stewart(SO) will be toting the rock. Give it time, this offense is going to be very good in two years. If we don't see some major progress next year, I'll lead the charge to get rid of the OC.

If you're sick of hearing excuses, then you're either misinformed or a Fusker in disguise. Facts are facts.
 
:lol::lol::lol:

Considering who you're replying to, your closing shot is hilarious.

buffaholic: You provided a nice summary of the offensive line. I'm quite aware of ALL the specifics. The team has played 11 games. The linemen have played 7 games together. I know this. I am also aware of ALL the other players and their experience in your comments.

I am well aware of Helfrich's experience as an offensive coordinator. Read his bio. His only previous experience as an OC was with the Vienna Vikings as a player/coach in 1997. Yes, that is Vienna, AUSTRIA! I was not sold on Dan's choice for an offensive coordinator from the beginning. Helfrich has been provided the luxury of on-the-job training for 3 years. I suspect Dan will keep him. Afterall, he was quarterback coach at Boise State when Cody Hawkins was running around the practice fields as a little kid. That sure gave him the necessary experience to be an offensive coordinator at Colorado (sarcasm intended). Since I suspect Dan will keep him, he had better have an offense that is good enough for 8 wins, minimum, before a bowl game next year. If it happens, I'll lay off. Afterall, the guy might learn something during his 3 years of on-the-job training.

As others have noted in this thread the play design, scheme, game plan, play calling and adjustments during games on offense are truly bizzare and lacking any semblence of any continuity, rhythm or overall plan REGARDLESS of the personnel.

Finally, your suggestion that I may be a Fusker in disguise is the funniest damn thing I've ever seen on these internet boards.:lol::lol:
 
Last edited:
Did you just wake up after a long slumber? This O-Line has NOT played 11 games together! This patched-together, mostly 2nd and 3rd teamers have been starters collectively together now for 7 games! And the last couple games we've seen a lot of improvement!

I know must of you know the facts, so here's a good place to jump off. For those who just AWOKE FROM A YEAR LONG SLUMBER, here's the info:

We lost 3 starters from last year and returned Miller and Sanders. Projections coming out of spring had an O-Line of Faatagi, Miller, Iltis, Sanders and TE Nate Solder, who was making the move to OT. First help off the bench at OT was to be Sione Tau.

Faatgai ended up ineligible and Iltis tore ACL before game #1.

By games 2 and 3, Max Tuioti-Mariner (MTM) was starting at OG. He was lost for the season in game 3 (but it was NOT lost on many that the running game we had in games 1-3 were running right behind MTM - watch the CSU 2nd half game tape or the WVU tape). Miller (by far CU's best O-linemen) was lost for the season in game 4.

Miller's replacement is freshmen Matt Bahr, who was practicing at guard mostly, but due to academic issues with Freshmen Sione Tau, he had to step into a starting OT spot.

The current starting lineup includes a OT who should have had at least one year as a backup to learn how to be an offensive linemen (Nate Solder - I don't care how good he "could be someday", he sits the bench at the other 11 schools in the Big 12 for at least a year). It includes two RS Freshmen (Bahr and Behrens).

The offensive line has been together since mid-game 4. That's 6+ games together. It's easy to see they've started to play better the last several weeks.

On a team that is the third youngest in the NCAA, to lose 4 guys who would normally of been playing right now is pretty devestating.

I'm not sold on Helfrich either. It's a concern. But I am also smart enough to know that if the line can't block, no plays are going to work consistently.

No one is blaming the O-Line for EVERYTHING wrong with the offense. Having slow/short WR's who have yet to make a tackler miss in the open field is a problem. Having RB's who are young and don't block well on pass protection is a big problem. Having to keep your tight ends in to block on pass plays is a problem. But the bottom line is that the offense goes as the O-Line goes. If the QB is pressured in the passing game and the holes aren't there on the running game, the offensive coordinator is an idiot?

The OC needs to make sure the offense runs - I get that. Pull your heads out of the sand and be realistic that with the injuries and youth on our O-Line this year, it's about what one should expect. If our best talent was anything but freshmen and Sophomores, I'd be really questioning Helfrich. Not yet.

Next year's starting O-Line:

Solder(JR) Bahr(SO) Behrens(SO) MTM(FR) Miller(SO) (and that's if Iltis (SO) or Givens (FR) don't beat someone out - which is certainly a possibility). This will be BY FAR the youngest starting front in the conference - and that is NEXT year!

And people will be wondering how we are moving the ball so well with such a young front! Polk(FR), Scott(SO) and Stewart(SO) will be toting the rock. Give it time, this offense is going to be very good in two years. If we don't see some major progress next year, I'll lead the charge to get rid of the OC.

If you're sick of hearing excuses, then you're either misinformed or a Fusker in disguise. Facts are facts.

:brick:
 
I agree with the initial statement about dominating DL's and I'm certainly willing to give the offense some slack for games against teams like Texas and FSU who do have dominating defensive lines. Not every teams we have played, however, has a dominating defense. In fact, several of them have down right bad defenses and the Buff offense has still had a lot of trouble moving the ball and scoring. ISU, aTm and KSU are bad teams with porous defenses. There is no way to hide that. Even Mizzou and Kansas are not exactly dominating on the defensive side of the ball.

What troubles me is the frightening lack of progress this year. I expect to see fewer mistakes, better execution and better production as the year goes on. It doesn't have to be huge strides but something would be nice. I haven't really seen that this year.
 
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