Life in the Red Group

Posted by: NishBigRed on November 25, 2009 4:24PM CST Slamorama Ding dong!

Posted by: OregonHusker on November 25, 2009 4:24PM CST Zac doesn't have the speed or footwork to run the option.

Posted by: Skered on November 25, 2009 4:24PM CST You know it!

Posted by: Robert_Fl on November 25, 2009 4:25PM CST BAM the Puffs

Posted by: Robka on November 25, 2009 4:32PM CST Of course Bo is not going to say the altitude would affect our team, because he doesn't make excuses even if it is a scientific fact & I love him 4 that:) BO BIG RED!!!

Posted by: WyHuskerFan on November 25, 2009 4:41PM CST I notice they don't pull the guard the way the used to when Husker greats ran the option. There was always that little hesitation to allow the guard to lead the blocking scheme while the tackle and tight ends filled the back side. I do like the power sets and still can't believe Wats wants to morph back into cutesy ball.

Posted by: KillerB on November 25, 2009 4:44PM CST You would think that with TWO really good option QB's we might see one of them....Zac just looks a little uncomfortable when he is running, especially when he is deciding to keep or pitch.....Just a thought

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on November 25, 2009 4:45PM CST Let's hope that things go our way on Friday in a hostile environment. The team is going to have to step up to the plate, or face the consequences. The game will be a struggle like every other Big 12 game this season. We have no margin for error.

Posted by: Huskersincebirth2 on November 25, 2009 4:47PM CST WyHuskerFan: I don't think there's time to pull the guards like that in these options. The old options were triple options where you could hand the ball off to the FB or take it around the end. These options have looked more like speed options where we just go around the end and don't have the choice of whether or not to hand the ball off to the FB. I think that may be why we don't pull anyone... just b/c there isn't time to.

Posted by: Low Country Husker on November 25, 2009 4:58PM CST I'm probably wrong but it appears the Huskers are doing just enough to win these last 4 games. Would not be suprised to see a totally different offensive look throughout the B-12 game......

Posted by: RED KOOL-AID DRINKER on November 25, 2009 4:59PM CST First,this is not a Tom Osborne option team,remember,nobody wanted that offense,thats why petey fired Solich,most of these guys,if not all,have never seen or ran an option offense..They will in time though with practice learn to run it better.Second ,if you brought in one of the other two to run it,the other defenses would no what was comming,,so lets get behind this team for once and quit complaining,the year is about over and you jerk wads are never going to be happy,at least some of you won't,the huskers won the north,weak or not in BO's second year..but like I said most of you are not satisfied,I am going to texas,and I am going to enjoy myself,win or lose,but I predict a nebraska win,...neb-27 tex-24

Posted by: Huskersincebirth2 on November 25, 2009 4:59PM CST LCH: Y change whats working? We saw what that did back in 2004...

Posted by: RED KOOL-AID DRINKER on November 25, 2009 5:02PM CST also neb -31 col.10.... and HAPPY THANKSGIVING,THANKFUL FOR MY WIFE ,MY KIDS AND THE LORD WHO GAVE THEM TO ME,,AND TO BO AND STAFF FOR GETTING THE HUSKERS ON THE COMEBACK PATH

Posted by: Low Country Husker on November 25, 2009 5:03PM CST HSB You misunderstand what I'm saying, they will continue using the power scheme but you may see a LTW package, a CG package and a Zac Lee package. Time will tell but it would be hard to defend LTW and CG if they come out in an option package you have never seen before.

Posted by: Huskersincebirth2 on November 25, 2009 5:10PM CST LCH: O ok... i thought you were saying like go back to the spread attack we were using at the beginning of the season. IDK if you'd see em do that... that would telegraph to the defense what the play call is... A way you could do it would be to have them line up in the shotgun with three in the back field: Helu on the left, Lee in the center, and Green on the right... they would run the zone read to Green and Helu would shadow green like an option... that's a possibility, but I highly doubt you'll see a crazy package in there. You usually only see a weird package in an offense when either A. Your desperate (see KSU's new Fumblerooskie) or B. When your offense is rolling and you're team is looking to have fun (see Nebraska's Joker package from last year)

Posted by: Low Country Husker on November 25, 2009 5:13PM CST time will tell....I'm looking forward to see what really happens.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on November 25, 2009 5:14PM CST HSB....I don't remember too much triple option in Tom's days. They may have had the fullback dive, but they weren't running an option like Navy or GT, where the QB rides him and decides whether to pull. If you watch the option from Tom's days, they created time for a guard to pull by having the QB reverse pivot and hesitate very briefly before heading down the line on the option run.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on November 25, 2009 5:15PM CST Well, the altitude maybe a factor, but not as much as one thinks. If it was, the Buffs would havve won more games at home over the years. Where it really helps is in the kicking game. And that gives us a great advantage. I think where it is an advantage too, in that some teams psych themselves out about the altitude, thus making that a factor. We have had a lot of success over the years in Boulder. So it comes done to talent and the best team. And the best team is the Huskers. Go Big Red.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on November 25, 2009 5:16PM CST Tim...your profile is hidden. You're denying us a look at that picture in larger format. LOL. What does it say on that suit?

Posted by: Robka on November 25, 2009 5:18PM CST I just like running out of the power I. I do not need to c any option out of it. The option is a complex scheme "just to dabble in it" but running behind a FB has worked very well this year. I just want 2 see the FB get a carry once in a while. At least they throw him a pass on occasion:) GO BIG FULLBACK!!!

Posted by: Robka on November 25, 2009 5:20PM CST I don't see why they can't incorporate a FB in a spread option attack. Line him up on the other side of QB and let him go block at the point of attack. GO BIG FULLBACK!!!

Posted by: Denver Bob on November 25, 2009 5:21PM CST "We", if I might indulge myself and use that expression, are temporarily a running offense that wins with play action passes. "We" are so-so with that approach, but it's the best thing to do since "we" have a pretty good defense. I urge people to quit ragging on Wats. The idea of Wats and Dr. Tom cooking up the next great offense is pretty interesting to me. Once again, if anybody on this blog wants a free beer at the Harvest House tomorrow, let me know. I'll be there about 12ish - just shout Denver Bob! GBR!!!

Posted by: Denver Bob on November 25, 2009 5:25PM CST I 'm not drinking YET :). I meant 12ish on FRIDAY. thanks for accepting my middle age "issues". Peace & GBR!

Posted by: Huskersincebirth2 on November 25, 2009 5:27PM CST Silicon: It wasn't set up like the GT, Navy, or Army options out of the Wing-T. It was still in I and we'd put the ball in the FBs belly and the QB would either let go or not... you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7up6ACzdl78 You'll see it at the 50 sec mark, 2:35 mark is a really good example of what Im talking about too. You'll see a speed option at 1:56 You'll see an option pass at 2:10 watch carefully how he acts like he's gunna hand the ball off to the FB... that sells the option

Posted by: NishBigRed on November 25, 2009 5:33PM CST Low, Do you know something regarding this all QB package, cuss it would be nice

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on November 25, 2009 6:14PM CST HSB....good video. My impression then and now was that the action to the FB on the play action passes, as well as on the QB keeper up the tackle gap were always fakes. Notice that the I-back also runs up this gap and does a seal block to the inside for Frost. I think this is the play design and its not really "option", just a fake. I do like the version where the I back gets the fake up the middle (single back with 2 wings) and the option run is with the wing back. That's also a staple of GT/Navy.

Posted by: joe9wicket on November 25, 2009 6:17PM CST Husker since birth: I think NU called the double wing formation the Wingbone, not sure if Air Force called it that or not, but if you get the chance, look for the OU/NU game from '83 on the U tube, thing of beauty having Rozier and Fryer at the wings and Schellen behind Gill. As far as speed vs triple option, with the speed, the Full back is doing the duty of the guard, whereas w/ the triple look, as long as the fake is done correctly, if you suck the linebacker in to touch the FB, just as good as a pancake, you eliminate a tackler. Nice thing about having Frost on those power plays, you have the option look, then have two lead blockers in front of a guy who looks and runs like a fullback.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on November 25, 2009 6:18PM CST HSB...on the last score, I thought they had a lineman at I back, he was so big...then I realized it must be Dan Alexander. No surprise it was a pancake block by Dan.

Posted by: Flopper on November 25, 2009 6:30PM CST I 100% agree with Robka on the Fullback. However, I watch Legate consistently miss his block, arm block, the guy he is blocking still makes the tackle. On running or catching a pass, # 30 Fullback Mike Hays looks to be a much better athlete and has 7 tackles on special teams. Very similar to Kyle Reed who is a tight end. In a WCO an H-back seems to be more appropriate. GO BIG FULLBACK MIKE HAYS # 30

Posted by: black&bluehusker on November 25, 2009 6:33PM CST Altitude will be a factor if NU continues to play ultra conservative on offense and leaves the D on the field too much. The idea is to wear the defense down, theirs not ours. You live by the sword you die by the sword! BEWARE THE 27TH OF N0VEMBER!

Posted by: NishBigRed on November 25, 2009 6:43PM CST Man after watching that clip on utube im depressed. Our offense suks!

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on November 25, 2009 6:45PM CST There's a reason they call them "highlights" , Nish....they don't show the plays that lose yards. Having said that, it was a thing of beauty.

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 6:52PM CST Yep Huskersince birth is right, I would know, I was a FB in the option out of the I for many years. Sure there were plays where the FB doesn't get a belly ride, but the main staple of the triple option out of the I was ride the FB read the backer...decide to give or keep, then continue on down the line whether you gave or not...continuing either with the ball and the rest of the option or carrying out the play fake after a give. Hence the name triple option. 1. FB 2. QB keep and cut it up 3. Pitch to I back Many tweak and variations thrown in with counteractions...that's where the QB reverse pivots. He does reverse pivot because both the FB and the I back are taking false steps away from the actual direction the play is going ....which causes the whole defense to also step that direction....thus using their flow against them creating pseudo initial over pursuit...which makes the line's job of getting on their blocks that much easier, especially the backside. And usually the playside D End (who thought he was going to be backside based on the counter action) will crash down the line in backside pursuit and get taken out sooner than on a usual option ran his way. Just depends on how the scheme is blocked on that particular play usually based on the D front, the line makes their calls presnap...ect ect. Most times the FB just lead blocks on the counter action option with the QB reverse pivoting other times it can be ran as the usual dive option....I'd even mix it up and have the FB go the direction of the counter action and slip out in the flats or up the filed for a play action later. Counter actions sets other stuff up, plus makes the D hesitate a micro sec which gives the edge to the O...just like play action does. Wats will eventually figure this fact out too. The whole idea of the triple option is to make the play side backer and backside backers accountable for the FB, if they don't come to make the tackle then give it, if they do he either carries out the fake good enough they actually tackle him or he blocks them and they are eliminated from the play. After 20 fakes to the FB and him never getting the ball they get lazy about it, then you give it for a big bust up the middle. Then there a dive traps, counter action traps, ect ect. The I formation has so much that can be done out it that I could write up probably 400 plays easily. All setting up the other. Wats will either learn or he won't

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 7:02PM CST Iso's are the FB leading off center guard gap, Powers are off tackle...differnet ways to block it during the same game just to mix it up some. Toss sweeps FB leading. Sweeps with TE in motion accross the formation to lead block too. All can be done with the counter action steps, all can be ran with play action fakes. That's just touching the surface of what can be and is done out of the I. But even with those basic staple of plays you can keep a D scratching their heads a whole game if you execute properly. LB's best play their responsibilities every single play or they get toasted and everyone else on the D for that matter. Creates that beautiful single coverage downfield sometimes double but usually the second is late to the party because of thinking about run support or peeking in the backfield.

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 7:11PM CST Osbornes O's were explosive out of the I because he understood the setup one play created for another and exploited it to his advantage and his teams executed with physical precision and speed. Always tweaking always perfecting over the years, like Putting Frazier in the shotgun and running the option from there ect. Wats hasn't even scratched the surface of the potential of the Power I, hope he doesn't forsake it next year. He can mix it up and mash it up with his stuff easily and be way more diverse that n he could ever be just running the west coast spread crap all the time.

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 7:26PM CST Or like in that clip of US against Tenn and Manning that HSB posted, they ran the dive option and the I back was a lead blocker for the QB.... lol you can't stop that stuff that offense was so much superior to the crappy spread coast crap we have now it isn't even a contest. Or how about the option from the shotgun where the back comes underneath and it's a shovel pitch forward , but off the option instead of the usual boring shovel pass. Incomplete if it's dropped big gain if it's not and one more thing for the D to think about. That O couldn't be stopped when executed right and called right by someone who knew what he was calling...always adjusting to how the d was playing it, always exploiting it, if they didn't stop a play they got hammered with it all day, then bam, play action off it. Far Far Far superior O to this wuuscost spread crap.

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 7:28PM CST Like I said, as many creative ways as you want to run a play... it can be done from the I formation, or the option and the shotgun. There are no limits.

Posted by: rluben on November 25, 2009 7:30PM CST That's why I give Wats crap, his O will never be that diverse and that multiple or even close to that effective ever not never.

Posted by: joe9wicket on November 25, 2009 8:12PM CST rluben: I sigh every time I see NU run the sweep play out of that trips formation because as soon as I see it, I will call out "oh trips, we're gonna put everybody in motion and run that sweep play". I long for the day of those days where the only deception necessary was a simple counter step... I saw it briefly this year w/ Burkhead, and a couple plays w/ Helu where he went in motion sort of did this running in place thing pre snap. Aurora last night and Millard South the other night kind of proved to me that a spread look can yield a lot of power, lot of veer out of shotgun, lots of QB keepers... and play action off option looks. You just have to line up in one look, and be multiple w/ the variations of theme. Osborne's calling card.

Posted by: PT Husker on November 25, 2009 8:48PM CST I don't think Bo is gonna put up with the finesse stuff very long. He is a take no prisoners type of guy. Nothing real fancy about his defense. Just hard nosed assignment football. Watson will stay but they are gonna have a come to Jesus meeting in the off season. If Wats doesn't want to join the church he may be looking for a new parish.