I was wrong about Franks - Its Mullen's O

[YLGator]

I owe Franks an apology. Watching that game yesterday, I got more and more frustrated as we struggled on O against an FCS team. I took my ire out on Franks and that was wrong. I just re-watched the first 3 qtrs of the game. I should have directed my ire at Mullen instead. Here's what I saw.

Franks went 15/15 in the first half until the final hail mary. Here's a breakdown.

7 passes at or behind the line of scrimmage
6 passes for less than 10 yards (most travelled about 5 yards past the line)
2 passes down field (the two td's)

At least half of the throws were designed sideways passes where Franks never even looked downfield.

We didn't throw one intermediate pass downfield until the 3rd qtr pass to Grimes on 3rd and 15 (it was a nice throw by Franks).

This is Mullen's O. Its the same frustrating O he ran when he was the O coordinator for us under Meyer. Re-watching the game this morning confirmed that for me.

Someone asked me last night if it was the offensive system that I was frustrated with and not Franks. My answer now after re-watching the game is absolutely!

We were playing a completely outmanned team and Mullen called a sideways dink and dunk O all day long. Its now clear to me that this is what he wants to run and its what he wanted his players to practice and perfect yesterday.

Its also clear to me that this O is not a fit for Franks as he's just not a dynamic runner. So instead of game planning to take advantage of Frank's strengths (I know, I can't believe I'm writing that), Mullen is forcing him to do things he's just not very good at. That 4th down QB keeper in the 2nd qtr is a perfect example of that. A dynamic dual threat qb picks that up every time. We don't have one of those so why are we running that play?

I'm also pretty convinced that this O with this roster won't work against elite SEC defenses. We ran the O almost to perfection in the first half yesterday against an FCS team and only scored 17 points.

So I guess this is a longwinded way for me to say I'm done railing on Franks. He's not our problem. He's just running what Mullen is asking him to run. I think that's our real problem.

 

[MJMGator]

It’s what I’ve been saying all along. Mullen calls the shots and Franks just executes. Last night, he executed at a very high level. Maybe his best game yet as a Gator.
Of course, Ox will be along soon to bash Franks some more.

 

[78]

If only Mullen could recognize #13 is actually Dan Marino in elevator cleats, it would all be fixed.

 

[SeabeeGator]

I’m watching the entire thing right now. It’s just the offense. That said, there are ways for Franks to improve. He doesn’t lead receivers particularly well on those short throws. They have to stop or turn to catch the ball - a lot. Doesn’t consistently hit them in stride which reduces the gains on those plays - sometimes considerably. He has a propensity for waiting too long to throw screens and throws his WR into the blockers/tacklers frequently. That’s where a lot of my frustration comes from with him.

 

[78]

It's neither Franks or Mullen's offense. It's Mullen's recruiting.

If Mullen wants Mullen's offense to click, he better get himself a brick shythouse with wheels like Tebow or Dak and an OL to rival the one we had a decade ago, the sooner the better.

Otherwise, we're staring at the dreaded Mullen cap ad finitum.

 

[YLGator]

I’m watching the entire thing right now. It’s just the offense. That said, there are ways for Franks to improve. He doesn’t lead receivers particularly well on those short throws. They have to stop or turn to catch the ball - a lot. Doesn’t consistently hit them in stride which reduces the gains on those plays - sometimes considerably. He has a propensity for waiting too long to throw screens and throws his WR into the blockers/tacklers frequently. That’s where a lot of my frustration comes from with him.

Yep. He could certainly be more accurate, but you can't expect perfection. Its a flawed system. Throwing 0 yard passes and expecting the timing to be perfect, the WR's to hold their blocks and the receiver to make a guy miss is going to fail way more often than it succeeds. And then when it succeeds, you gain 9 yards. Yippee.

 

[CaribGator]

This is on Mullen, he inherited Franks, and has brought him a long way, but Franks is not a Mullen's offensive type of QB, he needs a Tebow or Dak to make his system work. SEC teams will load the box and play tight knowing that Frank's won't be taking too many shots down the field. If they blitz or are getting pressure, i hope Franks is able to go through his reads quicker than last year or it will get ugly.

The sideways offense is frustrating, yes we say put the ball in the hands of the playmakers, but the bubble screens with the hopes of the guy breaking a tackle to make a long gain aren't fun to watch. Watching the first half was almost as bad as watching chumpball. We should have dominated an FCS team.

EJ needs more snaps, from what we saw of him, it is obvious why Mullen is keeping Franks the starter. I was hoping that after a full year he would have progressed more and be challenging to take over the starting position. Trask, made the one bad throw, but I do like how gets the ball out there quicklyl, no baseball windup.

Heading in to SEC play the Oline will determine how much success we will have. If they can't get the push in the run game, every game will be a struggle to score.

Go Gators

 

[YLGator]

It's neither Franks or Mullen's offense. It's Mullen's recruiting.

If Mullen wants Mullen's offense to click, he better get himself a brick shythouse with wheels like Tebow or Dak and an OL to rival the one we had a decade ago, the sooner the better.

Otherwise, we're staring at the dreaded Mullen cap ad finitum.

Also need a Percy on the edge, a Hernandez in the middle and a Murphy and Cooper on the outside. In other words, the stars need to align. That's not likely to happen with a roster full of 3 and low 4 star recruits.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

It is what it is....a DM offense.

That said I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.
Has everyone forgot we are breaking in 4 new starters on the offensive line? Play calling by design or not(sandbagging) and co ordinating the new line(there are missed assignments on almost every play) may be limiting factors at this point of the season?

My guess is that these young linemen will take another step forward(hopefully) with another game and another week of practice....if not it may be an indicator of a mediocre season(7-5/8-4)….

I think most of us knew this going into the season yet are now shocked we aren't dominating lessor opponents into oblivion based on talent or a somewhat primitive offensive system .....

As far as DM's offensive system goes.....I never expected multiple playoff appearances so I guess I'm not as shocked by it's struggles...Still though we've got 10 more games this season till we decide to start shoveling dirt on it's effectiveness.

 

[78]

Also need a Percy on the edge, a Hernandez in the middle and a Murphy and Cooper on the outside. In other words, the stars need to align. That's not likely to happen with a roster full of 3 and low 4 star recruits.

True dat. There's only one Saban, one Dabo, one Urban. Guys who can coach, assemble coaching talent and recruit and recruit and recruit. Gotta have all three.

Mullen has yet to prove he belongs in that elite circle.

 

[G8trwood]

Now throw in the Gators seem to always start slow. Which is also on coaches and team leaders

 

[LongTooth]

It is what it is....a DM offense.

That said I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.
Has everyone forgot we are breaking in 4 new starters on the offensive line? Play calling by design or not(sandbagging) and co ordinating the new line(there are missed assignments on almost every play) may be limiting factors at this point of the season?

My guess is that these young linemen will take another step forward(hopefully) with another game and another week of practice....if not it may be an indicator of a mediocre season(7-5/8-4)….

I think most of us knew this going into the season yet are now shocked we aren't dominating lessor opponents into oblivion based on talent or a somewhat primitive offensive system .....

As far as DM's offensive system goes.....I never expected multiple playoff appearances so I guess I'm not as shocked by it's struggles...Still though we've got 10 more games this season till we decide to start shoveling dirt on it's effectiveness.

I think the o line is dictating what they can and can’t do. And the TEs also need work on their assignments too.

With smaller windows to maneuver, explosive players like Davis and Cope who have great vision need more touches so linemen and tight ends don’t have to try to hold blocks longer than they’re really able to right now.

I think the extra off week will be hugely important for this team as we try to fill gaps with younger and less experienced players. More time to gel.

Still see a step back to 7-5 or 8-4 as likely.

 

[UFHealthGator]

Side throws are essentially Mullen's ground running offense when the Oline has no push to create running lanes.

 

[Marine1]

It is what it is....a DM offense.

That said I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.
Has everyone forgot we are breaking in 4 new starters on the offensive line? Play calling by design or not(sandbagging) and co ordinating the new line(there are missed assignments on almost every play) may be limiting factors at this point of the season?

My guess is that these young linemen will take another step forward(hopefully) with another game and another week of practice....if not it may be an indicator of a mediocre season(7-5/8-4)….

I think most of us knew this going into the season yet are now shocked we aren't dominating lessor opponents into oblivion based on talent or a somewhat primitive offensive system .....

As far as DM's offensive system goes.....I never expected multiple playoff appearances so I guess I'm not as shocked by it's struggles...Still though we've got 10 more games this season till we decide to start shoveling dirt on it's effectiveness.

Way too reasoned and balanced......tighten up, Sir!

 

[Concrete Helmet]

And the TEs also need work on their assignments too.

As usual your post are spot on....I wouldn't mind seeing a double TE set here and there(regardless of down and distance0 as a decoy to get a guy like Grimes or Copeland one on one....

 

[Gator By Marriage]

If only Mullen could recognize #13 is actually Dan Marino in elevator cleats, it would all be fixed.

I wish. I’d like to think that if FF had that skill set, CDM would tailor his offense to suit. Marino had the quickest release I have ever seen. He single handedly lead the fins to victory over an 85 Bears team that was otherwise undefeated and virtually impossible to score on. I can only trust you were being facetious.

 

[78]

I wish. I’d like to think that if FF had that skill set, CDM would tailor his offense to suit. Marino had the quickest release I have ever seen. He single handedly lead the fins to victory over an 85 Bears team that was otherwise undefeated and virtually impossible to score on. I can only trust you were being facetious.

98% of my posts are. The other 2% are influenced by alcohol.

 

[SeabeeGator]

As usual your post are spot on....I wouldn't mind seeing a double TE set here and there(regardless of down and distance0 as a decoy to get a guy like Grimes or Copeland one on one....

Be honest, you’d like to see a power I, 3 yards and a cloud of dust type offense.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

Be honest, you’d like to see a power I, 3 yards and a cloud of dust type offense.

I wouldn't care if we ran a Winged T offense if I thought it would keep three quarters of the posters on this board away from the cliff after 2 games.....

Disclaimer.....My opinion is subject to change after the 3rd game.

 

[Homer J]

Be glad the CDM inherited Franks. I am so worried that we will go back to the days of having a running QB (Fitgerald @ MSU). I like the three QBs we have on this roster.