Olson's take
Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, In talking to backup quarterback Ben Olson after practice, he said one of the reasons the offense didn't look great was the installation of new things.
"We were doing some new stuff that was a little confusing," Olson said. "That's what spring ball is for. We can put all this stuff in and then we have a chance to keep gets reps on it over the summer. We were doing a lot of audibling, and a lot of checks that we hadn't done before. It wasn't pretty, but we were learning. Everybody was learning.
"It's kind of hard to play fast when you've got the wheels turning upstairs. You look at it on the chalkboard, but coming out here and doing it is another thing."
I get the impression that Olson isn't a very quick learner as a QB. he seems to take a long time to "get" something. but he's been playing qb all his life, and has a ton of time "in the saddle."
does Olson have what it takes "upstairs" to be successful in the P10?
Playing ball at this level is all about reacting, not thinking. The play is so quick there is no time to think.
With a new offensive coordinator implementing his own style (and plays) there will naturally be a learning curve. Fortunately there are over 4-months before the season is real. Olson is smart enough; he'll get it.
Tyler, Look at the numbers. In the last two years Pat has attempted 411 passes to Ben's 271. Pat has much more time "in the saddle." So I don't know why his rating is lower and his yards per pass are so much less than Ben's. Also, his statement as to why the offense sucks this year pretty much mirror's Ben's, although in typical Pat fashion, it wasn't expressed very well. So Can you explain why with all the time "in the saddle" Pat still isn't getting it? He must not be too bright...right?