I’d like to call this the Bowers Effect. Note that things drop off not with Bobo Year 1, but year 1 post Bowers.
Or maybe it’s the offensive line. I’m no football expert, so I don’t know.
What I do know is we have a stable of great tight ends, so maybe let’s use them a little more in 2026.
I’d call in the Coley effect.
It’s the combination of offensive line and 19.
In ’23 there was a large number of returning offensive players (not just 19) and Bobo called “more” of Monken’s plays/motions. In ’24, the play calling was much more “Bobo-style”; less pre-snap motion, less crossing routes, less use of TE in general (to shore up the OL). It also didn’t help that our WRs led the nation in dropped passes.
In ’25, the OL injuries/Rotation and Gunner’s scrambling/runs are the main culprits in my opinion – along with 727(exaggeration) screen passes.
The bigger picture question is not if we have the talent or the coaching, but are we evolving or regressing. Plenty of excuses for why our previous success is not being fully repeated. Monken updated our offense and should get credit for the talent on hand and how he used it. I’m not a Bobo hater but I don’t believe he’ll bring the necessary innovation needed even within our style of play to move us forward. We had a GREAT season but we can’t sit still.
Derek, I know you’re now triggered but this is an opinion not a fan trying to tell Kirby what to do, just an observation. Take a breath before hopefully not responding. 🤣
Schumann on the other hand needs to buy in to bringing more pressure! 😎