I don't think I would be very good offensive coordinator. I am too greedy and too anxious to score points so my starting quarterback would never leave the field unless he was injured or we were winning by a lot; and I mean a LOT of points.
I don't think I would be very good offensive coordinator because I am too easily influenced by what works or, to be more specific, what works for others should work for me.
For example, Jarious Jackson of the B.C. Lions had 362 yards passing in three quarters of work last week and he throws the deep ball a lot now. It definitely helps to have two 6'3” receivers in Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon.
But if I was an offensive coordinator, I would throw the deep ball a lot both against man coverage and zone. I know it's a high risk, high reward play but the reward changes the game and the risk is worth it.
That first completion to Simon changed the game for the Lions. Now, they did have a rookie safety to manipulate and some key moments of man-to-man coverage but the touchdown pass or the field position gained is so valuable that you have to try.
Henry Burris made it happen with his third quarter deep ball completion from his own 5-yard line to Jeremaine Copeland. And speaking of Burris and the Stampeders, the second thing I would do is exactly what Calgary did in the second possession of the first quarter… run no-huddle.
There is something about a no-huddle offence that creates urgency in an offence and hesitation in a defence. Now it is tough to run because plays are called at the line of scrimmage in a fast and concise way. The communication has to be crystal clear and everybody has to hear the same thing.
Also, snap count flexibility is tough. Usually you go on the first or second sound and because of that, trying to run an audible at the line of scrimmage is also very confusing. But just like the deep ball, the risk is worth the effort. Getting that first first down is the key because after that, you get in rhythm and on your way.
I think the reason the no-huddle works is that you're in such a state of concentration that you don't even think or worry about what the defence or specific players are going to do. You're in a constant state of doing and not reacting.
If I was an offensive coordinator, I would run no-huddle 50% of the time. It challenges the players and gives the game back to the most important player, the quarterback.
And finally, as an offensive coordinator, my quarterback would never come out of the game unless A: he got hurt or B: his confidence was shot or C: we had a major lead.
In Week 3, almost every back-up quarterback played, all for various reasons. In B.C., Jackson came in because Buck Pierce got knocked out. In Edmonton, Jason Maas played because the game was out of control. It was the same in Calgary with Barrick Nealy and Saskatchewan with Steven Jyles.
The one that was a complete surprise was in Hamilton where Kevin Glenn took over for Quinton Porter. It was surprising in that Porter was playing well. He was 16 of 23 for 189 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Good enough to play the second half but as head coach Marcel Bellefeuille explained, he was getting a lot of yards but no points.
Glenn came in and finished 11 of 19 for 145 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. It was a little bit of a courageous call by Bellefeuille but in the end, it worked. Would I have done it? No way. Porter would have started and finished the game.
Who is the best offensive coordinator in the CFL? Well, I know Scott Milanovich works for head coach Marc Trestman but I will say Trestman. Anthony Calvillo is 37 years old and playing his best football right now.
Montreal looks like, acts and generates the feel of what a pro football team should be: highly polished, consistent in execution and able to score a lot of points. Enjoy Trestman while you can because if he wins the Grey Cup this year, I think he will be gone next year. No inside information needed. It would just be a logical progression for a guy who is doing his job better than anybody in the league right now.
So give me an offensive philosophy that includes a lot of deep balls, a priority and consistent use of no-huddle, a quarterback who never comes out of the game and a Marc Trestman attention to detail and I will see you on the field in Calgary on November 29.