Texas A&M football: Awkwardness aside, time will reveal offensive changes

During what was supposed to be a routine pre-spring press conference, Texas A&M football head coach Jimbo Fisher was asked about the play calling. He could have given a straightforward answer, instead, he offered this word salad.

“We will go through that as we go,” Fisher said. “Plan on [new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino] making calls. Plan on him calling plays. I have no problem with that at all.”

Anyone who has spent much time listening to Fisher interact with the media shouldn’t be surprised to hear him deflect even the most simple of questions. What advantage is gained by vagueries in spring practices? Probably very little. But that’s never stopped Fisher from being coy with his responses before, it shouldn’t shock anyone that he followed a similar course this time around.

While that quote grabbed the headlines, the simple reality is this: we’re all going to see that question answered in real time this fall. Expect more smoke and mirrors. Expect to hear Fisher talk in circles when it comes up again. But rest assured, the truth about play calling will be answered when its time to put the ball down on the field and hit someone wearing a jersey that isn’t maroon-clad.

To that end, Fisher was right, actually. He stressed fundamentals. He opined on execution. He pushed scheme questions aside in favor of football 101. That is a lot of what Texas A&M football will be focusing on this spring, after all.

But Bobby Petrino’s influence on this offer will crystalize this fall. And if Fisher’s fingerprints remain all over it, his credibility will suffer and the faith the fanbase has in him will continue to decline. He ought to be well aware of that at this point. But that time will come in several months. Now it’s all about execution. Fisher was right on that front, at least.