Fear

I think the root of the majority of our offensive problems can be boiled down to one thing...FEAR. From the middle of 2006 until last year, our offense had the experience and talent to impose itself on anyone. Last year's QB issues were a rude awakening for everyone. I think the staff was blindsided by how bad it got and I think it scared the hell out of them. They have completely gone into a shell since then. Other than the bowl game, we have had little to no offensive flow. At least last year we had a good enough O Line to run effectively and have some identity. Now we have lost that and the staff look lost. The tentativeness and lack of aggression we see at least partly stems from this. If the players feel it from the coaches, it will transfer onto the field. This whole offensive situation looks a lot less like Larry Coker than Phil Fulmer's last few years at UT. They lost their way in 2005 and Fulmer got scared and brought his buddy back to run the offense. He got scared again last year with Cutcliff gone and he hamstrung his new OC. That fear and reactionary thinking went a long way toward costing him his job last year.

It looks to me like Miles and Crowton are walking down the same road this season. They are too married to last year's identity to let it go even though it isn't working, and too afraid to take a chance on a new direction that will fit the current personnel. I have been a supporter, and if they fix it, I will continue to be on board, but they only have a small window of opportunity to fix the problems before the team loses faith in them. They have already lost a chunk of the fanbase that has just been waiting for Miles to slip up.

JJ proved yesterday that he can throw the ball effectively, even the deep ball, if he has adequate protection. He certainly isn't perfect, but he can do the job with a little help from the rest of the team. Sheppard also proved yesterday that he is a HUGE part of the future of the team. Crowton and Miles need to be brave enough to refocus the offense around these two and our WR talent and let that carry us. If the passing and creative running of these two are as successful as when given a chance to shine yesterday, then it will open up the middle of the field and help the O-Line and the RBs in the run game. The easiest path to success looks like it needs to go through these players. Is the staff brave enough to do it?