WTH: Front Office Personnel Decisions

[CalPolyTechnique]

Two obvious and egregious personnel decisions come to mind reflecting back on the season (maybe you can think of more):

1. WR by Committee. This was a total miscalculation by the front office/coaching staff to think this offense could operate without a true no. 1 receiver. They successfully resolved it by acquiring Cooper mid season but in doing so undermined their initial thought process.
2. Olawale at Fullback. To be clear, Olawale didn’t cost us the season, but his acquisition can only be thought of as a head-scratcher. Olawale has never served as a traditional lead blocking back. I initially rationalized the trade for him thinking he’d be featured as a reciever and safety valve for Dak, as he’s demonstrated some skills in that area. This aspect would presumably make up for what we lost in blocking with Keith Smith. He ended up providing two catches (no rushes) on the year and little as a lead blocker.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Two obvious and egregious personnel decisions come to mind reflecting back on the season (maybe you can think of more):

1. WR by Committee. This was a total miscalculation by the front office/coaching staff to think this offense could operate without a true no. 1 receiver. They successfully resolved it by acquiring Cooper mid season but in doing so undermined their initial thought process.
2. Olawale at Fullback. To be clear, Olawale didn’t cost us the season, but his acquisition can only be thought of as a head-scratcher. Olawale has never served as a traditional lead blocking back. I initially rationalized the trade for him thinking he’d be featured as a reciever and safety valve for Dak, as he’s demonstrated some skills in that area. This aspect would presumably make up for what we lost in blocking with Keith Smith. He ended up providing two catches (no rushes) on the year and little as a lead blocker.

#1 cost us half the year

 

[glimmerman]

Two obvious and egregious personnel decisions come to mind reflecting back on the season (maybe you can think of more):

1. WR by Committee. This was a total miscalculation by the front office/coaching staff to think this offense could operate without a true no. 1 receiver. They successfully resolved it by acquiring Cooper mid season but in doing so undermined their initial thought process.
2. Olawale at Fullback. To be clear, Olawale didn’t cost us the season, but his acquisition can only be thought of as a head-scratcher. Olawale has never served as a traditional lead blocking back. I initially rationalized the trade for him thinking he’d be featured as a reciever and safety valve for Dak, as he’s demonstrated some skills in that area. This aspect would presumably make up for what we lost in blocking with Keith Smith. He ended up providing two catches (no rushes) on the year and little as a lead blocker.

WR position is fixed. Replace Beez if he is leaving

FB is strange. Not his fault but he is rarely used. Use another TE for blocking.

 

[cern]

WR by committee? After Watkins decided to go chiefs (smart decision) no other options were left. Ergo, signing Cooper was a most astute move. No complaints. As for olawale, little more than a warm body.

 

[darthseinfeld]

WR position is fixed. Replace Beez if he is leaving

FB is strange. Not his fault but he is rarely used. Use another TE for blocking.

I think @CalPolyTechnique is looking more in retrospect as far as these moves go.

 

[Mannix]

I love Cooper, but the guy always looks as if he would rather be somewhere else. I remember hearing when we got him, that some Raiders brass questioned just how much the guy really loves football.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

WR position is fixed. Replace Beez if he is leaving

FB is strange. Not his fault but he is rarely used. Use another TE for blocking.

We would be better served if we got a competent backup for Zeke, someone who can spell him without causing a major decline in talent level.

 

[Alexander]

Yeah that fullback thing is totally on my list of grievances.

 

[lk8701]

1. JG returning as the head coach.

 

[links18]

Two obvious and egregious personnel decisions come to mind reflecting back on the season (maybe you can think of more):

1. WR by Committee. This was a total miscalculation by the front office/coaching staff to think this offense could operate without a true no. 1 receiver. They successfully resolved it by acquiring Cooper mid season but in doing so undermined their initial thought process.
2. Olawale at Fullback. To be clear, Olawale didn’t cost us the season, but his acquisition can only be thought of as a head-scratcher. Olawale has never served as a traditional lead blocking back. I initially rationalized the trade for him thinking he’d be featured as a reciever and safety valve for Dak, as he’s demonstrated some skills in that area. This aspect would presumably make up for what we lost in blocking with Keith Smith. He ended up providing two catches (no rushes) on the year and little as a lead blocker.

Wasting Olawale seems to be on the coaching staff. How about the Switzer-Ward trade?

 

[acr731]

1. JG returning as the head coach.

A few of his defenders will be coming to his rescue soon. Just wait for it.

 

[cowboy_ron]

1. JG returning as the head coach.

Log off and choke yourself for saying that..............jk....the sad part is since Jerry is still breathing you're probably right.

 

[408Cowboy]

Don't forget not getting the majority of our starters preseason playing time. That was a head scratcher.

 

[Risen Star]

It just shows they don't really have a philosophy or a vision. They are simply winging it every year and hoping for the best.

They fired their OL Coach after 6 games, for crying out loud.

 

[Eanwen]

Signing a qb coach who had never coached before at any level, for the most important position and for a qb that obviously needs more development.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

It just shows they don't really have a philosophy or a vision. They are simply winging it every year and hoping for the best.

They fired their OL Coach after 6 games, for crying out loud.

Bam. Another good one I forgot about. That’s exactly my point. The drastic shifts from the initial approach/decisions is odd. I guess props for correcting a mistake but it begs the question as to how they could be so flatly wrong to begin with. The Olawale acquisition is just strange to me because it’s square peg round hole. It’s like trading for Ted Ginn to be your red zone reciever.

 

[Redball Express]

Don't forget not getting the majority of our starters preseason playing time. That was a head scratcher.

That was one of the worst decisions of the season.

The other was not being prepared for the Witten retirement.

Both staggered the offense and the defense early in the year.

 

[Risen Star]

Don't forget not getting the majority of our starters preseason playing time. That was a head scratcher.

Protection over preparation.

Better to be safe than good.

 

[glimmerman]

We would be better served if we got a competent backup for Zeke, someone who can spell him without causing a major decline in talent level.

Not only that. He wants a new contract early. It would be a good idea to have quality in case he pulls a bell and holds out.

 

[Eanwen]

Protection over preparation.

Better to be safe than good.

no need to be prepared if you're going to call the same plays over and over regardless if they work or not.