Jet Tempo on Offense

[cyatheart]

This "Jet" offense works well when you got two or three guys to throw that bubble screen out into the flat to and then proceed to let them run about 10 yards before the defense gets set. It also requires a really good defense that can handle a very quick 3 and out if there is a dropped pass or the defense manages to stop it. Because if you do stop it, you get the ball back immediately without the other defense resting. We have neither, Oklahoma has both. And that's why it won't work here.

Sure, we should speed it up some now and then, but we can't do this all the time or even most of the time. We don't have the raw speed on the outside and we can't afford to have our defense back on the field after a quick 3 and out that takes 15 seconds off the clock.

 

[Clones21]

Hopefully Steele is ready or close to ready, to start naming his own play at the line.

 

[aeroclone]

This "Jet" offense works well when you got two or three guys to throw that bubble screen out into the flat to and then proceed to let them run about 10 yards before the defense gets set. It also requires a really good defense that can handle a very quick 3 and out if there is a dropped pass or the defense manages to stop it. Because if you do stop it, you get the ball back immediately without the other defense resting. We have neither, Oklahoma has both. And that's why it won't work here.

Sure, we should speed it up some now and then, but we can't do this all the time or even most of the time. We don't have the raw speed on the outside and we can't afford to have our defense back on the field after a quick 3 and out that takes 15 seconds off the clock.

I couldn't agree more. I have some real concerns about this.

 

[RustShack]

This "Jet" offense works well when you got two or three guys to throw that bubble screen out into the flat to and then proceed to let them run about 10 yards before the defense gets set. It also requires a really good defense that can handle a very quick 3 and out if there is a dropped pass or the defense manages to stop it. Because if you do stop it, you get the ball back immediately without the other defense resting. We have neither, Oklahoma has both. And that's why it won't work here.

Sure, we should speed it up some now and then, but we can't do this all the time or even most of the time. We don't have the raw speed on the outside and we can't afford to have our defense back on the field after a quick 3 and out that takes 15 seconds off the clock.

Yeah, I think everyone knows we aren't completely running it. We will just be using it. Some drives just once, maybe another five times back to back, others not at all.

 

[clone52]

Every year ISU rolls out a new and seemingly sexy offensive gimmick. Every year the offense fails to move the ball and score points, and often looks comical in its failures (i.e. sideline glances before plays).

I am just short of convinced that Herman is all hat and no cattle.

Why do people think that is comical? When run effectively, its a very good tool. If it leads to a delay of game, its ********.

 

[clone52]

I couldn't agree more. I have some real concerns about this.

I honestly hope we do a little more of it. Its not an all or nothing thing. Get to the line of scrimmage as quick as you can, if your QB sees the defense is not set or something they can exploit, snap the ball quick and run your play. If the defense is set, get the call from the sideline.

 

[xboxfever]

The low point for me came against Baylor in 2008. ISU was first and goal at the ten yard line. This was the following sequence of plays.

1st and Goal at BAY 10 - Austen Arnaud pass incomplete.
2nd and Goal at BAY 10 - Austen Arnaud pass complete to Darius Darks for 6 yards to the Bayl 4.
3rd and Goal at BAY 4 - Iowa St penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
3rd and Goal at BAY 9 - Iowa St penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
3rd and Goal at BAY 14 - Austen Arnaud pass complete to Jamicah Bass for 9 yards to the Bayl 5.
4th and Goal at BAY 5 - Baylor penalty 3 yard roughing the kicker accepted.
1st and Goal at BAY 2 - Austen Arnaud pass incomplete.
2nd and Goal at BAY 2 - Baylor penalty 1 yard pass interference accepted.
1st and Goal at BAY 1 - Iowa St penalty 6 yard false start accepted.
1st and Goal at BAY 7 - Jamicah Bass rush for a loss of 2 yards to the Bayl 9.
2nd and Goal at BAY 9 - Iowa St penalty 5 yard delay of game accepted.
2nd and Goal at BAY 14 - Austen Arnaud pass incomplete.
3rd and Goal at BAY 14 - Austen Arnaud pass complete to Jamicah Bass for 8 yards to the Bayl 14, Iowa St penalty 11 yard illegal block accepted.
3rd and Goal at BAY 17 - Austen Arnaud pass incomplete.
4th and Goal at BAY 17 - Grant Mahoney 34 yard field goal GOOD.

For those keeping track, that's 15 plays for a net loss of seven yards and three points on the board. That was the end of my faith in McFarland as an offensive coordinator.

Failure. Thank god that staff is history.

 

[CycloneErik]

I'm just grateful that this particular drive against Baylor didn't end in a safety.

 

[Lyon309Cy]

Anything that gives our offense some kind or rhythm would be great, whether it's a 'jet' or a snowplow, I'd like to see us play at the tempo we want to play at. If we were playing at a slow pace because we wanted to keep their D out there and slowly grind them down, that would be fine with me too. But wanting to play one way and having to play another because of lack of skill players, lack of depth, lack of execution, or lack of trust in the QB (or all of the above) won't move the ball too effectively most of the time. Every once in awhile the offense would decide to dictate the tempo and style of play and the times it worked were about the only times we looked half respectable all year. We aren't able to play at the pace of Oklahoma or Oregon, but we don't have to to be effective. We just have to find a speed and style that works for us and make the defense adjust to it rather than trying to beat them at their own game.

 

[Clones21]

What I really want to know is about this pistol thing i've seen alot of in pictures from practice.

 

[Ficklone02]

I think alot of this has to do with the way we intend to play defense. If we're a bend but don't break defense, then yeah, maybe playing so quick offensively isn't such a good idear. I believe thats the predicament we were in the last couple years. It sounds like we are going to be a more attacking defense this year, so if the D can get more three an outs that gives our offense more freedom.

 

[HandSanitizer]

Every year ISU rolls out a new and seemingly sexy offensive gimmick. Every year the offense fails to move the ball and score points, and often looks comical in its failures (i.e. sideline glances before plays).

I am just short of convinced that Herman is all hat and no cattle.

LOL....There is a lot of history backing up your claim. We bite every year on offensive expectations.. I got to think one of these years it will actually work..

 

[LonoClone]

What I really want to know is about this pistol thing i've seen alot of in pictures from practice.

Why are you relying on pictures? I thought you had a "source."

 

[Clones21]

Why are you relying on pictures? I thought you had a "source."

I've only asked questions about the QB situation. Not offensive sets.

 

[sdillon500]

What I really want to know is about this pistol thing i've seen alot of in pictures from practice.

Iowa State actually used the pistol formation pretty effectively last year, most notably against Texas. Woody usually lines up as the H-back.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Every year ISU rolls out a new and seemingly sexy offensive gimmick. Every year the offense fails to move the ball and score points, and often looks comical in its failures (i.e. sideline glances before plays).

I am just short of convinced that Herman is all hat and no cattle.

What was last year's gimmick again?

I think people we optimistic last year with AA, Robinson, Franklin, and Williams as seniors along with a line that was largely unchanged from the year before which was one of the better ones we have had in recent history.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Why do people continue to call any offense other than "three yards in a cloud of dust" a gimmick??? There is no gimmick. The offense either works or it doesn't. Many teams at all levels have won using all kinds different offenses. Calling one a gimmick implies that it's not "real" football. Well what the heck is "real" football? Is there a "right and wrong" way to play football? No, it's either winning or losing. If you are winning, you're doing it right. Not with a gimmick.

 

[Sloup]

Why do people continue to call any offense other than "three yards in a cloud of dust" a gimmick??? There is no gimmick. The offense either works or it doesn't. Many teams at all levels have won using all kinds different offenses. Calling one a gimmick implies that it's not "real" football. Well what the heck is "real" football? Is there a "right and wrong" way to play football? No, it's either winning or losing. If you are winning, you're doing it right. Not with a gimmick.

+1

You only think it's cheating because you didn't think of it first.

 

[Land Grant]

Re: Herman's offense is gimmicky

I disagree. Gimmick defines something that is used to trick or deceive and/or something that is designed to attract attention due to its unusual nature. The "jet" satisfies both (i.e. the coaches hope it tricks opposing defenses, and they are also using it to gin up curiosity among us fans). So it is a gimmick.

The real question is whether an entire offense can be built on a series of such gimmicks. I maintain it cannot. It seems to me that ISU's whole offensive philosophy is based on continually showing the defense things it hasn't seen before, and then capitalizing on their confusion (Herman's constant attention to sudden changes of pace is one such example; his desire to have a playbook as thick as the tax code is another). ISU's offense seems to be more about "outfoxing" than "outplaying" the opponent.

What I have seen over the last two years is an offense that is uneven, confused, and finally, without personality. I don't want "three yards and a cloud of dust," but I do want an offense that allows the players to get comfortable and establish a rhythm on the field. My main critique of the sideline-glance no huddle is that it KILLS offensive continuity.

Look at what the ISU defense has done: it has established a fairly consistent approach, that is flexible but also has a fairly simple and solid foundation. If we assume that ISU has the same caliber of players on both sides of the ball, it is outright remarkable how much the defense has outplayed the offense in the last two seasons.

Maybe it all comes together this year and I eat my hat. Who knows. All I know is the best ISU offenses in recent memory were the rather unglamorous but highly effective schemes of Steve Loney.

Why do people continue to call any offense other than "three yards in a cloud of dust" a gimmick??? There is no gimmick. The offense either works or it doesn't. Many teams at all levels have won using all kinds different offenses. Calling one a gimmick implies that it's not "real" football. Well what the heck is "real" football? Is there a "right and wrong" way to play football? No, it's either winning or losing. If you are winning, you're doing it right. Not with a gimmick.

 

[Senolcyc]

Re: Herman's offense is gimmicky

I disagree. Gimmick defines something that is used to trick or deceive and/or something that is designed to attract attention due to its unusual nature.

Like the forward pass?