How does Holgerson change the O

[lifer56]

… going from a veteran pocket passer to a pure rookie with less arm but better mobility.

It’s not like TJ can’t throw. But he’s going to make mistakes. And other teams will bring even more pressure in passing situations. Which of course will make our terrible pass pro look even worse. So … even quicker reads and shorter passes than Dylan was already throwing? And moving the pocket (assuming we can occasionally create a pocket).

Gotta figure out how to capitalize on his mobility outside of predictable QB draws and scrambles. Actual zone reads that aren’t automatic handoffs to Johnson? While we’d all love to see some old-school option, our crap OL plus better athletes on D means that’ll be tough.

I was pulling for some more I or similar two-back running plays. Maybe bring in additional OL for max power runs like Utah does so well. If we’re going to more zone read/spread option, I don’t see that happening.

Thoughts?

 

[broken record]

Our running game will be a minimum of 2/3 of the snaps, at least for the next two games. Look for many QB designed runs which no other teams have had to think about against NU. We have good wideouts so I am hopeful that TJ can operate this offense.

 

[lifer56]

Teams definitely will be packing the box a lot more. Which means more man coverage in back. Where are all those crossing routes Holgerson ran at previous spots?

 

[lifer56]

Our running game will be a minimum of 2/3 of the snaps, at least for the next two games. Look for many QB designed runs which no other teams have had to think about against NU. We have good wideouts so I am hopeful that TJ can operate this offense.

I agree about our talent at WR. But man oh man was SC’s man coverage effective.

 

[Laner2]

Our running game will be a minimum of 2/3 of the snaps, at least for the next two games. Look for many QB designed runs which no other teams have had to think about against NU. We have good wideouts so I am hopeful that TJ can operate this offense.

Agree on the WRs but why can't we take the top off if any defense ala Kenny Bell or Trey Palmer? We need that badly to get linebackers and DBs out of the box.

 

[cestrup]

I agree about our talent at WR. But man oh man was SC’s man coverage effective.

We should have thrown to our WRs in one on one all night last night. ND does that. Runs and throws go routes. It’s effective. Draws a lot of penalties and rarely costs them INTs

 

[Husker Priapism]

No more fade passes hopefully

 

[lifer56]

Agree on the WRs but why can't we take the top off if any defense ala Kenny Bell or Trey Palmer? We need that badly to get linebackers and DBs out of the box.

Holgerson absolutely must find ways to get them open against man. That was the challenge last year too when teams packed the box and brought crazy pressures. Think the UCLA game. We improved a little after DH took over. But we’re going to see a whole lot more.

 

[Anon1752115983]

… going from a veteran pocket passer to a pure rookie with less arm but better mobility.

It’s not like TJ can’t throw. But he’s going to make mistakes. And other teams will bring even more pressure in passing situations. Which of course will make our terrible pass pro look even worse. So … even quicker reads and shorter passes than Dylan was already throwing? And moving the pocket (assuming we can occasionally create a pocket).

Gotta figure out how to capitalize on his mobility outside of predictable QB draws and scrambles. Actual zone reads that aren’t automatic handoffs to Johnson? While we’d all love to see some old-school option, our crap OL plus better athletes on D means that’ll be tough.

I was pulling for some more I or similar two-back running plays. Maybe bring in additional OL for max power runs like Utah does so well. If we’re going to more zone read/spread option, I don’t see that happening.

Thoughts?

He does not have less of an arm. I was fortunate enough to watch a number of practices in the spring and a couple this fall. Lateef can fling it -- strong and accurate arm. His running ability adds a dimension we do not have with Raiola. Obviously, his lack of experience will be a hinderance.

I was hoping Holgerson would open up the offense for TJ a little bit yesterday after his first or second series. Now, with TJ having a full week of first-team reps, I hope they allow him to run the full offense and that the team (specifically, his line) rallies around him and busts their butts to help him be successful. I'm excited to see what happens offensively next Saturday.

 

[lifer56]

He does not have less of an arm. I was fortunate enough to watch a number of practices in the spring and a couple this fall. Lateef can fling it -- strong and accurate arm. His running ability adds a dimension we do not have with Raiola. Obviously, his lack of experience will be a hinderance.

I was hoping Holgerson would open up the offense for TJ a little bit yesterday after his first or second series. Now, with TJ having a full week of first-team reps, I hope they allow him to run the full offense and that the team (specifically, his line) rallies around him and busts their butts to help him be successful. I'm excited to see what happens offensively next Saturday.

Thank you for the insights about TJ. It sounds promising. However …

He is a rookie deep in the meat of the conference schedule. As you acknowledge, he’s going to make mistakes.

As for the OL … it can rally all day and night long, and it’s still going to suck.* Corcoran is still Corcoran, no more no less. And I gotta figure Knaak is 4th string for a reason. Maybe he will exceed expectations! That would be fun!

* “Rally” when I was in HS, which was like fifty years ago, was basically code for finding a way at school or work for getting high. Hey! Maybe the OL rallying will help!

 

[mgbreeze]

I don't know the answer, but I'll crap myself the first time I see our offense stretch the field at all. For all the talk about run game vs pass game vs pass protection vs Dylan vs TJ vs whatever, we just don't complete passes down the field. At all. Every defense we play is worried about LOS plus 10 yards and that's about it. Pretty hard to win games like that.

 

[dinglefritz]

Agree on the WRs but why can't we take the top off if any defense ala Kenny Bell or Trey Palmer? We need that badly to get linebackers and DBs out of the box.

Because we had Ameer, Rex and Armstrong all of whom were a threat to take it to the house.

 

[Redscarlet]

For crying out loud it’s Holgorsen.

 

[lifer56]

For crying out loud it’s Holgorsen.

Guilty as charged.

But however you spell it, we’re going to be facing a LOT of packed boxes AND man coverage. His job is to find ways to turn that to our advantage.

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

I don't know the answer, but I'll crap myself the first time I see our offense stretch the field at all. For all the talk about run game vs pass game vs pass protection vs Dylan vs TJ vs whatever, we just don't complete passes down the field. At all. Every defense we play is worried about LOS plus 10 yards and that's about it. Pretty hard to win games like that.

Will you be wearing your men's depends just in case?

 

[Chief Wiggum]

I can't imagine we will want TJ running the ball TOO much...if he gets hurt, who is even behind him?

 

[Redscarlet]

I can't imagine we will want TJ running the ball TOO much...if he gets hurt, who is even behind him?

You can’t go into the game with this kind of thinking.
What ever it takes to win the game and if we need he legs so be it.

 

[mgbreeze]

Will you be wearing your men's depends just in case?

I'll just have to take the risk. Have we gone over the top and connected with a WR in stride all year? Surely there must have been once, but I don't remember it.

 

[K Rod]

Holgerson absolutely must find ways to get them open against man. That was the challenge last year too when teams packed the box and brought crazy pressures. Think the UCLA game. We improved a little after DH took over. But we’re going to see a whole lot more.

Same old story. Our WR cannot get separation. Dylan did tend to float the ball on longer throws, and extra second of two waiting for the ball to arrive is costly to the WR trying to make a play. Hopefully this is not the case with the backup.

 

[lifer56]

Same old story. Our WR cannot get separation. Dylan did tend to float the ball on longer throws, and extra second of two waiting for the ball to arrive is costly to the WR trying to make a play. Hopefully this is not the case with the backup.

There are ways to address that. Crossing patterns, quick outs, etc. Hell, if we had even a just below average OL to provide protection, some double-move routes.

That is exactly the OC’s job description: Understand what the D will try to impose on the O, and then countering that to our advantage.

 

[mgbreeze]

Agree on the WRs but why can't we take the top off if any defense ala Kenny Bell or Trey Palmer? We need that badly to get linebackers and DBs out of the box.

Does Jacory ever run those routes? Tired of seeing him catch swing passes for 2 yards.

 

[lifer56]

Does Jacory ever run those routes? Tired of seeing him catch swing passes for 2 yards.

I agree that we need to figure out how to generate more chunk plays even on the quick-read-and-release plays necessitated by our crap pass pro. Thanks to Johnson, we might buy a couple fractions of a second with play action.

 

[cubsker15]

Teams definitely will be packing the box a lot more. Which means more man coverage in back. Where are all those crossing routes Holgerson ran at previous spots?

We finally hit a couple of nice ones vs USC. Thought we would throw many more slants and crossers than we have.

 

[cubsker15]

No more fade passes hopefully

Everyone says this but we've scored many TDs on them.

 

[HUSKERFAN66]

He does not have less of an arm. I was fortunate enough to watch a number of practices in the spring and a couple this fall. Lateef can fling it -- strong and accurate arm. His running ability adds a dimension we do not have with Raiola. Obviously, his lack of experience will be a hinderance.

I was hoping Holgerson would open up the offense for TJ a little bit yesterday after his first or second series. Now, with TJ having a full week of first-team reps, I hope they allow him to run the full offense and that the team (specifically, his line) rallies around him and busts their butts to help him be successful. I'm excited to see what happens offensively next Saturday.

Agreed

 

[Jeans_15]

Quit

 

[Laner2]

Does Jacory ever run those routes? Tired of seeing him catch swing passes for 2 yards.

I believe Jacory doesn't have that break-away top end speed. His forte is quick-twitch routes where he use his shake and bake.

 

[Nuts McClanahan]

… going from a veteran pocket passer to a pure rookie with less arm but better mobility.

I was pulling for some more I or similar two-back running plays. Maybe bring in additional OL for max power runs like Utah does so well. If we’re going to more zone read/spread option, I don’t see that happening.

Thoughts?

I think we see less under center plays-- run plays and play action. And more of that "T formation" type stuff with the QB in the pistol and backs on both sides. I'd like to think that we still run most of the same stuff and that TJ is just gonna be more of a running threat on the zone reads or more likely to scramble against a pass rush. That QB draw vs USC would have worked had USC not lucked out with calling a stunt right into it.

 

[Nuts McClanahan]

I don't know the answer, but I'll crap myself the first time I see our offense stretch the field at all. For all the talk about run game vs pass game vs pass protection vs Dylan vs TJ vs whatever, we just don't complete passes down the field. At all. Every defense we play is worried about LOS plus 10 yards and that's about it. Pretty hard to win games like that.

Dylan had a habit of holding onto the ball. And so on those plays with deeper routes, we got a lot of pressure or sacks. Maybe with TJ, he'll just let her rip, or if the first option isn't open he'll run. That's not optimal but it's something at least. My guess is that UCLA is going to mix coverages up so that the coaches won't be able to tell TJ for sure which receiver to look for.

 

[lifer56]

I think we see less under center plays-- run plays and play action. And more of that "T formation" type stuff with the QB in the pistol and backs on both sides. I'd like to think that we still run most of the same stuff and that TJ is just gonna be more of a running threat on the zone reads or more likely to scramble against a pass rush. That QB draw vs USC would have worked had USC not lucked out with calling a stunt right into it.

I’m just hoping we have other things in addition to the go-to QB draw on every third down with around ten to go.

 

[dinglefritz]

Dylan had a habit of holding onto the ball. And so on those plays with deeper routes, we got a lot of pressure or sacks. Maybe with TJ, he'll just let her rip, or if the first option isn't open he'll run. That's not optimal but it's something at least. My guess is that UCLA is going to mix coverages up so that the coaches won't be able to tell TJ for sure which receiver to look for.

I expect more QB turnovers with Lateef

 

[king_kong__]

I expect more QB turnovers with Lateef

Dylan was already leading the B1G in turnovers

 

[goldencohusker]

I believe Jacory doesn't have that break-away top end speed. His forte is quick-twitch routes where he use his shake and bake.

Over the past 4 games Barney has 10 catches for 36 yards. Whether its his shake and bake not working, play calling, or Dylan's progressions, the team needs more production out of him. Same with Key - he has 9 catches for 88 yards over the past 4 games.

 

[lifer56]

Dylan was already leading the B1G in turnovers

But he was doing better his second year than his first. TJ is a rookie through and through. If he doesn’t make at least one or two big blunders a game, I’ll be very pleasantly impressed. Fingers crossed!

 

[inWV]

I expect more QB turnovers with Lateef

That would bother me more, but EJ is turned into something of a security blanket, and his productivity should open up opportunities for TJ to do good at what he is good at.

 

[steinek11]

… going from a veteran pocket passer to a pure rookie with less arm but better mobility.

It’s not like TJ can’t throw. But he’s going to make mistakes. And other teams will bring even more pressure in passing situations. Which of course will make our terrible pass pro look even worse. So … even quicker reads and shorter passes than Dylan was already throwing? And moving the pocket (assuming we can occasionally create a pocket).

Gotta figure out how to capitalize on his mobility outside of predictable QB draws and scrambles. Actual zone reads that aren’t automatic handoffs to Johnson? While we’d all love to see some old-school option, our crap OL plus better athletes on D means that’ll be tough.

I was pulling for some more I or similar two-back running plays. Maybe bring in additional OL for max power runs like Utah does so well. If we’re going to more zone read/spread option, I don’t see that happening.

Thoughts?

So defenses had enough film to know they didn’t have to respect Dylan taking off and running at all. They left their safeties deep. The safeties are gonna have to come down field more against TJ. I’m sure Dana knows this.

 

[lifer56]

So defenses had enough film to know they didn’t have to respect Dylan taking off and running at all. They left their safeties deep. The safeties are gonna have to come down field more against TJ. I’m sure Dana knows this.

SC packed the box to stop EJ and played a ton of man coverage. I would expect more of the same with TJ at QB, if not more.

 

[inWV]

SC packed the box to stop EJ and played a ton of man coverage. I would expect more of the same with TJ at QB, if not more.

The opportunities will be there. He just has to see the openings and make the throws.

 

[lifer56]

The opportunities will be there. He just has to see the openings and make the throws.

The question remains how best to create those “openings” against man coverage. Which is not a new issue for us.

 

[Killersker47]

… going from a veteran pocket passer to a pure rookie with less arm but better mobility.

It’s not like TJ can’t throw. But he’s going to make mistakes. And other teams will bring even more pressure in passing situations. Which of course will make our terrible pass pro look even worse. So … even quicker reads and shorter passes than Dylan was already throwing? And moving the pocket (assuming we can occasionally create a pocket).

Gotta figure out how to capitalize on his mobility outside of predictable QB draws and scrambles. Actual zone reads that aren’t automatic handoffs to Johnson? While we’d all love to see some old-school option, our crap OL plus better athletes on D means that’ll be tough.

I was pulling for some more I or similar two-back running plays. Maybe bring in additional OL for max power runs like Utah does so well. If we’re going to more zone read/spread option, I don’t see that happening.

Thoughts?

He’s got too much “mustard “ on his throws to make the short ones…they’re going to have to figure something out.