Alright, let's hear your Heaps assessments

[oxcoug]

I've heard a legitimate criticism of Anae's play calling. The reason it is legitimate to me is twofold. (1) The criticism is from a consensus all-american QB who played at BYU, played in the NFL, and is very invested in BYU football and (2) the criticism is not the second guessing we are seeing from idiots like the bleacherreport guy.

This former QB said that Anae made quite a few critical play calling mistakes by choosing plays with only low percentage audibles and formations with limited options on critical downs. The choices led to situations where BYU had only a few plays they could run out of a formation or they had a play that might not work depending on the defense and the alternative plays were low percentage options.

Frankly, this type of criticism sounds valid to me. I've always been a staunch Anae defender based on the impressive statistical run he has had at BYU. Basically, his offense has been stellar for a lot of years with different players and the players he coaches directly have been unexceptional from a recruiting standpoint but end up in the NFL. That said, I have noticed that we are often in low percentage plays and often seem to have our plays "sniffed out" by people who prepare well for us. This concerns me a lot more than the nonsense about 4th and inches (Bronco's call) and running out the clock to set up a field goal (again Bronco's call and I agree with it). It also concerns me a lot more than the accurate and correctly attributed criticism that Anae is too much in love with the spread formation and throwing the ball all over the place.

As I've noted previously - the notion that the Anae critiques are coming from rabidly ignorant fans is completely wrong. At least three offensive BYU players currently in the NFL are on the record (in an off-the-record way). The opinion you've cited here echoes what I know a couple of them have said.

I also watched one game this season with a former BYU wide receiver (a starter in the 80s, though I prefer not to narrow it beyond that) who made similar comments during the game.

It's easy to see that there are rabid idiots clamoring to set a date to roll Anae to the guillotine - but it's also easy to dismiss the considerable number of legitimate criticism made by informed people who know the intricacies of offense at this level.

[SoCalCoug]

I've heard a legitimate criticism of Anae's play calling. The reason it is legitimate to me is twofold. (1) The criticism is from a consensus all-american QB who played at BYU, played in the NFL, and is very invested in BYU football and (2) the criticism is not the second guessing we are seeing from idiots like the bleacherreport guy.

Is it Detmer trying to create a job opening?

This former QB said that Anae made quite a few critical play calling mistakes by choosing plays with only low percentage audibles and formations with limited options on critical downs. The choices led to situations where BYU had only a few plays they could run out of a formation or they had a play that might not work depending on the defense and the alternative plays were low percentage options.

I wish I could say this is what I meant. But I don't have the football knowledge to have said this (or even really understand it). But it sure seems consistent with the predictability that I've been complaining about. And the inability of Anae to make good adjustments mid-game.

[KillerDog]

As I've noted previously - the notion that the Anae critiques are coming from rabidly ignorant fans is completely wrong. At least three offensive BYU players currently in the NFL are on the record (in an off-the-record way). The opinion you've cited here echoes what I know a couple of them have said.

I also watched one game this season with a former BYU wide receiver (a starter in the 80s, though I prefer not to narrow it beyond that) who made similar comments during the game.

It's easy to see that there are rabid idiots clamoring to set a date to roll Anae to the guillotine - but it's also easy to dismiss the considerable number of legitimate criticism made by informed people who know the intricacies of offense at this level.

The problem I've had with most criticisms in the past is that they weren't even logical or consistent. The lack of logic and consistency made me believe the person stating the opinion was too stupid to listen to. Now that I've finally heard an opinion that makes logical sense, I'm concerned.

That said, I'm not sure you couldn't have the same criticism of any offensive coordinator. They all make bad calls. Same with defensive coordinators. Is Anae sack worthy? Absolutely not. Recall that he has only been an OC for 5 or 6 years. Is it possible he should start looking for an HC job somewhere else so his development can continue? Yes.

[Indy Coug]

I thought Heaps played well enough he should have been allowed to carry more of the offensive burden Saturday. I'm optimistic for his future.

[KillerDog]

Is it Detmer trying to create a job opening?

I hate it when people try and fish for who said what when it is clear this is not the forum to share.

I wish I could say this is what I meant. But I don't have the football knowledge to have said this (or even really understand it). But it sure seems consistent with the predictability that I've been complaining about. And the inability of Anae to make good adjustments mid-game.

There was no criticism of Anae's ability to make adjustments or complaints about predictability. There was a criticism that he has formation and sets that are limited (which is common) but that he was using those in critical and therefore risky situations that required exceptional ability to execute.

[BigPiney]

I thought Heaps played well enough he should have been allowed to carry more of the offensive burden Saturday. I'm optimistic for his future.

I agree. I was impressed under the circumstances.

[oxcoug]

The problem I've had with most criticisms in the past is that they weren't even logical or consistent. The lack of logic and consistency made me believe the person stating the opinion was too stupid to listen to. Now that I've finally heard an opinion that makes logical sense, I'm concerned.

That said, I'm not sure you couldn't have the same criticism of any offensive coordinator. They all make bad calls. Same with defensive coordinators. Is Anae sack worthy? Absolutely not. Recall that he has only been an OC for 5 or 6 years. Is it possible he should start looking for an HC job somewhere else so his development can continue? Yes.

My feeling/theory is that Anae has a low ceiling when it comes to his potential growth and learning as an OC - he played or coached the OL for 20 years of his life and I think he's absorbed certain ways of thinking and being that tend to emphasize technical mastery and execution to the near-exclusion and lack the innovative edge that makes great OCs great.

This quote from Chris Petersen in USA Today kind of exemplifies the awareness that I think great OCs possess and good OCs (like Anae) don't - "....I had an epiphany. Bam! I started realizing game-plan wise, there wasn't enough creativity. I started looking at things a different way. We need structure, we need order, we need schedules and we need our system taught a certain way. But within that there needs to be a creativity to keep growing, to keep the energy and the enthusiasm. What new wrinkles do we need to make us better? I think that's one of the reasons we're not afraid to take chances and do different things. We have to do that to be who we are."

He's not talking about hook-and-lateral gimmickry here, but systemic innovations that keep a system ahead of the people that are gameplanning for you.

I don't claim that my assessment of Anae is definitely accurate but I feel it's consistent with what I see him doing with most gameplanning and playcalling.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I thought Heaps played well enough he should have been allowed to carry more of the offensive burden Saturday. I'm optimistic for his future.

I will say that I am greatly relieved they did not let him throw to the end zone to end the first half. I was utterly shocked they ran it up the middle three times then kicked a field goal. It was as if they were practicing the end of the game.

Heaps has a good amount of poise and confidence. He is a very good 'get' for BYU. I wish he had stayed near home to play at UW. I like when local in-state kids do well (a la Kellen Moore...). He would be phenomenal with the kind of athletes the Huskies typically get, and Sarkisian is a far better QB developer than any coach he will ever encounter at BYU.

As it is, unless BYU can get some Dennis Pitta, Ben Cahoon, Austin Collie, Chad Lewis, and Harvey Unga caliber players I fear he may end up as a great BYU qb but a footnote otherwise.

[statman]

As it is, unless BYU can get some Dennis Pitta, Ben Cahoon, Austin Collie, Chad Lewis, and Harvey Unga caliber players I fear he may end up as a great BYU qb but a footnote otherwise.

I think they're already close to that. Look at the receivers BYU'll have next year.

[jay santos]

He would be phenomenal with the kind of athletes the Huskies typically get, and Sarkisian is a far better QB developer than any coach he will ever encounter at BYU.

As it is, unless BYU can get some Dennis Pitta, Ben Cahoon, Austin Collie, Chad Lewis, and Harvey Unga caliber players I fear he may end up as a great BYU qb but a footnote otherwise.

As opposed to Jake Locker?

[Hot Lunch]

This former QB said that Anae made quite a few critical play calling mistakes by choosing plays with only low percentage audibles and formations with limited options on critical downs. The choices led to situations where BYU had only a few plays they could run out of a formation or they had a play that might not work depending on the defense and the alternative plays were low percentage options.

Does this former quarterback understand BYU's offense that well to be able to make this observation? I would think that the only former quarterback that has that good of understanding of BYU's O is Brandon Doman.

[NorthwestUteFan]

As opposed to Jake Locker?

No I refer to John David Booty, Matt Leinert, Carson Palmer, etc. He only got Locker late in his career.

If Sarkisian had kicked the chipshot field goal instead of going for it on 4th down near the end of the 1st half, he would have been in a better position to tie at the end of the game, when all momentum was going Washington's way. You would have a different opinion of Locker and would be making coming off a 5-7 season.

For that matter, if Bronco did the same thing on Saturday the game wouldn't have been a miracle. As it was, I am just glad to see which team was living right on and off the field.

Jake Locker is a definitive spread-option QB who is deadly when using his feet, similar to Colin Kaepernick. Watch his game-winning drive against Cal for further reference. He is a stud runner.

Unfortunately the Huskies tried to mold him into a pocket passing QB. The way the Huskies have recruited recently leaves a perfect setup for a solid pocket QB with strong arm, good vision, and the confidence to check down on his receivers. Jake Heaps would have fit the mold perfectly and would likely have been very successful.

Add in a SOPHOMORE running back with back-to-back 1000 yard rushing seasons and speedy receivers like Jermaine Kearse, and it is more obvious that he could have been the missing link to something spectacular.

Heaps is a talented QB with all the physical tools to do the job. I hope he hasn't wasted his parents' $100k private coaching 'investment'.

[KillerDog]

Does this former quarterback understand BYU's offense that well to be able to make this observation? I would think that the only former quarterback that has that good of understanding of BYU's O is Brandon Doman.

That's a great question. I don't have an answer to that.

[Coach McGuirk]

No I refer to John David Booty, Matt Leinert, Carson Palmer, etc. He only got Locker late in his career.

If Sarkisian had kicked the chipshot field goal instead of going for it on 4th down near the end of the 1st half, he would have been in a better position to tie at the end of the game, when all momentum was going Washington's way. You would have a different opinion of Locker and would be making coming off a 5-7 season.

For that matter, if Bronco did the same thing on Saturday the game wouldn't have been a miracle. As it was, I am just glad to see which team was living right on and off the field.

Jake Locker is a definitive spread-option QB who is deadly when using his feet, similar to Colin Kaepernick. Watch his game-winning drive against Cal for further reference. He is a stud runner.

Unfortunately the Huskies tried to mold him into a pocket passing QB. The way the Huskies have recruited recently leaves a perfect setup for a solid pocket QB with strong arm, good vision, and the confidence to check down on his receivers. Jake Heaps would have fit the mold perfectly and would likely have been very successful.

Add in a SOPHOMORE running back with back-to-back 1000 yard rushing seasons and speedy receivers like Jermaine Kearse, and it is more obvious that he could have been the missing link to something spectacular.

Heaps is a talented QB with all the physical tools to do the job. I hope he hasn't wasted his parents' $100k private coaching 'investment'.

He recieved Locker after his soph. year. That is too late?

[Hot Lunch]

That's a great question. I don't have an answer to that.

I just don't see anyone former BYU quarterback besides Doman having that type of insight to the offense let alone the audibles for certain plays. Audibles change from week to week based on the defense. I understand Detmer has an incredible knowledge of the game but I find it hard to believe that he knows the current offense well enough to give these assumptions. Especially the audibles and when Heaps should have checked out and what he should have checked out to.