He was the best at not getting drilled two yards deep immediately after getting handed the ball
Time for Sanders to be the featured back
- Thread starter ZRF
- Start date
All he is doing is pushing it outside and out running defenders. Im all for it, it worked great on my ps3. But I'm thinking blocking and play calling are the issues in the run game.
He has more 10+ yard plays than the other guys. We need to use him more with screens or short throws on the edge. He had a really nice reception on Saturday.
I think Hansen could be good here as well. His longest run was only 5 yards, but we went outside to the wide side of the field and his speed was evident.
This was Sanders’ best game by a mile and I think his acceleration may make him the guy for this awful line. He’s at least getting to whatever semblance of a hole exists at top speed
I thought he was far more decisive, and that was a key factor in his success. To be fair, a couple of those runs were blocked better. Possibly the OSU line didn't have the same spring in their step as they had earlier. Either way, I think he has earned a serious look.
Largely I agree with this.
With that said, he seems to be the only back that can find the (few) holes inside. The cut he made on his long run was something we hadn't seen from our backs all year. If Sama or Norton were carrying the ball on that play they assuredly would have tried running around the pile, something that hasn't worked well for any of the backs this year.
Nothing is the solution to be honest as it's not likely our line will get much better (this year). But if we are going to run the ball (which we stubbornly will) AND if we are going to have the same line/blocking scheme (again...we stubbornly will) then Sanders has to be the guy. Even if it was a small sample size he's the only one of the backs that's proven to be able to hit/cut into the scant holes up the middle. He at least presents the opportunity of having some really nice runs every 3-4 carries. We've seen what the other two can do and while I really like Sama (long term) I don't think he yet possesses the vision of Sanders.
What Sanders was able to do behind that line was impressive. But yeah, there was one play where Bonifas completely whiffed on his and threw his head back in frustration. That **** seems to be happening on most plays.
I still don't understand why we're running zone. The line can't do it. Maybe they will prove me wrong by the end of the season but we are getting dominated.
Sanders had a decent performance this weekend. It’s really hard to make any declarations though when most running plays the opposing defense is damn near receiving the hand off at the same time as the backs.
I agree with an earlier poster. Getting the RBs the ball in space…in the flat or short drag routes…would be nice. Sama damn near housed the one target he had, and I believe if we can get him the ball in similar situations a few times a game, those are 50/50 house calls.
I agree with an earlier poster. Getting the RBs the ball in space…in the flat or short drag routes…would be nice. Sama damn near housed the one target he had, and I believe if we can get him the ball in similar situations a few times a game, those are 50/50 house calls.
I thought Sanders looked the most decisive out of the bunch, and by golly with our line play you better be decisive because you don't have much time to make your choice.
The line play is comically bad. I can remember a good half a dozen times they replayed a run and you'd see one or more lineman completely whiff a block and fall forward. Provided zero resistance to their line, which isn't that good.
The line play is comically bad. I can remember a good half a dozen times they replayed a run and you'd see one or more lineman completely whiff a block and fall forward. Provided zero resistance to their line, which isn't that good.
Agree. Sanders is not an RB1. Did have a few solid runs.
As others have noted - it is all pretty moot until there is an entirely new offensive line. What I saw Saturday (and confirmed on replay) is that is some of the worst O-Line play I have ever seen in my life. And I have watched a lot of Iowa State football. It is hard to comprehend how often multiple offensive lineman literally whiffed or missed their assignment instantly and consistently. As in, play after play after play, within 0.5 seconds. It was really eerie to watch. And IMHO, it did not improve as the game went on; we popped a few "longer-ish" runs in the 4th quarter partially from luck and partially from OSU defenders simply guessing wrong.
This is where I'd like to see him get some more touches. I don't mind him running the ball but he definitely looks like a freshmen when he does, and he's not the style of RB I think this team needs in a primary back. A good change of pace guy though.
But he looks like on of the best athletes we have in space, get him a couple more touches a game in the passing game and see what he can do.
It's like running the option. When your line is getting blown up, you end up trying zone blocking (but you usually want lighter linemen who move better) to see if they can get leverage from the side and make a crease for the back. While some people may not like Neal, Bonifas and others; those are the ones I'm thinking the staff will be focusing on since they are younger and don't have as many bad habits reinforced in them from the previous line coach.
KidSilverhair
Well-Known Member
Yeah, it can be a good play sometimes. Once the defense realizes the RB didn’t get the handoff, sometimes they forget about covering him in the pattern.
Our Oline is poor, I say that so people don't think I'm saying anything else when I say that OSU may be the toughest game to get a handle on our Oline performance. OSU runs a lot of twists and stunts compared to other teams. ISU has always had struggles with OSUs Dline. May seem strange when the games are generally a shoot out, but OSU is also a team that generally has poorer secondary and backer play so it you can get your QB a smidge of time, you can move the ball on them. Gundy has focused his defensive efforts on the Dline throughout his career.
When my Texas Tech buddy is texting me from his Texas lake house how terrible the ISU O-Line is you know its BAD!
Bonifas won the job out of fall camp. I'm not sure there is a better answer currently on the roster. I am pulling for him too, as a fellow Dubuquer, but good God it has been dreadful so far watching him and #75 try to do just about anything.
