Will Golden always be this conservative?

[Notsince1985]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

 

[sebastian91]

to not going for it on 4th down (ever)

Ever?

 

[DeadPoets]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

Golden has gone for plenty of 4th downs. In fact, generally speaking, he's been very aggressive offensively in certain situations.

 

[Big Sky Cane]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

Golden has gone for plenty of 4th downs. In fact, generally speaking, he's been very aggressive offensively in certain situations.

The 4th down play at Duke is sticking out in peoples minds and rightfully so. I thought it was a terrible decision too but you're right, he has been relatively aggressive in most 4th down situations.

 

[Notsince1985]

to not going for it on 4th down (ever)

Ever?

Very rare

 

[Notsince1985]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

Golden has gone for plenty of 4th downs. In fact, generally speaking, he's been very aggressive offensively in certain situations.

Obviously, not ever, but I'd say he usually does not go for it. He did against Wake once, but punted 2 other times. He punted twice against UNC. He didn't go for it once against Duke. I don't count going for it against USF when we were trying not to embarrass them or against FSU when we were down 21 late in the 3rd.

Either way, not my overall point. He is conservative.

 

[DeadPoets]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

Golden has gone for plenty of 4th downs. In fact, generally speaking, he's been very aggressive offensively in certain situations.

Obviously, not ever, but I'd say he usually does not go for it. He did against Wake once, but punted 2 other times. He punted twice against UNC. He didn't go for it once against Duke. I don't count going for it against USF when we were trying not to embarrass them or against FSU when we were down 21 late in the 3rd.

Either way, not my overall point. He is conservative.

He went for it on 4th down in the 1st half of the FSU game down 21-7
28:30 mark


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juwDwY-UQrE


Over the years Golden has shown that he's not afraid to go for 4th down.

 

[sebastian91]

From playing seniors over younger more talented players because the older players are more likely to be in better position to make a play even if they won't make it (Highsmith), to not going for it on 4th down (ever) to basically saying that Williams is going to be the starter next year (yeah, I know, he said Olsen and Kaaya will have a chance, but I don't buy it) to the most obvious, the passive defense where is absolutely terrified of getting beat deep.

We keep saying his loyalty to Dorito will be his downfall, and while that's true, I think it's more than that. I think it's his conservatism and the fact that he coaches afraid. He needs to grow a pair.

Golden has gone for plenty of 4th downs. In fact, generally speaking, he's been very aggressive offensively in certain situations.

Obviously, not ever, but I'd say he usually does not go for it. He did against Wake once, but punted 2 other times. He punted twice against UNC. He didn't go for it once against Duke. I don't count going for it against USF when we were trying not to embarrass them or against FSU when we were down 21 late in the 3rd.

Either way, not my overall point. He is conservative.

I'd say that most coaches usually don't go for it, but I generally agree with your overall point. I think he does tend to be conservative. I don't think that's always a bad thing, but I wouldn't really call the offense terribly conservative. If anything, I wish the offense was more conservative to take advantage of our OL and RBs.

 

[NateDogg]

Yeh I can say I dont really disagree too often with golden's decision on go/dont go on 4th downs...who remembers this one?

it does bother me that he is more conservative than he is aggressive. since he's been here, it seems as if he is willing to allow the OC to choose the approach that is best in terms of aggressive vs conservative, but I'm sure he reserves the right (as he should) to override any calls. Just from judging by our offensive playcalling under Fisch and Coley, we have been pretty aggressive especially the last 2 yrs. I'm sure all of us have at one time or another second guessed a play call by either OC, but our offense has never been the issue here.

As for defensive play calling...jesus h...beyond conservative. And what kills me is we are conservative and still get beat down, I mean we choose death by 1,000 paper cuts instead of MAYBE getting caught with a serious stab...doesnt make any sense.

 

[OzarCaneSaw]

Suggestion for OP. Concede the 4th down issue. Otherwise, the AG defenders will argue that point ad nauseam in order to keep focus off the others.

 

[Bennubird]

Ok. If we're going to recast the question, how about will Golden ever be as aggressive on downs 1-3 and on defense as he purportedly is on 4th down?

And the answer remains no, he'll be exactly who he's shown himself to be to this point.

 

[Consigliere]

Let's address a few things individually:

1. 2014 QB Competition: At this point how could anyone really know how good any of these guys (Williams, Olsen and Kaaya) will be. We have only seen a few plays from Williams and nothing from Olsen/Kaaya at the college level. I would like to think Coach Golden will pick the guy who can best lead the offense and at this point how could anyone be assured that one guy is much better than another.

Next year you will have a Redshirt-Senior who has started games and played snaps at Miami versus a Red-shirt Freshman and another Freshman or two. I don't know why anyone could believe the answer is so clear cut with what is actually known of the 3 players.

My hope is that one guy clearly separates himself from the field because he is good and not because the others simply suck or are inexperienced.

2. Safety and playing Highsmith: Perhaps when there were two injured players (Bush and Rodgers) it made sense because Highsmith was an elder statesmen (even though he sucks) and may have been better than the freshman Carter. I don't know. I would rather go with Bush now or Carter and take our lumps. Play Highsmith is terrible.

3. I would say it is not conservative to stay loyal to Coach D when it goes against what is actually happening on defense.

4. Going for it on 4th Down, we have gone for it. The Crawford play comes to mind where he didn't convert on 4th down (against WF).

Here is MO on Duke and the 4th downs:

Miami (FL) at 2:47 3rd Quarter and 31-30
4th and 4 at MIA 44
- This one came after the fumble/bobble by Crawford, I believe punting and pinning them is the best thing to do even with our D.

Miami (FL) at 11:37 4th Quarter and 38-30
4th and 2 at MIA 42
- Technically it is still a one score game and there is plenty of time left. To go down 2 scores at this point of the game is killer. I think this is a 50/50 call, the reason I would go for it is because of the way things were going (i.e. they scored a TD on the previous drive after we did the same thing). Normally, I would punt but here and rely on the D but now I would go for it.


By conservative, do you mean foolish?

 

[Notsince1985]

Jesus Christ, harp one **** point much? How about looking at the overall issue? Golden is a very passive coach, who seems afraid to "get burned." He doesn't seem to have that gene that a Jimmy Johnson or Bobby Bowden had in numerous aspects of his overall coaching. I still think he's conservative with the 4th down calls, but I'll let that go since that apparently got everyone's panties in a wad. I still stand by every other point I put forward.

I have no problem if Williams wins it, but from everything Golden has said, he's basically won it. True freshman and redshirt freshman are good enough to start and even win and compete for Heisman trophies at other schools. I want Williams to start if he's better, not because he's older.

If Highsmith is better than Carter, Carter should quit football right now. Sorry, Highsmith is not a D-I player. Period. There are other examples at other positions too.

 

[Consigliere]

Jesus Christ, harp one **** point much? How about looking at the overall issue? Golden is a very passive coach, who seems afraid to "get burned." He doesn't seem to have that gene that a Jimmy Johnson or Bobby Bowden had in numerous aspects of his overall coaching. I still think he's conservative with the 4th down calls, but I'll let that go since that apparently got everyone's panties in a wad. I still stand by every other point I put forward.

I have no problem if Williams wins it, but from everything Golden has said, he's basically won it. True freshman and redshirt freshman are good enough to start and even win and compete for Heisman trophies at other schools. I want Williams to start if he's better, not because he's older.

If Highsmith is better than Carter, Carter should quit football right now. Sorry, Highsmith is not a D-I player. Period. There are other examples at other positions too.

Someone disagrees and they have their panties in a wad. Jesus, I am telling my mother and the mods. I am not defending Golden, just giving my thoughts.

4th Downs Specifically: I don't see terrible decisions for the most part, I suppose it can be seen as conservative but not sure how it is passive. When we took chances (i.e. WF) we didn't even do so well. The two 4th downs against Duke, do you really think JJ 100% goes for it with the ball on their side of the field and it being a one score game with plenty of time left (11 minutes). I thought the second one could go either way. The only reason it could go either way was because of the time we did it.

As for the QB starter: I don't know where Golden said Williams is the guy. Please show me these comments. It doesn't make sense for him to name any 2014 starter in the 2013 season.

Who said anything about whether they were good enough to start, win heismans etc.? For the most part they are inexperienced and I think that is pretty evident. Granted some redshirt freshman have shown up to dominate (Winston, Manziel, Marriotta), I think for the most part they are expected to redshirt their freshman year (Winston, Marriotta, Hundley and Manziel) and go from there.

How many true freshman actual start and do well at QB? Even Manziel, Marriotta, Hundley and Winston redshirtted. IMO this should be expected for most true freshman QBs (i.e. Kaaya next year and Olsen in 2012).

As for redshirt freshman, things seem to be changing but if Olsen is the next Winston, Marriotta or Manziel...I have a feeling that Olsen will start and this will be an easy choice for Golden.

Highsmith and the Safety Position: In general, it is a difficult position to step on the field and do well. This is why I don't think Carter should be expected to play....but I am not sure why Highsmith plays at all. I can't explain this and don't know why Golden does it other than Carter is a true freshman who may not be ready.

 

[Topgoon]

Jesus Christ, harp one **** point much? How about looking at the overall issue? Golden is a very passive coach, who seems afraid to "get burned." He doesn't seem to have that gene that a Jimmy Johnson or Bobby Bowden had in numerous aspects of his overall coaching. I still think he's conservative with the 4th down calls, but I'll let that go since that apparently got everyone's panties in a wad. I still stand by every other point I put forward.

I have no problem if Williams wins it, but from everything Golden has said, he's basically won it. True freshman and redshirt freshman are good enough to start and even win and compete for Heisman trophies at other schools. I want Williams to start if he's better, not because he's older.

If Highsmith is better than Carter, Carter should quit football right now. Sorry, Highsmith is not a D-I player. Period. There are other examples at other positions too.

It's likely that he wouldn't even start J. Winston if he had signed with Miami. He'd probably have to sit until Morris AND Williams were gone.

If I were an elite QB, I wouldn't even consider UM knowing that I'd have no chance to start until Golden's favorite QB graduates.

 

[Ned_Zawalski]

It's likely that he wouldn't even start J. Winston if he had signed with Miami. He'd probably have to sit until Morris AND Williams were gone.

If I were an elite QB, I wouldn't even consider UM knowing that I'd have no chance to start until Golden's favorite QB graduates.

Who is the J. Winston on our roster who should be starting over Morris?

 

[OzarCaneSaw]

It's likely that he wouldn't even start J. Winston if he had signed with Miami. He'd probably have to sit until Morris AND Williams were gone.

If I were an elite QB, I wouldn't even consider UM knowing that I'd have no chance to start until Golden's favorite QB graduates.

Who is the J. Winston on our roster who should be starting over Morris?

He's speaking hypothetically. Work on improving your reading comprehension.

 

[Ned_Zawalski]

It's likely that he wouldn't even start J. Winston if he had signed with Miami. He'd probably have to sit until Morris AND Williams were gone.

If I were an elite QB, I wouldn't even consider UM knowing that I'd have no chance to start until Golden's favorite QB graduates.

Who is the J. Winston on our roster who should be starting over Morris?

He's speaking hypothetically. Work on improving your reading comprehension.

How about losing the attitude, chief. If there is no one on the bench who is better than our current QB, then what evidence does he have to go by to say that Golden wouldn't start a Winston out of loyalty? Golden's loyalty to Morris is taking snaps away from _____________?

 

[OzarCaneSaw]

It's likely that he wouldn't even start J. Winston if he had signed with Miami. He'd probably have to sit until Morris AND Williams were gone.

If I were an elite QB, I wouldn't even consider UM knowing that I'd have no chance to start until Golden's favorite QB graduates.

Who is the J. Winston on our roster who should be starting over Morris?

He's speaking hypothetically. Work on improving your reading comprehension.

How about losing the attitude, chief. If there is no one on the bench who is better than our current QB, then what evidence does he have to go by to say that Golden wouldn't start a Winston out of loyalty? Golden's loyalty to Morris is taking snaps away from _____________?

Hahaha! Lose the attitude? You're asking him for the name of a back up when it's clear he was posting hypothetically. Do you even know what that word means? He was giving his opinion. He said "likely" and "IF" we had signed Winston and "probably". Chances are he feels there are players in OTHER positions who are playing based on seniority. So, maybe that's how you should couch your questions. To give examples in support of his opinion. SMH

 

[Notsince1985]

Jesus Christ, harp one **** point much? How about looking at the overall issue? Golden is a very passive coach, who seems afraid to "get burned." He doesn't seem to have that gene that a Jimmy Johnson or Bobby Bowden had in numerous aspects of his overall coaching. I still think he's conservative with the 4th down calls, but I'll let that go since that apparently got everyone's panties in a wad. I still stand by every other point I put forward.

I have no problem if Williams wins it, but from everything Golden has said, he's basically won it. True freshman and redshirt freshman are good enough to start and even win and compete for Heisman trophies at other schools. I want Williams to start if he's better, not because he's older.

If Highsmith is better than Carter, Carter should quit football right now. Sorry, Highsmith is not a D-I player. Period. There are other examples at other positions too.

Someone disagrees and they have their panties in a wad. Jesus, I am telling my mother and the mods. I am not defending Golden, just giving my thoughts.

4th Downs Specifically: I don't see terrible decisions for the most part, I suppose it can be seen as conservative but not sure how it is passive. When we took chances (i.e. WF) we didn't even do so well. The two 4th downs against Duke, do you really think JJ 100% goes for it with the ball on their side of the field and it being a one score game with plenty of time left (11 minutes). I thought the second one could go either way. The only reason it could go either way was because of the time we did it.

As for the QB starter: I don't know where Golden said Williams is the guy. Please show me these comments. It doesn't make sense for him to name any 2014 starter in the 2013 season.

Who said anything about whether they were good enough to start, win heismans etc.? For the most part they are inexperienced and I think that is pretty evident. Granted some redshirt freshman have shown up to dominate (Winston, Manziel, Marriotta), I think for the most part they are expected to redshirt their freshman year (Winston, Marriotta, Hundley and Manziel) and go from there.

How many true freshman actual start and do well at QB? Even Manziel, Marriotta, Hundley and Winston redshirtted. IMO this should be expected for most true freshman QBs (i.e. Kaaya next year and Olsen in 2012).

As for redshirt freshman, things seem to be changing but if Olsen is the next Winston, Marriotta or Manziel...I have a feeling that Olsen will start and this will be an easy choice for Golden.

Highsmith and the Safety Position: In general, it is a difficult position to step on the field and do well. This is why I don't think Carter should be expected to play....but I am not sure why Highsmith plays at all. I can't explain this and don't know why Golden does it other than Carter is a true freshman who may not be ready.

Yes, panties in a wad applies here when everyone freaks out about 1 part of a post, while ignoring the rest.
There have been numerous articles that have said that Golden is "opening" up the QB competition, but that everyone expects Williams to basically be handed the job. There are plenty of other freshman QB that start too besides the ones you listed, but QB is not the only position.