I start this thread by saying I have complete confidence in the play calling. With a deep stable of backs, what plays or formations would make this offense more diverse without changing the foundation that has made the program one of the best in the country.

Ahh, I'm sure this subject will be kicked around a bit in various pubs throughout the summer as the anticipation builds toward the season opener. Let me preface my comments with this caveat: I have 0 play calling experience, aside from calling sweep left and sweep right in flag football until somebody stopped it. With that being said, my amateur observations are:

 

1. More screen plays to the running backs. It seemed a lot of our screen plays were for our wideouts, which is fine, but I thought the RB screen could be used more frequently with success. Duece could be an effective decoy using play action or splitting him out wide and then throwing back to the opposite side to a back like Wilkerson or Carraro who are tough to see and accelerate very quickly.

 

2. Shotgun formation, single back, inside handoff to Duece. Spread the defense and let Duece find a seam. Works for the Mountaineers.

 

3. Two back set, play action to Sweeney or Botner.(I have to give credit to Jimmyref who first noted that play action would be huge with defenses keying on Duece).

 

4. Hurry up offense--give the QB 4 plays to run in different formations and don't give the defense time to adjust, ex. 1. I formation sweep 2. Shotgun formation inside handoff. 3. Pro Set slip screen 4. I formation play action to WR on a fly or post (hopefully play 4 would be on first down)

 

5. Consider doing a Leak/Tebow type experiment with Brutcher and Buehner. Running Brian in on second or third and short would force defenses to respect his ability to run and maybe open up Duece. Basically, get as many weapons on the field at the same time.

Some jet sweeps would be nice. Three back formations with Finch, Neal and Beach would be a real nightmare for oppossing teams. Speed wise, this might be one of the quickest offenses X has had in quite some time. J.Hayden, Wilkerson, Sweeney, Botner and the Hall brothers could really take some pressure off the running game from the wr position. I like our chances in 2008.

Ahh,

 

5. Consider doing a Leak/Tebow type experiment with Brutcher and Buehner. Running Brian in on second or third and short would force defenses to respect his ability to run and maybe open up Duece. Basically, get as many weapons on the field at the same time.

 

What make you think Buehner is a better runner than Brutscher? What inside information do you have? Help me understand. In addition, brutscher is spelled as follows: Brutscher

Some jet sweeps would be nice. Three back formations with Finch, Neal and Beach would be a real nightmare for oppossing teams. Speed wise, this might be one of the quickest offenses X has had in quite some time. J.Hayden, Wilkerson, Sweeney, Botner and the Hall brothers could really take some pressure off the running game from the wr position. I like our chances in 2008.

 

It has been a long time since St.X has had 2 running backs in the same backfield with 200 lbs.+ size and breakaway speed. Very exciting possibilities, also 2 very capable quarterbacks.

What make you think Buehner is a better runner than Brutscher? What inside information do you have? Help me understand. In addition, brutscher is spelled as follows: Brutscher

 

Just an observation from having watched both of them play. I don't know their 40 times, feel free to correct any misinformation I have posted. Sorry about forgetting the "s".:thumb:

After having enjoyed Tiger football for the last 35 years I understand what the above post highlight. The one thing that is successful is the "unexpected". The more diverse and unpredictable the offense, the better we will be at executing at the highest level. I am not a favorite of a two man QB rotation. We need to go with one or the other and have the other play at another position and serve as back up. Too many times the two QB system creates problems. Very rarely is it highly successful. I have seen Buehner at the VJ level and he looked very good. Throws the ball well, rolls out very nice. Brutcher played well last year at the varsity level as well. I would favor the QB who throws the ball with the most zip but most important, the QB who will run and run over people on the way to the key first down.... Have to have this....

 

I would like to have 15 plays designed for short and long yardage to be used exclusivly in the playoffs. These should be modifications of existing plays but options which we have not displayed.....

 

OL quickness and strength will be key. Last year we improved in this area. We need to be quicker than last year..... If we are not, it will be difficult to acheive the untimate goal. I would take OL quickness and speed over strength any day.....

I would favor the QB who throws the ball with the most zip but most important, the QB who will run and run over people on the way to the key first down.... Have to have this....

 

River, I agree. I'm personally not a big fan of the two QB system either. Florida was able to do it because Tebow was well, Tebow--a Heisman winner the next year. My observations of the running ability of Brutscher compared to Buehner may not be fair considering Buehner was escaping and running from JV lineman and backers while my first time seeing Brutscher try and do the same was against Trinity's varsity.

See, I warned everyone, those are the kind of half-baked ideas you get from a washed up flag football coach.:thumb:

I would favor the QB who throws the ball with the most zip but most important, the QB who will run and run over people on the way to the key first down.... Have to have this....

 

River, I agree. I'm personally not a big fan of the two QB system either. Florida was able to do it because Tebow was well, Tebow--a Heisman winner the next year. My observations of the running ability of Brutscher compared to Buehner may not be fair considering Buehner was escaping and running from JV lineman and backers while my first time seeing Brutscher try and do the same was against Trinity's varsity.

See, I warned everyone, those are the kind of half-baked ideas you get from a washed up flag football coach.:thumb:

Not to throw a wrinkle into it but remember that D J Hall ran a little quarterback freshmen year. What about that option? Then it becomes Finch, Beech or Hall?

Ahh, I'm sure this subject will be kicked around a bit in various pubs throughout the summer as the anticipation builds toward the season opener. Let me preface my comments with this caveat: I have 0 play calling experience, aside from calling sweep left and sweep right in flag football until somebody stopped it. With that being said, my amateur observations are:

 

1. More screen plays to the running backs. It seemed a lot of our screen plays were for our wideouts, which is fine, but I thought the RB screen could be used more frequently with success. Duece could be an effective decoy using play action or splitting him out wide and then throwing back to the opposite side to a back like Wilkerson or Carraro who are tough to see and accelerate very quickly.

 

2. Shotgun formation, single back, inside handoff to Duece. Spread the defense and let Duece find a seam. Works for the Mountaineers.

 

3. Two back set, play action to Sweeney or Botner.(I have to give credit to Jimmyref who first noted that play action would be huge with defenses keying on Duece).

 

4. Hurry up offense--give the QB 4 plays to run in different formations and don't give the defense time to adjust, ex. 1. I formation sweep 2. Shotgun formation inside handoff. 3. Pro Set slip screen 4. I formation play action to WR on a fly or post (hopefully play 4 would be on first down)

 

5. Consider doing a Leak/Tebow type experiment with Brutcher and Buehner. Running Brian in on second or third and short would force defenses to respect his ability to run and maybe open up Duece. Basically, get as many weapons on the field at the same time.

 

Good points Park. Also remember that Deuce is an excellent receiver-especially deep. It has been two years but he did catch a TD against Male in the mud in the last regular season game on a play action to him and then he goes deep. On the interception in OT in the state game, the fake is to Deuce and he goes through and is sitting wide open in the end zone. Expect a big year running and receiving.

I think DJ could get the job done...but I think we'll need every ounce of his energy on the defensive side of the ball. Somebody posted him as a linebacker next year, I like that idea. We have two returning starters at corner and a couple hard hitting juniors coming up in Sears and Lawson who could fill one or both of the saftey spots. I would like to see DJ get some touches on offense as a back or receiver. I also agree we need to hold back about 20 plays for X/Trinity playoff rematch.

DJ Hall's efforts on defense last year was a very welcomed sight. I would think we would have to have him back on D. I thought he played some of the better pass defense X has had for at least 4 or 5 years...... Very solid consistent player.

Who is the Beach kid? What year?

Passes to the TE hurt CovCath. I don't know if that was a new wrinkle for the Tigers and it caught the Colonels unprepared or if they just didn't have to the lbs to cover the TE.

Passes to the TE are good. There even better when the TE catches the ball. Yes, did a much better job of hitting the TE with the forward pass this past season. Just need to add a few more wrinkles so that the D is stretched so that they do not know what to expect.