Quote from: UMHB03 on December 14, 2024, 03:01:46 PMSolid improvement from the Crusader team this year, particularly toward the end of the season.
A couple of personnel priorities that they need to address if we are going to continue work our way back to the Stagg Bowl:
1. Go find some mean, nasty, road grading offensive linemen. The guys we had this year are big, but they are soft and get pushed around way too much for guys their size.
2. Scour the portal for some explosive WRs. UMHB has solid role players at the position, but it has been sorely missing guys who can score from anywhere on the field ever since KJ Miller and Aaron Sims left. Without the ability to score on big plays, the offense is forced to methodically drive the field, leaving little room for error, and they are still too undisciplined and mistake prone to do that consistently.
3. Find a stud QB (easier said than done, I know). Wright is not a bad player, but I'm also not convinced he is a championship caliber player. We don't currently have a King/Hammack/Jackson type player on this team, and we're not going to get over the hump without one.
Otherwise, they have a defense and RB stable that are capable of winning a championship. Make a few upgrades and I think the Crusaders will be a contender in 2025.
Point #3 is key. They had one and chased him out of the program before the season started, in favor of a d1 coach's kid... The play calling was only an issue because the QB didn't play well enough. The receivers are good enough, O line is fine. QB is the pressing need. 5 can't push the ball downfield and doesn't throw with enough tempo for speedy WRs.
I do think the OC should be replaced, but his scheme and calls aren't the issue in my opinion. His personnel decisions are.