fufanatic wrote: ↑Sun Apr 11, 2021 1:12 pm
I just can’t get over the OL situation. That’s CCH’s specialty. 40 years of highly successful coaching and playing experience. He’s an expert. I’m at a complete loss of what’s happened there. You don’t just forget how to coach or recruit elite talent. I would be so much more hopeful for the future if that area was elite and we needed to add more talent around them.
This is where I get confused with what's going on. There are a few plays I've reviewed a number of times.
Here's a 4th and 1 play from the goal line.
To me, these sorts of plays highlight the coaching and execution problem.
The set up and personnel signals to the Citadel we probably aren't running the ball at them - our big power back (Roberto, I think) is lined up on the wing. Anderson, the TB, is 7 yards deep and is typically a pass catcher (Anderson averages more receiving yards a game than rushing yards). Deluca, who frequently is a target on crossing routes, is lined up to the left.
If I'm Citadel's DC - I'm looking at a goal line situation, I see a receiving back in the backfield, the power guy is lined up outside next to the TE. The left side of Furman's formation has two WRs and two OLs. Everything here is signaling the play is going to the right and likely a pass. Our play calling, to this point in the season, also signals that when we need yards on a 3rd or 4th down, we are going to try to hit a crossing route.
The play has just about everyone but the RB blocking to the left. The issue there is that the stacked MLB, stacked behind the NT, is keyed on Anderson. He'll be running whichever direction Anderson goes.
So, immediately off the snap, the Bulldog defense has numbers. The RG takes the easier block on the NT, the LB sees Anderson run to the right, so he heads that direction too. Furman now has three guys - RT, TE, and RB - to block the Citadel's 5. One of those 5 will have Anderson out of the backfield. We go on to miss a block up front anyway, so now 2 guys are blocking 5. I'm not sure if the TE was supposed to go for a pass or not. It ends up essentially being RB trying to hold out the Citadel's defense by his lonesome.
This isn't to "call out" anyone, but when you are as historically inept on offense as we've been, I think trying to figure out "why" is therapeutic. At least for me.
1. The formation and personnel helped eliminate a lot of what Furman could be doing on this play, in my opinion. It's much easier to play defense when we're essentially telegraphing what we are likely doing.
2. The blocking scheme all but guarantees Citadel will have more men than we have to block them.
3. Even as designed, the play was not well executed.