How vanilla was our offense against USU?

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Surprised this hasn't been discussed a bit more. It felt like after we went up 14-0 Butch closed the playbook and never opened it back up (besides the Pig Howard trick play attempt). There was one series early on where the whole series was devoted to giving the ball to Hurd up the middle, and we ran it 3 times consecutively even though they obviously had us pegged. It seemed Butch was trying to make Hurd grind and pick up tough yards.

There was another series that was 3 out-routes to pig about 10 yards out, it failed the first 2 times and worked the third time.

Another series was all about Malone. We threw a bomb to Malone that he missed, then a short pass, the finally hit him on a crossing route.

We kept the deep ball hidden for the most part and played the game 5 to 7 yards at a time. My question is this, how vanilla do you think we kept it? Will 5 to 7 yards, short pass, dink and dunk, end arounds, bubble screens, etc. be the identity of this offense? Or was the playbook shut and we will go for bigger, more explosive plays vs. Oklahoma and the SEC?

 

[big harry]

Vanilla is a flavor, not the absence of flavor.

 

[Special Ed]

As long as we have a running backs coach who isn't concerned that our RB's only average 3.2 yards per carry, our offensive fire power is likely to remain "vanilla" for some time to come. Methinks we may need Georgia's running backs coach. I want my running backs coach to be concerned that our running game is not explosive. It will have to be explosive if we're going to make any headway in the SEC.

UT running backs coach unconcerned with lack of explosive runs - GoVolsXtra Story

Gillespie actually said, "I like not having runs over 6 yards." Is that what we're paying him for?

 

[VolinDalton]

 

[Gandalf]

As long as we have a running backs coach who isn't concerned that our RB's only average 3.2 yards per carry, our offensive fire power is likely to remain "vanilla" for some time to come.

Gillespie actually said, "I like not having runs over 6 yards." Is that what we're paying him for?

I dont buy that, especially with the asschewing that CBJ gave them about it in the presser and in tues practice. Maybe its subterfuge or just more of keeping things close to the chest but i seriously doubt an rb coach doesnt want breakaway plays when we can get them from a 5 yard route. And yes, once we were up 14 that early i think the game became a targetted practice session.

 

[bradisbrad]

Eh, I'm actually in the same boat in regards to not worrying about short yardage on run plays. Better to design plays to go 4-5 yards and break free with an opportunity than design for 10+ and have the play break down. Short consistent running keeps the clock, and moreover the game, in our pocket.

 

[LotteryPick]

I'm not sure if the OL will allow CBJ to open the playbook up completely.

 

[Vol Revolver]

As long as we have a running backs coach who isn't concerned that our RB's only average 3.2 yards per carry, our offensive fire power is likely to remain "vanilla" for some time to come. Methinks we may need Georgia's running backs coach. I want my running backs coach to be concerned that our running game is not explosive. It will have to be explosive if we're going to make any headway in the SEC.

UT running backs coach unconcerned with lack of explosive runs - GoVolsXtra Story

Gillespie actually said, "I like not having runs over 6 yards." Is that what we're paying him for?

I could coach Georgia's running backs and they would have the same success.

Would you like me to coach our running backs? I can be concerned.

 

[TreeGreen]

The Oklahoma game will tell us a lot about what to expect. If they blow us up and we have a hard time moving the ball we can probably plan on another long season.

 

[Vol74]

As long as we have a running backs coach who isn't concerned that our RB's only average 3.2 yards per carry, our offensive fire power is likely to remain "vanilla" for some time to come. Methinks we may need Georgia's running backs coach. I want my running backs coach to be concerned that our running game is not explosive. It will have to be explosive if we're going to make any headway in the SEC.

UT running backs coach unconcerned with lack of explosive runs - GoVolsXtra Story

Gillespie actually said, "I like not having runs over 6 yards." Is that what we're paying him for?

Go back and listen to the interview again. It's called sarcasm. The media will try to get you to say things that you do not want to say or shouldn't say, and it's obvious Coach G is slightly aggravated by some of the questioning.

 

[ballou1024]

What Gillispe means that he likes short runs because that means it is 2nd or 3rd down and short and short runs equals first downs....duh...

 

[volleyvol]

Go back and listen to the interview again. It's called sarcasm. The media will try to get you to say things that you do not want to say or shouldn't say, and it's obvious Coach G is slightly aggravated by some of the questioning.

Thank you for pointing this out! Here's the full quote which Special Ed dishonestly edited.

"'I like not having a run over six yards,' Gillespie quipped with a hint of irritation when asked about the absence of long runs against the Aggies."

 

[governmentmule]

i just wonder why Lane wasn't given the ball more,he is a proven runner

 

[GahLee]

i just wonder why Lane wasn't given the ball more,he is a proven runner

Gotta keep him fresh for when it matters.

 

[UTodd01]

As long as we have a running backs coach who isn't concerned that our RB's only average 3.2 yards per carry, our offensive fire power is likely to remain "vanilla" for some time to come. Methinks we may need Georgia's running backs coach. I want my running backs coach to be concerned that our running game is not explosive. It will have to be explosive if we're going to make any headway in the SEC.

UT running backs coach unconcerned with lack of explosive runs - GoVolsXtra Story

Gillespie actually said, "I like not having runs over 6 yards." Is that what we're paying him for?

Nice try Ed. Nice try.

 

[NashVOL93]

Obviously I'd rather have big plays than smaller ones, but I'd also rather have 1st downs than go 3-and-out approximately 1 million times like we did last season. We were the offense of a thousand little cuts against Utah State, and I'm okay with that, because first downs keep the chains moving, and chains moving mean redzone opportunities.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

I think the issue was not to try and run every play in the playbook. We took what the defense was giving us and made it work. In all I think the long ball has to be thrown ever so often, just to keep the defense honest. Football is a give and take game. You have to be smart enough to see what the defense is giving you and capitalize on that!

 

[Biopsyman]

I saw a lot of plays that I never saw last year. For example the Downs touchdown

 

[92volalum]

I saw a lot of plays that I never saw last year. For example the Downs touchdown

This was a nice quick read n throw..great for red zone

 

[gm1ll]

To me, it looked like after CBJ realized that we would handle them on D, he started 'experimenting' with the playbook. Notice that it seemed we just tried things each possession? I noticed the real hurry up offence made an appearance for a couple downs until someone started jumping early, then that went away. Hurd running 3 consecutive times. Receivers getting targeted multiple times in a row.... getting reps all around and working on things against an unknown D, but not tipping your hand on your playbook. Yes the O was pretty plain jane Sunday, I would expect more of the same this Saturday as the coaches fine tune the O for the meat of the schedule.

 

[gogators13]

I don't think he closed the play book when TN went up 14-0. I think the 7 players rushing for a total of 110 yards stalled the offense with the 2.8 yards running.

You can't go vanilla when the "O" is not hitting on all cylinders. The deep ball wasnt hidden. CBJ was trying to protect the QB with a new line by throwing quick passes.

 

[JohnMarxism]

The game is secured at 14-0. Managing the game from that point on was fine with me.

 

[IluvdoubleD's]

Vanilla is a flavor, not the absence of flavor.

Not too many gonna get this, but I thought it was awesome.

 

[WooPigSooie]

Utah State is a respectable little program.. but you're at home and it's only the first game. How wide do you want to open your playbook really if you know your players are good enough to pull a win off with a small playbook.

If he did close up the playbook a little bit.. I like the strategy.. especially with how well the defense was playing after that second score.

I'm STOKED about the Volunteers this season! I hope they shock somebody in the east

 

[WooPigSooie]

I'm really looking forward to Florida coming to town in Tennessee. This is most likely Muschamps last season.. I hope the Vols are the straw that breaks the camels back.

Dude has no business coaching a big time program ..