2 things: Thoughs on Bajakian and Jason Croom...

[UTVolWarrior98]

First off, just wanted to get an overall opinion of how everyone is feeling about OC Mike Bajakian. I, personally, think he is too dry and predictable. I mean Randy Sanders looks like Mike Leach compared to him! lol Yes, we won the game Saturday against SC, and have had some nice passing plays, but he can be dryer than a desert. Maybe we just don't have the talent he needs to be more creative, Im not sure.

Secondly, WHERE THE HELL IS JASON CROOM?!! lol This guy has been irrelevant other than the 4 yrd TD in Eugene and that 1st down catch on Saturday. He is a beast and should be playing like a beast! The guy is taller than any DB that plays against him. We should be using him like my Lions use Megatron. Did you see those leaping catches he made yesterday...unbelievable!! Croom could be doing these things! Is he simply underachieving?

Thoughts on both??

 

[VolFan4Life87]

Our offense has been very run focused because the WR's are still learning proper route running techniques and Worley is still building confidence and getting his throws on the mark. I believe there was an article somewhere that talked about the WR coach's teaching of route running and how it takes a little longer to grasp, but ultimately produces a better product.

Next year could be interesting. I see potential for Worley and this receiver corps to be much more than "serviceable."

 

[RiseToTheTop]

. Croom is a RS FR who has played 7 games. He's made some nice plays and is an exceptional blocker on the outside. He had a long gain on a catch Saturday. I just don't think you really know what you are talking about. Give them time to grow up. He's done fine.

 

[calban]

A little limited in what he can call, but seriously I thought maybe he had fallen asleep at the wheel a couple of times Saturday.
Croom may not know the play book.
Surely bunching 2 receivers and 3 defenders in one corner of the end zone wasn't a called play.

 

[kohlrums]

First off, just wanted to get an overall opinion of how everyone is feeling about OC Mike Bajakian. I, personally, think he is too dry and predictable. I mean Randy Sanders looks like Mike Leach compared to him! lol Yes, we won the game Saturday against SC, and have had some nice passing plays, but he can be dryer than a desert. Maybe we just don't have the talent he needs to be more creative, Im not sure.

Secondly, WHERE THE HELL IS JASON CROOM?!! lol This guy has been irrelevant other than the 4 yrd TD in Eugene and that 1st down catch on Saturday. He is a beast and should be playing like a beast! The guy is taller than any DB that plays against him. We should be using him like my Lions use Megatron. Did you see those leaping catches he made yesterday...unbelievable!! Croom could be doing these things! Is he simply underachieving?

Thoughts on both??

Go back and watch some UC tape, and do not post anymore about the offense until you do.

 

[Vols520]

My only issues with the offense is our blocking scheme seemed strange against clowney at times, and we had success running vertical and we would get away from that.

We don't have speed, except howard, to burn teams on the edge.

Worley struggles to give his receivers a chance to make a play and was inaccurate after his hand hit the helmet.

You can't judge a ne offense based on the first year. It takes a long time to be implemented and get the players you need.

 

[thadolphinman]

Croom had a good day Saturday, and although North gets all the attention, Croom had a really nice catch and he is a big part of why we are able to run the ball like we do. Coach Jake has his hands tied due to the youth of the offense, but you can tell that he is opening up the playbook more and more as the players gain more experience. I can't wait to see this team grow up even more over the next month, and I definitely can't wait to see Croom and North as Juniors. This offense has really started to grow on me, and even with the loss of our talented Offensive-lineman, I think you are going to see a top 25 ranked offense next year.

 

[VeryBest]

I would be lying if I said it doesn't frustrate at times, but you got to step back and take it for what it is. Our QB is limited and our receivers are young. The playbook is new to all players.

I do think he runs plays based on rhythm. He does open it up once we start clicking. As shown in the UGA game. He's spoon feeding

 

[armchair]

We are not using Croom or North effectively, IMO. With their size, we should be using them more in a possession mode. Deep passes are too low percentage.

Our offense overall is still pretty average, IMO. I like our backs, and our run blocking can be pretty good sometimes, and Howard has added some desperately needed speed--but we're still pedestrian. Worley doesn't run the ball--and he said after the SC game that he if he hands off to the RB a lot it is because he is reading that. I doubt that, actually. I think he is not doing much reading--he's just handing off--as there have been plenty of opportunities for him to keep and run, and he hasn't done it, and that is one reason why our offense isn't so great. We'll have to have a diversified attack to beat bama--no way will we just line up and run the ball against them, although they've not played a lot of great teams and so our run game might test them. But Worley will have to make some plays with his arm and legs, too--no doubt about that.

 

[keckjm]

Mike B and CBJ want to run a more physical offense with a slot TE on running plays. We simply just don't have a TE who can play the slot well right now, and therefore I think we see a much more simplistic running game at times. On Croom, he just needs to go out and play ball. I also think if he can add some wait this offseason he could move to slot TE if he proves he can block well and hold the weight. I think moving to TE would be for the best as his starting job at WR is really going to be up for grabs if Pearson and Malone both make it in.

 

[BleedingOrangeFan]

Take a look at our run averages. Lane is at 5.9 ypc and Neal is at 5.7. Or close to that. We are 37th overall in run offense. The passing game will get better as the WRs mature and Worley continues to improve. No answer on Croom. He is a big wr that needs to start catching the ball

 

[armchair]

Croom is a RS FR who has played 7 games. He's made some nice plays and is an exceptional blocker on the outside. He had a long gain on a catch Saturday. I just don't think you really know what you are talking about. Give them time to grow up. He's done fine.

for teams all over the country. So the original question is fair. Isn't the Florida State QB a RS freshman? Nobody is knocking Croom--just wondering why he isn't targeted more. He is a starter, yes?

 

[99Vols]

I'm just glad you are a warrior. You will need to be to survive the flames that are incoming...

 

[armchair]

Croom should be playing TE--have said it from the git-go. Maybe his blocking is an issue, but his size and skill set = prototypical TE, not wideout.

 

[VolinArizona]

Bajakian was very aggressive and unique in play calling at Cincinnati so I think the play calling can be chocked up to being young at WR and TE.

 

[volroadwarrior]

WTF do you want to see from the offense? Mumme ball? Mike Leach circus? You obviously have no clue. Croom and other young WRs need to learn to run routes. The OC is installing a new offense as the QB, WRs and TEs have the capacity to learn and execute it. Croom is talented and will make an impact. He is a RS Freshman for goodness sakes.

 

[Serpent710]

First off, just wanted to get an overall opinion of how everyone is feeling about OC Mike Bajakian. I, personally, think he is too dry and predictable. I mean Randy Sanders looks like Mike Leach compared to him! lol Yes, we won the game Saturday against SC, and have had some nice passing plays, but he can be dryer than a desert. Maybe we just don't have the talent he needs to be more creative, Im not sure.

Secondly, WHERE THE HELL IS JASON CROOM?!! lol This guy has been irrelevant other than the 4 yrd TD in Eugene and that 1st down catch on Saturday. He is a beast and should be playing like a beast! The guy is taller than any DB that plays against him. We should be using him like my Lions use Megatron. Did you see those leaping catches he made yesterday...unbelievable!! Croom could be doing these things! Is he simply underachieving?

Thoughts on both??

Where the hell is UTVolWarrior98?!?! Sitting behind his computer, wishing he was half as good as Bajakian and Croom.

 

[WiseOlVol]

Croom is doing great. Super upside. He's a load with good hops.

Keep working, young man.

 

[TnTech_Vol]

Croom also had couple of big catches against GA for first down. People forget he was redshirted last year because of shoulder injury so he couldn't even practice till late in the year. Give the man some time and he'll impress us all along with the rest of the WR's.

 

[sjt18]

First off, just wanted to get an overall opinion of how everyone is feeling about OC Mike Bajakian. I, personally, think he is too dry and predictable. I mean Randy Sanders looks like Mike Leach compared to him! lol

:no:

I'd like to see more... but Randy Sanders was easily the worst OC UT has ever had and it ain't ballpark close.

Secondly, WHERE THE HELL IS JASON CROOM?!! lol This guy has been irrelevant other than the 4 yrd TD in Eugene and that 1st down catch on Saturday. He is a beast and should be playing like a beast! The guy is taller than any DB that plays against him. We should be using him like my Lions use Megatron. Did you see those leaping catches he made yesterday...unbelievable!! Croom could be doing these things! Is he simply underachieving?

Thoughts on both??

Croom has made some catches and important ones. He had a couple of critical catches vs UGA too.

His biggest problems seems to be that he doesn't reliably catch the ball. Even Saturday, he juggled the ball on that crossing route. If the defender had been close enough to make contact he would have dropped it.

He needs to improve his hands.

Underachieving? No. Developing. We're so used to seeing players thrown out there long before they're ready that we forget that it takes time. He should be playing behind upperclassmen as a RS Fr and learning his trade. In fact, pretty much all of this year's contributors should be.

 

[Bigorangejumpsuit]

I was going crazy in the 3rd Qtr but penalties put a hurt on us. Overall the O has improved greatly.

 

[hardyemt_p]

Croom is a RS FR who has played 7 games. He's made some nice plays and is an exceptional blocker on the outside. He had a long gain on a catch Saturday. I just don't think you really know what you are talking about. Give them time to grow up. He's done fine.

hit the nail on the head:clapping::lolabove::rock::birgits_giggle:

 

[engineerVOL]

Are coordinators ever liked? Sheesh.

 

[MCScots4]

My only issues with the offense is our blocking scheme seemed strange against clowney at times, and we had success running vertical and we would get away from that.

We don't have speed, except howard, to burn teams on the edge.

Worley struggles to give his receivers a chance to make a play and was inaccurate after his hand hit the helmet.

You can't judge a ne offense based on the first year. It takes a long time to be implemented and get the players you need.

Honestly, I thought he was more accurate after the injury. Seemed to settle down a little. I specifically remember him giving North a chance to make a play twice, which he did.

 

[Vols4us]

Every once in awhile I come to the FF to read the dumb downed versions of posters thoughts on how game is played. It is always amusing. Especially the ones that get angry over what they think are attacks on the coaches.

OP is over the top with his comments, but he is making valid points. Coach Jake keeps trying to run zone read and read option plays that include bubble screens and swing passes with a QB that is pro style and an O-line that is built for straight ahead zone blocking. He may be doing it for good reasons, but the reasons are not for actually winning football games against good competition. Using TE's to come across and try to trap block a guy like Clowney because your lineman are too slow to do it is bordering on insane. None of the stuff that he was using in the first and third quarters was particularly effective because it is the same stuff he has been trying to do all season unsuccessfully. When he goes with less trickery and more direct the offense clicks. Still don't understand why he will not call a WR slant pass with North, Pig and Croom as receivers. Mind boggling.

Croom is still learning. He can be an adequate WR or he can be an outstanding pass catching TE working from the slot. Hopefully this year is for future development into the later.

But I am not going to second guess Coach Jake or CBJ since there may be good reasons for doing it all this way and it may be related to long term goals. But to berate the OP for accurate observations is dumb.