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Is the coaching staff "forcing" the passing game?
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:02 am
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:02 am
It appears to me that the coaching staff is trying too hard to make the passing game relevant, when perhaps we should go back to what we do best, which is run the football.
Last year (2011), through 6 games, LSU ran the ball 267 times, this year, through 6 games, we have run the ball only 241 times.
The big difference is our yards per attempt, where last year LSU ran the ball for 4.1 yards per attempt. This year, that number is 4.9 yards per attempt. And that average includes the game against Florida where we averaged just 1.7 yards per attempt.
Here's how I think this fact has the most adverse effect on the flow of a football game...
Last year when LSU had a 2nd and medium (3-6 yards) LSU typically ran the ball. On a 2nd and 6, even if LSU picks up 2 yards to leave a third and 4, running the ball on thrid down is still an option, so teams can't pin their ears back and come after the QB.
This year on second and medium, LSU has shown a tendancy to pass the ball, probably trying to hit the big play on play action. However, if the pass is incomplete, it leaves you with a 3rd and 6, which is usually an obvious passing situation.
My point is, that I think the coaching staff is trying to be too cute with the game plan, and by doing so, have put the team in predictable down and distance situations.
Here's an example:
On LSU's 2nd drive (LSU's first drive was a 10 play drive) of the game against Florida, Spencer Ware gained 5 yards on first down, making a second and 5. The next play was a passing play where Mettenberger got sacked. Had we ran the ball on 2nd down and picked up just 2 yards, were in a 3rd and 3 verses a 3rd and 18.
The same could be said for the drive we had after the Florida turnover at the end of the first half. If we run on second down instead of a play action, we become less predictable on third down then maybe evern go for it on 4th down.
Realistically, I don't know diddly squat, and my opinion doesn't matter in the scheme of things. This is just my opinion. But if we get back to basics against SC, maybe we can win that game.
I know...TLDR; STFU; blah blah blah.
Last year (2011), through 6 games, LSU ran the ball 267 times, this year, through 6 games, we have run the ball only 241 times.
The big difference is our yards per attempt, where last year LSU ran the ball for 4.1 yards per attempt. This year, that number is 4.9 yards per attempt. And that average includes the game against Florida where we averaged just 1.7 yards per attempt.
Here's how I think this fact has the most adverse effect on the flow of a football game...
Last year when LSU had a 2nd and medium (3-6 yards) LSU typically ran the ball. On a 2nd and 6, even if LSU picks up 2 yards to leave a third and 4, running the ball on thrid down is still an option, so teams can't pin their ears back and come after the QB.
This year on second and medium, LSU has shown a tendancy to pass the ball, probably trying to hit the big play on play action. However, if the pass is incomplete, it leaves you with a 3rd and 6, which is usually an obvious passing situation.
My point is, that I think the coaching staff is trying to be too cute with the game plan, and by doing so, have put the team in predictable down and distance situations.
Here's an example:
On LSU's 2nd drive (LSU's first drive was a 10 play drive) of the game against Florida, Spencer Ware gained 5 yards on first down, making a second and 5. The next play was a passing play where Mettenberger got sacked. Had we ran the ball on 2nd down and picked up just 2 yards, were in a 3rd and 3 verses a 3rd and 18.
The same could be said for the drive we had after the Florida turnover at the end of the first half. If we run on second down instead of a play action, we become less predictable on third down then maybe evern go for it on 4th down.
Realistically, I don't know diddly squat, and my opinion doesn't matter in the scheme of things. This is just my opinion. But if we get back to basics against SC, maybe we can win that game.
I know...TLDR; STFU; blah blah blah.
7
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:03 am to inebr8ted tiger
Dont think they are forcing it all. When a team stacks 9 in the box and wont let us run you HAVE to throw the football. Bottom line. Receivers just need to catch the damn football (and HOLD ONTO IT).
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:06 am to thunderbird1100
I felt they tried to force it last week
JMO
JMO
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:07 am to inebr8ted tiger
I 100% agree with you in that we have this big shiny new toy in Mettenberger and are going to try as hard as we can to get away from what made us so successful last year.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:07 am to thunderbird1100
i dont think the coaches are forcing it i think defenses are . I just wish they would go five wide with slants instead of max protect one man routes . I know our o line is struggling but if mett could get the ball out quicker instead of waiting on a slow developing route we would be better off . 
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:08 am to inebr8ted tiger
No they are not forcing the passing game.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:11 am to stapuffmarshy
quote:
I felt they tried to force it last week
I felt Florida forced it last week. Not the coaching staff. Were we supposed to keep running in 9-man boxes? Clearly that was working out well.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:13 am to inebr8ted tiger
No, you actually made sense.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:15 am to Papa Tigah
Damn now we are throwing to much. The Offensive line is playing like shite and are not as good as last year.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:18 am to inebr8ted tiger
quote:
Last year (2011), through 6 games, LSU ran the ball 267 times, this year, through 6 games, we have run the ball only 241 times.
Good post, and I agree that in some instances, we are trying TOO hard to pass the ball, especially the instances you list here.
My only question is this:
In the statement above it seems to me like this season, through six games, we have run less plays overall. Last week was a prime example of that. UF ran, what, 20+ more plays?
Seems like NT, Towson, and maybe Auburn ran more plays as well.
Do you know that overall number?
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:18 am to inebr8ted tiger
quote:
On LSU's 2nd drive (LSU's first drive was a 10 play drive) of the game against Florida, Spencer Ware gained 5 yards on first down, making a second and 5. The next play was a passing play where Mettenberger got sacked. Had we ran the ball on 2nd down and picked up just 2 yards, were in a 3rd and 3 verses a 3rd and 18.
In order for LSU's offense to become well balanced and force teams to respect the pass we have to do this. Being predictable in down and distance is what is killing this offense.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:24 am to thunderbird1100
quote:
I felt Florida forced it last week
meh. I just thought they got away from it too early. Pound the rock, it's what LSU does. And they didn't last week or the last 2-3 weeks IMO
Now I will say the OL issues do not help the run game. But the 1st and goal at the 7 should have been run run run
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:25 am to stapuffmarshy
quote:
But the 1st and goal at the 7 should have been run run run
I couldn't agree more...especially after gaining 4 yds on 1st down.
Posted on 10/12/12 at 10:53 am to inebr8ted tiger
quote:
On LSU's 2nd drive (LSU's first drive was a 10 play drive) of the game against Florida, Spencer Ware gained 5 yards on first down, making a second and 5. The next play was a passing play where Mettenberger got sacked. Had we ran the ball on 2nd down and picked up just 2 yards, were in a 3rd and 3 verses a 3rd and 18.
Hindsight is always 20/20. Let's say LSU is predictable in its playcalling and that the 2nd and 5 run gets stuffed for no gain. Now it's 3rd and 5 and you likely have to pass. 2nd and 5 is an excellent play-action down. What if the defense is on its heels a bit because they don't know what to expect and LSU hits a 15 yard pass? Then there is no bitching a "forcing" the passing game. Mettenburger got sacked. So yes, ideally if before the play happened you knew the passing play you called was going to lose 10 yards, you would have run the ball for 2 yards. Problem is, the scenario you laid out takes into account the fact that you now know the result of the 2nd down play, when, at the time the play was actually called, there was no way of knowing that the QB would be sacked.
quote:
The same could be said for the drive we had after the Florida turnover at the end of the first half. If we run on second down instead of a play action, we become less predictable on third down then maybe evern go for it on 4th down.
Again, you're Monday morning quarterbacking after knowing the results. You ran on 1st down. 2nd and goal is a great "unpredictable" down. Again, you're taking into account that you now know the 2nd down pass was incomplete. Sure, if you knew beforehand that the pass was going to be incomplete at the time the play was called, then of course you would have called run play . Problem is, you don't know how the play will turn out when you call it.
quote:
My point is, that I think the coaching staff is trying to be too cute with the game plan, and by doing so, have put the team in predictable down and distance situations.
So what do you suggest? Running the football everytime on 1st and 2nd down in order to get to an "unpredictable" 3rd and short? I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure any DC would figure that gameplan out pretty quickly and your 3 and 4 yard gains on 1st and 2nd down would start to diminish as the game went on.
Hinsight is always 20/20. I'm sure if they had it to do all over again, the Buffalo Bills would have stayed in their lanes and accounted for Dyson on the kickoff in 2000
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