"We're not...going to dominate running the ball"

[Longtime]

This morning Norm Hitzges did an extensive review of JJ's play calling on Saturday - he was actually listening to the game, so he must have had something riding on it.

Not that Norm is right all the time, but it's hard to argue with his logic that SMU wins the game if it just runs three times into the line and kicks. His cohort, Sean Bass, had a hard time defending JJ, although he tried because he's also the SMU sideline reporter. It's certainly easier to understand Norm's premise than JJ's that we can't run the ball out of the Run-and-Shoot formation, and therefore must throw when protecting a late lead.

Basically, Norm said JJ's contention is BS. Especially with Shawnbrey McNeal in the backfield. No one says SMU has to dominate running the ball, just run some clock and protect the ball and the lead. Maybe JJ doesn't trust the defense to win the game, but from the evidence so far, would you rather trust the defense or our young quarterback?

Based on what we've seen the last two seasons, I'm not sure JJ knows how to coach a tight game in the final minutes. He had a couple of head-scratchers last year (Tulane, Tulsa) when SMU went against common sense in the final moments. Did he have crunch time issues at Hawaii as well?

Is this a man so married to his beloved Run-and-Shoot that he can't alter his philosophy even when it would benefit his team's chances of winning? Would he rather prove a point than win? We know the man is stubborn - most coaches are. But to what extent?

[mr. pony]

I think there were several close wins in the 12-0 season at Hawaii. Games that could have gone either way, if I'm not mistaken.

[papawasamustang]

At that point in the game, you give the ball to McNeal who is capable of breaking it on any play.
Worst case scenerio, he fumbles or you kick a fg. I'll take my chances with this scenerio.
Its easy to 2nd guess now, but its really smart/basic clock management.

[SmooBoy]

Mr. Obvious says once we learn how to win the 2nd half, we will officially turn the corner. Yep, I agree that we should have run to burn some clock and try a field goal. Up by 10 with 5 minutes left would have been preferable.

[down n out]

on 3rd and 2 with the game on the line as a coach you go with what works best in your offense and in jjs its passing the only reason we run the ball is to set up the pass. according to the radio the reciver was open bo just missed the throw. he said he threw off his back foot and the ball sailed on him. the play calling isnt the problem the execution is.

[PK]

In a certain way JJ reminds me of Leech...the team goal is to score every time you get the ball. In his run and shoot system, that is not an unrealistic goal...if the team executes the way it should. What I keep hearing from folks here is that we should be playing to win rather than playing to not lose which means...you try to score every time you get the ball. I'm not sure if clock management necessarily fits into that goal. Of course, according to the posters here on Ponyfans, none of our last three head coaches have known anything about clock management.

I believe JJ, or someone, has recently said that this team has still not learned how to put the other team away...or something along that line...which means you keep scoring on every opportunity until the game is over.

[jtstang]

I believe JJ, or someone, has recently said that this team has still not learned how to put the other team away...or something along that line...which means you keep scoring on every opportunity until the game is over.

Which necessarily means you cannot throw the ball to the opposing defense and allow them to run it back for their own score. Twice. Which of course, brings us back to square one.

[ponydawg]

Which necessarily means you cannot throw the ball to the opposing defense and allow them to run it back for their own score. Twice.

Did you read june's book or are you just guessing?

[OC Mustang]

I think Coach's contention that they can't run the ball down a team's throat because of the formation is an excuse. He's got tight end/wingback/tight slot formations that would allow runs. I can't stand Norm, but I think he's right about this part. Coach Jones is wedded to the shoot part of the run & shoot to a fault.

However, that said, Coach Jones is right about a couple of things. The QB has to make good throws, the receivers have to step up in the clutch and make the catches, and the team as a whole has to rip the throat out of the other team when ahead.

This team should be 3-0 but for 4-5 plays, really. That sucks. What would suck more if the guys didn't learn the lesson. I betcha they did. I really betcha they did. THAT seems to me to be the difference in this coaching and this team...they seem to learn their lessons.

We'll see, though. I hope I am right...and I imagine everybody else is hoping the same thing.

[jimhagle]

I think we are learning that JJ is not a great coach but a good coach and his decision making is misguided at times like last week. He took too many chances in a tight game where his QB was clearly unraveling at the time-really good coaches don't do that especially when it wasn't necessary to do so.

[Longtime]

I agree, the QB has to make a good throw there on third-and-two. But even moreso, the coach has to make a good decision.

Is it a smart move to put the game in the hands of your sophomore, interception-prone quarterback? Is your QB so good that you can depend on his execution every time?

A win would have done a lot more for his team than sticking to the Run-and-Shoot philosophy in that scenario. Maybe it will pay off down the road and BLM won't make that mistake again. But dang, I'd sure like to be 3-0.

[rich59]

IMO, and I have said this before, JJ will make SMU better. He will recruit well and he will have a good coaching staff. He, however, will never get SMU where they should be, given their advantages and the competition, and that is where TCU is. TCU is a dominant program in their league and capable in a given year of beating almost anyone in the nation. JJ's philosophy of football is not sound and he would rather prove the point than win.

[KnuckleStang]

Sure are a lot of awesome coaches on this board

[George S. Patton]

With Norm, the code is usually if he is ripping some college team that he usually doesn't talk about -- Texas, OU, Florida, etc. -- it's usually because he lost a bunch of dinero on that team's game.

[rich59]

Football is not rocket science. Even though rule changes have modified the game, most of the fundamentals are still the same. Blocking, tackling, field position, defense, the kicking game and running the football are still the keys to winning football. Even though teams in the NFL throw the ball a lot, the ones that are perennial winners usually excel at the basics. Ignoring field position and running the ball are substantial handicps. No matter what your offensive scheme is, if you don't spend a lot of time in practise running the ball against stout oppositon, you won't be able to execute in a game.