Vanilla Offense

[Vol8188]

I think I've heard this phrase used around 100x the last 2 weeks to describe the play calling.

Are you guys watching a different offense then I am? I've seen trick plays. I've seen great us of our slot receivers in the run game. I've seen a very well executed jet sweep read by Worley were he ran for 7 yards.

What are you guys talking about?

 

[CountVolcula]

I think I've heard this phrase used around 100x the last 2 weeks to describe the play calling.

Are you guys watching a different offense then I am? I've seen trick plays. I've seen great us of our slot receivers in the run game. I've seen a very well executed jet sweep read by Worley were he ran for 7 yards.

What are you guys talking about?

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

 

[Vol8188]

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

What's wrong with our playboy or play calling? I've honestly been impressed with both.

Edit: you know you have a problem when your phone autocorrects play calling to playboy.

 

[TechnoVol]

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

I'm afraid you're right... too bad though. I'd like to see some Pistol and I formations with quick hitting, downhill-type running plays. I'm growing real tired of slow developing counters and shotgun-based read options.

 

[VolStrom]

I think there is a lot more that we haven't seen. Unlike negavol count I think we have a lot more to show.

 

[CountVolcula]

What's wrong with our playboy or play calling? I've honestly been impressed with both.

There seems to be no originality to our play calling

Like Techno said, we see the same old run plays and quick screens to the WRs

We're gonna have to get more inventive to beat better competition

 

[CountVolcula]

I think there is a lot more that we haven't seen. Unlike negavol count I think we have a lot more to show.

How come we didn't see it last year?

We saw two plays during the Georgia game last year and they both gained big yardage

Why not try that some more?

 

[Vol8188]

There seems to be no originality to our play calling

Like Techno said, we see the same old run plays and quick screens to the WRs

We're gonna have to get more inventive to beat better competition

I disagree. The best offenses in football run 15 plays or less.

Auburn runs the same zone schemes and quick screens. There's nothing wrong with what we do, and we package simple pass plays very well with our running game.

 

[vol-un-tear]

There seems to be no originality to our play calling

Like Techno said, we see the same old run plays and quick screens to the WRs

We're gonna have to get more inventive to beat better competition

Yep: I bet we see some innovation this week. I feel like they are holding back a bit. Malone will have to step up for Von

 

[keckjm]

Our offense, in my unprofessional eyes, looks best when we integrate PIG into it as much as possible. That means jet sweeps and screens with him. I like when we go in motion using PIG. I think it opens up the read option more ,and I think it helps us throw over the top of defenses when they stack 8 in the box. Worley has been lights out. I have never seen a QB transform as he has outside maybe Crompton with Kiffin. Worley is the real deal, and I have to believe Mike Baj. and CBJ had a lot to do with that. I do think we have more offense under our selves, and I do believe we need to explore using more single back sets. I also wouldn't mind a strong set or I-form set as well, but we aren't excatly designed player wise to play FB formations all the time. I'm happy with some simple power run plays, even in single back sets, on 3 and shorts. Last year I perosnally felt we used the read option way to much on 3rd and short.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

What's wrong with our playboy or play calling? I've honestly been impressed with both.

Edit: you know you have a problem when your phone autocorrects play calling to playboy.

As far as the passing game goes, the offense is working well. As for the running game, it feels like we're trying to force square pegs into round holes. Frankly I don't think Hurd's skill set as a running back is ideal for this read option offense. I also believe that in order for the running game to work in this offense, you have to a QB that is a real threat to keep the ball in order to keep the defense honest instead of having them crash down and key on the RB's every time.

 

[Vol8188]

Our offense, in my unprofessional eyes, looks best when we integrate PIG into it as much as possible. That means jet sweeps and screens with him. I like when we go in motion using PIG. I think it opens up the read option more ,and I think it helps us throw over the top of defenses when they stack 8 in the box. Worley has been lights out. I have never seen a QB transform as he has outside maybe Crompton with Kiffin. Worley is the real deal, and I have to believe Mike Baj. and CBJ had a lot to do with that. I do think we have more offense under our selves, and I do believe we need to explore using more single back sets. I also wouldn't mind a strong set or I-form set as well, but we aren't excatly designed player wise to play FB formations all the time. I'm happy with some simple power run plays, even in single back sets, on 3 and shorts. Last year I perosnally felt we used the read option way to much on 3rd and short.

If you've noticed, we've also been reading the jet sweep with pig. And it looked pretty good when Worley kept it. We're reading the backside lb which limits the defenses abilit to pursue. The first team I saw do this was Clemson about 2 years ago. It's a great wrinkle and really hard to stop.

I think the jet sweep is where we will see some innovation this week. I think we will see it out of a few different formations (empty maybe?) and will either use bubble screen or maybe even slant as a part of the read to hold the backside lb.

 

[Vol8188]

As far as the passing game goes, the offense is working well. As for the running game, it feels like we're trying to force square pegs into round holes. Frankly I don't think Hurd's skill set as a running back is ideal for this read option offense. I also believe that in order for the running game to work in this offense, you have to a QB that is a real threat to keep the ball in order to keep the defense honest instead of having them crash down and key on the RB's every time.

Why does his running style not fit a zone scheme? And the backside DE hasn't been the guy making the play. Worley has done well there and has been more willing to keep it. But we've also been designing plays to where to read aspect has him throwing and reading the lb, not the de.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Why does his running style not fit a zone scheme? And the backside DE hasn't been the guy making the play. Worley has done well there and has been more willing to keep it. But we've also been designing plays to where to read aspect has him throwing and reading the lb, not the de.

Because the plays take too long to develop and that is not good for a young, struggling OL. Plus, 9 times out of 10 Hurd is getting the ball 5 yards behind the LOS standing still. From what I've seen of Hurd, he is a down hill runner who needs to build some momentum before he hits the hole. He is a classic, I-formation or split back RB. He's not Pig Howard. He may have a lot of top end speed but he doesn't seem to possess the shiftiness that the smaller backs have.

Look I'm not an expert and I don't claim to be. I'm just a fan with an opinion. But I don't have to be a chef to know what tastes good. I just think our offensive identity is all wrong based on the personnel we currently have running it. It just doesn't look right when we run the ball. It doesn't look sharp. It looks awkward and frankly makes us look a little like we're in over our heads with it.

 

[Vol8188]

Because the plays take too long to develop and that is not good for a young, struggling OL. Plus, 9 times out of 10 Hurd is getting the ball 5 yards behind the LOS standing still. From what I've seen of Hurd, he is a down hill runner who needs to build some momentum before he hits the hole. He is a classic, I-formation or split back RB. He's not Pig Howard. He may have a lot of top end speed but he doesn't seem to possess the shiftiness that the smaller backs have.

Look I'm not an expert and I don't claim to be. I'm just a fan with an opinion. But I don't have to be a chef to know what tastes good. I just think our offensive identity is all wrong based on the personnel we currently have running it. It just doesn't look right when we run the ball. It doesn't look sharp. It looks awkward and frankly makes us look a little like we're in over our heads with it.

I'm as concerned about our running game as anyone else. Utah state did have a great run defense in 2013, but we missed a lot of blocks also.

I don't think the problem is scheme. This is a great scheme for young linemen because it's simple. Yet, we've still found ways to leave lbs and Dlinemen unblocked.

Hurd is a big physical RB and many zone running backs are. I think it's just going to take him some time to learn how to read. And inside zone is not designed to be a slow developing play. Notice how Lane and Young hit it compared to him. Hes probably never been asked to read a defensive lineman the way zone running backs are. Also, he has no problem getting up to speed. The gps trackers have him as the fastest player on the team. I think he just needs more reps running the zone.

 

[Carlitovol]

Because the plays take too long to develop and that is not good for a young, struggling OL. Plus, 9 times out of 10 Hurd is getting the ball 5 yards behind the LOS standing still. From what I've seen of Hurd, he is a down hill runner who needs to build some momentum before he hits the hole. He is a classic, I-formation or split back RB. He's not Pig Howard. He may have a lot of top end speed but he doesn't seem to possess the shiftiness that the smaller backs have.

Look I'm not an expert and I don't claim to be. I'm just a fan with an opinion. But I don't have to be a chef to know what tastes good. I just think our offensive identity is all wrong based on the personnel we currently have running it. It just doesn't look right when we run the ball. It doesn't look sharp. It looks awkward and frankly makes us look a little like we're in over our heads with it.

I agree with this 100%. I was watching some of the Kentucky/Ohio game, and I'm not sure they run the same style of offense, but their running game looked explosive in spurts.. Granted it was against Ohio, but we haven't exactly been playing Top 25 competition either.

My biggest frustration with the Offense is how labored and slow the running game appears to be.. In only 2 games, I feel like our RBs have been hit in the backfield just as many times as they've actually made it to the LOS.

Maybe it's a combination of a young/inexperienced OL + RBs that aren't super dynamic. I think Lane is a solid RB, but he's not explosive. Like Brave said, Hurd needs to get some momentum to get to his top end speed.

Derrell Scott appears on film to be the quickest, "shiftiest" of the backs, so I was hoping we would get to see him some against ASU.

 

[volroadwarrior]

I think I've heard this phrase used around 100x the last 2 weeks to describe the play calling.

Are you guys watching a different offense then I am? I've seen trick plays. I've seen great us of our slot receivers in the run game. I've seen a very well executed jet sweep read by Worley were he ran for 7 yards.

What are you guys talking about?

It's an attempt by VN armchair QBs to make us believe they are gridiron experts.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I'm as concerned about our running game as anyone else. Utah state did have a great run defense in 2013, but we missed a lot of blocks also.

I don't think the problem is scheme. This is a great scheme for young linemen because it's simple. Yet, we've still found ways to leave lbs and Dlinemen unblocked.

Hurd is a big physical RB and many zone running backs are. I think it's just going to take him some time to learn how to read. And inside zone is not designed to be a slow developing play. Notice how Lane and Young hit it compared to him. Hes probably never been asked to read a defensive lineman the way zone running backs are. Also, he has no problem getting up to speed. The gps trackers have him as the fastest player on the team. I think he just needs more reps running the zone.

For all the hype about Hurd during his recruitment and spring/fall camp, I guess I just expected him to be more explosive and....well....dominant. Especially against these first two mid major teams. However even when Hurd's been able to break through past the line of scrimmage, opposing defenders have had no problem whatsoever bringing him down. I understand he's a true freshman but so was Gurley and Lattimore and they made huge impacts their freshmen seasons. I guess my expectations were too unrealistic but I honestly thought Hurd was on their level talent-wise based on all the hype. So far I'm just not seeing it.

 

[loggervol]

I thought the play calling was fine for most of the game Saturday. the last qtr and a half is what I had a problem with. I know you have to work on certain things but I thought we could have done more. we had a lot more we had already shown but we would run 2 plays and then throw down field. I've said vanilla but I don't know if that would be the right word or not. I thought with a 12 point lead it was the wrong time to be working on just a couple of things.

 

[tnvols72]

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

I think its the same playbook we seen last year. I guess people forgot about last year after our 1st 2 games they were saying BJ was just keeping it Vanilla and we found out that wasn't the case. Our running plays are slow and takes too long. Might as well put Worley under center and the backs in the I.

 

[RollerVol]

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

I'm sure you know more than me, but, that wouldn't be much. I think we haven't seen the "whole" playbook yet.

GO VOLS!

 

[deaconkane]

Because the plays take too long to develop and that is not good for a young, struggling OL. Plus, 9 times out of 10 Hurd is getting the ball 5 yards behind the LOS standing still. From what I've seen of Hurd, he is a down hill runner who needs to build some momentum before he hits the hole. He is a classic, I-formation or split back RB. He's not Pig Howard. He may have a lot of top end speed but he doesn't seem to possess the shiftiness that the smaller backs have.

Look I'm not an expert and I don't claim to be. I'm just a fan with an opinion. But I don't have to be a chef to know what tastes good. I just think our offensive identity is all wrong based on the personnel we currently have running it. It just doesn't look right when we run the ball. It doesn't look sharp. It looks awkward and frankly makes us look a little like we're in over our heads with it.

Not an. expert either but Hurd gets hit by 2 or 3 guys at the line of scrimmage. Not redirected by 1, no one on this team is any better. Jmo.

 

[deaconkane]

I disagree. The best offenses in football run 15 plays or less.

Auburn runs the same zone schemes and quick screens. There's nothing wrong with what we do, and we package simple pass plays very well with our running game.

Auburn runs quick hit at tackles with the option. Not side to side mostly. They hit the line of scrimmage a lot quicker than our scheme.

 

[orangeluvr]

Vanilla would indicate that there were more to this offense

I don't think there is. We have seen the playbook

Right look for Butch and Jake to go deeper into the playbook, expect some new sets.

 

[CountVolcula]

I'm sure you know more than me, but, that wouldn't be much. I think we haven't seen the "whole" playbook yet.

GO VOLS!

I'm far from an expert, but have watched a ton of football over the years and like Brave Volunteer alluded to, our run plays start 5 yards after the DL has already had time to spy the QB and seen what play is about to develop

I also admit, I hate the read option. I am partial to the Power I with play action passes to keep the D honest and drop back in shotgun on 3rd when needed.

If you watched the special on Spurrier, in 1996, he never put his QB in the shotgun and he got killed during the FSU game. The next time they meet in the NC game, he put his QB in the shotgun all night to keep pressure off him and give him time to get the ball to the receivers. Great coaches do whatever it does to win, if that means the way you run an offense

JM2¢