Answer Caesar
Here's this week's reader question for USC coach Pete Carroll.
Q: Dear Coach Carroll:
In your press conference, you made the following statement: "We would like to function really well on both sides of the ball, really counting on defense to play solid again, and hopefully we can get good rhythm on offense.
What are the factors you see as to why the offense lacks rhythm? As a coach, what can you do to ensure that the offense plays with good rhythm?
A: You want to avoid feeling like you're starting and stopping a lot. You try to build confidence because when you are constantly starting over, you are unsure what you can do. We try to instill a tempo and confidence and consistency in practice. This year is similar to our first year with (John David Booty) at quarterback. If you work constantly on building these things in practice, you can make it second nature in games.
Love BS coach speak.
Thanks for selecting my question Scott. Your response to his answer should have been: "Coach, could you be more vague?"
It is football.
Sometimes you ask a question, but you aren't, because you feel you already know the answer.
Truth is it was a BS question. "What are the factors of rhythm?"
Here let me help.... When you have more points at the end of the game than the other guy does... that is good.
If you don't, hey, hope you had fun playing the GAME!
Carroll stated in his press conference that the offense lacked rhythm. The question merely asked why that was the case. Those factors might include personnel decisions, play calling, execution, penalties, etc. Saying that an offense has good rhythm merely because USC scores more points than its opponent doesn't answer the question, either. In the AZ and Cal games, USC's offense sputtered to score 17 points. But, why did it sputter? USC won those games because of its defense.
Part of the problem here might be in the use of the word 'rhythm.' I think 'consistency' would be a more precise word. A team wants to pile up those first downs and then convert when in the red zone, and do so on at least half of their possessions in a game. That way they will score close to 30. It is not the end (the points) so much as the process i.e. hanging on to that ball.
Now a team that reaches the zenith of consistency would be in rhythm. Seldom have I seen this. The last time was when BYU put 42-points on UGLA in the first half. That was the prettiest half of offensive football I have ever witnessed. The Cougs were so consistent that they were really in rhythm. In fact, it was a SYMPHONY!
USCMike: "Hey, that's four strikes in a row! Great Bowling Pete! To what do you attribute the your Rhythm? What are the factors?"
Pete: Stares at Mike. Takes long swig of beer contemplating a sarcstic remark. Then he politely replies,"You want to avoid feeling like you're starting and stopping a lot. You try to build confidence because when you are constantly starting over, you are unsure what you can do. I try to instill a tempo and confidence and consistency in practice."
Then Pete orders another beer.