time to open up the running playbook

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:45 pm

After last weekend, I was optimistic about our running game. Our O line had a pretty decent outing IMO.
But, one thing that keeps coming to mind is a little more imagination in our playcalling here. A couple of things I would like to see is some power sweep plays (two weeks in a row we have faced rushing teams who utilize pulling lineman and regularly were getting good yardage. I think using this as an occasional call would be a good thing). Also, since we are starting to use the occasional two back set, some counter trap plays would seem to be a good idea.

Thoughts?

19CAT · Post by **19CAT** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:57 pm

The counter trap is an excellent plan with the 2 back set. And then follow it up with a little delay screen to the first back. High school coaches make a living with those basic plays. I really feel that our O-line "can" make the power sweep work but it has been so long since MSU has run it effectively i am afraid they might leave practice and start cleaning the locker room if we start saying "Ok boys today we are going to run the power sweep". LOL

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:10 pm

I like to watch the counter trey like ISU ran against us the first half so much, but it's useless if you blow up the leads like we did the second half. Our defensive speed beat the hell out of ISU the second half. I think both Weber and PSU have big, slow defensive linemen that our kids should be able to just smash in the face and overpower them with technique. We should be able to watch Justin running in the secondary all afternoon and evening against these next two with what we've already seen.

Plus, ya'll gotta remember this was only the second game Murray and Gatewood have played together, so I like to think we won't see 12 on the field again

Given all the mistakes we made, we still had a pretty solid overall performance.

torrybruce · Post by **torrybruce** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:56 pm

With the talent of our line we definitely could pull off some counter sweeps...that would definitely open up our naked boots and let Trav roll out a little bit...opening up the running game that much more.

Blue and Gold · Post by **Blue and Gold** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:59 pm

Hey Barechest Cat, are you really Cliff Hysell in disguise?

Sweep Right on one
Sweep Right on two
Sweep Left on three
Punt Cover

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:02 pm

We still need to get more yardage on first downs. There are too many times when we have 2nd and 9 or 10. That is going to catch up with us if we don't do better. Would love to see Groves get a chance to show what he can do. Also, they should give Taito a chance!

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:20 pm

I like this thread as I have been wanting us to find some better running plays for a while. It seems we don't have alot of running plays and the ones we do have are pretty vanilla.

Even with Ryan Johnson we were never ranked very high as a team in rushing yards. I don't remember where exactly we were ranked in those years but it was usally in the bottom half of the conf. I thought that was unacceptable at the time being as we had the best running back in our history. It seems most would agree with me on that one.

Having the best rusher R(J) in the conf and not being in the top 3 as a team in rushing means we might have a problem with the guy calling/ drawing up the plays.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:26 pm

blue and gold,
Give us something out of the Porcupine playbook

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:45 am

What about the stretch play - Lulay could handle that fine with his speed. Pulling a guard or tackle (or both) would also be nice to see.

Always loved the offset eye with 2 TE set, lineman crash, lead blocker and TE take out LB's. Good ol power running football!

BHauck's nose · Post by **BHauck's nose** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:59 am

I want to see more of the option game out of shotgun. SFA had a tough time with it and I really have not seen it sense. I think every run play should have a QB keeper attached to it. Teams do not want to get beat by Lulay on the ground, so I think they would really key on him.
I also think when we want to run it, put Carpenter at QB and Lulay at TB...ok maybe I'm getting carried away.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:58 pm

Blue and Gold wrote:Hey Barechest Cat, are you really Cliff Hysell in disguise?

Sweep Right on one
Sweep Right on two
Sweep Left on three
Punt Cover

I was thinking Ponch, not Hys...but, now I might have to re-think.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:43 pm

BHauck's nose wrote:I want to see more of the option game out of shotgun. SFA had a tough time with it and I really have not seen it sense. I think every run play should have a QB keeper attached to it. Teams do not want to get beat by Lulay on the ground, so I think they would really key on him.
I also think when we want to run it, put Carpenter at QB and Lulay at TB...ok maybe I'm getting carried away.

Hmmm, Carpenter and Lulay in there with Carpenter passing, or hand off to/lateral back to Lulay and Lulay either running or half back option pass ...

Intriguing!