I like the hire of DC, but...

[wellpoke]

So I think hiring Christensen is a pretty good move. Obviously, the glaring problem we've had is offense, and he seems to be a very good offensive coach. He's been in the game a while, and obviously understands what it takes to recruit and be competitive at the D1 level.

But my question is this... Let's assume he wants to use a spread type offense at UW, which I'm all for. How long does it take him to upgrade the talent at the receiver slots? I firmly believe that our biggest problem over the past two seasons has not been QB play, but rather the receivers. Sloppy routes, no hands, dropped balls (and worse, tipped balls that go for INT's), lack of speed, all contributed more than anything to our offensive woes. Don't get me wrong, I think we could improve at QB, but any of our guys could be a passable QB in a spread offense, as long as they have some decent receivers.

Does DC go the Juco route to solve that particular problem, or are we looking at 2-3 yrs before he's really got what he wants in place?

GO POKES!

 

[PokeNer]

I think Christensen is the best hire Burman could have made.

Stewart showed some flashes towards the end of the year, and could be a good receiver in the spread offense. Bolling made some decent catches during the year, and may turn out to be pretty decent as well. The TE's also started to play pretty damn good the last few games and will figure to get a ton of balls in the spread O (see Chase Coffman and Rucker at Mizzou). I agree that our receiver talent is lacking, but at the same time I contribute a lot of those problems mentioned to coaching.

I expect to see an immediate improvement in offensive production (it definitely can't get worse) even with the offensive talent we have now. If Christensen keeps English and possibly Breske, even a moderate improvement on O, with the same D will translate into quite a few more wins.

BTW, watching Adam Barry during the spring game - the guy could be amazing in the spread offense. He also fits right into Chase Daniels mold, although probably a bit less agile (Chase Daniels - 6-0, 225; Barry - 6-1, 210)

From Barry's bio:

His senior year, his high school team switched to the spread offense, so he has experience running different offensive schemes. He played for head coach Tim Lins at Moorpark High.

 

[one-smooth-poke]

Great question. IMHO I think that we have some talent on this team at the receiver spot. Hopefully he can re-teach these players how to catch the ball. Hopefully the new receivers coach will teach them to run better routes. I know alot of people liked Glenn and Co., but I think there was a real lack of coaching ability on the team. Since there was such loyalty with the coaches, they knew that they were not in danger of getting fired individually, and thus did not coach as well as they should have. That is the real draw back with having such loyalty towards your coaches. As far as recievers, I think Stewart will turn out to be a good one. And, we certainly dont know what kind of kids there are in the wings that were red shirted. Time will tell. I also am not opposed to a coach bringing in some Juco players to fill in the gaps. I honestly think he has the mind set and ability to make an immediate impact and win alot more games. Hell, the big 12 conference recruits players and red shirts them when they could literally start for wyoming (thats how much potential those players have). I think he will bring some immediate impact players in that can start as true freshman.

 

[Dread_Pirate_Cowboy]

I'm not going to knock the guys we have. I think a new offensive staff can make the talent we have shine. Look at Malcom Floyd as example. He was pretty good at Wyoming, but is now an important part of an NFL team. Think maybe he could have been huge at UW with different coaching? How about Theo Ratliff. He was pretty good at UW and a great shot blocker. He goes on to make an NBA all-star game. He definately did not show NBA All-Star talent at UW. Think a coaches other than Benny and Joby could have brought more of that out at UW?

I think the new coaches will bring out some diamonds in the rough that we already have. Lets not forget how a lot of our guys look great as freshmen and just seemed to digress as they got older.

 

[Cornpoke]

I think the new coaches will bring out some diamonds in the rough that we already have. Lets not forget how a lot of our guys look great as freshmen and just seemed to digress as they got older.

Great point. Couldn't agree more.

 

[Fullback41]

I like the hire as well and as much as I would like to expect a bowl game next year, I know it will be tough with the harder schedule. But, I also think we could beat AFA, CSU, UNLV, and NM next yr if we change about 3 little plays per game. 7-5 would be a good first season, anything better than that would just be gravy. In fact, 5 wins would be a step in right direction and I could live with that for the first year, but would point out Calhoun and Fairchild did better in thier first years.

I also think that DC finishing out coaching Missouri to wins over OU and a bowl game could be great exposure for him/us in the eyes of recruits. I will be rooting for Missouri big time, hope they can pull a Boise St on OU.

OFF THE TOPIC, BUT CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW SOME JUSTIFY RANKING USC AHEAD OF UTAH? The MWC spanked the PAC-10 this year, the only common opponent beat USC and lost to Utah. With Oklahoma I get the bias but at least they can justify it by comparing TCU scores, and they play in the Big 12 South, but USC come on give me a break. As evidenced by losing to the Beavers, USC wouldn't have won the MWC this year in fact, they probably would have finished 3rd. With Florida, at least there are no common opponent so the bias is easier to justify, just can't get the USC thing.

 

[wellpoke]

I hope you all are right. I'll admit that I didn't follow the team as closely this year as in past years (new baby will do that), but I did watch most of the games. I just wasn't impressed with the receiving corps and was very frustrated with the seeming lack of talent and coaching.

I really do like the hire of Christensen, and I think he'll do plenty of good things at UW. I'm putting faith in you guys that he can take some of the guys we already have, coach them up, and bring out their potential. I just hope it's a relatively quick process and that we're not all waiting five more years. Here's to a good recruiting season, and a relatively quick turnaround!

GO POKES!