Offensive Mutiny--a theoretical analysis

Ok, so here's a working theory of mine (warning, it's long). It may not be popular and maybe someone else has touched on it in other posts, of which I dont always get around to, particularly in all the gazillion "Anae must go" posts.



There is a Mutiny going on and it starts with The offensive line. It seems they are at times almost distinterested or at least only marginally committed to whats going on offensively. And, I blame the "leader" of the line, our offensive captain--that's right ladies and gents, our lone NFL talent--Mr. Matt Reynolds (why not, everybody else has been blamed--so let me blame the least obvious).

Points to consider:

1. Speredon is more of a vocal and spirited leader than Matt in almost all situations I have seen where it was called for. I understand Matt is not very vocal in general, but this offensive mess, for someone who should still care, calls forth and requires him to be vocal and unifying. "Quiet leadership has lapsed into "quiet desperation" and called forth others to lead this offense (Speredon and probably JJ)

2. I rarely, if ever see Matt supporting Heaps, coaching him, guiding him, picking him up after a sack, or patting him on the shoulders after a bad play. MOre fall-out from a protracted QB controversy--that may go on for another year? I don't think he blocks as spirited for Heaps and he doesnt require it of his O-line. JJ is a far larger voice and support to Heaps than anyone else I have seen.

3. Watching Matt and a few other linemen on the sideline huddles--after an offensive series--he is checked out or on a different planet. Is this hopelessness? Protest? Sabotage? mutiny? Is this fall-out from locker-gate and a cocky, overhyped, under-performing, group of receivers?

I know it may sound lame, but from my row 17 seats on the East stands, I am fairly close, and yes, I confess, I bring my mini pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of the coaches reactions on both sides of the ball and even coaches from the other team, injured players, etc. Multiple times I see Matt and others disinterested and checked out of what's being talked about.

4. Under Bronco's DC watch, THe defense has the same players--arguably less talent now with the loss of a few starters, only a slightly more aggressive scheme, but performs considerably better. Why? As many have posted, attitude, spirit, unity, aggressiveness, measured risk, LEADERSHIP--Bronco's leadership. And as that "fly-wheel" has generated inertia, it seems almost like a different defensive team altogether.

5. The offense lacks attitude, spirit, unity, scheme, playcalling, performance, and yes, LEADERSHIP. They do not have it on the field! They do not have it on the sidelines!

6. As a result I am led to believe that Coach Reynolds is leading the offensive crew nigh unto mutiny in collusion with the one person who should be and is the most influential (because of his lack of influence) on the field--his son, Matt Reynolds. AND, its not like I cant agree with Matt or Coach Reynolds either. This has been an offensive (pun intended) mess and debacle since spring. And he simply seems to show very little heart or hope. And for a high character guy, that has got to be very demoralizing to him and his Oline.

7. The O-line plays awfully spirited in the run and I-formation. Is this merely because its the most effective? Or the least ineffective? Maybe. Is Kariya that good? Maybe. The O-line certainly shows up on these plays. Doman said the playcalling "went away" from what was planned--which translates, ANAE went away from what was planned. IMO, the offense is showing their "NO Confidence vote" by not playing all the downs with the same unity, commitment and effort and those are big reasons why we are so ineffective. I mean, its almost an offensive meltdown--13 yards in the first half, among many other examples. They are however, showing unity around the I-formation and that's why it works. Is this a RUN vs PASS Mutiny? Is this an ANAE ("I'm the OC")vs Reynolds ("ive been here longer, you jerk") battle? Is this a Freshman vs UpperClassmen?

8. Oneil is gone. The vocal scapegoat? MAybe. The great agitator on offense (wanting pass not run)? The great TO-Ocho divider? Sounds like it. I Feel bad for the guy, but clearly there has been little to no leadership to contain Ocho CHambers and near total ineptitude offensively; and finally, heads start rolling. Sad day (probably not unwarranted after the third strike) for O'neil and BYU. He's the "identified patient", the scapegoat for a very dysfunctional family on the offensive side of the ball, while others still work their dysfunctional ways.

9. Anae is back on the field this year, because all he has to do is shut off his headset to shut down Coach Reynolds instead of sitting next to him up in the booth where their marital discord and offensive differences were right in his face, constantly reminding, and he couldn't "concentrate on play-calling" (TIC). So, Matt lives out the family dysfunction on the field by not committing "all in."

10. And what's Anae going to do, bench his All-American candidate, your only NFL talent? NOt a chance in Haites--and it is Haites lately in CougarCity! That would cost Anae his job. So, Anae tolerates less than "all in" performances from MAtt and the O-line. What happened to this pre-season hyped, stellar O-line? Besides, who does he have to replace MAtt? BTW, does anyone think that MAtt is having an "All-American" year? Alot of O-line performance isnt immediately visible to most fans, like a QB, WR, or RB, but Matt doesnt seem to be making alot of noise.

11. And finally, Bronco's leadership to allow his Sr management (DC and OC) and this team to get this bad. He will right the ship, I have faith and confidence--especially as evidenced by the defensive rebound. But this team has taken a huge beating and hopefully it doesnt take a second coming of Bronco and 2 or 3 years to help this team "un-learn" losing and climb out of the abyss, ala post-Crowton years--hopefully the next several weeks help begin that healing process. The D is on the right path, The O is divided onto multiple paths and STILL mired in dysfunction and disarray.

I wonder that if in this day and age of hyper-competitive collegiate football, if the LaVell Edwards brand of coaching, which Bronco morphed into, that of delegation and spiritual leader, is no longer tenable? Or if Bronco just delegated TOO much, gave too much rope away to his leaders to hang themselves? Not sure. Or, if he just had the wrong people on the wrong seats or even the wrong people on the bus altogether? Wrong People vs Wrong Head coach philosophy (at least not the most effective philosophy)? I know there are few true dichotomies in this world--few "all or nothing" scenarios, so probably a combination of both. We'll see if the "ship gets righted" against a few weaker opponents. Here's hoping.



Ok, this has probably been near insufferably long. Interested in your reactions, additions, disagreements.

Maybe Bronco needs to have the other coaches report more on their areas instead of turn lose and forget about them. I don't know maybe he does.

Bronco made comments after the TCU game that he clearly sees what the identity of his team offensively should be. He stated that BYU is a power team, with play action. It is in print now. Question is, does Coach Anae see this as well? If not, he is building his own coffin. And from what I heard about practice yesterday, it was more of the same, and Coach Anae has made no changes.



If BYU does not play power football Saturday v. Wyoming, tries to run and pass from the spread too much, dude deserves to be fired because he is either incompetent or too stubborn and arrogant to make obvious changes that his HC called for, and all fans can clearly see.

Spot on, Lawboy, he's giving him "hints" and lets see if he takes them... I'm sure he gives him less "subtle" hints behind closed doors, hopefully it's enough to see a change.

Great posts. My first reaction to the receiver drops a couple games in was (surprisingly even to me) that they simply didn't care. I think that we are seeing that indeed that is the case and may be part of a larger agenda to get some people fired from the staff. Oh the drama...any chance ESPN is in on this stuff too?

Mutiny in football is something I have never been able to understand.



Why would a players not give all they have on every play? In Reynolds' case, it may cost him millions of dollars and an NFL career. Is getting Anae fired or your dad a promotion worth that?



How do you expect others to give you better opportunities? You show you are not a team player. That you want things your way. Why would an NFL team reward that kind of attitude? Isn't your value more when you actually play your best even under bad circumstances. College is only 4 years. Contracts in the NFL end. At that point you are done with that situtaion, give yourself the most/best options at those points, rather than get an immediate/less desireable fix by forcing a situation.

There could be some real truth to this, especially if their is a lack of respect toward Anae from the players. Who wants to go to war for someone who treats them poorly, or seems to not know what is going on?

A significant player on the team this year had such a poor experience with Anae when he first started at BYU that he almost quit the team. And this player NEVER talks about anyone on the team. He only became loose-lipped in a rare moment of frustration.

Reynolds has been awful this year, from what I see. I believe he had three false starts in the USU game alone, and he has had others. He's a junior, and an all-American, and sure-bet NFL guy??? Are you kidding me, I wouldn't draft a guy like him ever, after a year like this. The can lose a lot of games, but his play should be near flawless, he should rarely if ever get beat, he should have zero false starts, and we should always be able run over left tackle. This has not been the case.



It's interesting how exceptional play by exceptional players (Hall, Unga, Collie, Pitta, George) can mask a myriad of coaching issues. So once those guys are gone, the coaching issues are still there.



I feel for Bronco, I think he knows he's facing some serious issues--especially at the end of the season; does he keep Anae? Reynolds? Doman? fire the entire offensive team and start over? and he likely has some issues with some of the players (Chambers is probably not the only one). Some players, as happens nearly every year, may want to transfer, he may have more after this season.

I do not buy the mutiny theory at all. The much more simple explanation is that we have had crappy coaching compounded by poor play against mostly very good teams



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BoiseBYU wrote:
I do not buy the mutiny theory at all. The much more simple explanation is that we have had crappy coaching compounded by poor play against mostly very good teams



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Yes, "Crappy". Yes, "poor." But can we get a little more than just crappy and poor? Why is this economy so bad? cause its crappy and poor. hmmm.

dmcougar wrote:
what's Anae going to do, bench his All-American candidate, your only NFL talent? NOt a chance in Haites--and it is Haites lately in CougarCity!

The word is "Hades".



Speaking of mutiny, Kori Gaines liked "Ute Athletics" on his facebook page today. :sick:

dmcougar wrote:
Ok, so here's a working theory of mine (warning, it's long). It may not be popular and maybe someone else has touched on it in other posts, of which I dont always get around to, particularly in all the gazillion "Anae must go" posts.



There is a Mutiny going on and it starts with The offensive line. It seems they are at times almost distinterested or at least only marginally committed to whats going on offensively. And, I blame the "leader" of the line, our offensive captain--that's right ladies and gents, our lone NFL talent--Mr. Matt Reynolds (why not, everybody else has been blamed--so let me blame the least obvious).

Points to consider:

1. Speredon is more of a vocal and spirited leader than Matt in almost all situations I have seen where it was called for. I understand Matt is not very vocal in general, but this offensive mess, for someone who should still care, calls forth and requires him to be vocal and unifying. "Quiet leadership has lapsed into "quiet desperation" and called forth others to lead this offense (Speredon and probably JJ)

2. I rarely, if ever see Matt supporting Heaps, coaching him, guiding him, picking him up after a sack, or patting him on the shoulders after a bad play. MOre fall-out from a protracted QB controversy--that may go on for another year? I don't think he blocks as spirited for Heaps and he doesnt require it of his O-line. JJ is a far larger voice and support to Heaps than anyone else I have seen.

3. Watching Matt and a few other linemen on the sideline huddles--after an offensive series--he is checked out or on a different planet. Is this hopelessness? Protest? Sabotage? mutiny? Is this fall-out from locker-gate and a cocky, overhyped, under-performing, group of receivers?

I know it may sound lame, but from my row 17 seats on the East stands, I am fairly close, and yes, I confess, I bring my mini pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of the coaches reactions on both sides of the ball and even coaches from the other team, injured players, etc. Multiple times I see Matt and others disinterested and checked out of what's being talked about.

4. Under Bronco's DC watch, THe defense has the same players--arguably less talent now with the loss of a few starters, only a slightly more aggressive scheme, but performs considerably better. Why? As many have posted, attitude, spirit, unity, aggressiveness, measured risk, LEADERSHIP--Bronco's leadership. And as that "fly-wheel" has generated inertia, it seems almost like a different defensive team altogether.

5. The offense lacks attitude, spirit, unity, scheme, playcalling, performance, and yes, LEADERSHIP. They do not have it on the field! They do not have it on the sidelines!

6. As a result I am led to believe that Coach Reynolds is leading the offensive crew nigh unto mutiny in collusion with the one person who should be and is the most influential (because of his lack of influence) on the field--his son, Matt Reynolds. AND, its not like I cant agree with Matt or Coach Reynolds either. This has been an offensive (pun intended) mess and debacle since spring. And he simply seems to show very little heart or hope. And for a high character guy, that has got to be very demoralizing to him and his Oline.

7. The O-line plays awfully spirited in the run and I-formation. Is this merely because its the most effective? Or the least ineffective? Maybe. Is Kariya that good? Maybe. The O-line certainly shows up on these plays. Doman said the playcalling "went away" from what was planned--which translates, ANAE went away from what was planned. IMO, the offense is showing their "NO Confidence vote" by not playing all the downs with the same unity, commitment and effort and those are big reasons why we are so ineffective. I mean, its almost an offensive meltdown--13 yards in the first half, among many other examples. They are however, showing unity around the I-formation and that's why it works. Is this a RUN vs PASS Mutiny? Is this an ANAE ("I'm the OC")vs Reynolds ("ive been here longer, you jerk") battle? Is this a Freshman vs UpperClassmen?

8. Oneil is gone. The vocal scapegoat? MAybe. The great agitator on offense (wanting pass not run)? The great TO-Ocho divider? Sounds like it. I Feel bad for the guy, but clearly there has been little to no leadership to contain Ocho CHambers and near total ineptitude offensively; and finally, heads start rolling. Sad day (probably not unwarranted after the third strike) for O'neil and BYU. He's the "identified patient", the scapegoat for a very dysfunctional family on the offensive side of the ball, while others still work their dysfunctional ways.

9. Anae is back on the field this year, because all he has to do is shut off his headset to shut down Coach Reynolds instead of sitting next to him up in the booth where their marital discord and offensive differences were right in his face, constantly reminding, and he couldn't "concentrate on play-calling" (TIC). So, Matt lives out the family dysfunction on the field by not committing "all in."

10. And what's Anae going to do, bench his All-American candidate, your only NFL talent? NOt a chance in Haites--and it is Haites lately in CougarCity! That would cost Anae his job. So, Anae tolerates less than "all in" performances from MAtt and the O-line. What happened to this pre-season hyped, stellar O-line? Besides, who does he have to replace MAtt? BTW, does anyone think that MAtt is having an "All-American" year? Alot of O-line performance isnt immediately visible to most fans, like a QB, WR, or RB, but Matt doesnt seem to be making alot of noise.

11. And finally, Bronco's leadership to allow his Sr management (DC and OC) and this team to get this bad. He will right the ship, I have faith and confidence--especially as evidenced by the defensive rebound. But this team has taken a huge beating and hopefully it doesnt take a second coming of Bronco and 2 or 3 years to help this team "un-learn" losing and climb out of the abyss, ala post-Crowton years--hopefully the next several weeks help begin that healing process. The D is on the right path, The O is divided onto multiple paths and STILL mired in dysfunction and disarray.

I wonder that if in this day and age of hyper-competitive collegiate football, if the LaVell Edwards brand of coaching, which Bronco morphed into, that of delegation and spiritual leader, is no longer tenable? Or if Bronco just delegated TOO much, gave too much rope away to his leaders to hang themselves? Not sure. Or, if he just had the wrong people on the wrong seats or even the wrong people on the bus altogether? Wrong People vs Wrong Head coach philosophy (at least not the most effective philosophy)? I know there are few true dichotomies in this world--few "all or nothing" scenarios, so probably a combination of both. We'll see if the "ship gets righted" against a few weaker opponents. Here's hoping.



Ok, this has probably been near insufferably long. Interested in your reactions, additions, disagreements.

Do you wish you could have that hour of your life back ? ;)

Theory debunked.

Theories are confirmed or not confirmed. Myths are debunked.

Mutinies are either "put down" and order is restored or they are successful in creating change.

We could go point by point, but maybe you should clarify what you meant before I use my theory and the first half of the season contrasted with the recent 2 game, 180 degree turn-around to run rough shod over your unsupported claim.

Craigo, You might have an argument that mutiny is too strong of a claim, but to argue that disorder, disunity, disharmony, disjointedness, distress, and demoralization did not exist prior to Bronco taking back over the ship, stepping in and calling out WR's and I am certain others, Including COACHES, is simply unsupported and blind to the facts.

But since I am fairly certain Craigo that you deserve the benefit of the doubt as to what you are claiming--because you predicted all of this condition this year with open eyes better than anyone else, I will assume that, in fact you and maybe Kitic meant: MUTINY AVERTED, ORDER RESTORED, COARSE CORRECTED, GOAL IN SIGHT, SUCCESS FOUND. In which case I agree.

dmcougar wrote:
Theories are confirmed or not confirmed. Myths are debunked.

Mutinies are either "put down" and order is restored or they are successful in creating change.

We could go point by point, but maybe you should clarify what you meant before I use my theory and the first half of the season contrasted with the recent 2 game, 180 degree turn-around to run rough shod over your unsupported claim.

Craigo, You might have an argument that mutiny is too strong of a claim, but to argue that disorder, disunity, disharmony, disjointedness, distress, and demoralization did not exist prior to Bronco taking back over the ship, stepping in and calling out WR's and I am certain others, Including COACHES, is simply unsupported and blind to the facts.

But since I am fairly certain Craigo that you deserve the benefit of the doubt as to what you are claiming--because you predicted all of this condition this year with open eyes better than anyone else, I will assume that, in fact you and maybe Kitic meant: MUTINY AVERTED, ORDER RESTORED, COARSE CORRECTED, GOAL IN SIGHT, SUCCESS FOUND. In which case I agree.

No offense but you can't avert a mutiny if one never existed. Unless you count the drama that OC caused, I dont' think it was a result of mutiny early in the season but an expected bump in the road as the inexperienced players learn the game and then assert themselves.



I dont' think the O-line ever gave up (they got turned around in pretzels trying to block for riley and then jake... which is why Riley needs to start looking at being a wildcat only qb or get ready to play safety) and I dont' think the receivers gave full effort early in the season, but lack of effort doesn't = mutiny. It simply = laziness



I just dont' think a mutiny ever existed; in fact if it did, my preseason forecast wouldn't have been prophetic because I would be incapable of knowing when and if something like that would resolve. I could however predict that a young team would struggle against a brutal schedule and improve as the youth were more seasoned and the schedule lightened.

Well thank heavens your prophetic legacy remains intact. ;-)

Your choosing--in your elated state of our team's recent success and your prophetic accuracy--to ignore near system-wide failure on offense didnt keep it from happening.

Your experienced and fairly sound contextual "prediction" used to impress me. Now I see it is as much about your need to impress the Heaps-peeps and Heaps-haters and everybody else; and attempt to secure your intellectual and prophetic dominance on CC.

Why else would you resurrect a theory as much likely to be wrong as right and long since dead and buried? But at the time of my rant, and in the face of other more simplified and disagreeable theories rendered by many (i.e., Heaps sucks), it was an attempt to say there is more than meets the stat sheet. That or you did at one point see it as somewhat credible and recalled it and saw it as a chance to advance your prophetic legacy. Maybe I should be flattered since (and I dont read all threads and posts) you havent seemed to attack other theories. BUt dont think for a minute that I'm flattered. It was a theory and you are welcome to question how I spend my time.

Further, To reduce the problem of what was one or two more losses away from a new low for the team and Cougar fans and the Bronco era--and maybe even approach the Crowton-era low, and continued offensive failure to mere "laziness" is uncharacteristic of you Craig. To ignore what your "experience" tells you that there was more than just "laziness" going on behind the scenes during the horrible 1st half of the season makes the anatomy of the current success quite sellable. Congrats.

NOw as to the nature of my disagreement of your post and defense of this thread, whether I am right or wrong is less important to me than trying to match wits with someone whose opinion I actually respect on CC.

So, if nothing else, thanks for the spar. And keep on a keepin posters honest.

Some of you claiming that you didn't see the Reynolds/Anae disunity/disarray/dysfunction, need look no further than to this much at the time, disparaged thread.



The parents in the room were clearly divided. Daddy OC and Daddy Assistant HC were not getting along and the kids were unmotivated, "lazy" and acting out the dysfunction on the field. There was the Reynolds/Riley camp and the Anae/Heaps camp. One camp lost out and were run out of town. The other camp won and rallied around Rley and well, two wasted years offensively.

Love the dinosaur thread. I was not a fan of Heaps and am not willing to say that he would've done any better than Riley here because he truly was horrible. However, I was against the Doman hiring. How can one argue that hiring an unknown, inexperience coach is better than a proven one who has perhaps hit his ceiling?

Mars wrote:


Credit earned- Cougs_Rule nailed this one years ago.

Wow, no kidding. Impressive.