OK: Lets get this whole debate cleared up. I would like to know what you think and why :
Thanks.
This team (pre Tolliver) injury was picked by so called football experts to be tops in the East prior to season start. So did the Tolliver injury cause this turnaround? Or was it the Dyakowsky trade? A 1 player or 2 players move doesn't normally result in the type of catastrophic collapse we have seen. It has to be/ MUST BE dissection in the ranks in my opinion and until they straighten it out, there is no hope. The Hill move was BIG step 1 in this direction....... need some additional time for the other minds to turn around.
Looks to me to be first and foremost a coaching issue. Execution is a result of quality coaching and occasionally afflicts an individual player, not the majority of a team. Granted, it can effect new players, but that goes back to bringing on new players all the time.
In the interview with KA last week, he was asked if Jones would be calling the plays this game (Ottawa). KA laughed and said something to the effect of "you guys make way to much about the play calling. The focus has to be on execution" That thinking to me is laughable. There is so little connecting the two, other than the simplest play "might" get the best execution. Both are extremely critical, so why is KA trying to deflect attention on play calling all the time ? I just find it hard to understand how a head coach could utter those words and diminish play calling like he does.
Regarding play calling and coaching... I missed the Ottawa game, but in the 2-3 games prior, I noticed that Zach was not looking off receivers like he used to. It almost looked like he was told, this is the play, this is who it will be thrown to. Hopefully someone has caught on to that (since I am sure the D backs did) But watching his head, I could see him stare down a receiver from the snap and then throw to that guy into double coverage sometimes. I really think we have a heck of a good QB in Zach who is not performing right now and I don't think we need to look at Zach to understand the issues. His only issue is confidence and its more than just a win or two to change that.
For the record, Dyakowski was not traded, he was outright released by Hamilton. The Argos snapped him up and signed him to a two-year contract the same day.
Toronto then traded Dyakowski to the Riders for receiver Armanti Edwards who has played very well and filled an important role for the Argos: 492 yards on 39 receptions including 2 touchdowns in 8 games. An absolute gift via the Dyakowski release by Austin/Tillman.
Meanwhile Dyakowski is the starting right guard with the Riders and is playing like he did five years ago - he's having an all-star calibre season in my opinion.
You figure it out!
Our problems are primarily on offense. The defense has been recovering from a spate of injuries and will be fine provided the offense doesn't keep leaving them in poor field position at the start of drives
I think we have too many coaches on the offensive side of the ball.
Austin cannot, or will not, allow the offensive co-ordinator to do his job. Now we have an assistant coach who is also looking after the offense. It seems there is a lot of confusion.
It is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.
"Gel Time" is needed...making changes this time of the year just doesn't work...we have all seen it before. The defense is slowly coming but the offense needs some guidances...the biggest problem is the play calling...eg...2nd & 7 & ZC throws a 3 yd. pass....& how about going over the top down field?? I believe the coaches & players are sound but need time & guts!!
Sick of hearing this "we need time to gel" crap. It's the same thing that was said when Printers & Maas were here. Other teams don't have this issue, why do we?
The biggest difference in the Ottawa game is that Masoli went over the middle immediately and had success, while Collaros rarely did. I don't know if that's down to play calling, execution, or whether Zach for some reason is too quick to check down, but it was noticeable.
I too am disturbed about Austin trying to deflect the play calling issue.
You hear it said a lot that continuity is needed, particularlywhen a unit makes a number of changes.
When I have a new co-worker, or I'm working in a new office, which happens about every couple of years in my job, I need time to adjust to surroundings, learn the new rules and customs of the facility, find out whatthe strengths and weaknesses are of those around me, since we need to co-ordinate our abilities.
Initially, there will duplication of effort,missed or messed up assignmentsand miscommunication amongst us until we are educated to each other and what our roles are.
Even within smaller groups of a unit, linebacking, secondary, Dline, Oline quarterbacks, receivers and RB's, there is required some cohesion, communication and understanding. Sometimes, it can be quick and other times slower, depending on the individuals involved. After all,not everyone learns at the same rate or in the same way. But, it stills takes time to happen.
That, I believe, COULD be what is missing here.
Not enough talent? Perhaps. I'm not a coach.
For us to sit afar from the team and judge someone else, especially those who are there DAILY and are privy to game films,meetings, planningand practices that we can't attend, and who have experience and knowledge beyond us, is like blindly walking into an abyss.
Your analogy is not totally accurate, IMO. I too have moved often at my job & yes, you have to get accustomed to a new environment. However, I would venture to say that position groupings on a football team receive a far higher level of day to day coaching than the average adult in the workplace, and it's likely more indepth supervision than most of us get at our jobs as well.
I truly believe that the O line coaching at least, is substandard on our team, and while I have not doubted Austin before this year, I have my doubts about him as well now.
"Your analogy is not totally accurate, IMO. I too have moved often at my job & yes, you have to get accustomed to a new environment. However, I would venture to say that position groupings on a football team receive a far higher level of day to day coaching than the average adult in the workplace, and it's likely more indepth supervision than most of us get at our jobs as well.
I truly believe that the O line coaching at least, is substandard on our team, and while I have not doubted Austin before this year, I have my doubts about him as well now."
I'm sure they receive a sufficient amount of coaching, but that can't replace actual game time, when things are happening at a much faster pace and you won't be able to stop for corrections. That is why they have exhibition games during training camp.
Could it be a coaching or talent issue on the Oline? Don't know, like I stated, I'm not there to observe close up.
Peter is doing well in Saskatchewan. Is it because there he has better coaching, schemes, teammates??
Kind of the same question....
Collars rarely had success? Who was it that threw the perfect pass to Banks that resulted in a 14 point swing against us? Banks makes catch and surely scores and we aren't having this discussion.
ZC throws a 3yd pass on 2nd and 7 because maybe that's all he sees! Receiver availability should improve next game with Collins. Let's see how that goes. If it doesn't then ?
Are you referring to the pass that Jeremiah Masoli threw and Brandon Banks bobbled? While I agree that if Banks had made the catch, the progress of the game would have changed, and maybe even the outcome, but credit goes to Jeremiah, not Zach, for that particular throw.
- That Gel Time saying always brings a laugh to me.
Can never forget back in the late 60's, that was the late TiCat HC Joe Restics favourite saying,
that his "Flare Control" offence was going to work !! It only needed more time for the Offence
to "Gell" 
Unfortunately, it didn't and good old Joe ran out of time as our HC !!
Sorry man, Masoli threw that pass.
Again, other teams don't seem to have this issue. The fact that players leave this team eg. Dyakowski, Lewis & Simmons on the O line & go elsewhere to have success leads me to believe that the problems on our O line come down to either coaching, schemes or a combination thereof.
I don't know what the right answer is, but only 30 people have voted, so I don't this really indicates what "the fans" think. It certainly wouldn't be enough to affect the decisions of anyone in a position to make them.
Seymour: Looks like the canny Jim Popp is behind all this. Smart move. Pete should send him a Christmas card this year for allowing him to re-start his football career.
relic: Gee thanks. 
You just ruined my day.
When I checked out this thread and saw the poll results, it indicated that no-one so far has checked the "gel" option.
My heart was glad. I thought..finally fans realize that (at 0-8!) we have a serious coaching and execution problem. But the joy disappeared when I started reading some of these posts.
So..... back to reality with a jolt. 19 losses and 7 wins since July 2016 apparently is NOT cause to make any major changes at this time. Or be critical of the coaching.
Consider: Wally Buono gave Mike Benevides (33 wins and 21 losses over 2 seasons!) the boot. Then he gave Jeff Telford the boot after one season (2016) where his record was 7-11. The same as Austin's last season and before the 0-8 debacle so far this year. Too bad we don't have Wally Buono overseeing our coaching.But there I go again. Complaining .....when all we need to do is tinker a bit and not criticize Austin.