Held on RBs

[TruHusker]

I have to disagree with this. It is true if every play were executed perfectly, every play would result in a TD or long gain. But no play will ever be executed perfectly. A coach's play calling needs to put players in the position to succeed. Case in point, first play against Illinois last year. A freshman QB ( and I use that term loosely) is starting his second game against the worst rushing defense in the league. So the first play called is a weird swing pass that turns out to be a backward lateral fumble. Three plays and a little more than a minute into the game, NU is down 7-zip. Sure special teams are bad and the turnovers are bad and lapses on the defense are bad and penalties at horrible times are bad. But so is the play calling at times, which helps lead to losses. I don't call that an excuse, simply reality. In the above case how about a couple runs and if 3rd down a rollout run/pass option to help get Luke ease the beginning of game jitters?

You actually just proved my point. Your example of the swing pass that went backwards was an extremely obvious, poorly executed play by the QB. Your point he is wasn't "experienced" enough to complete that play but that just limits your options. You also really do not know what the actual play call was. There were, most likely, other options on the play and the QB made a read, albeit a poor one and then compounded it with poor execution.
I have done some small high school coaching and calling plays is difficult. You are correct in that most plays are not perfectly blocked. It might surprise you to know that some plays intentionally leave people unblocked with the idea of getting them in conflict thus taking themselves out of the play or rely on a back or QB to best them one on one. How many times have you seen a QB or RB break tackles behind the line of scrimmage or at it and make this great run for a big gain? A D can overload for a play and everyone can block well but still not have enough blockers to match the D. The play can still be executed well and not successful. In that case the D guessed correctly or were lucky.

The other piece you miss is asking if the swing pass or any other bad play was the actual call from a coach. Did the QB change the call based on what he saw, did he go pass on the RPO instead of running, or in some cases a play call is made and the QB can take it left or right, maybe he made a bad read.

Then there is always the weak link in a line. Why don't we run to the right more right at their freshman D line or whatever - well because maybe we don't have an OL on that side who can execute that block consistently.

You really should have a head set at even a higher level HS game and listen to what is said. The coach asks someone in the box what the D overall or certain players are doing, the coach makes a play call in a few seconds and that is passed to the team on the field and often the QB can go either direction or completely change the call.

I watched some UCF games during Frosts last year. I remember watching some outside zine plays go for long gains and TDs and hardly a single person was blocked. The D just made bad reads, took bad angles, or missed tackles or a combination.

I have called lots of terrible plays that netted zero yards and later called the same play that scores. Just saying the playing calling is a simplistic view of the game and ignores the complete process.

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

You really should have a head set at even a higher level HS game and listen to what is said.

I probably should, but sitting in my armchair and passing judgment is so much easier

As you are someone with coaching experience, let me ask you this. Is your quarterback philosophy "next man up", run the whole playbook whoever is in there, including audibles. Or if you had a green QB without much experience on a big stage might you call bread and butter plays and tell your QB not to audible, at least until you see how the game is going? Honest question - I'm interested in your answer..

 

[TruHusker]

I probably should, but sitting in my armchair and passing judgment is so much easier

As you are someone with coaching experience, let me ask you this. Is your quarterback philosophy "next man up", run the whole playbook whoever is in there, including audibles. Or if you had a green QB without much experience on a big stage might you call bread and butter plays and tell your QB not to audible, at least until you see how the game is going? Honest question - I'm interested in your answer..

First, small HS is much different than major college.

I couldn't run all of the playbook with the JV players versus the varsity. In HS, it is a rare where you have two really capable QB's compared to college where you are preparing at least two or more to play.

I see the point you are trying to make, assuming your second string QB can't make all the plays so you limit your O. It won't take the D long to figure that out.

To not avoid your question, I couldn't ask a freshman JV QB to do more than he was physically capable of. I had to limit him to what he could do in combination of those around him. So while he may come into a game as a JV guy, the team is full varsity. If the JV guy still.csnt throw a ball 40 yards I don't call that play.

 

[dinglefritz]

You actually just proved my point. Your example of the swing pass that went backwards was an extremely obvious, poorly executed play by the QB. Your point he is wasn't "experienced" enough to complete that play but that just limits your options. You also really do not know what the actual play call was. There were, most likely, other options on the play and the QB made a read, albeit a poor one and then compounded it with poor execution.
I have done some small high school coaching and calling plays is difficult. You are correct in that most plays are not perfectly blocked. It might surprise you to know that some plays intentionally leave people unblocked with the idea of getting them in conflict thus taking themselves out of the play or rely on a back or QB to best them one on one. How many times have you seen a QB or RB break tackles behind the line of scrimmage or at it and make this great run for a big gain? A D can overload for a play and everyone can block well but still not have enough blockers to match the D. The play can still be executed well and not successful. In that case the D guessed correctly or were lucky.

The other piece you miss is asking if the swing pass or any other bad play was the actual call from a coach. Did the QB change the call based on what he saw, did he go pass on the RPO instead of running, or in some cases a play call is made and the QB can take it left or right, maybe he made a bad read.

Then there is always the weak link in a line. Why don't we run to the right more right at their freshman D line or whatever - well because maybe we don't have an OL on that side who can execute that block consistently.

You really should have a head set at even a higher level HS game and listen to what is said. The coach asks someone in the box what the D overall or certain players are doing, the coach makes a play call in a few seconds and that is passed to the team on the field and often the QB can go either direction or completely change the call.

I watched some UCF games during Frosts last year. I remember watching some outside zine plays go for long gains and TDs and hardly a single person was blocked. The D just made bad reads, took bad angles, or missed tackles or a combination.

I have called lots of terrible plays that netted zero yards and later called the same play that scores. Just saying the playing calling is a simplistic view of the game and ignores the complete process.

Great post.

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

First, small HS is much different than major college.

I couldn't run all of the playbook with the JV players versus the varsity. In HS, it is a rare where you have two really capable QB's compared to college where you are preparing at least two or more to play.

I see the point you are trying to make, assuming your second string QB can't make all the plays so you limit your O. It won't take the D long to figure that out.

To not avoid your question, I couldn't ask a freshman JV QB to do more than he was physically capable of. I had to limit him to what he could do in combination of those around him. So while he may come into a game as a JV guy, the team is full varsity. If the JV guy still.csnt throw a ball 40 yards I don't call that play.

Thanks.

 

[NUSouth]

Yant looked good against 4th string walkons

Wha happened to Yant ? Got a scholarship and shut it down ?

 

[dinglefritz]

Wha happened to Yant ? Got a scholarship and shut it down ?

still there. He was promised one if he walked on, got his academic house in order and proved it on the practice field. He's a true freshman and he'll likely play some if not a lot by the time the season is over. He would have been a scholarship back in the SEC if he could have qualified there. IMO, we've got the right amount of scholarship backs on the roster.

 

[TruHusker]

still there. He was promised one if he walked on, got his academic house in order and proved it on the practice field. He's a true freshman and he'll likely play some if not a lot by the time the season is over. He would have been a scholarship back in the SEC if he could have qualified there. IMO, we've got the right amount of scholarship backs on the roster.

Can you provide a link for proof of all this? I read everything on him and he had "calls" from a couple of schools and a few lowwlee level college offers, none in the SEC as you state. His stats were not overwhelming. Of course he could earn a scholarship, that's the deal with any walk on at Nebraska.

 

[ZaneHickey]

Says four have separated themselves, with Sevion, Stepp and Ervin made available for media. So who is the fourth?

I just want to see the power I-formation, again. Stepp/Yant at FB, please (assuming they can block)!

 

[steinek11]

From the way it sounds Ervin is the guy right now. I think Stepp because of experience might have a leg up, but everyone is talking about how good Ervin is. It’s early, he is a freshman but he is turning heads

I am fine with that. Whoever wants to step up and take that job, so be it. Let's worry less about running back by committee and hurting feelings.

 

[steinek11]

Folks are freaking out too much about this position IMO. It’s a transition year for RB, that’s all. As long as we don’t have major fumbling issues there, we WILL have a couple guys that step up and shoulder most of the load and will gain many fans.

A lot of you are just being impatient with coaches not giving away the answer right now. It was a question mark when Mills came in and I wouldn’t say he was a contributor to us losing many games. Patience, people. Just because coach speak says we have 4 guys in the mix does NOT mean they all suck.

Exactly. What coaches say carries a lot of weight. We do not need to disincentivize any players at this stage of the game. Trust me, they've all got a feel for who has risen to the top of the heap. But it's good to think that they are right in the mix and with a few breaks can be the guy.

 

[dinglefritz]

Can you provide a link for proof of all this? I read everything on him and he had "calls" from a couple of schools and a few lowwlee level college offers, none in the SEC as you state. His stats were not overwhelming. Of course he could earn a scholarship, that's the deal with any walk on at Nebraska.

He wasn't offered by the SEC because there was no way he was going to qualify there. I'm still amazed that the B1G can take some kids that the SEC can't. We've cried for 3 years that we need a back who can get tough yards in the red zone and short yardage situations. He looks like the guy.

As far as providing a "link", it was months ago and I heard his story on one of the Omaha station sports talk shows that I listen to. I don't remember which one but this has been discussed on here multiple times during the spring.