When Trestman took the job as the head coach of the Chicago Bears this off-season, it was assumed by many that the new boss, Dan Hawkins, would simply ask Calvillo to make a copy of the playbook he had been using for the last five years, give it to offensive coordinator Mike Miller and they would hit the ground running on day one of training camp. In theory, it was a good plan. AC had to know it well enough to teach the finer points to the coaches, who could then teach it to the rest of the team. It was a theory, however, that had one major flaw - it would require one of the best quarterbacks in CFL history to also become one of the best coaches. Trestman's student would now have to become the teacher and that is something that Calvillo is just not ready to do at this point in his career. This week, AC recalled those first three days of camp, saying, "the plan was to keep as much of the old playbook as possible, and in the first three days we tried to do that," he said. Then slowly shaking his head said, "but I could tell after three days that it wasn't going to work."
Interesting, although to a certain extent it's a bit of puffery. Of course Calvillo is going to be a good soldier and take responsibility, of course everyone is going to make excuses for Miller. But I want to ask: why were Miller and Hawkins unable to run the Trestman offense? Because neither man, from a football IQ standpoint, is capable of holding Trestman's jockstrap. And the fact that they waited until three days into camp to change things up? Bad optics. If you're the head coach, pick a direction and go with it. Commit to something; don't waffle.
Thanks . that is interesting.
Lots to read in between the lines, perhaps erroneously.
Did the old playbook not work because Calvillo had a difficult time being the instructor or not work because the coaches couldn't grasp it or buy into it? Or did Calvillo not really understand it, at least philosophically, and simply ran the plays?
At face value Calvillo is taking responsibility to now learn the new system and supports the coaches in it. Kinda scary to hear him say now , after 4 games, he has to learn it.
I do remember when Calvillo went to the coaches a number of years ago and requested that he not call plays. I think that was under Mathews who liked QB calling plays. Enough on his plate just in being the functionary.
I hope he does truly buy in. If this implodes it'll set the program back years. The Als need to be careful not to put all their eggs in a soon to retire player who has made it clear he does not want to coach in the future. At least he's on record as saying its his last choice on post playing career.
C'est tout de même paradoxal parce que Calvillo avait étudié pour devenir professeur.
Ce qui me sidère dans ces propos, c'est que ça veut dire que Miller et Hawkins ne se sont même pas donné la peine d'étudier attentivement le livre de jeux de Trestman avant le camp d'entraînement. Miller avait une des meilleures bases avec laquelle partir, et il n'a pas pris la peine de la maîtriser.
Really? I had no idea. That is really strange then!
It does seem like it’s possible Calvilo didn’t really understand the playbook beyond what he needed to know as QB. That being that he can execute the plays, but he doesn’t understand when to call which ones or how to modify them like a coach would. Given that he didn’t want to call his own plays and would rather let a coach do it while he executes, it seems to make sense.
That’d make it impossible for him to pass much on to Miller & Hawkins. You can’t teach something you don’t really understand yourself, and the part they’d need to know is the stuff he didn’t (Trestman knew it for him).
If that’s the case then the offense should improve as the season goes on and they adapt to Miller’s playbook. If they started that late it might also explain why there were obvious gaps early in the season (aka: lack of a QB sneak).
What I am wondering is this : Hawkins and Miller (and the rest of the coaching staff for that matter) were hired long before TC started.
If I am not mistaken, they held a mini camp (as they use to do when Trestman was HC) in Florida back in March time frame.
Would Miller and Hawkins not have thought to discuss the style of offense they wanted to try and implement at that point in time with AC as oppose to waiting until the start of TC.
Then three days into camp come to the conclusion to make a change all together?!
At least at that point back in March, they would have had time to work on the playbook before the start of TC and tweak it then, not 4 games into the regular season.
Assuming Schultz is concise... Having said that the way they took to the field lends creed to what he's reporting.
Its an epic failure from an organization standpoint and particularly damning of Hawkins who's only "real" job is to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and that what they are doing is up to standards.
Also highlight why I don't believe in this electronic commuting which just does not make sense from a productivity and efficiency standpoint.
You would think that would have been identified/decided during mini-camp or after mini-camp. Also what did these guys do during the off season. What playbook did they show up to camp with? Also when you piece that with the comments made by Miller that Calvillo was asked for his input and Calvillo just told them to pretty much do whatever they wanted.
How these guys were able to cut Porter and claim they had to spoon feed the players is laughable. They weren't ready to open camp !
This brings major questions.
What did they do all off season ?
Why this wasn't identified at mini-camp?
How could they cut Porter when they trashed their playbook after 3 days of camp ?
With about one-third of the season in the books, the Als have improved somewhat on O and on D. While running the table at 18-0 would be nice, it ain’t gonna happen this season!
So, the coahcing staff still has to view video from seasons past to learn what has worked in the Canadian game. Anthony is at his best with a two-step drop, and getting rid of the ball at the end of that two-step drop. That, Mr. Miller is what AC does best - use it! He is a rather old dog (pardon the metaphor!) and your new tricks ain’t working! For the two-step drop to work, however, the routes must be run accordingly. The run game, as per the last game, is starting to get on track and this must be part of the formula for success this season. More intermediate and long routes must also be part of the mix. The OC simply has to clue in what works in the CFL and what doesn’t; we have seen plenty of the latter.
So far, we have won two games by the skin of our teeth, and these may well have been Ls had the game lasted 2-3 minutes longer or had we been playing against stronger teams. I don’t think the season will be a total loss, provided the OC in particular devises schemes that play to AC’s strengths. If he doesn’t…well, it could be a long, frustrating season with changes on the coaching staff before October. Let’s hope the bye week will be a profitable one for coaches and players alike.
Indeed. Hawkins has a phalanx of coaches to take care of pretty much every aspect of the on-field product, yet he still failed at his only major responsibility: getting everyone on the same page, managing practices, etc.
You would think that would have been identified/decided during mini-camp or after mini-camp. Also what did these guys do during the off season. What playbook did they show up to camp with? Also when you piece that with the comments made by Miller that Calvillo was asked for his input and Calvillo just told them to pretty much do whatever they wanted.
How these guys were able to cut Porter and claim they had to spoon feed the players is laughable. They weren’t ready to open camp !
This brings major questions.
What did they do all off season ?
Why this wasn’t identified at mini-camp?
How could they cut Porter when they trashed their playbook after 3 days of camp ?
Tough questions and I agree that the more we hear, the more it looks like they weren’t ready to open camp and didn’t put in the work to ensure a smooth transition.
The same way Trestman borrowed Calvillo to address his QBS, why couldnt the Als arrange it for Miller to go down to Chicago for a few days and have Trestman work with him? Im sure it would not have been a problem for Trestman.
In any case, as laborious as it seems, I have confidence the Als offense will gradually improve. If the Argos lose tonight, we will be battling for sole possesion of first place next Thursday.
I even hold out hope of one day seeing an actual QB sneak with Marsh or Neiswander. Yeah I know I`m a dreamer.
Yes. Considering how much work the offense requires. There is no way Hawkins, Miller, Speckman and the crew on that side of the ball should have gone on vacation.
Last year they averaged 371 yards of net offense per game, this year so far 198. This one falls on Popp. He should have made it clear that he expected them to stay and put in the hours instead of going on holiday after two months on the job.
I understand guys make plans and have family but they broke the offense. Its their responsability to put in the time and fix it. The ramifications of this are too great.
