You think about it, for almost his entire career at OC, Tim had athletic QB's who were largely run first people, if not 50/50 type guys. Few real drop back QB's, so I would say you are on to something, that Navarro fits with what Tim has always been more comfortable with. And big kudos to adjusting to the talent vs, thinking the talent should adjust to the scheme.
I agree. Ohio's offense wass designed for QBs who can run. Kudos to the staff for being willing to adjust it a lot to make it work with Kurtis, but in the end, it just wasn't quite as effective. I'd like to see them add a dual-threat QB or two before the February signing period.
He's done best with the 50/50 type guys like Nathan and Tettleton. Rourke was splitting time with Rogers two years ago because they were trying to force a square peg in a round hole. The defensive struggles forced us to open up the playbook last year. I am not sure that the staff realized what they had until the Fordham game last year. Then it was full speed ahead. I think his limited camp led them to ease him back in and by that time they realized that they might be better off being more conservative on offense than in 2022 because the defense was one of the better G5 units.
Rourke made a comment when he signed with Indiana about getting a chance in a pro-style offense. I'd bet that he was a little bit disturbed that we never went into air-it-out mode this year but his play also wasn't quite what it was going into 2022 even with all of the runs helping keep the defense honest. But I'm not sure that even could be expected to help his efficiency. I'm not one to usually criticize coaches in this manner because I know that I am a blithering idiot when it comes to the fine details of football compared to them. But I think our internal self scouting on our own play calling this year was very poor. I think that the opposing defense knew most of the time when we were going to run and when we were going to pass. Even though Rourke threw in less than in 2022 it didn't help is efficiency. I think that a lot of the time he was throwing into a defense expecting him to pass.
I think the comment about "pro-style offense" relates more to the style of offense than run-pass mix. Once of the knocks on Nathan Rourke was that he played in a read-option offense and never took a snap under center. I think Kurtis felt the need to add skills that would make him more attractive to NFL teams.
As for the Albin's offensive preferences, it is clear that he wants a run-heavy team with an option QB. Look back at who they have recruited in the past 10-15 years--largely run QBs. Kurtis was not a big recruit and was here largely due to his brother. Sprague was a walk-on and somewhat of an exception. From what I remember, Duckworth was the only real pro-style QB recruited. All the transfers--Bates, Rogers and Navarro--were run-first QBs.
My main gripe about the Rourke situation was that he is an NFL-level talent and in his fifth year the staff did not have a plan to maximize that talent.
Just curious where you seen him as an NFL talent? I have not seen that anywhere, most if he gets an opportunity, its as an UDFA. Nothing wrong with that, he's a very good person, been a great Bobcat, but I am not sure where the NFL talk is really coming from. I wish him the best at IU, being a new staff and lots of new QB's in the room, I hope this works out for him and he has an outstanding year. But right now, he's going to need to worry about being the starter and nothing further down the road.
Even further if you know much about Cignetti, he is very flexible on scheme, and has publicly stated his scheme will be based off his personnel. So, I do not think it's even locked in what they are looking to do yet.