A couple of questions

[Revolver]

Have we run the 'end around' since we scored the second td against Washington with it? I can't think of a time where we have but could be wrong. I think we should run it a couple of times a game. We need to run some misdirection

Why does Jimmy hand the ball off literally 5-6 yards behind the los....and hold the ball out SO long, thus telegraphing the play. I believe running plays should be quick hitting.

Ok, a third. Why don't we ever run any sweep/toss/pitch plays? It seems that Armando would be perfect for these.

[daytonirish]

Answer to #1 No.

Answer to #2 . I don't know.

Answer to #3 I don't know

[Revolver]

Answer to #1 No.

Answer to #2 . I don't know.

Answer to #3 I don't know

Thanks for your eloquent response. Seriously, other than being a smartass, why did you even respond? Let me guess......'I don't know?'

[Irish#1]

Have we run the 'end around' since we scored the second td against Washington with it? I can't think of a time where we have but could be wrong. I think we should run it a couple of times a game. We need to run some misdirection

Why does Jimmy hand the ball off literally 5-6 yards behind the los....and hold the ball out SO long, thus telegraphing the play. I believe running plays should be quick hitting.

Ok, a third. Why don't we ever run any sweep/toss/pitch plays? It seems that Armando would be perfect for these.

Q: Why does he hold the ball out so long?
A: It freezes the D longer. They don't know if it's going to be a run or pass. If I had to guess, I would bet CW took that from the Colts and Peyton Manning. When they run the stretch play Manning keeps the ball exposed as long as possible. This keeps the D from playing either the run or pass straight up and allows the O-line to get on their blocks and maintain them longer. The Irish don't run the exact same play as the Colts, but if the corner comes up, Manning pulls it back and throws. If the corner stays back he hands off.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Good call numero uno....the problem is that his fakes to the RB aren't that good, and he's truly not fooling anyone. They either need to run more play-action, or discontinue that strategy.

[SpanishElite]

Q: Why does he hold the ball out so long?
A: It freezes the D longer. They don't know if it's going to be a run or pass. If I had to guess, I would bet CW took that from the Colts and Peyton Manning. When they run the stretch play Manning keeps the ball exposed as long as possible. This keeps the D from playing either the run or pass straight up and allows the O-line to get on their blocks and maintain them longer. The Irish don't run the exact same play as the Colts, but if the corner comes up, Manning pulls it back and throws. If the corner stays back he hands off.

I would have to respectfully disagree on that. If Clausen read the corners in the middle of the play the OL would not know to pass block or run block. The read on the stretch play or to what ND calls a "look pass" is the alignment of the CB pre snap. (Ran a TON of looks with the Shark) If the corners are off the OL will run the stretch the same as the run, and Clausen will just pull up and throw the look. If the CB are up in the WR's faces (or about 5 yards) they will continue and just run the stretch.

I see alot of people asking this Rev. You ask about quick hitting plays.. yet you ask about a toss or pitch. A toss play or a pitch play up front is blocked the same as the stretch. Its still trying to get to the "8" or "9" whole outside the TE and would be blocked no different up front. Unless you have a "down block, and pull" blocking scheme instead of the outside zone.

We dont run a ton of traps because we are a zone blocking team. Alot like the Broncos, Titans, Falcons, Patriots, Colts, or like old school Minnesota in the college game.

The QB holds the ball so long like Irish#1 said to A. Get to the outside TE, the RB aiming point on stretch and B. Because the defense doesnt know if its a pass or run. Alot of time when the Lbs see the stretch fake they run up and think its run... so A. you can hit the TE and WR on crossing patterns behind the LBs. and B. you can mix in some inside zone, which is a different read for the RB and look for the cut back to hurt the over pursuing defense.

The issue isnt stretch or quick hitting, zone or man blocking, passing or running, shotgun or under center, 21 personnel (2 backs 1 TE) or 11 personnel (1 RB 1 TE). The issue is execution and penalties. When you have 2nd and 3rd and long you cant stick with your game plan and exploit the tendencies of defense.

This year especially you can see how if you run 5 wide throw it 80% of the time (Texas Tech), or your spread option (UF), or a Spread/I team (Oklahoma) or even a Flex Bone Triple Option team (Georgia Tech and Navy) you need to do what you do. Thats our issue. Were not performing. Flat out.

[sonomairishfan]

Good call numero uno....the problem is that his fakes to the RB aren't that good, and he's truly not fooling anyone. They either need to run more play-action, or discontinue that strategy.

i agree. plus the fact that we have a hard time running the ball, makes it even more challenging to execute a fake hand-off. the defenses we play are not concerned about our run game, so they don't take the bait on the play action.

JC will improve at the play-action over time. it takes time to master the fake hand-off. not many college qb's are good at it.

nd just needs to work on the run game to allow the full playbook to be effective.

[NDgrandson]

Can we ban the move TE? Wherever the move TE ends up when the ball is snapped is where we run it. Maybe we've been setting it all up so that we fool Navy by actually running to the other side or something. I saw the Ravens do that a lot and it NEVER worked. I wouldn't mind seeing 3 back sets a la the Holtz years. It sounds like the offense will be simplified but it needs something to put the defense on it's heels. I don't think we are taking advantage of the diverse packages we can send onto the field. As I hae said before, put a 5 WR empty set out there then quickly sub personnel into a 3 back set. We are going to see 3 D-linemen with safeties deep so we need to run the ball. Find a way CW to make the run game work. Reverses, screens and slants combined with great downfield blocking is the wayto go!

[SpanishElite]

Grandson...

If were 5 WR, the defense will sub on the dime personnel obviously. Once their coaches in the booth see 3 RBs run on dont you think they will sub their heavy guys back in?

And the move TE. Usually the move TE is motioned, or jumps sides and is responsible for the BSDE on the inside zone, or he outside zone. So I would have to disagree that the ball always goes to the move TE. But I will watch it on Saturday.