Home > BLARRGH! > Archives > 2009 > September > 13 > Entry
Second & Never…
The morning after a tough loss is always a time to consider what might have been.
Although in this case, we might not want to go there.
The fifteen point loss to the Mountaineers was not as close as it appeared, and the statistics resembled more of the Pirates’ last visit to Morgantown than last year’s excellent performance in Greenville. Time and again the ‘eers’ miscues gave ECU sudden-change chances, but the Pirates were unable to capitalize. Going plus three in turnovers and losing by two plus scores reveals a game that was deceptively close and surprisingly frustrating.
West Virginia more than doubled the yards per play (3.5/7.5) and managed nearly twice as many first downs as the Bucs. Equally telling was the penalty yardage, the Mountaineers giving up nearly a half a field more in markers. But the ugliest of the numbers was the fourth quarter TOP, with ECU just managing over three minutes of clock. In second halves this season, the Pirate offense has yet to score a point.
Even still, ECU was down by only one at halftime, and therein lies the rub. For the third consecutive game (going back to last year’s Liberty Bowl loss to Kentucky) the Pirates have come out of the gate stumbling in the third quarter, particularly on offense. With four three and outs in the second half in each of the two games this year, a disturbing trend has developed.
What that appears to show is the lack of an imaginative offensive gameplan, or at least the addition of sufficient wrinkles to get ECU’s pool of talented playmakers in open space. If the Pirates’ notoriously conservative coaching staff feels compelled to keep the active playbook the size of a travel brochure, then it easily follows that this offense is going nowhere fast. That would portend a deeper issue with the confidence head coach Skip Holtz and Offensive Coordinator Todd Fitch have Patrick PInkney’s ability to run the show.
If I had to guess (and I’ve never been shy about guessing before) it’s a little of both. As Pinkney’s performance as waned to begin his sixth year senior season, it looks like the staff has tried to help by keeping things simple. It looks for all the world out there that this strategy has backfired, as Pinkney is allowed to do less when he’s needed more.
It’s also important to note that Patrick Pinkney, for the first time in his collegiate career, has all the pressure to perform placed squarely on his shoulders. With former backup QB Rob Kass moved to tight end (with limited success to date), Pinkney is bound to realize that the drop-off behind him, at least in game experience, is steep.
And while Holtz may have allowed the stigma of the two QB system to dictate his offensive philosophy, this team appears to have myriad options to get the ball downfield and create opportunities for game-changing plays. Occasionally including Kass and WR Dwayne Harris in direct snap sets could help to relieve Pink of some of the pressure, allow more options on offense and add a spark to an already beleaguered attack.
And it’s not too late. If ECU can pull off the upset of UNC-Ch this weekend, the Pirates 2-1 record from the first three games would still have them on course for an exceptional season. But as ten point underdogs, and against a formidable Tarheel defense, the time is now to take action.
Perhaps Holtz & Fitch still have a few tricks up their sleeves for unleashing the offense, but it’s gotten to the point now where they are going to have to pull a rabbit out of their hat.
Comments
By dalraypirate
September 14, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does Patrick seem to have a shock collar around his neck that goes off when he passes the line of scrimmage? We had a much better offense when he was allowed to run. It adds another dimension to our offense. Just look at the last two QB’s we have faced… a perfect example.
Go Pirates!!!!!