Just my opinion (from admittedly few sightings). I think Betts will be our next superstar. Just seems to glide, never looks like he's running hard. It'll be interesting to see him really turn it on.
Betts
- Thread starter 8th Street
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I think he needs more targets. Obviously he's still learning the playbook, but I would design more plays for him and Wandale. I think besides the ball that was 10 feet over his head he has caught every target he has had.
So help me get this right - we need more plays for Betts, more plays to get Wandale in space, more carries for Mills and RB's to get the running game going, more plays for Luke and then more plays with both Luke and Adrian on the field at the same time? We just need a new play book. 
Don’t forget more passes to the TE’s and throw it deep, plus run the dam ball.So help me get this right - we need more plays for Betts, more plays to get Wandale in space, more carries for Mills and RB's to get the running game going, more plays for Luke and then more plays with both Luke and Adrian on the field at the same time? We just need a new play book.
We need to run 100+ plays a game, but only the plays that work of course.
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Probably that most of his targets have been on sweep style plays, not downfield throws.
His 45 yard touchdown vs. Penn State reminded me of Irving Fryar in 1983 in the kickoff classic against Penn State. Actually it may have been a reverse run in 1982 as opposed to 1983.
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The fly sweep play.
Sure it scored. But these guys will only gain confidence if they are put in position to try to make plays.
This kid was a top 100 player. Use him like one.
couldn't agree more. purdue was in single-high safety for much of the game on sat. just begging AM/Frost to dial one up to Betts down the sideline.
I'd love to see him get a chance to make a play down the field, and am ecstatic to see him playing more and more each week.
I understand where you are coming from and it's easy to be a backseat coordinator, but Betts has delivered in every chance he has gotten minus one fly sweep where he was tackled for a loss. For an offense that has struggled to have big plays and get touchdown passes, I would definitely take my chances at trying to get 5+ touches to Betts, as others pointed out with at least 1+ jump ball/deep route. Heck even when he runs the wrong route good things happen (penalty for holding on defense).So help me get this right - we need more plays for Betts, more plays to get Wandale in space, more carries for Mills and RB's to get the running game going, more plays for Luke and then more plays with both Luke and Adrian on the field at the same time? We just need a new play book.
As the announcers said, Frost would like to see Wandale with 15 touches and I'm guess most would trade a few of his runs up the gut for Mills.
I'll go out on a limb and say my ideal offense would include approximately
15+ touches for Wandale
10+ runs for Mills
5+ quarterback runs
5+ touches for Betts
At 35 touches, there is still plenty for others and this really doesn't deviate much from what the coaches are doing, but I just think Betts has proven himself and earns more touches.
Since you mentioned it, yes it would be nice to have Luke in more formations and possibly have him take the redzone snaps inside the 10 where quarterback runs more frequently. Keep in mind he can be in a formation while someone else gets the ball so it's not always a zero sum game.
I'm not going to argue with your statement but a phrase you said, and we've heard for years, is they're still learning the playbook. Here's my problem with that....... How many frickin time have we had qb/reciver combo beat us like a rug by just running to the open spot (zone) or flying to the end zone (man coverage) AND either beating our db or pass interference penalty.
WHY is that so easy for them and we can't??
I think the touches can fluctuate based on the game, but we really need to get back of getting teams off balance and I think Betts is that key because he can stretch you deep. We've been missing that, and until Nixon or Betts or someone on our roster is able to do that, we are probably still going to struggle. The point has been beaten to death, but we need a Stanley Morgan type player at a minimum and the better that player or players are, the more open I think our offense becomes. Fidone is going to help this as well.
AMart, Mills, Wandale, Betts, plus Vokolek and Allen. Run game helps pass game and vice versa. Betts give Wandale better looks and the tight ends are getting more involved. A virtuous cycle if you will.So help me get this right - we need more plays for Betts, more plays to get Wandale in space, more carries for Mills and RB's to get the running game going, more plays for Luke and then more plays with both Luke and Adrian on the field at the same time? We just need a new play book.
The thing about him that impressed me last Saturday on a catch Wan'dale made was Betts turned around and completely squared up on a defender on a block.
I'm with you. I can only assume it is the complexity of the offense, but I don't know how it doesn't hurt us with recruiting. What is so frustrating this year is that it seemed like with Betts, Brown, Fleming we actually had some guys who could stretch the field.
Yes, and as my post indicated it was in line with what the coaches probably want and only accounts for 35 touches. I'd be happy to be more clear with ideal touches, but the whole point was the Betts and Wandale deserve more. We won the game against Purdue in part due to the increased touches these two guys had. Betts got the minimum and Wandale was -4 touches of what I suggested (although he had a couple catches an run called back due to penalties).
If you look to the entire 6 games, Betts is averaging 2 touches per game (11 receptions, no deep passes) and Robinson is average 11.66 per game (31 rushes and 39 receptions = 70 total). I don't know how many of those rushes are between the tackles, but I would prefer that his 15 touches didn't include those.
If you look to the entire 6 games, Betts is averaging 2 touches per game (11 receptions, no deep passes) and Robinson is average 11.66 per game (31 rushes and 39 receptions = 70 total). I don't know how many of those rushes are between the tackles, but I would prefer that his 15 touches didn't include those.
I'm not comparing their receiving abilities, but I feel similar to when we got Maurice Purify in that they each break the mold in terms of WR's we have typically had at NU and have the ability to be matchup nightmares for defenses.
Guy that I went to church with for a very long time used to be a scout for the Chiefs. He said something he always looked for in guys is if they looked like they could glide. He said people like that have deceptive speed and athleticism. Betts fits the profile.
It was fun watching the Bills game last night. BOTH teams run a lot of the same concepts that Frost runs in his offense. I chuckled when they ran a WR in motion in front of the QB and "passed" it to him with a forward pitch for a first down. The announcers were raving about what a great play design that was by their OC. IF you watch the offense the Bills run with their dual threat QB, it looks very very similar to Frost's. Of course we don't have Stefon Diggs on the outside. Likewise the offensive genius at San Fan does some things that look very similar to concepts that Frost runs.So help me get this right - we need more plays for Betts, more plays to get Wandale in space, more carries for Mills and RB's to get the running game going, more plays for Luke and then more plays with both Luke and Adrian on the field at the same time? We just need a new play book.
They need to be able to read that Betts is going to get single covered and audible to a fly THEN THROW the damned ball that way no matter what. IF it looks like they might have him covered throw it over their heads but throw the ball instead of eating it for a sack.
You would have thought he would have learned eventually, but he never did. TMart always had one guy hanging on his ankles, holding him in place like a statue while 3 other defenders came rushing in for the kill shot. That happened A LOT.
Completely agree about Betts. From what little I have seen of him when he is used. However, after watching the offense operate this year, most players should learn the playbook in 5-10 minutes.
No kidding. Zone read, QB run, wandale across the middle AND usually lit up... thanks he has great hands and is tough, zone read to wandale, jet sweep to wandale, high snap.....I got the play book/calling!!
Was surprised to see that big guy from PSU almost run him down, but found out that guy runs a 4.3 40.
He's our best blocking receiver. He's actually our best receiver period. Also saw him stop his route and reverse direction when the qb had to roll out of the pocket which is pretty rare for our receivers to do. He was wide open but AM hit Wandale instead.
All I know is he looks different after he catches the ball versus everybody but Wandale. You can tell he's a natural athlete that should only get better with reps, better offensive line , QB play, etc.
When you go in to a tackler being afraid to get injured, you have a much better chance of getting injured. Either get down or deliver the blow yourself. F=MA. It's basic physics. Be the one delivering the greater force.
Yeah I noticed that even in his high school film he doesn't like to take hits. Alonzo Moore is really the last receiver we had who was just an animal after the catch and refused to go down.
He was a very good receiver overall, but he usually went down pretty easily and wasn't as athletic as a guy like Alonzo. Alonzo Moore was an amazing athlete. Too bad we could never turn him into a good receiver.