How do we stop being so predictable?

[JMWally]

I definitely understand the very conservative approach to the Austin Peay game. And keeping JMilton in his comfort zone. But if we keep running those little bubble screens out to either side, it's just a matter of time until some savvy defensive player gets a pick six. I kept waiting for the long balls to fly but instead got a constant diet of short pitches into coverage, many of which went nowhere. If we are not going to take advantage of the big arm we have, why not just become a run first team? Also had the thought that maybe before each game, have Milton throw 100 or so passes to tire out his arm a little. Might keep him from overthrowing and/or throwing harder than needed to complete the pass. He seemed to have too much adrenalin going especially in the first half.

 

[TAF]

I don't think ANYONE predicted the way Tennessee Played Virginia & Austin Peay...WTFAYTA??

 

[Mccage]

We are a run first team!

 

[BADGER_VOL]

How about you wait till Saturday evening then start a post like this.

Dear God some of you need to sit down and relax and enjoy a great coach in process of building for the longterm and a season. But have at it

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Start catching the ball

 

[camp_steveo]

I kinda think part of CJH's philosophy is that if something works keep doing it until they stop you.

 

[igotworms]

Who said being "predictable" is a bad thing?
Packers of 60s
2012 Bama
Current kc chiefs
Bapradys patriots

Those are all examples of "predictable" teams that Noone could stop
In fact most of the time, coaches get outcoached by trying to "trick" the other team and just end up confusing themselves

TN is fine they just need to be really good at what they are - run first team

 

[jaguinn5]

First of all, we are and have always been a run first team. The run is a huge part of this offense. Second, we are two games in and haven't shown anything on offense yet. Thats about to change.

 

[igotworms]

I kinda think part of CJH's philosophy is that if something works keep doing it until they stop you.

Most good coaches are this way

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

We were predictable last year if you look at it. We ran the same plays against Bama, LSU, UF and Clemson. How did that work out?

 

[LucidZ]

I don't see much of an issue with the bubble screens. We threw plenty of them last year to the same effect. Doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of counter play against it to me. We run them multiple times in a row and the result is often the same. I know maybe it seems like an easy thing to counter, but is it really? The ball is getting into the hands of someone who can do something with it quickly. It's to the sides of the field, so it takes those who are in coverage some time to pursue. Then you either have 1 or 2 receivers blocking, depending on the personnel used. (2 usually when it's the RB catching.) Most of those screen passes do go somewhere. A lot of them resulted in first downs or put us close to one.

One of the reasons we didn't see the long ball is because AP did pretty well to keep receivers in front of them. So the other option was mostly to throw somewhere in the middle or to the side for about 15-25 yards. Maybe I'm quite conservative too, but I don't think throwing the deep ball frequently is a good thing. I'd rather hit them with it when they aren't prepared for it. When you do run something over and over, it opens up plays like that I would think.

 

[Orange.]

I think you'll be pleased on Saturday, OP. In the meantime, keep your spirits up. GBO!

 

[turbovol]

I kinda think part of CJH's philosophy is that if something works keep doing it until they stop you.

That wasn't his philosophy in the first half of the Virginia game. Even though he was obvious we could run the ball, and run it well,
Huepel called a LOT of pass plays that did not result in completions and we squandered possessions and the game was closer than it should
have been. It was only in the 2nd half, after seeing that the passing game was struggling, did he just start pounding the ball--which enabled
us to put the game away. I think Heupel basically likes to throw the ball around--probably too much.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Most of our offense is based off of reading what the defense is covering and is vulnerable to. That includes whether to run or pass, and what routes receivers run.

So if you want us to be less predictable, get the defense to change it up.

But I'll grant you, once a game the DC could call for a defender to leave his man and jump another route. Unpredictable could get the D a pick six.

But jumping routes is also unpredictable for the defenders, so it could just as easily turn into a long "Hyatt-on-bama" TD for us. Only sure losers gonna take gambles like that.

 

[Vol4gzus]

That wasn't his philosophy in the first half of the Virginia game. Even though he was obvious we could run the ball, and run it well,
Huepel called a LOT of pass plays that did not result in completions and we squandered possessions and the game was closer than it should
have been. It was only in the 2nd half, after seeing that the passing game was struggling, did he just start pounding the ball--which enabled
us to put the game away. I think Heupel basically likes to throw the ball around--probably too much.

Basically you are allowed your opinion. Remember he was a qb Heisman candidate. However, he will call within reason based on what he sees defense doing. This will take a few series to look for tendencies. Shame we slung to 11-2 last year.

 

[temptn]

The one predictable play that we always run is after a long play that gets within the five yard line, we quickly run up to the ball and run it right up the middle. Even AP saw that one coming and stuffed the middle for a loss.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Basically you are allowed your opinion. Remember he was a qb Heisman candidate. However, he will call within reason based on what he sees defense doing. This will take a few series to look for tendencies. Shame we slung to 11-2 last year.

Those sideline shots are like long handoffs for a guy with an arm like Joe. He knows what a defender can close based on alignment and you will notice that the other receiver(s) are blocking from the git go and rarely will all the defenders match up at the LOS. If they do a down field medium or long strike is coming. Pretty low risk under those circumstances. Not been ANY accuracy issues on those throws I remember.


edited to add

Any smart guys out there that can show the avg. yards per play out there. How many were for positive yards vs negative yards.

Wonder if you run it till they stop it is in play here.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I definitely understand the very conservative approach to the Austin Peay game. And keeping JMilton in his comfort zone. But if we keep running those little bubble screens out to either side, it's just a matter of time until some savvy defensive player gets a pick six. I kept waiting for the long balls to fly but instead got a constant diet of short pitches into coverage, many of which went nowhere. If we are not going to take advantage of the big arm we have, why not just become a run first team? Also had the thought that maybe before each game, have Milton throw 100 or so passes to tire out his arm a little. Might keep him from overthrowing and/or throwing harder than needed to complete the pass. He seemed to have too much adrenalin going especially in the first half.

Triple option with Gaston Moore.

 

[wmcovol]

Defenses are playing teams different this year all across football. They’re really focused on stopping big “explosive” plays

If true, the big chunk plays will be reduced regardless who is playing QB

If Heupel has an answer to the “2 & 3 deep” zones, do you think he’d show it vs Va or AP?

 

[Other_Guy]

My guess is huepel will run at least a 7th play this week.

 

[C-south]

Start being unpredictable.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Start catching the ball

This is a start. Joe overthrew a couple but there were was a few he didn’t get any help on.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

My guess is huepel will run at least a 7th play this week.

If he’s feeling crazy we may see plays 8-10

 

[EZE]

How about you wait till Saturday evening then start a post like this.

Dear God some of you need to sit down and relax and enjoy a great coach in process of building for the longterm and a season. But have at it

No freaking doubt!

 

[CAVPUT]

I kinda think part of CJH's philosophy is that if something works keep doing it until they stop you.

Back in the day, teams knew the Lombardi sweep was coming. Problem was that knowing it was coming and being able to stop it were two very different things. We won't win by "trickery" on Saturday night. If we win, it will be because we executed like we're supposed to.