I will start by saying I am skeptical as everyone else about the Big Red kool-aid at this point after years of being let down. I think most feel that our defense is going to be solid with a chance to be very good. This critical season is going to come down to making progress on offense.
When you look at the trend of points per game it is hard to be positive. So why has this gone in the wrong direction?
2018 - 30.0 pts/game
2019 - 28.0 pts/game
2020 - 23.1 pts/game (102 out of 128 teams)
When Frost was hired I remember an analysis of his offense and the key was to have the power running, horizontal run/pass, and vertical passing all working well together. What makes his offense hard to defend is when it is multiple and they don’t know what is coming.
In 2018, Stanley Morgan was legit downfield WR and Devine Ozigbo was a real power back with speed. Also had young JD Spielman and Maurice Washington. In 2019, Spielman and freshman WanDale put up numbers but we’re not really vertical passing threats. RBs got worse with Maurice’s problems and Mills first year.
Last year, there was basically zero vertical passing threat and no threat at RB when Mills was out. Offense became completely one dimensional forcing it to WanDale over and over. At WR after WanDale, leaders were Falck and Betts. We saw glimpses against Rutgers of what the offense could be with Mills running strong but overall a disaster.
What gives me hope for 2021 is that some combination of Toure, Manning, Martin, and Betts give us best chance to have a real vertical passing threat since Stanley Morgan. If Ervin, Stepp, or one of the other young backs can emerge then we could really have a chance to unlock Frost’s offense. Having all three aspects of the offense working opens it all up and could totally change how it has to be defended.
Will any of this become reality or is it just more kool-aid? Who the hell knows but there is at least a chance that the offense turns a corner. That in combination with a solid veteran defense and improved special teams could finally change our fortunes. At least I can hope for a few more weeks!
When you look at the trend of points per game it is hard to be positive. So why has this gone in the wrong direction?
2018 - 30.0 pts/game
2019 - 28.0 pts/game
2020 - 23.1 pts/game (102 out of 128 teams)
When Frost was hired I remember an analysis of his offense and the key was to have the power running, horizontal run/pass, and vertical passing all working well together. What makes his offense hard to defend is when it is multiple and they don’t know what is coming.
In 2018, Stanley Morgan was legit downfield WR and Devine Ozigbo was a real power back with speed. Also had young JD Spielman and Maurice Washington. In 2019, Spielman and freshman WanDale put up numbers but we’re not really vertical passing threats. RBs got worse with Maurice’s problems and Mills first year.
Last year, there was basically zero vertical passing threat and no threat at RB when Mills was out. Offense became completely one dimensional forcing it to WanDale over and over. At WR after WanDale, leaders were Falck and Betts. We saw glimpses against Rutgers of what the offense could be with Mills running strong but overall a disaster.
What gives me hope for 2021 is that some combination of Toure, Manning, Martin, and Betts give us best chance to have a real vertical passing threat since Stanley Morgan. If Ervin, Stepp, or one of the other young backs can emerge then we could really have a chance to unlock Frost’s offense. Having all three aspects of the offense working opens it all up and could totally change how it has to be defended.
Will any of this become reality or is it just more kool-aid? Who the hell knows but there is at least a chance that the offense turns a corner. That in combination with a solid veteran defense and improved special teams could finally change our fortunes. At least I can hope for a few more weeks!
