Play Calling on Offense?

[mojo-spider]

first let me congratulation the team for finding a way to beat Albany and overcome some breakdowns of our own...the grit and perseverance you showed to overcome was remarkable...

let me say that I am just a fan, not a student of the game, however I have watched a lot of football in the last 60 years and some of our offensive calls today left me scratching my head...

how do you have Broadus come in to pass the ball on 1st down and kill a drive...why do you pass the ball twice on 2 and 2 from the 2 in the first OT when Thompson and the O line were getting the big push? There were other puzzlers too...I could go on...

would some student of the game comment on the play calling?

again congrats to the players and coaches for getting the job done...what a game!...great entertainment!

Go Spiders!

 

[Marley13]

Offense seems very pass-happy. While exciting to watch the negatives are so far outweighing the positives. Running game seems to be in good hands. Maybe stick with it for a while.

 

[whampas]

Paralysis by analysis. We over think the situation at times and we miss Charlie. Broadus' pass call, I can live with just not the execution. The goal line calls were just bad. I still think our best football is in front of us and we are 5 and 1. The push starts with Nova.

 

[urfan1]

Running game is not overpowering, but doing good. I think coaches feel like we need a back that can run over LB's to stick with a ground game.

 

[32counter]

Running game is not overpowering, but doing good. I think coaches feel like we need a back that can run over LB's to stick with a ground game.

Why not give Pavik the ball.He's built like a brick outhouse.That may help.

 

[urfan1]

I keep telling myself the coaches are looking big picture -- give the guys experience and try different matchups to see what works. All the same time not showing some of the things we can do until needed.

BTW saw some weaknesses in JMU today.

 

[MolivaManiac]

Why not give Pavik the ball.He's built like a brick outhouse.That may help.

Agreed. Give James 4-5 carries a game.

 

[MolivaManiac]

I keep telling myself the coaches are looking big picture -- give the guys experience and try different matchups to see what works. All the same time not showing some of the things we can do until needed.

BTW saw some weaknesses in JMU today.

I agree with this. None of it (save Virginia) has been easy and we are 5-1.

 

[PASpiderDad]

I thought Coach Garrett called a really nice game vs UVA. Since then he's been adequate, but I don't think as sharp as Charlie Fisher. There are certainly some head scratching calls. I am hopeful he is still learning how to incorporate the personnel he has. In his defense I don't believe Lauletta has been as consistently good this season as last. All that being said, the team is 5-1 and I think everyone would be pleased with that after 6 games. I am optimistic things will improve as the season progresses.

 

[I-M-UR]

Why not give Pavik the ball.He's built like a brick shithouse.That may help.

I agree. crone was a huge contributor to the championship game Pavik could be the same. 6'1" 245 unless he has fumble problems with our large O line we should be punishing teams up front

 

[KE Spider]

Play calling was too clever by half in some crucial situations.

 

[SpiderFan26]

My 2 thoughts are this: 1) seems we throw the ball down field almost too much. would like to see more 5 yard routes underneath. That area of the field is hard to defend. 2) If you want to run better under center, we need to throw better under center as well. We run well out of shotgun, but again if we can find 5-7 yards gain on first down throwing the ball I think that help our under-center run game.

 

[I-M-UR]

I agree you'd think as much as our opponents blitz we'd have to hit some short routes,

 

[32counter]

Here's what one of us said last Wednesday:

"Omar Osbourne and now Hanks were/are great running backs for Albany.We are bigger and have better athletes than Albany but that doesn't matter now.They are confident.They are the highest ranked in school history.
It's their Homecoming.Gattuso is a fundamentally sound coach who likes to run the ball.If we can't shut/slow down #24 Hanks it will be a long day.He is a game changer.Forcing their QB Sussman to throw should be our ultimate defensive objective.Hanks is by far their best offensive weapon.Given their lack of defensive size,I think they will come after KL with some well timed blitzes on our 3rd downs.That's why they have a +13 turnover advantage.They will also stack the box on 1st and 2nd downs to try and shut down Xavier Goodall from advancing the ball via inside creases, forcing 3rd downs.We've got to figure a way to get Goodall open on the edge.KL better not hurry any passes especially in double coverage.Time for us to use our tight ends both blocking for Goodall and short down and in's.Pooch kick on punts and kickoffs.Do not kick long.Otherwise,their #3 will run back one,two or even three for TD's or very long returns.He is a game changer too.

We better show up for this one."

 

[iSpider]

I knew that was a great analysis when you made it. You did your research and were spot on, dead on balls accurate.

 

[SpiderFan26]

Here's what one of us said last Wednesday:

We've got to figure a way to get Goodall open on the edge. Time for us to use our tight ends both blocking for Goodall and short down and in's.

We better show up for this one."

1) We ran extremely well inside the tackles, one of our best games doing so. Lead and power plays focused on the B gap between the guard and tackle were extremely effective, especially with Thompson.
2) I was actually glad how little we targeted Hudson. I, like many, believe Jarmal Bevels to be as good as Reggie Diggs, yet he never seems to get the ball. Glad to see him get more targets and the tight ends less. Tight ends are still crucial but I think we need some more balance. Big catch for Stephon Jacob though, very crucial.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

I would love to see maybe Broadus running a little veer option and more runs for Pavik.

 

[WebSpinner]

as far as play calling, am sure we come in with a plan based on film, tendencies, etc. then it gets to what the coaches are seeing from upstairs and how best to adjust to what they are actually doing in this game. sure most of us just look at down, distance and where we are on the field with no idea as to what looks they are giving KL. we are 5-1 and have not played well, good enough but not up to where we can play. that will need to change over the next few weeks if we mean to be there in the end. we dominated the stats but had to scrap to pull it out and that is one trait of a good team. we need to wear our big boy pants from now on out.

 

[Charles91]

as far as play calling, am sure we come in with a plan based on film, tendencies, etc. then it gets to what the coaches are seeing from upstairs and how best to adjust to what they are actually doing in this game. sure most of us just look at down, distance and where we are on the field with no idea as to what looks they are giving KL. we are 5-1 and have not played well, good enough but not up to where we can play. that will need to change over the next few weeks if we mean to be there in the end. we dominated the stats but had to scrap to pull it out and that is one trait of a good team. we need to wear our big boy pants from now on out.

 

[Charles91]

I read the thread about play calling and there are some good points but it was awfully easy to call plays at the end of last year. I've good some games saved on the DVR and Jacoby Green was unbelievable. We don't really have that guy that is simply great right now running the ball-good guys but Green was special. The encouraging thing was the last quarter- we simply wore them down like we did last year-maybe a sign of hings to come.

 

[spiderjpo]

I agree that one encouraging sign from the Albany game was both offensive and defensive lines beat up on the Danes in the trenches. Continued physicality as Rocco calls it will be vital from this point forward. I will also say Thompson is a physical runner who should get better as the game goes on. That was what was so special about Jacoby. He finished plays and games strong.

 

[Spider B]

Like Thompson and think he will get better and better as he plays more. It's time to let Pavik run the ball also. I cant remember if it was Mo or jpo who first suggested that he get a few carries last week, but now I think it will happen. I trust him more in pass protection with his experience.

 

[MolivaManiac]

Pavic is invaluable. He needs to be on the field on the majority of offensive snaps. Terrific blocker that handles the ball remarkably well.

 

[SpiderFan26]

When we use Jacob as a HB lined up next to Kyle with 4 wide, it gives away the pass. Using Pavik there not only gives you a good blocker but keeps the threat of the run open. Also trust Pavik running more than a TE.

 

[MolivaManiac]

When we use Jacob as a HB lined up next to Kyle with 4 wide, it gives away the pass.

Yes. This is one of my bigger gripes with our play calling. At the very least, get some Pavic runs on tape for opponents to scout.

 

[KE Spider]

He is the Josh Crone of our Championship team. An unsung hero that makes plays work without being obvious to the casual fan. Love this guy.

 

[urfan1]

KE, you stole my thoughts, can he throw a pass to KL?

 

[KE Spider]

Will always remember that play. Crone to Ward for an early TD that set the tone for our Championship win.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

This reminds me of the 2007 team that advanced to quarters but lost both starting DEs, middle lb and strong safety and got worn out by App State. Next year those players are back and we have more depth, and that is the rest of the story. Another major injury or two and we are back to 2007 I am afraid

 

[MolivaManiac]

This reminds me of the 2007 team that advanced to quarters but lost both starting DEs, middle lb and strong safety and got worn out by App State. Next year those players are back and we have more depth, and that is the rest of the story. Another major injury or two and we are back to 2007 I am afraid

We lost to App in the Semifinals that year. I'd love to win a national championship but another trip to the semi's wouldn't be half bad either.

Knock on wood, we are still pretty healthy on the lines. We can absorb the injuries that we have encountered to date. Just keep those lines together.

 

[SpiderFan26]

Dline and LB can absorb some. Gregory was out against Albany and Trey Moore did a very nice job. Yarbough seems to be a very suitable backup Olineman. That's why the Jones injury hurts so much because that same depth isn't at safety.

 

[SpiderRick]

Hope everyone is right about Pavik being a good runner, I just don't know how you can make that assessment when he's only carried the ball what maybe 3 times in 4 years.