Coach Bajakian on Worley:

[DC Vol]

SamRebel, I enjoy reading your posts, but I can't agree with you here. That was two down territory. Worley had 1.2 nanoseconds before Striker was in his grill unless he stepped up in the pocket. I saw an empty backfield, knew it wasn't a QB sneak, and literally picked my jaw up off the floor before the snap.

Then, the hammer hit the nail in the coffin.

Middle was wide open. Release Hurd and tell him to expect the ball at the goal line.

I know it's Peyton Manning and the Broncos, but they do that all the time. Spead the field wide and attack the middle. I've never seen the Broncos, or any other coherent offense for that matter, spread the defense on a short and condensed field and then attack across the defense.

 

[Diceman]

I know we were the underdog on the road and you take your shots in that situation, but 27-13 would have been a fair outcome to that drive assuming we didnt convert. 27-13 is a two possession game just as much as 27-17 would be. So, yeah, pound the rock and take the points IMO. But easy to say when you know the alternative was a deflating game-icing pick 6.

Proud of our guys either way and not so down on the play calling. That was just a punch in the gut...

Perhaps Coach thought that play gave us the best chance of converting, and that even if nothing was there the senior QB would throw it away rather than force something and turn the ball over. If nothing is there (and that actually wasn't the case) you can throw it away and still kick the FG like you mentioned. Again, the OL was getting completely manhandled the entire game. It's hard for me to blame the coaching staff for trying to get a TD there with our great receivers, rather than trying to force something using our biggest disadvantage. Heck, even if Worley himself didn't like the play call, I bet he wouldn't blame the coaches for the turnover. It's not difficult to throw it out the back of the endzone if you don't have an open man.

 

[DC Vol]

Again.

I'd have put Downs (IIRC he's healthy) in at FB. I'd have put Wiesman in at TE and gone jumbo set.

The OL had put up 2 big runs. Let them keep the momentum and prove a point to themselves. Going with a wide set on the damned 4 yard line and basically saying:

"We have 2 plays to get 2 yards and then another 4 to get the last 2"

and then saying

"I don't trust you guys on the OL. We're going with some Big East gimmicky s*(&t"

and then it blows up in your face.

Go jumbo and play the odds. Every coherent collegiate offense goes jumbo except for UT and UGA. And both teams paid the price for it. Bobo and Bajakian.

Bobojakian. They deserve each other. Gurley and Hurd as your backs and you try some gimmicky crap.

 

[Shakinthefat]

SamRebel, I enjoy reading your posts, but I can't agree with you here. That was two down territory. Worley had 1.2 nanoseconds before Striker was in his grill unless he stepped up in the pocket. I saw an empty backfield, knew it wasn't a QB sneak, and literally picked my jaw up off the floor before the snap.

I didn't understand when Striker showed blitz, Worley never checked off to get protection. Is he not capable or is he not allowed?

 

[Eddie Vol Halen]

Middle was wide open. Release Hurd and tell him to expect the ball at the goal line.

I know it's Peyton Manning and the Broncos, but they do that all the time. Spead the field wide and attack the middle. I've never seen the Broncos, or any other coherent offense for that matter, spread the defense on a short and condensed field and then attack across the defense.

That was my big problem pre-snap - the empty backfield. You can still pass, but an empty backfield in that situation? Not for me.

Having just watched the play again, I forgot Worley was an ankle tackle away from scoring the play before....

Anyway, I didn't expect to beat Ok, although the way the game went, I would have loved for the final score to be within a TD.

If Kurt Roper's offense performs better than ours in three weeks though (assuming no further major injuries) then I will officially not be sold on Bigeastian.

 

[Burger]

Do you guys actually think teams run power I these days? I've seen tons of teams do what Jake does. We are just poor at executing the play call. Either a missed block, dropped pass, or something else seems to happen.

 

[DC Vol]

Do you guys actually think teams run power I these days? I've seen tons of teams do what Jake does. We are just poor at executing the play call. Either a missed block, dropped pass, or something else seems to happen.

Situationally, yes. A lot of teams still do have packages like that for goal-line work.

Hardly anyone does it at their own 28 yard line with an open field.

But the opponents <5 yard line? Many college and pro teams still do it. They may not be using a specialist FB anymore as most don't roster them but they'll shift a blocking TE to an h-back spot and use an extra OL on the strong side. Or they'll put an extra OL and then a TE both on the strong side, etc etc etc.

The Eagles and Colts both did that last night, IIRC. I know the Eagles did on a McCoy run. The Colts set up to run and then released the TE for a TD.

But that's NFL playcalling. What do they know.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

You clearly have no clue what you're talking about when it comes to football. I shouldn't have to explain basic football concepts to you if you're going to come to a message board and argue. Not a bad play call, just bad execution?? Is that a joke. As I've said several times about this, if you want to pass the ball there, fine. But don't do it with an empty backfield!! When the box is that crowded the last thing you want is to let them know you're definitely going to throw the ball. Play action, roll out, QB keep, I don't care..... ANY other play call was better than a five wide set there. If we had made the touchdown pass I would have been ecstatic, but I still would have thought that was an awful play call. That was never going to happen though, it was a very very very low percentage, high risk play call.

And again, it cost us our momentum that we were finally getting, and the game was over at that point.

Look here buddy, the last thing you need to explain to me is football concepts. The field was spread out for a reason. They were looking to exploit a match up. I am sure that depending on how the defense lined up, Worley had the option to run the ball or audible. Worley chose to throw the ball. If they would've ran the ball, you would complain about that too. It's what people like you do...you want to seem like the smartest guy in the room by second guessing everything someone else does.
FTR, there have been plenty of plays that Worley has audibled out of...the execution on the play was not good. End of story.

 

[Ronny Swanson]

Wait, Worley audibled?

Or you mean turn and look at the sidelines while our OL stays in position for 25 seconds?

 

[DC Vol]

Look here buddy, the last thing you need to explain to me is football concepts. The field was spread out for a reason. They were looking to exploit a match up. I am sure that depending on how the defense lined up, Worley had the option to run the ball or audible. Worley chose to throw the ball. If they would've ran the ball, you would complain about that too. It's what people like you do...you want to seem like the smartest guy in the room by second guessing everything someone else does.
FTR, there have been plenty of plays that Worley has audibled out of...the execution on the play was not good. End of story.

And it ended with a Pick-6.

We didn't even have an RB in the backfield. OU didn't even have to remotely worry about a run. They knew it would be a pass.

It was a horrible call. If Hurd or Lane was back there I'd give Bobojakian more credit but when you go empty backfield you're selling yourself out.

And that's fine when you have the entire field to attack but OU had their ears pinned back to rush Worley and their DBs knew a pass was coming.

It's a recipe for disaster and, would you look at that, a disaster is what happened. A 27-17 game became a 34-10 game because you wanted to be cute.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

The first interception in the end zone was on Croom. It went through his hands. It happens.

The second interception was all Worley. He stared down North and forced it to North. He had his mind made up where he was going with the ball even before the snap. Got too antsy on that play which is understandable given the way the defense was on him all night and already in the back field on that play.

He had three better options on the play though IMO.

1) Hurd was coming free in the flat. Iffy to let that develop with the DL in the back field but he would have only been worrying about 1 defender.

2) Downs was heading to the back of the end zone behind the defense. Again, he had pressure but could gave made that throw just as easy as the one he made.

3) No time to throw....go out of the back of the end zone and take the time to set up a 4th down play.

If Bajakian would have lined them up with 2 RB and 3 TE, some of y'all would complain about that too.

I question some of his decisions but Worley was the one who ultimately pulled the trigger on that pick six play.

 

[SamRebel35]

And it ended with a Pick-6.

We didn't even have an RB in the backfield. OU didn't even have to remotely worry about a run. They knew it would be a pass.

It was a horrible call. If Hurd or Lane was back there I'd give Bobojakian more credit but when you go empty backfield you're selling yourself out.

And that's fine when you have the entire field to attack but OU had their ears pinned back to rush Worley and their DBs knew a pass was coming.

It's a recipe for disaster and, would you look at that, a disaster is what happened. A 27-17 game became a 34-10 game because you wanted to be cute.

Again, watch Texas A&M on the goal line. Half the time they go empty set and throw for a 2 yard touchdown. It isn't dumb to sacrifice a decoy for an actual pass catcher when you know Damn well you can't bang out two yards in the run game. I think there are things to pick apart about Bajakian, but this particular play isn't one of them if you ask me. This would be like getting pissed at somebody for calling heads on a coin flip and it comes up tails. There wasn't really any play call that was going to be a sure fire TD. That is what happens when you can't get any leverage in the trenches. Flip a coin and pray.

 

[Shakinthefat]

Flip a coin and pray.

We are not very good at coin flipping lately.

 

[TGVol]

Again, watch Texas A&M on the goal line. Half the time they go empty set and throw for a 2 yard touchdown.

That's because A&M QB's double as running backs and defenses know they have to respect that. OK did not have to worry about Worley running. If he was a good runner he would have scored on that run right before that set up the third down. Bajakian should have known that OK would not worry about Worley running and put a running back next to him (even if passing play is called that could have helped with protection).

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Oklahoma Sooners - Recap - September 13, 2014 - ESPN

Video doesn't lie.

 

[Mick]

Naked bootleg. It worked for Manning and he is not as mobile as Worley. The defense would not expect it. I laugh at myself because I don't know if i'm being sarcastic or not.

 

[DC Vol]

Again, watch Texas A&M on the goal line. Half the time they go empty set and throw for a 2 yard touchdown. It isn't dumb to sacrifice a decoy for an actual pass catcher when you know Damn well you can't bang out two yards in the run game. I think there are things to pick apart about Bajakian, but this particular play isn't one of them if you ask me. This would be like getting pissed at somebody for calling heads on a coin flip and it comes up tails. There wasn't really any play call that was going to be a sure fire TD. That is what happens when you can't get any leverage in the trenches. Flip a coin and pray.

But that's the thing. The OL had turned a corner starting with the previous drive.

Hurd had his long carry on the drive before (the one that ended with the Croom/end zone TD) and then another long carry. Lane was toting the rock well also.

The OL was opening up run lanes. They're young guys on the road. They had the hot hand and were doing okay in not only run blocking but pass blocking.

I don't think it was unreasonable to go up to them and gut check these young guys. We need them to get confidence and gel. Even going up to OL Coach and saying "what do you want to run, Mahoney?" would have worked.

My confidence in the OL had started to change by that point. They had opened up for 7 runs for 85 yards to that point in the entire 2nd half. That's a 43 and a 29 combined with a -2 (that was a failed "no" read option) and some other decent gains. They were moving in the right direction.

And at such a short field, you play the odds. That's why so many teams don't go with a wide set with an empty backfield. That's why you don't split your forces in battle even if Lee did it successfully at Chancellorsville. Sure, you can find some teams that do it well. TAMU? They have a much better QB system in place, IMO. They also have a better OL and usually have a more mobile QB. They've also only played an outmatched USC team and then 2 nobodies.

And don't even try to bring up what they did when they had Manziel in there.

Here's A&M:

Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks - Video - August 28, 2014 - ESPN First TD pass for 3 yards. 3 bunched on right, 1 on left. RB in back field. No empty set. RB takes on the blitz, USC is generous to leave the middle of the field wide open. TD.

Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks - Video - August 28, 2014 - ESPN 2nd TD pass for 5 yards. 3 on left this time, 1 on right. RB in back field. No empty set. RB releases but USC probably does the worst possible job manning up on TAMU's WR. Guy just cement shoes at the goal line. Perhaps he thought he had S support over the top. Who knows. USC was a complete mess by that point.

Every other pass was outside 10 yards and TAMU also had 3 TDs of 3 yards or less so they're not afraid to run it <5 yards like we are.

Unless you have Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, etc at QB going empty set with a QB that isn't an established runner is just a lesson in futility.

Worley did have Pig on a slant inside but it would need to be perfectly placed because the S was already moving up on him. I'll grant you that. 1 receiver out of 5 is a decent chance at a TD. Worley chose to go to the worst possible one as North had 3 OU players around him.

There was a TE in the back corner but, well, that's one of the hardest passes to complete in football and it's going over their entire D. Has to also be perfectly laid.

It was a bad playcall. There is no threat of run so the OU players pretty much just sat inside of the goal line and waited for Worley to mess his read/delivery. Bajakian also has to know the limitations of his players and Worley has a poor track record in the red zone.

So. To sum it up. TAMU didn't go empty set on any of their TDs against USC. I don't care what they did against Lamar or Rice. TAMU is also a better offensively coached team with a much better OL so honestly they're really not a good comparison.

 

[jcvet33]

You think passing on the goal line is malpractice? I can only imagine your criticism if he had tried to run it against a defensive front that consisted of 8 in the box (of which, 3 or so are all Americans at their position) vs our offensive line that consists of nothing but freshmen and first year starters. To me, one of those play calls sounds like suicide, while the other, if run properly, will result in either a TD or a thrown away ball. Worley made one of his only mistakes of the night, and it cost us dearly. Don't blame that on Bajakian.

With Worley it is. Was that his 3rd or 4th 105 yd. pick six from inside the 10 yd. line?

 

[WilliamDuVOL]

"We can't turn the ball over in three critical situations," Bajakian said. "... But again, he's playing with a toughness and a look in his eye that I've never seen in the past out of him. He's been able to bounce back and move on and use what we call a snap-and-clear mentality."


Bajakian was asked why Worley doesn't run more and if he's been told not to keep the ball when the Vols run the zone read option.

"Not at all," Bajakian said. "In our zone read concepts, he's got the green light to pull the ball whenever he sees fit. There were probably two opportunities against Oklahoma when I thought he should have. A lot of times, that's a judgment call. I told him, ‘When in doubt, hand it out.' But there are certain times where it's ‘you should've pulled it because it ended up a zero-yard gain or a negative play. Over the course of the season, I think he's done a decent job."

The Vols have a bye week before travelling to No. 13 Georgia on Sept. 27 for a noon game that will be televised on ESPN. Bajakian said the bye week comes at a good time. However, he played coy when asked about injuries to wide receivers Von Pearson and Josh Smith and how the bye week might help their recovery.

"In case Georgia's watching on TV, I'm going to say they're all going to be back," Bajakian said. "One hundred percent."

I believe that is what those in the medical profession would refer to as a "concussion."

Kidding

I'm extremely impressed and proud and think he'll only get better moving forward if he get's remotely serviceable line play, which he should and then some against defenses that aren't as ridiculous as OU's.

 

[SamRebel35]

But that's the thing. The OL had turned a corner starting with the previous drive.

Hurd had his long carry on the drive before (the one that ended with the Croom/end zone TD) and then another long carry. Lane was toting the rock well also.

The OL was opening up run lanes. They're young guys on the road. They had the hot hand and were doing okay in not only run blocking but pass blocking.

I don't think it was unreasonable to go up to them and gut check these young guys. We need them to get confidence and gel. Even going up to OL Coach and saying "what do you want to run, Mahoney?" would have worked.

My confidence in the OL had started to change by that point. They had opened up for 7 runs for 85 yards to that point in the entire 2nd half. That's a 43 and a 29 combined with a -2 (that was a failed "no" read option) and some other decent gains. They were moving in the right direction.

And at such a short field, you play the odds. That's why so many teams don't go with a wide set with an empty backfield. That's why you don't split your forces in battle even if Lee did it successfully at Chancellorsville. Sure, you can find some teams that do it well. TAMU? They have a much better QB system in place, IMO. They also have a better OL and usually have a more mobile QB. They've also only played an outmatched USC team and then 2 nobodies.

And don't even try to bring up what they did when they had Manziel in there.

Here's A&M:

Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks - Video - August 28, 2014 - ESPN First TD pass for 3 yards. 3 bunched on right, 1 on left. RB in back field. No empty set. RB takes on the blitz, USC is generous to leave the middle of the field wide open. TD.

Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks - Video - August 28, 2014 - ESPN 2nd TD pass for 5 yards. 3 on left this time, 1 on right. RB in back field. No empty set. RB releases but USC probably does the worst possible job manning up on TAMU's WR. Guy just cement shoes at the goal line. Perhaps he thought he had S support over the top. Who knows. USC was a complete mess by that point.

Every other pass was outside 10 yards and TAMU also had 3 TDs of 3 yards or less so they're not afraid to run it <5 yards like we are.

Unless you have Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, etc at QB going empty set with a QB that isn't an established runner is just a lesson in futility.

Worley did have Pig on a slant inside but it would need to be perfectly placed because the S was already moving up on him. I'll grant you that. 1 receiver out of 5 is a decent chance at a TD. Worley chose to go to the worst possible one as North had 3 OU players around him.

There was a TE in the back corner but, well, that's one of the hardest passes to complete in football and it's going over their entire D. Has to also be perfectly laid.

It was a bad playcall. There is no threat of run so the OU players pretty much just sat inside of the goal line and waited for Worley to mess his read/delivery. Bajakian also has to know the limitations of his players and Worley has a poor track record in the red zone.

So. To sum it up. TAMU didn't go empty set on any of their TDs against USC. I don't care what they did against Lamar or Rice. TAMU is also a better offensively coached team with a much better OL so honestly they're really not a good comparison.

Nobody is a good comparison because no other team is dealing with all freshmen o line on the road against an all American front 7. When that is your reality as an OC, you are definitely in a coin flip situation when it comes to the goal line because you aren't likely to get a touchdown running. Your odds are better passing. Again, if this was last year's o line, it is a different story. This year's o line most definitely wasn't getting those hard yards. And the empty vs one back is really semantics. It is a tradeoff to sacrifice the illusion that you could possibly run for the certainty that you will pass, but having an actual pass catcher in to run the play. And I understand you feel like the run game was loosening up, but all that goes out the window on the goal line. They were going to be damned if we ran for a score. I get the frustration with some of his schemes or play calls, but this particular play was a definite catch-22. I can't get mad about that one. The jet sweep inside the 10 after it had been stuffed twice already was much more questionable if you ask me. If people were griping about that, I would fall in step.

 

[SamRebel35]

With Worley it is. Was that his 3rd or 4th 105 yd. pick six from inside the 10 yd. line?

I don't remember Worley throwing any other pick 6 before Saturday. Maybe he did and I have blocked it from my memory.

 

[mccrackb]

OU dropped 8 in coverage at the goal line a QB must recognize that and not try to force the ball into coverage. If Worley had just taken a sack there it's 4th down and we hit a chip shot FG and it's 27-13. A scramble and it's very likely he gets two yards and it's first and goal, and maybe he scores. Worley must learn to protect the football at all cost to avoid catastrophic game deciding plays if the Vols are going to upset one of these ranked teams on the schedule.

yep. That's the play. Do you think this play should have been called.

 

[KingtUT]

Not real sure what this team practices at this point.

If you think going 4 wide is the answer there, then no point in continuing on. At some point Bigeastian has to give our backs the ability to run downhill and challenge a young OL to put a hat on someone and drive them off the ball.

Our lack of yardage is not an OL personnel issue solely. It's a scheme issue moreso.

Honestly, this is one opinion that couldn't be further from the truth. It's such a bad opinion, I'm actually wondering if your serious.

 

[DC Vol]

Nobody is a good comparison because no other team is dealing with all freshmen o line on the road against an all American front 7. When that is your reality as an OC, you are definitely in a coin flip situation when it comes to the goal line because you aren't likely to get a touchdown running. Your odds are better passing. Again, if this was last year's o line, it is a different story. This year's o line most definitely wasn't getting those hard yards. And the empty vs one back is really semantics. It is a tradeoff to sacrifice the illusion that you could possibly run for the certainty that you will pass, but having an actual pass catcher in to run the play. And I understand you feel like the run game was loosening up, but all that goes out the window on the goal line. They were going to be damned if we ran for a score. I get the frustration with some of his schemes or play calls, but this particular play was a definite catch-22. I can't get mad about that one. The jet sweep inside the 10 after it had been stuffed twice already was much more questionable if you ask me. If people were griping about that, I would fall in step.

:ermm:

 

[Fijivol72]

The end around to pig needs to be benched!