1st play: if Floyd can hold his block and Hughes has vision, he can bounce that out for >5 yds

4th play: nice uncalled hold on the left side

All in all, I would say that JA ran harder than Hughes and all the backs don't hit the holes hard enough. Sure there was nothing there, but it hard and you at least won't lose yardage. Also, they have poor vision and the young WRs need to become better blockers and seal the edge.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 6:43 pm | #

I'd love to see the same thing, but for MSU's running plays. How different do they look? Did ringer really get that much better blocking?
Moose Krause | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 6:57 pm | #

Never posted before, but does anyone else notice that Clausen very rarely, if ever, audibles out of the run (based on the video for this post, at least). I thought Quinn's ability to audible at the LOS was a strength, and few posters seem to mention this. I'm not sure if Weis won't let go of the reins, or if Clausen is still too green to make the right calls, but it seems like MSU was telegraphing the run blitz all game and that we didn't audible of what wasn't disguised all that well.
Urban Shocker | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:05 pm | #

That comment made way too much sense.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:09 pm | #

I agree the comment makes sense, but I would also have to suggest that since audibling (is that a word?) out of the run would make it a PASS, it would not be in this sequence of RUNNING plays, right?
okiedomer | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:12 pm | #

If CW had a good leg, he’d probably like to kick himself over the “pound the football” remark before the start of the season.
It should have been apparent after the SDSU game and their band-aid defensive line that we sucked on run blocking. I’m too stupid and just refused to believe what everyone was saying.
I appreciate the analysis about the stunts and sending a fifth defensive lineman. With only a couple of hours a day and three field practice days between games, not sure what can be done.
It appears we were offensively out-coached as well. Man I hate that.
Conventional wisdom says go with your strength and throw the ball. Not sure how many tight ends we have left, WY is not going to play Saturday. We have not thrown it to the backs coming out of the back field, I suspect they do not have hands like Darius did.
Against Purdue anything but the first two series of six runs and no first downs again please, my liver can’t take it.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:16 pm | #

I thought Quinn would audible from pass to run frequently as well. None of the runs in video seem to have been "passes" in the huddle. Audibling out of the run to the pass may also find a weak spot (that linebacker was supposed to cover some ground, right?), or at least force the D to stay honest, and delay their run-stop/blitz a little, perhaps gaining 0.5 - 1 yd. just based on where the contact would occur.
Urban Shocker | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:17 pm | #

Shocker, you make a good point. The first play of the game was actually ripe for a pass audible -- the corner blitzed, and not only did he blitz but he telegraphed it. A quick pass to Kamara would have gone for positive yards, with one man to beat for a long gainer.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:20 pm | #

Do we do much play action?
y | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 7:34 pm | #

I think it's the blue line. Is it raised? We seem to be taken down to the turf right at it almost every time.
Gabby | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 8:06 pm | #

I am not sure if Olsen was supposed to get to te second level, but he crushes his guy there on the first play.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 8:09 pm | #

What I saw was the OLine catching the defensive line. This moves the line of scrimmage a yard into the backfield. We need to come of the ball harder and move the line of scrimmage. We allow the linebackers way too much freedom, if we move the line of scrimmage by FIRING off the ball it will tie the linebackers up and not allow them essentially 5 yards to read the play and make plays.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 8:16 pm | #

We run lots of play-action. Its probably the best pass plays we have.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 8:17 pm | #

Jeez, how can anyone watch that video and expect 8 wins?

Gabby, you have to reach the blue line for it to trip you...half those runs didn't make the blue...
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:01 pm | #

To get off topic for a moment, why is USC being declared nigh unbeatable? They beat a VA team that lost 45-10 to Connecticut and beat tOSU (a game they had two weeks to prep for).
RedMahoney | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:06 pm | #

I think too many people are forgetting just how bad we were last year. Clausen, the receivers, the running backs, etc. never got to face the situations where they would actually be forced to make decisions and learn something, becauset the 0-line was so bad. We're now seeing they type of learning curve we should have seen last year--Clausen and the receivers seeing the same thing and making the same adjustments, instead of going opposite opposite ways and getting the picks like we did; Clausen, backs, and receivers recognizing where the blitz comes from and adjusting accordingly, etc. Last year, everyone was just running for their lives, when they should have had the opportunities to make the mistakes and learn from them. Essentially, we're a year behind. While I'm certainly troubled by our inability to run the ball, we're not going to just "be better" than last year at the skill positions until they get the chance to make mistakes and learn. I think we can do that and end up 7-5 or 8-4. I think this team will be much better at the end of the season than they are now, because of that learning curve. I think we may even keep the deficit against SC under 30.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:08 pm | #

Something I don't understand...we were terrible last year, but the run blocking was a little better than everything else, if I remember right. I mean...we'd at least gain POSITIVE 2-yards last year on each run.

Pass blocking is much improved this year, but how did run blocking go backward like this?
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:38 pm | #

Matt,

Jay talks about this in his post. Check out the clips from this year's game. Michigan State is running a 4-3 under, which has 5 guys on the line of scrimmage. They're shifting to that front right before the snap.

Biggest issue with that is when there are 4 DL, our 5 OL + 1 TE can double team 2 of those guys, while the other 2 play block straight up. The double team is more effective, and then those guys can get to the 2nd level.

When MSU went to the 4-3 under, now we had 6 guys blocking 5. We were forced to win more 1 on 1 match-ups. One guy losing that battle, as Jay alluded to in his post, makes it that much harder to open holes.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:52 pm | #

Brad,

Play action passing has actually been surprisingly bad this year.

We're 5 of 15 for 92 yards. However, 48 of those yards came on the TD pass to Tate.

Furthermore, we're 1 of 7 from Regular (2 wrs, 2 backs, 1 te).
Michael | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 9:56 pm | #

The idea of successful play action when you can't and don't run the ball is amusing.
red | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 10:32 pm | #

Any talk of Brady Quinn's success in calling audibles should be prefaced by video or statistical analysis of him as a sophomore quarterback. Lest we all forget that he spent half of that season on his back. The last thing on his mind was audibiling from pass to run. As a sophomore, he was a 54% passer with a less than 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio.

So I think we may want to hold off on expecting Clausen to be able to audible in his first full year of capably understanding and handling a not-totally inept offense.

As has been pointed out several times already, I think we all need to remember what our expectations should be this year and react accordingly. If we think this is a 7-5 team, it's not totally unexpected that the team may go on the road for the first time, against a pretty good Michigan State team in a so-called rivalry game, and look a little shaky.

As Jay points out in his post, Notre Dame was in the game until late in the fourth quarter and who knows what happens if not for a few mental flops.

If they look equally inept this week against Purdue, then it's a trend to worry a little bit about.
Josh | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 10:46 pm | #

This is the fourth year of CW's reign, and it doesn't look as there has been notable improvement from year one.
Everyone has an analysis of why the two pronged attack system isn't working, but the bottom line is that ND has 9 coaches to get this figured out.
Geez. How would Corwin Brown and John Tenuta defense this offense? CW is always talking about self-analysis, let's see some collective improvements.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 09.23.08 - 11:01 pm | #

Ah, Jeeze Jay, not you too. In the clips you posted they played straight up 4-3 on all but 3 occasions: they went odd twice and shifted to the short side once. The blitzed 20% 0f the time. Look at it again for cryin' out loud and read Pagna. It's us not any genius on their part. And while you're at it ask charlie how you misdirect with a single back or a two back set when the fullback NEVER carries the ball.

You might also point out that in that short clip Schwapp missed two assignments and on two occasions as well, the backs missed the hole on their option choice off tackle. You guys are the best but IMHO this is not your best post.
Domerplayer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:17 am | #

Jim Masterson: wrong as usual. Do you and crazy Jim from Redondo beach share a brain? No improvement? C'mon. Drop the hyperbole.

This team has something that ND has not had in years...the potential to get better next year. For as long as I can remember, every year we'd look at the previous year and laud the talent we lost, and lament that there was none of the same caliber in the pipeline. That is no longer the case.

If you're watching Ethan Johnson, Brian Smith, Golden Tate, and Michael Floyd (to name a few), and not getting excited about what these kids can do in the next year or two, with more experience, speed, and strength, then you're wallowing in a world of pessimism I want no part of.

Have a coke and smile, and put the Chicken Little act to bed.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:34 am | #

"You might also point out that in that short clip Schwapp missed two assignments."

Ahem . . . everyone feel free to insert your own witty comment here.
As for this . . .

"Because when the line of scrimmage starts moving that way, you know, usually something good is going to end up happening."

My blood ran cold when I saw this quote. You know who that sounds like?

Here's a hint:

Metronome.

Here's a second hint: the primary duty of a football coach is to ensure an equitable distribution of chocolate milk on the sidelines.


I don't want to be too reactionary after a bad game. I've generally approved of the job Weis has done. But I realized during the game Saturday (or at least I think I did) that Weis will never coach a college team that is going to dominate the line of scrimmage. I'm not an old-timer asking for the wishbone, but you have to be able to line up and run the ball when it's 3rd or 4th and short. Even back in 2005 and 2006, when we were a decent running team statistically, it was all draws and then sneaks by Quinn in short yardage situations. I still think we win 9 games this year, but if that does happen, it's due mainly to the padded schedule we play and the talent edge we have.
ndfootball4ever | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:45 am | #

My post just now reminds me. Does anyone know if Washington did the swinging gate at the end of the BYU game?
ndfootball4ever | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:46 am | #

Domerplayer, I think if you check out the clips from last year's MSU game you'll see what I'm talking about. I made no distinction between even/odd -- just pointing out that they walked a guy to the LOS on just about every play, which is something they definitely didn't do against us last year, and something they didn't do much against Cal (which I reviewed for the post). I don't think we were ready for it, and we certainly didn't make good adjustments for the stunts they threw at us. If you can find a clip of the middle sack that Jimmy took, you'll see Wenger totally confused on a stunting DE -- he lets him pass right by him, unsure of what to do. I think confusion played a big part in Sparty's plans, and it worked.

Pagna's article was interesting, but I think even he's looking at it from a total tear-down POV, which, to me, isn't feasible three games into a season. The fact is the plays that he envisions don't exist in Charlie's playbook, they haven't been installed and they haven't been practiced for upwards of 2 years by our linemen. Asking for a wholesale switch at this point is a tall order.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:47 am | #

Jim Masterson:

No notable improvement from year one? Of course not. Notable improvement from 9-3 and a BCS bowl would mean we were in the national championship game, and winning it. Anybody who expected that is off their rocker.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:49 am | #

Some of you need to stop being such wusses. Good grief.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:13 am | #

I'm not a big fan of the single back formation (especially when the RB is 7 yards deep); by the time he gets to the LOS, he's nailed.

Something has to change... what happened to the I-formation? Hell, I wouldn't mind seeing a T-formation once in a while.

I agree with whoever mentioned the FB needs to carry the ball once in a while. Overload one side of the line and run some quick hitters; at least they won't be telegraphing to the defense with some deep backfield handoff.
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:18 am | #

Domerplayer

I more or less understand your position on the O schemes. I always enjoy your insight. I am a bit confused about your statement about CW's commitment(or lack of) to the run game. When CW was at NE, they did not have the best runners or running game, but they were not dreadful like the Irish have been these last 2 years and I even think the last 4 years.

I think that one of the reasons ND looked so good the first 2 years of the Weis reign is Darius Walker. He was not that fast but he could find the miniscule holes the O line created. He could also cathc the dump passes when Quinn was being pressured. The backs we have today cannot hit those tiny cracks. It seems to me that the holes are just as big or just as small as before. The O line has not produced since Charlie has been here.

Why did his running schemes work at NE and not at ND?
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:29 am | #

A. Allen hasn't caught those dump passes either, especially in 3rd/4th down situations.
bs0ng | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:32 am | #

"The fact is the plays that he envisions don't exist in Charlie's playbook, they haven't been installed and they haven't been practiced for upwards of 2 years by our linemen. Asking for a wholesale switch at this point is a tall order."

As is replacing the head coach as so many in Domernation are jawing about. While I don't agree with that thinking, I do wish Charlie would burn that New York City-size phone book of his and KISS. Domerplayer makes a ton of sense and the Pagna article is definitely worth a read.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:52 am | #

GB, if I understand Domerplayer correctly, the schemes are too complicated for the amount of time a college team has to devote and rely on everyone doing everything correctly or it falls apart. Having to think too much could indeed be slowing us down.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:56 am | #

OC mj

Thanks. KISS is usually the best although when Norm Chow was at USC, they did more schemes.
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 2:15 am | #

I've been reading for awhile and am impressed with the insight and the dedication to the site... anyway...

The biggest thing I keep coming away with every time I saw a runnging play with a tightend is that rudolph can't block anyway. I'm sure he's a talented receiver but untill he can block I say we need to look elswhere for a TE flex him out, throw a few balls his way and maybe run the ball with a full back and three wides, or with num 9 flexed out in the slot. Either way he doesn't need to be at the line of scrimmage
Rob | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 3:38 am | #

DC domer; That's not a nice compliment to Jim from Redondo Beach and certainly not me inferring we both share the same mental capacity.
Would you like to compare educational cv's?
I never attended the University of Notre Dame, my under-graduate degree is from Priceton class of '62, advanced degrees from Cambridge in '67 and Columbia in '70.
Saying that, the achievements of '05 & 06, I think can be surely laid at the feet of the ball-players and CW.
Would you be so kind as to show the quantive leaps since the U$C game of '05?
All I'm stating is that CW has had Turk & Duncan for 4 yrs., Olsen, Wenger, Stewart, now 3 years. It seems as they the aforementioned have not grasped or understand the nuances of the OL blocking schemes, or the ability to adjust to change-ups from the Defensive side, as Jay described the MSU game. Four years is a sufficient amount of time to implement and stamp an imprimateur on your offense.
Big Jim and I thank you for your attention to the previous post.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 6:36 am | #

So what needs to happen this weekend for us to consider the game a success? Other than a W, I'd like to see JC go a game without throwing an interception of the momentum slaying, soul crushing variety. Breaking a hundred on the ground would also be nice, but of the two, and given our rushing outlook this year, I think the first is more important.

Also, KISS is a terrible band and has no spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Just wanted to throw that out there. I was glad to see them rebuffed again this year.
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 7:02 am | #

anyone notice how all the offensive linemen stand up to block on run plays? how do you push a player off the line of scrimmage when you're hitting above the waist?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 8:57 am | #

NavyJoe, good points all around... you must have gone to Princeton
Dave | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 9:30 am | #

Dave,
I can't really tell if you are making fun of me or not, so I'm just going to pretend like I'm back in high school and assume that you (and everyone else) probably are. As I lived in NJ during high school, my chances of getting into Princeton as middle-class male were roughly the same as ND's shot at beating USC this year. Luckily for me, I was able to convince some Catholic school in the Midwest to let me in, so I didn't founder completely.

On a serious note, I think the match up this week might be the most telling of all because it will be the first time we see how our DB's perform against a team that has a somewhat competent passer. Going into the season, we knew that our rushing offense and defense was going to be suspect and so far, those assumptions haven't disappointed.
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 9:49 am | #

Jim:

Wow. Just wow. We're all very impressed with how you are using your degrees. You misspelled "impramatur," and "quantive" is not a word.

I notice that you don't have "charm school" listed. Odd.

To echo an Anonymous post up there, I'm not sure what you're looking for, but we knew there would be lean years because of the lack of depth in Ty's later recruiting classes. Last year was the nadir. We're on an up-slope. Things will get better.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 9:52 am | #

"I never attended the University of Notre Dame, my under-graduate degree is from Priceton class of '62..."


I've never heard of Priceton, jim m., but their website leaves a little to be desired...


http://priceton.org/
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:02 am | #

I plan to be coaching at Priceton next year.
Tyrone Willingham | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:03 am | #

You guys are funny. This web site brings a great deal of glee to the heart. I loves me some intranets fudbaw talk.

I think I'm playing tight end this week, by the way.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:08 am | #

seriously, after the past two years of recruiting, who would have thought we'd have a lack of depth at Tight End...
NavyJoe | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:10 am | #

luke schmidt must be a decent option. no?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:40 am | #

NavyJoe,

When two mediocre football teams clash, the one that makes fewer mistakes tends to win. I agree with you that playing mistake free ball (bonehead turnovers) is the most important thing that ND can do right now.

Next, to anyone that actually likes metal, KISS is a disgrace. They are the Spice Girls of rock.
Dave | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:45 am | #

you gotta admit that gene simmons is a pretty funny, entrepreneurial and interesting, albeit slightly twisted, guy.
i doubt he's an ND fan too.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:48 am | #

I honestly did not see MSU do anything fancy. Basically they dared the Irish to try and run on them and they could not. It truely is a matter of manhood to try and move the man in front of you. I heard CW presser from Tuesday. He was asked specifically about Sam Young. In my opinion if you read between the lines this guy is playing no where up to hype and potential. Maybe we could say that about the rest of the line also. One dimensional football will not win most games.
azjimbo | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:50 am | #

Multiple replies:

Jay, they walked a backer up weak side which everybody does. Sometimes, they walked two guys up due to the formation because in his one back set with a certain formation, in his offense, you have a damn good idea where the play is going.
Wegner didn't get beat on a stunt; the guy guessed the snap, jumped the gap(amazingly, he could get through) and blew the play up. JC fault or a good guess. There were slants to the strong side but not many stunts. They played us head up and without any deception, beat our guys. Oh well.
And yes. That is exactly what Pagna is saying. You are correct, can't do it this year but his scheme will not work. Can it. We are and will be a passing team as long as Weis is the coach but he can put in a running attack to compliment his major strength. This scheme detracts from the same.
As for New England: He had professional athletes. Way different.
His staple was the stretch. Defense it inside/out and nothing happens, but make one little mistake at that level...In addition, you don't have a poor, no-footed bugger (bit of Cambridge for you, Jim M.)at tackle who can't make a cut-off on a ML when he has a total release. Different game old cock (Damn Jim, you really got me going)!
Domerplayer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 11:05 am | #

Geez Boyz, excuse me. As I posted this at 6:30am and my bevy of assistants were not available for proof reading. Of course I could have had Christol & Mitz, my two escorts for the night check the post, but for a K an hour thought there would be better options for me.
Tyrone Williams recruited the whole group of ballplayers that CW inherited for all of '05&'06.
It has been four (4) years of CW bringing in OLmen, & the regression is startling.
Imprimatur, think white and get serious boyz. You're way in over your collective heads.
See, I attended Princeton before "affirmative action" and the influx of mediocrity suchas the two Obama's.
Brhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:27 pm | #

DP, take a look at Olsen's comments from yesterday, wherein he confirms the confusion at facing a new scheme by MSU. Also, the sack in question was by Long, stunting around the tackle. You might be thinking of a different play.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:27 pm | #

Just kinda browsed some of the comments that have been said and noticed that some are accusing the Weis offense as being too complicated (or that he can't teach it properly).

I don't think this is true because:

I guarantee that he has watered it down from his Patriot version (and even if I am completely wrong on that, ND is supposed to have smart kids that should be able to pick up an offense).

Also, his offense worked in 2005 and 2006, so he can teach it, and players can pick up the system.

I don't know all the mistakes he made to cause last year, but I think this is a team on the rise.
www.southbendblarney.com | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:32 pm | #

Here's what Olsen said.

"Coming out in the first series, Michigan State jumped into a scheme that we hadn't expected and hadn't seen all year so it kinda gave us that paralysis by analysis..."

http://notredame.scout.com/2/793828.html
Michael | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:49 pm | #

No Jay, I covered the Long sack the other day. They ran a twist and Olsen didn't pick it up. Mind you Wegner was not on a swivel but staring off into space oblivious to the action around him, so he gets part of the blame. Stuff happens. In the clips you included it was not a sack but a good move by the tackle that simply blew up a running play.

I rarely listen to Charlie's pressers but I did see Moo play against Cal. Different scheme? Sure...different offense. Don't know what else they played against this year but I'll be willing to bet there was another spread out there at least once. In any case, I keep looking for that "considerable schematic advantage," or whatever Chubby called it. Right now, a blind def coord. could stop this offense...certainly on the ground.

Oddly, I still think the guy can make it IF he stops listening to his own B.S. and talks to some folks who would be more than willing to help. He's smart enough...1600 SATs (sic).
Domerplayer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 12:56 pm | #

I disagree. How many of those plays do you see our running backs run into the back of our lineman? It's all about the player's vision.

Classic example: Although Tate is a WR, he seems to lack vision as well. Watch Tate's end around play. Why in the hell did he run to the middle once he got into the secondary? You can clearly see Kamara has the outside block on his man, giving Tate free reign of the sideline all the way to the endzone. Yet, he cuts back inside and runs right into a bee's next of MSU players.
Vision....it's a problem with vision. Let's hope it goes away with the more experience these young players get over the course of the season.

Go IRISH!!!
Clutch | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:05 pm | #

i've seen several plays where players, esp backs, could have broken it outside for a much more substantial gain. the most notable being AA in the SDSU game where he cut inside and got popped which ended in a fumble. he could've cut outside and gone the last 50 yds for a td. this isn't the problem though. this is only an issue of being able to exploit the plays in which we are successful at getting the back passed the LOS.

it feels as though the overall issue is that talent simply isnt being developed. the pieces are there personnel wise. either the coaches need to try a different approach of teaching the same thing, or they need to try something else.

personally, i can wait a little longer for results but anything passed this season will be inexcusable to me. i love latina. he's an amazing recruiter. but if things dont look up by year end, he'll be the first one to go.
alanon | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:05 pm | #

Jim,

Keep your racist inflaming remarks to yourself. This is no place for them or you grandstanding about your intellect,which I question. Anyone stupid enough to pay K an hour for someone named Mitz and I dont know who Tyrone Williams coached.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:11 pm | #

Ok everyone. Let's simmer down with the personal stuff. I realize the internets is serious business, but we're all on the same side here.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:16 pm | #

DP,

How much different would you say that Cal's offense is? When I watched the game, I saw the same inside/outside zone runs and similar runs with a lead blocker through the hole, although Cal admittedly uses that more. Additionally, their pass offense relied heavily on the screen pass and more than a few swing passes to Best.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 1:29 pm | #

Will someone please post the link to the Pagna article?

Thanks,
ND_Dad | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 3:17 pm | #

Here you go:

http://www.blueandgold.com/conte...ntent/? aid=5940
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 5:36 pm | #

Michael

Cal runs their version of a spread. If you know in/out zone runs you know the answer to your question. For everyone else on almost every play there is countermotion and two backs with a QB read. We run a pro offense but without any counter motion and too much of the (*&^% )(*&^%& one back set which works sometimes if you have a great line who can hold a block until a great back gets there from seven yards away (7 1/2 if you count the fact that EVERY ONE of our guys' first half-step is backward and no bod ee has corrected that). We have neither a great line nor a great back...and we will not have one I fear unless someone changes his scheme because the great unwashed are going to be all over this Wood kid between now and February. On top of that, we have no line splits (do I repeat myself?) which, dear readers, is one of the reasons why JC has stayed mostly clean. If and when they get him it will be from the corner. Ah hell, I'm becomming a pain. Beat Purdue!
Domerplayer | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 6:17 pm | #

Domerplayer... you're not a pain, you're just callin' 'em as you see 'em.

You as well as Mr. Pagna are hitting the nail on the head.
Irish_Angst | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:32 pm | #

We have neither a great line nor a great back...and we will not have one I fear unless someone changes his scheme...

Wait...is it the scheme or the talent? I'm so confused.
confused | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 10:53 pm | #

Fighting Binny

I think I'm playing tight end this week, by the way.

I'll be rooting for you. Can't do much worse than what I am seeing now. Don't be driving on the campus sidewalks. At least don't get caught.
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 11:14 pm | #

Does anyone else wonder why Tate ran to the middle of the field during his End-around in the first quarter?
Clutch | Email | Homepage | 09.24.08 - 11:15 pm | #

Irish Angst. Thank you, but Pagna is the real deal. He has forgotten more than we will ever know. A great, great, coach and the best color announcer we have ever had. From what I can see, he bleeds Blue and Gold.

Confused. OK, proper criticism from what is undoubtly an English major. Poorly written on my part. Well taken. Stay confused, otherwise you will get pissed off...like me. Life is too short. Beat Purdue!
Domerplayer | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 12:06 am | #

1st thing I noticed was not a single ND linemen 'pulled' on any of the plays. Just straight up runs against a stunting defense. On a lot of the plays, an MSU d-lineman simply 'crashed' the line sacrificing himself to take 2 blockers. By being able to pull, that guy would crash into air, and the free lineman would have gotten a better angle on the linebacker filling the gap on the other side. ND was double teaming guys not even in the play.
good clip | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 12:16 am | #

Domerplayer

I do learn from your posts. Tnanks.
GB | Email | Homepage | 09.25.08 - 2:40 am | #