Tuesday Story: Iowa State won’t “panic” in quest to solve offensive woes entering Big 12 opener

[CoachHines3]

i bought 0 hype but its worse than i thought it would of been, offensively

i expected to be 2-1 not 1-2, at this point in time.

if we get to 2-2 after this weekend, were back on track with my 2-2 thought through 4 games, just coming differently than expected.

 

[stewart092284]

Won't panic? AKA we ain't changing jack crap.

Never mind we sucked on offense vs. UNI but got bailed out by the defense and special teams.
Never mind we sucked on offense vs. Iowa but got bailed out by the defense.
Never mind we sucked on Ohio and were only in the game because they suck and defense.


And oh yeah, we sucked the majority of last year on offense too.
And weren't great with a bunch of NFL players the year before.



So... when exactly is it time to panic or at least look into making meaningful changes?


I am all for having a system, believing in your system and all that. But at the end of the day, the results are screaming in your face and you refuse to change? That's more stubborness than good coaching IMO

 

[CycloneVet]

A bit harsh, but if true, it's still on the coaches. The coach, I should say.

The coach needs to provide a scheme that these players can be successful in.

Jfc what scheme is that? I’m honestly curious about how you would put together a game plan with the garbage up front that we currently have?

 

[joefrog]

Jfc what scheme is that? I’m honestly curious about how you would put together a game plan with the garbage up front that we currently have?

Pass first. Pass second. Involve the QB in the run game. Quick slants, bubble screens, HB screens, play action, misdirection, jet sweeps, draws, and occasional deep shots.

 

[stewart092284]

Jfc what scheme is that? I’m honestly curious about how you would put together a game plan with the garbage up front that we currently have?

Happily

1) RPO. Put the defense in conflict
2) Involve the QB with a true / read pull because that makes the defense account for him which means there is one less defender who has to be blocked initially.

3) Widden out formations. Instead of having 7-8 offensive players which brings 7-8 or defenders, make them defend 53 yards. It makes natural running lanes appear

4) Incorporate more power / outside zone to compliment inside zone.

5) Consider going tempo. Yes, it might speed up three and outs, however, it has the benefit of forcing the defense to align quick, and if you are able to convert a 3rd down, they might get worn down and then at that point, its easier pushing a 300+ man backwards.

You try push a 300 pound object that has no wheels and is sit in the ground, it ain't easy. You push a 300 pound wheelbarrow up hill with functioning wheels, it still sucks a**, but its easier than pushing it without wheels. Getting those big boys moving increases the chance of this.

6) Change up the snap count. Especially on early downs when defenders are geared up to stop the run. If we get a couple of those , they stop charging as hard across the line and again, makes them slightly easier to block.

7) Vary the play calling. Instead of being so run heavy on early downs, mix in some more passes. Make a DC have to think. Break your own tendencies. Every single team has them. But the best offenses are aware of this and have tendency breakers. Just like the best defenses do.

8) Better utilize motions and jet sweeps. The more you get a defense going side to side the less a defense in straight up field. The more defenses are going side ways in theory, the easier it is to run block

9) By incorporating more power, pin and pull concepts you naturally create more interior double teams. Well, if you have a weak offensive line that can't win one on one matchups, creating double teams should, again, in theory, create more favorable matchups for your offensive line.

10) Use of tunnel screens and X screens to receivers. Again, if you can't drive them out of the way and they want to hard charge up field, ok, let them.

11) Draws. Establish a passing game, then hit them with a draw play. Again, can't establish a running game, okay, fine. Get a defensive linemen rushing up field, and try hitting them with draws instead of running head first into a brick wall over and over again

12) Set the edge and run a speed option play if you are going to continue using Tight ends right off the LOS.

13) Also, could incorporate a shovel pass to the TE coming back across the play underneath the OL if they are all zoning right, have him come back left and essentially it works as a counter and again, slows down the opposite defenders by making them slow to go in pursuit, which eases the pressure on the playside blockers because there is now a cut back lane for the RB if that defender has to respect the counter or something coming backside

14) Move the pocket. More roll outs, smashes / curl snag concepts and floods to one side of the field to give a young quarterback a half field read and a more clear run-pass option. Put the defenders in a position to be wrong in that snag-curl or high low option./

15)
Flare the running back out like on a bubble or flare the TE out, defense shifts out of the box, well, then I run inside zone or power because now they're shifting, not set and one less hat in the box. They don't shift, I throw the flare, and say ok, even if I only get 4 yards, its 2nd and 6 and sooner or later, you'll leave the box cause you'll get tired of 4 yard gains which opens the run game.


16) Go into the week and find the weakest matchup on the opposite team. So your offensive scheme will vary slightly week to week. If they're leverage and apex defenders are weak, its TE / H pop pass time and outside zone. If their DT's are weak, its inside zone and power time. If their corners suck or play the run aggressive, I'm going to double move or go vertical.






And that's just off the top of my head

 

[Bigman38]

Yeah I never take anything Campbell ever says seriously because what he says in any press conference is pointless.

This is the only takeaway anyone should take from Matt's press conference.

I know people are freaking out but if they're making zero changes or if they're changing to the west coast offense Campbell would, and should, say the exact same thing in the press conference.

We won't know anything about it until they run plays on Saturday. Save the freaking out until then.

 

[VoiceOfReason]

Well, so much for all the folks saying that Campbell wouldn't throw the team under the bus.

“I don’t feel like it’s a lack of creativity,” said Campbell, whose team has won one of its last nine games decided by seven points or fewer. “Really, it was a lack of execution and I think if you go back to the first game and the second game, there are some positives, and yet there are things that are a hair off. And, again, I’m not saying this to be deflective. I’m saying this to be honest. There are a lot of guys playing for the first time in some of those critical spots. I wish that wasn’t the case (but) I’ve got great belief in our young men. We’ve got great coaches. I think part of it is you’re not gonna panic.”

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

The OL has been a total train wreck on running plays. OH has guys in the backfield before the handoff. Sometimes I wonder if ISU has a tell on running plays.

I will say this, Rocco is not very good at executing fakes in the running game. A lot of times the running back doesn't get within 4 feet of him on the fakes. Maybe it isn't his fault, but it looks pretty bad.

Of course there's a tell. We don't run play action, QB doesn't keep on reads, no true counters. There's no reason to not load up the box. ISU doesn't make them pay for being too aggressive.

 

[Cyhig]

I like CMC, but you can only say "lack of execution" so much. If the players cannot execute the plays, then one of two things need to happen:

1) Coaching. Coach the players how to execute the play. Each player has a particular assignment for each play. If the players are not executing, but the coach feels they can, it means they have the physical tools to win their particular assignment. They just have to be coached on how to win their assignment

2) Ditch the play. If the players cannot execute the play because they do not have the talent to win their assignment, don't run the play. If, for example, the players are better in the passing game than the running game, then create a playbook that suits the strengths of the team. Become more pass-happy. Use the pass to set up the run. Use short passes in lieu of the run. But you are setting your team up for guaranteed failure if you continually call plays where the players don't have the talent to win their assignments regularly.

 

[JimmyChitwood]

Harklau in a preseason podcast hyped the up big time. I bought it, gosh I'm an idiot.

I personally know Ryan Harklau and if he said it, he absolutely meant it. Hark doesn't sugar coat things.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Jfc what scheme is that? I’m honestly curious about how you would put together a game plan with the garbage up front that we currently have?

If we can't even combo block effectively then we are truly screwed. Zone blocking requires great upper body strength, good balance and foot work (not common with 300 pounders) and great running backs with burst and vision.

Power blocking enables you too use angles and double teams for easier and more effective blocks.

You can scheme against a defense's tendencies. We don't run play action, draws or counters though so it's a moot point.

 

[madguy30]

Pass first. Pass second. Involve the QB in the run game. Quick slants, bubble screens, HB screens, play action, misdirection, jet sweeps, draws, and occasional deep shots.

This under the assumption that the speed is there for these things from skill positions to blockers.

 

[madguy30]

I personally know Ryan Harklau and if he said it, he absolutely meant it. Hark doesn't sugar coat things.

What was he basing it off of though?

 

[joefrog]

This under the assumption that the speed is there for these things from skill positions to blockers.

If ISU doesn't have the speed to even attempt these things on offense, in year 8 for a coaching staff where just the head guy makes over $4 million a year, then they should be fired. Now. For cause.

Anybody failing that badly in the real world of business would already be gone.

 

[Cfinnerty16]

I support feeding our offensive line meth on gameday to make them crazy.

 

[Lineup]

sorry it is time to panic

 

[Jayshellberg]

Happily

1) RPO. Put the defense in conflict
2) Involve the QB with a true / read pull because that makes the defense account for him which means there is one less defender who has to be blocked initially.

3) Widden out formations. Instead of having 7-8 offensive players which brings 7-8 or defenders, make them defend 53 yards. It makes natural running lanes appear

4) Incorporate more power / outside zone to compliment inside zone.

5) Consider going tempo. Yes, it might speed up three and outs, however, it has the benefit of forcing the defense to align quick, and if you are able to convert a 3rd down, they might get worn down and then at that point, its easier pushing a 300+ man backwards.

You try push a 300 pound object that has no wheels and is sit in the ground, it ain't easy. You push a 300 pound wheelbarrow up hill with functioning wheels, it still sucks a**, but its easier than pushing it without wheels. Getting those big boys moving increases the chance of this.

6) Change up the snap count. Especially on early downs when defenders are geared up to stop the run. If we get a couple of those , they stop charging as hard across the line and again, makes them slightly easier to block.

7) Vary the play calling. Instead of being so run heavy on early downs, mix in some more passes. Make a DC have to think. Break your own tendencies. Every single team has them. But the best offenses are aware of this and have tendency breakers. Just like the best defenses do.

8) Better utilize motions and jet sweeps. The more you get a defense going side to side the less a defense in straight up field. The more defenses are going side ways in theory, the easier it is to run block

9) By incorporating more power, pin and pull concepts you naturally create more interior double teams. Well, if you have a weak offensive line that can't win one on one matchups, creating double teams should, again, in theory, create more favorable matchups for your offensive line.

10) Use of tunnel screens and X screens to receivers. Again, if you can't drive them out of the way and they want to hard charge up field, ok, let them.

11) Draws. Establish a passing game, then hit them with a draw play. Again, can't establish a running game, okay, fine. Get a defensive linemen rushing up field, and try hitting them with draws instead of running head first into a brick wall over and over again

12) Set the edge and run a speed option play if you are going to continue using Tight ends right off the LOS.

13) Also, could incorporate a shovel pass to the TE coming back across the play underneath the OL if they are all zoning right, have him come back left and essentially it works as a counter and again, slows down the opposite defenders by making them slow to go in pursuit, which eases the pressure on the playside blockers because there is now a cut back lane for the RB if that defender has to respect the counter or something coming backside

14) Move the pocket. More roll outs, smashes / curl snag concepts and floods to one side of the field to give a young quarterback a half field read and a more clear run-pass option. Put the defenders in a position to be wrong in that snag-curl or high low option./

15)
Flare the running back out like on a bubble or flare the TE out, defense shifts out of the box, well, then I run inside zone or power because now they're shifting, not set and one less hat in the box. They don't shift, I throw the flare, and say ok, even if I only get 4 yards, its 2nd and 6 and sooner or later, you'll leave the box cause you'll get tired of 4 yard gains which opens the run game.


16) Go into the week and find the weakest matchup on the opposite team. So your offensive scheme will vary slightly week to week. If they're leverage and apex defenders are weak, its TE / H pop pass time and outside zone. If their DT's are weak, its inside zone and power time. If their corners suck or play the run aggressive, I'm going to double move or go vertical.






And that's just off the top of my head

You’re hired.

 

[CyHans]

I remember Ben Bruns talking last year about how the line was not executing like they were supposed to. Basically 3 or 4 guys were doing the right assignment for the play and the other 1 or 2 guys did the wrong thing and basically giving the play no chance of success. Against Ohio I remember the one play where Sama lost 5 yards and the center completely whiffed on his guy and he was on Sama before he even had a chance. So either the line coach still isn't getting through to these guys or the guys in there aren't mentally preparing themselves.

 

[Cloneon]

I remember Ben Bruns talking last year about how the line was not executing like they were supposed to. Basically 3 or 4 guys were doing the right assignment for the play and the other 1 or 2 guys did the wrong thing and basically giving the play no chance of success. Against Ohio I remember the one play where Sama lost 5 yards and the center completely whiffed on his guy and he was on Sama before he even had a chance. So either the line coach still isn't getting through to these guys or the guys in there aren't mentally preparing themselves.

AND/OR, perhaps the practice squad is not properly emulating the scouted version of the opponent. Film is the first step in preparation. In-play execution/repetition is the second step. Not placing blame, but rather bringing up a point I haven't yet read about. In my Earl Bruce days, I often recalled him saying, "they played like they practiced."

 

[JimmyChitwood]

What was he basing it off of though?

He honestly believes there is talent. He thinks Campbell can right the ship. Says the season is long and we need to have patience.