For people that say that JT refuses to open up the offense, let me ask you...what was going on from about the mid point of 2005 through the 2006 season? Those were dynamic, spread oriented offenses that put up numbers and included some pretty innovative playcalling. Now, before anybody starts saying "it wasn't even one of the top offenses in the country statistically", realize that JT regularly let off the throttle when those games were comfortably at hand...which a large majority of them were. What did JT have from mid-2005 through 2006? Answer: A QB that was a dynamic playmaker that had earned his trust.
Then comes 2007 which brought a pro-style, pocket passer. Naturally the offense is going to shift back to a more conventional, play for field position and limit turnovers style of play. Even with that relative limitation, he guided a team that was considered universally to be in rebuilding mode to the BCSNCG.
Along comes 2008 with essentially the same personnel. The QB, who had shown his limitations as the previous season wore on did not progress and lost his job to a green, athletically gifted, but limited passer. He again reigns in the offense to allow said QB adjust to the college game and limit mistakes. He still takes the team to a BCS game and comes within one bad tackling angle of upsetting arguably the best team in CFB.
Now we have a more experienced, but still developing QB under center. JT still limits the playbook, but, I think we started to see a shift in the offensive philosophy last week. JT is under heavy criticism for his game plan against USC. Did anybody notice how much of the time his playsheet was tucked away in his pocket as opposed to it's normal place in his hands? I think he is now handing over some of the playcalling. This week will tell if that was a "one-off" or if JT is ready to start handing off some of the play calling duties on a more perminant basis and open it up. As TP continues to progress, he will be given more to work with. JT is a very smart man. He let Troy Smith excel, it's foolish to think he won't let TP (a QB with even more physical gifts) do the same when he shows he's ready.
A lot of us have said we see this year setting up very similar to 2005. By the end of 2005, that offense was turning into a well oiled machine. I think by the end of 2009, we'll see an offense consistently putting up 35-40 PPG.
