Can Anybody Solve the RedZone TD issue?

[weisbank4]

What is the deal? We get down there like hot knifes through butter and then the last 3 yards are like pulling teeth. What is the problem? We cant count on anybody to run it in and it seems like the passing game is bogged down that close. What the hell is the problem?

 

[kmoose]

What is the deal? We get down there like hot knifes through butter and then the last 3 yards are like pulling teeth. What is the problem? We cant count on anybody to run it in and it seems like the passing game is bogged down that close. What the hell is the problem?

I was surprised to see them trying to get Tate on those fade routes. That's not Tate's strength. Floyd's strong on the fades, but I'm sure that Weis was concerned about him landing badly, and re-injuring his shoulder. I hate "gimmicks", but I would like to see them try more Dayne Crist, in the red zone. He could add the threat of a runner, even when he drops back to pass.

 

[weisbank4]

A red flag goes up to me when were in the shotgun on 3rd and goal from the 1 with a empty backfield against a d line that you outweigh by 60 lbs per man. That is a big red flag.

 

[kmoose]

A red flag goes up to me when were in the shotgun on 3rd and goal from the 1 with a empty backfield against a d line that you outweigh by 60 lbs per man. That is a big red flag.

I don't mind that. As I mentioned in another thread, this offense has produced it's best work when they have spread defenses out. But the bottom line is results.

 

[Junkhead]

I hate "gimmicks", but I would like to see them try more Dayne Crist, in the red zone.

Maybe in 6 months.

 

[kmoose]

Maybe in 6 months.

?


Spring ball, you mean?

 

[irishfan]

I'd like to see them just have Rudolph (now injured so who knows) and Floyd split out on opposite sides with Tate in the slot and just throw it up to Rudolph or Floyd. I dunno about everyone else, but I'm always shocked when one of those two doesnt come down with a jump ball.

 

[irishfan]

?


Spring ball, you mean?

think hes referring to the fact that Crist is injured and unavailable for the next 6 months

 

[kmoose]

think hes referring to the fact that Crist is injured and unavailable for the next 6 months

Sorry............old man moment

 

[Junkhead]

Sorry............old man moment

It happens. Anyway, the problem seems to be our inconsistent run game. After 5 years, I think it is safe to say that CW doesn't understand or value a solid run game. His offense is mostly delays and draws, nothing quick hitting. I'm happy with having a decent passing game, but even much of that is pretty basic.

 

[irishfan]

Sorry............old man moment

when clausen got hurt today the first thing i thought of was whether or not crist could lead the comeback. its an easy thing to forget considering hes a backup.

 

[mbooch]

It happens. Anyway, the problem seems to be our inconsistent run game. After 5 years, I think it is safe to say that CW doesn't understand or value a solid run game. His offense is mostly delays and draws, nothing quick hitting. I'm happy with having a decent passing game, but even much of that is pretty basic.

Amen. CW has been fixated on flag football since he got to ND. Navy is a better team than most thought...BUT they're still SMALL. ND should be able to drive block and pound it in against Navy. Today, they seldom even tried. Bad strategy.

 

[alleycat9]

the first thing is the realization that there are other words in the playbook other than fade.

screw that 5 wides inside the 5 if you cant man up and block and get it in the endzone on the ground you dont deserve to even be playing. ESPECIALLY when you outweigh the dline by 50 pounds per guy.

that is more than a red flag its a white flag.

 

[wahoo]

Running the ball and stopping the run is about hard work and attitude. These are traits this team doesn't seem to have

 

[mbooch]

Running the ball and stopping the run is about hard work and attitude. These are traits this team doesn't seem to have

Could be. It could also be that the coaching staff isn't real committed to these perennial staples, too. My take on the defense is that it is still a little young, but not very aggressive. The offense is experienced, but not very aggressive.

All in all, I think we've learned that big words, like "schematic advantages" doesn't mean WINNING.

 

[fortwayne_nd]

Running the ball and stopping the run is about hard work and attitude. These are traits this team doesn't seem to have

And there you have it. My concern is recruiting will reflect this tendency, elite players at QB, TE and WR with NFL aspirations. Teo was a big get, does Martin sign or have a change of heart?

 

[fortwayne_nd]

Could be. It could also be that the coaching staff isn't real committed to these perennial staples, too. My take on the defense is that it is still a little young, but not very aggressive. The offense is experienced, but not very aggressive.

All in all, I think we've learned that big words, like "schematic advantages" doesn't mean WINNING.

At this point, Charlie's been scouted for five years. Whatever element of surprise he might have had in Years 1 and 2 is gone.

ND looks more like a Texas Tech or a Missouri than a national contender.

 

[mbooch]

At this point, Charlie's been scouted for five years. Whatever element of surprise he might have had in Years 1 and 2 is gone.

ND looks more like a Texas Tech or a Missouri than a national contender.

Yep. I'll say thois for them, though. They have tip-toed through a LOT of key injuries and kept winning, to an extent. Today was a LARGE backslide, though. I think CW should go. If he stays for 2010, and doesn't play more smash mouth, somebody should play some on him. This playing down to Navy has to stop.

 

[ojo_223]

I think that they are too much in love with the fade. It's nice when it works, but how about some slant routes or a pitch outside to Riddick/Allen?

 

[bert2834]

I hate the fade.

Jimmy is an accurate passer with a good eye.

A fade is just throwing the ball up and hoping your guy comes down with it. Instead of reading the D and firing a strike.

A pitch to a RB would be great.

Why take out the RB that got us to the one for one you took out earlier in the game for being ineffective?

Never through the fade with a QB as accurate as Jimmy.

KEEP WEIS!!!!

 

[mbooch]

I think that they are too much in love with the fade. It's nice when it works, but how about some slant routes or a pitch outside to Riddick/Allen?

I tend to think that they must someday face facts and take on the north-south power plays. Without being able to pound, straight ahead, everything else is botox and implants.

 

[phgreek]

What is the deal? We get down there like hot knifes through butter and then the last 3 yards are like pulling teeth. What is the problem? We cant count on anybody to run it in and it seems like the passing game is bogged down that close. What the hell is the problem?

I'll say the Oline is too soft. They have had good moments earlier in the season...but lately they play like they have another crack at it...because Jimmy keeps bailing it out...well, Navy kinda took Jimmy heroics away today, yet the Oline did not step up to play with a sense of urgency. Look, they flat ass know they are going to get a shot in the Red Zone, then CW is going to chuck it. They didn't produce...PERIOD. If you are inside the 10, and have the size advantage we had across the LOS (Sam Young outweighing his guy by 55 pounds), and you can't pound it in...thats just mentally and physically soft. I'd bitch about play calling...but CW went to the run enough to know the vaunted Navy D was kicking our ass...no pride, no physical toughness, no mental toughness, no sense of urgency on the O-line in the Red Zone...clearly they haven't gotten the memo...the fact we pass as much as we do is certainly not a endorsement of their toughness...then to need to check itas much as we do in the Red Zone...Div III defenses are calling out our fatties...shamefull.

A larger observation...some days I wonder if the history and tradition at ND don't work against us...I once thought they would fill these young men with a sense of purpose and urgency to measure up...instead all I see is mental and physical mediocrity from supposed superior athletes. All I can attribute it to is that these guys think Notre Dame Football is the destination...they are happy to bask in the glory of old, and let gramma beam with pride as she tells the other parishoners on sundays about sonny playing at Notre Dame. I'd rather have folks with 3 stars, and something left to prove...When will these guys realize their lack of mental and physical toughness, and general lack of performance tarnishes this great tradition, and weakens it into the future...and generally pisses on my Saturdays...

 

[irishandy]

When we get into the redzone opposing defenses know what we are going to do: fade to Floyd or Tate. Charlie needs to mix it up here it he wants touchdowns. Do a quick slant, I remember at one point (while we were in the redzone) where Floyd was one-on-one and he could've done a quick slant & throw. Use your tide end Charlie...that position has been MIA and I see it fading out this year because we are using Rudolph as a blocker. Do a fullback smash right up the middle w/ Hughes...oh wait our offensive line sucks!! Give a pitch to Theo Riddick, he is explosive, but no when Riddick marches us down the field Charlie has to take him out. Charlie Weis needs to play college football not NFL or high school football.

 

[jason_h537]

seriously this is a big issue. We get cute with runs. Why are you pitching it to Hughes within the 5 yard line? i dont understand why we cantscore with so much talent.

 

[Catsudon]

I was surprised to see them trying to get Tate on those fade routes. That's not Tate's strength. Floyd's strong on the fades, but I'm sure that Weis was concerned about him landing badly, and re-injuring his shoulder. I hate "gimmicks", but I would like to see them try more Dayne Crist, in the red zone. He could add the threat of a runner, even when he drops back to pass.

i couldn't find it posted anywhere, but any reason why dayne crist wasn't on the sideline at all?

edit: nevermind, i missed the washington state game because it was a sure thing. i wasn't searching hard enough.