Kelly's Spread

[KPENN]

Obviously one of if not the biggest change from last year to this year is the spread offense. I was just wondering what some of you guys thought about it. What surprised you? What did you like? What didn't you like? Stuff along the lines of that.

I for one was suprised at the effectiveness of the running game. I didn't really think it would come along that quickly.

What are some of your thoughts?

 

[IrishRamMan10]

i know cuz the knee injury and all and how Crist kinda seemed to bea on a leash with throwin maybe 3 deep balls but ii feel like Crist need to keep the ball and run a little more on the read options. seemed like they were really keying on the running backs and not worryng too much about crist taking off.

 

[DirtySecret]

I'm horny!!

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I would guess BK didnt want Dayne dropping back and being even more exposed to those two good pass rushers. So, everything was short to intermediate. And our OL is totally revamped and didn't want even more pressure.

I was happy as can be for a first game against a solid team and we won. And our running game was good, Dayne looked solid after that knee injury and being nervous at home with the weight of the ND Nation on his shoulders.

Go Irish!

 

[mgriff]

Dayne just needs to settle into it in my opinion. He was very tentative to me and it seemed like he was very worried about making a mistake. He played well enough, but I would like to see him take some more chances and throw the ball away those few times when he could have, instead of moving around and taking the sack. I'm pleased with the offense overall, and while I would have liked to see them open it up more, I understand why it wasn't wide open.

 

[dshans]

Shoot. I thought this thread was about the food at a post game buffet.

With the speed of the offensive game I didn't find a lot of time to analyze the "scheme." Not that that would matter ... I'm not a nuts-and-bolts football guy.

 

[BGIF]

...

I for one was suprised at the effectiveness of the running game. I didn't really think it would come along that quickly.

What are some of your thoughts?

I don't believe at least in this game that the Spread itself was the difference in the running game but rather a combination of better TEAM execution.

The OLine opened some hugh holes. Blocking was crisper. Less tentative.

The WRs especially Floyd were highly effective blockers. I think Floyd got kudos for more blocks made than passes caught.

Both RBs ran aggressively. Since Holtz left the RBs in Colletto offense through Weis's seeme to run tentatively. Get to the hole, make a read, make a decision, get tackled before hitting the hole. Saturday, they ran decisively. Most of the gains seemed to me to be between the tackles. And they were run well without a 260 pound FB whiffing as the lead blocker.

Crist was a minor runner but hidden yardage in the rushing attack. Last year Clausen would have had 40 yards of negative yardage. Crist running sparingly was something like 6 yds on 89 carries with a long of 12. He took some sacks but not the mammoth drive killing sacks of the past couple of years that also drove down the net rushing yards. Crist will be a more effective runner in this scheme but let's be candid, he's still learning the reads and getting comfortable with them as well as comfortable with his rehabbed knee. He took his first hits Saturday.

 

[gspjeb]

Looked to me like a team on the verge of their breakthrough. The timing with the WRs will come and that was Crists first start.

Execution will come and this team will be very very good. The only concern for me is going to be how soon they can get in the rhythm of the spread.

Couple of minor issues...timing..ball control...both of which can be fixed. Game easily could have ended up 35 to 3. I think we are going to all be really really happy after a couple more weeks of seasoning

 

[JMF]

Too soon to have a really clear idea, but I liked what I saw -- the offense seemed as comfortable as they could be with it at this point.

 

[tankjeep]

I don't believe at least in this game that the Spread itself was the difference in the running game but rather a combination of better TEAM execution.

The OLine opened some hugh holes. Blocking was crisper. Less tentative.

The WRs especially Floyd were highly effective blockers. I think Floyd got kudos for more blocks made than passes caught.

Both RBs ran aggressively. Since Holtz left the RBs in Colletto offense through Weis's seeme to run tentatively. Get to the hole, make a read, make a decision, get tackled before hitting the hole. Saturday, they ran decisively. Most of the gains seemed to me to be between the tackles. And they were run well without a 260 pound FB whiffing as the lead blocker.

Crist was a minor runner but hidden yardage in the rushing attack. Last year Clausen would have had 40 yards of negative yardage. Crist running sparingly was something like 6 yds on 89 carries with a long of 12. He took some sacks but not the mammoth drive killing sacks of the past couple of years that also drove down the net rushing yards. Crist will be a more effective runner in this scheme but let's be candid, he's still learning the reads and getting comfortable with them as well as comfortable with his rehabbed knee. He took his first hits Saturday.

agreed, team execution was clean and aggressive. the kids knew where and what they were supposed to do. their confidence in the plays was fun to see. the coaching is much better than we've seen in a long time.

 

[Irish Man3]

The spread will be very helpful in opening holes for our running backs. Armando and Cierre made decisions early and hit the hole to get to the second level. Kamara and Floyd did an excellent job of blocking downfield. The team looked very disciplined.
As far as the passing game, Im not all that concerned with Crists' decision to settle for check downs. He didnt make any big mistakes in a new offense and in his first start. He showed his ability to escape from the pocket and make a play with his feet. As time goes by and Crist settles in, I look for big things from the passing game with the weapons at his disposal.