Very interesting that Frank Beamer went to Athens in his attempt to reinvigorate a Virginia Tech offense last seen vomiting all over itself against Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo turned down Beamer, as this article details, so it's a non-story at this point.
But I've always thought Georgia and Virginia Tech were strikingly similar in their offensive identities -- or, quite frequently, lack thereof. Two head coaches strongly rooted in conservative, run-heavy, play-action stuff employ tight reins on offensive direction, to the frustration of fans.
The criticism of Bobo has diminished considerably, and justifiably, in the wake of an excellent 2012 season. The Doggies averaged 37 points per game and led the nation in yards per play. Strong stuff. There nevertheless have been some head-scratching sequences in which they run I-formation seven plays in a row, then run four-wide seven plays in a row. No blending, no progression, no rhythm.
But Virginia Tech fans would love to experience that kind of frustration. Their offense has been a mess for a while now, and a big part of that is because the Hokies are generally less talented than they used to be on both sides of the ball. But another part is their inability to decide on who they want to be. They're a power, ball-control team until Logan Thomas comes around, and then they become an offense that's sort of basic and sort of cutting-edge. The offensive philosophy isn't a way of life the way we've seen it become at Clemson, and that's hurt them.
It was probably far-fetched for Beamer to think he could get Bobo anyway. Why would he want to leave an offense that returns just about everyone from a group that put up big numbers in 2012, and join a program where he could be looking for work in the event of a bad season?
Here's what might be the real reason Bobo even listened to Beamer -- or made it look like he was listening:
Not including performance bonuses -- and he has gotten a lot of those lately -- Bobo makes $335,000 a year. That ranked 10th among SEC offensive coordinators coming into this past season. He also has operated with a one-year contract, while the majority of SEC offensive coordinators have two- to -three year deals.
Comparatively, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has a three-year contract that pays him $825,000 annually.
A few Monday links:
-- Has offense in the NFL ever been this compelling and exciting? How often do you see quarterbacks leaving linebackers and defensive backs in the dust like Colin Kaepernick did Saturday night?
In the wake of Alabama's smashing success over the last four years, it's become trendy for folks to dismiss as wimpy the funky offensive stuff you see at Clemson, Oregon, and a lot of other college locales. But then you start seeing it working at a lot of places in the NFL...
-- Denver lost Saturday because of atrocious secondary play. Let's get that straight. But Peyton Manning, as great as he is, wilted late in that game and violating Rule No. 1.
First, flash back to Week 10, when Manning was mic'd up for NFL Network's Sound FX.
In the first quarter of a game at the Carolina Panthers, he rolled right out of the pocket, scanned the field, then threw across his body to longtime safety valve Brandon Stokley. A virtually uncovered Stokley jogged into the end zone untouched for a 10-yard TD.
"That's the old rule No. 1 you never do," Manning tells Stokley as they jog together off the field, knowing passers at every level of football are coached not to throw across their body back toward the middle of the field. "When you're in your 15th year, you kinda say, 'Who gives a (expletive)?'"
-- A week after Johnny Football stuck his foot in Mike Stoops' rump, Stoops inserts his foot into his own mouth.
“He just creates so many problems for your defense, and he knows what those problems are. And he understands them very well.
“They’re gonna be tough to deal with. If they can keep him out of jail or keep him eligible, he’s gonna be pretty good."
-- And regarding Oklahoma's defense this season under Stoops -- worse, statistically, than last season under Brent Venables -- the head man says it goes beyond just his bro.
“Early on in the season everybody's singing his praises, and now everyone isn't. You know what, that's what fans do. That's what you guys do. We don't much care. You've gotta stick to doing what you do and improving it. Whatever issues there were, whether player issues or scheme issues or subbing issues, you just keep working to get them improved.”
LW
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