ND's new wrinkle

[tommyIRISH23]

First, the mods can merge this thread if they feel like doing so, but I had a couple of questions/opinions I'd like to get some feedback on.

First, I've gotta say, I loved the direction our offense took this weekend, and I hope it continues to move that a way. The designed plays for Theo were huge,along with Hendrix in the option. With our running game looking unstoppable, and more weapons then the Marine Corp, we look like we're in business, and going to be very difficult to defend.

My questions is, now that USC is going to be prepared for the option look, how do we go about managing all of this? More specifically, Tommy and Hendrix. Kelly's offense loves the quick tempo, and feeds of momentum. How are we going to not lose all of that when the change of pace comes in? Like, if we drive 75 yards in 2-3 mins inside the 20...wouldn't it kind of kill momentum, and not to mention give the play away if we goi into a huddle, and send sub Hendrix in to QB? The defense would then go into option mode. How do we eliminate that? Will we see Hendrix lining up as WR when Rees is the QB, and have a signal to where they will alternate into the option formula with Hendrix behind center and Rees lining up wide? That would keep the offense off balance, and keep the defense from checking into their option look?

 

[jason_h537]

It just gives USC another thing to worry about. Whether ND uses it or not USC has to respect that aspect now.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

My questions is, now that USC is going to be prepared for the option look, how do we go about managing all of this? More specifically, Tommy and Hendrix. Kelly's offense loves the quick tempo, and feeds of momentum. How are we going to not lose all of that when the change of pace comes in? Like, if we drive 75 yards in 2-3 mins inside the 20...wouldn't it kind of kill momentum, and not to mention give the play away if we goi into a huddle, and send sub Hendrix in to QB? The defense would then go into option mode. How do we eliminate that? Will we see Hendrix lining up as WR when Rees is the QB, and have a signal to where they will alternate into the option formula with Hendrix behind center and Rees lining up wide? That would keep the offense off balance, and keep the defense from checking into their option look?

1. Like Jason said, it's just one more thing they have to game play for. I love that we showed it this week. And, more than that, I love that it looked like Hendrix and the offensive line knew what they were doing with that package. Takes away from the USC defensive prep time for our base package.

2. I didn't think the tempo yesterday was affected at all. Looks like they planned for that.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Kelly knows what he's doing. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Old North State Irish]

The Future

The Future

Coach Kelly is showing why he and the rest of the staff are going to turn ND around for the long haul. Our offense showed all sorts of "new" wrinkles and teams will be off balance. They will be expecting A and getting B. They have to keep getting Theo in the action (and TJ for that matter).

 

[UmphreakDomer]

First, the mods can merge this thread if they feel like doing so, but I had a couple of questions/opinions I'd like to get some feedback on.

First, I've gotta say, I loved the direction our offense took this weekend, and I hope it continues to move that a way. The designed plays for Theo were huge,along with Hendrix in the option. With our running game looking unstoppable, and more weapons then the Marine Corp, we look like we're in business, and going to be very difficult to defend.

My questions is, now that USC is going to be prepared for the option look, how do we go about managing all of this? More specifically, Tommy and Hendrix. Kelly's offense loves the quick tempo, and feeds of momentum. How are we going to not lose all of that when the change of pace comes in? Like, if we drive 75 yards in 2-3 mins inside the 20...wouldn't it kind of kill momentum, and not to mention give the play away if we goi into a huddle, and send sub Hendrix in to QB? The defense would then go into option mode. How do we eliminate that? Will we see Hendrix lining up as WR when Rees is the QB, and have a signal to where they will alternate into the option formula with Hendrix behind center and Rees lining up wide? That would keep the offense off balance, and keep the defense from checking into their option look?

its not about some "sneak attack".

you get to a comfortable place in practice that it can be implemented into the game. the next opponantS have to be ready for it and spend time practicing against it (the "wrinkles"), not being able to key in on a specific offensive looks.

weis did this a couple years ago by implementing the "leprecat"(sp?). you literally and physically run it a couple times. and about the 5th time and two weeks later, it opens up the pass in the back of the end zone to parris.

all play calling is about setting something up for later. either later in the game or later in the schedule.

play chess?

 

[tommyIRISH23]

its not about some "sneak attack".

you get to a comfortable place in practice that it can be implemented into the game. the next opponantS have to be ready for it and spend time practicing against it (the "wrinkles"), not being able to key in on a specific offensive looks.

weis did this a couple years ago by implementing the "leprecat"(sp?). you literally and physically run it a couple times. and about the 5th time and two weeks later, it opens up the pass in the back of the end zone to parris.

all play calling is about setting something up for later. either later in the game or later in the schedule.

play chess?

I definetly did not mean to imply that it's a sneak attack, I think it is going to become a big part of our offense, and ultimately, will become our offense. I understand what Jason meant, but I would be shocked if it were not used, I think it was a little more then something for Kiffin to chew on. Also, to the poster who said "BK knows what he is doing", I know that, and was not questioning him at all. I guess I am asking what are some ideas on how it will be implemented efficiently into the offense.

Looking at it like a chess match, wouldn't it be a strong move to run a no huddle offense with both Rees/ Hendrix in the game? When we are in our normal offense Hendrix is lined up wide, when we are going into the option we break the huddle with Tommy going wide. Defenses will be going crazy trying to get the correct call/personnel in the game.

I am not saying thsi is what BK is going to do, or even should do, just trying to start a discussion for the buy week that doesn't include "Rees vs. Hendrix".

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I definetly did not mean to imply that it's a sneak attack, I think it is going to become a big part of our offense, and ultimately, will become our offense. I understand what Jason meant, but I would be shocked if it were not used, I think it was a little more then something for Kiffin to chew on. Also, to the poster who said "BK knows what he is doing", I know that, and was not questioning him at all. I guess I am asking what are some ideas on how it will be implemented efficiently into the offense.

Looking at it like a chess match, wouldn't it be a strong move to run a no huddle offense with both Rees/ Hendrix in the game? When we are in our normal offense Hendrix is lined up wide, when we are going into the option we break the huddle with Tommy going wide. Defenses will be going crazy trying to get the correct call/personnel in the game.

I am not saying thsi is what BK is going to do, or even should do, just trying to start a discussion for the buy week that doesn't include "Rees vs. Hendrix".

no. i would crap if i ever saw tommy split out wide, or even think about it. it was bad enough to see jimmy with turf toe out wide. you're almost giving an extra defender in the box at that point. a decoy isn't a decoy if you would never look that way.

the goal of kelly is to get hendrix or golsen with the application of the entire play book. kelly didnt run two qb's at GVSU or central (to my knowledge re: central). he had capable, mobile, qb's that knew what to do with it. im going to go out on a limb and say golsen will be an early Heisman candidate in 2013. and may win in 2014. but i digress....

now, hendrix out wide in a "leprecat", is a, dare i say, "option".

 

[tommyIRISH23]

no. i would crap if i ever saw tommy split out wide, or even think about it. it was bad enough to see jimmy with turf toe out wide. you're almost giving an extra defender in the box at that point. a decoy isn't a decoy if you would never look that way.

the goal of kelly is to get hendrix or golsen with the application of the entire play book. kelly didnt run two qb's at GVSU or central (to my knowledge re: central). he had capable, mobile, qb's that knew what to do with it. im going to go out on a limb and say golsen will be an early Heisman candidate in 2013. and may win in 2014. but i digress....

now, hendrix out wide in a "leprecat", is a, dare i say, "option".

---I like that idea with the leprecat. Good call, that's the kind of comments I am looking for! lol.

 

[BobD]

I'm happy with pretty much everything offense right now, but the first half yesterday made me just a tad bit uneasy about our reaction time on defense. We didn't stop them once, and gave up huge yardage. I'm confident though that BK and BD will be addressing this over the next two weeks, and we'll hand USC a butt whoopin to remember! GO IRISH!!

 

[bert2834]

Hendrix threw the ball well. That is how you keep the defense from loading up on the option when he is in the game.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Tommy also threw a decent block...I think on a Theo reverse.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I'm happy with pretty much everything offense right now, but the first half yesterday made me just a tad bit uneasy about our reaction time on defense. We didn't stop them once, and gave up huge yardage. I'm confident though that BK and BD will be addressing this over the next two weeks, and we'll hand USC a butt whoopin to remember! GO IRISH!!

^100% bobD.

heres my thing...why im not so worried...i dont really mind giving up 300 yds to a triple option team, who run it the way it should be run, like AFA. as long as we run a complete, turnover free, offense. AFA is supposed to get that many. we forced them to make decisions like fake punts and on-sides kicks, because we were dominating them. holding pitt or msu to under their avg. is way more impressive.

not saying things dont have to be talked about for navy...they do...and will. but i think we can turn out the perfect defense against pro style. usc is still usc and until we put up 5 W's in row against them, they deserve respect. but, we can get to barkley...and we can rattle him. and we can hurt him.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

I like the old wrinkle lets throw alot to floyd.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Tommy also threw a decent block...I think on a Theo reverse.

ill have to re-watch. can you notice on the und.com highlights reel? i watched last night and i'm pretty sure the theo reverse was on there. i'll check it out. tommy is pretty fearless, but its more in a jay cutler, minus the pompous rich kid attitude, that cutler has. he's a gunslinger.

 

[bert2834]

It was on the reverse. He threw a good block on the edge.

 

[bert2834]

And yes it's on the UND.com highlight reel.

 

[irish1958]

I'm happy with pretty much everything offense right now, but the first half yesterday made me just a tad bit uneasy about our reaction time on defense. We didn't stop them once, and gave up huge yardage. I'm confident though that BK and BD will be addressing this over the next two weeks, and we'll hand USC a butt whoopin to remember! GO IRISH!!

Michigan and USF gave up huge yardage, but it didn't appear to matter on the score board.

 

[Riddickulous]

I'm happy with pretty much everything offense right now, but the first half yesterday made me just a tad bit uneasy about our reaction time on defense. We didn't stop them once, and gave up huge yardage. I'm confident though that BK and BD will be addressing this over the next two weeks, and we'll hand USC a butt whoopin to remember! GO IRISH!!

USC is not going to be running the triple option. They're going to be running up the middle with little success.

Their pass offense worries me, but they're probably going to be throwing a lot, which means the obligatory Barkley interception(s).

 

[LWeis15]

Can't wait for USC to see Hendrix come in and expect a run...whoops there goes the ball over your head to Floyd for a lonnggggg TD. He looked very confident and with having a BYE week will only make him better with more reps in practice.

 

[LWeis15]

USC is not going to be running the triple option. They're going to be running up the middle with little success.

Their pass offense worries me, but they're probably going to be throwing a lot, which means the obligatory Barkley interception(s).

Worries me as well. I think the biggest thing is to take away Woods (dude's a BEAST) and make sure that we get constant pressure on Barkley.

 

[irishtrain]

Kelly knows what he's doing. I'll leave it at that.

Resoundind yes and I when he gets the type of players he wants this is gonna be fun. Rees can still run the show until he's either moved on or surpassed but this other kid has to play a little bit every game. He doesnt mind mixing it it with the defense and can also throw. Next year might be very interesting. Rees is still the trigger man but to have someone who can run makes this offense impossible to defend. I watched a play early in the Air Force game where if Rees kept the ball there was no one and I mean no one within 15 yard of where he could have run. That wont happen with a dual threat guy. Not saying Rees should be anything other than the starting QB but this offense was built for a dual threat guy. Let the young guy play enough to get his feet on the ground.

 

[GreatGolson]

BK is finally starting to get into the playbook that got him to ND. up until now we've only seen glimpses of the true Kelly spread attack. be prepared to see it a lot more from now on

 

[IrishJayhawk]

.

 

[Riddickulous]

Worries me as well. I think the biggest thing is to take away Woods (dude's a BEAST) and make sure that we get constant pressure on Barkley.

Contain Woods. We cannot take him away. "Contain" means ~150 yards.

 

[PJWhitfield]

BK did something similar with the two QBs at Cincy, didn't he?

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Worries me as well. I think the biggest thing is to take away Woods (dude's a BEAST) and make sure that we get constant pressure on Barkley.

Contain Woods. We cannot take him away. "Contain" means ~150 yards.

I'd be watching that Pitt game to see how they took Floyd out... Mimic that and let our talented d-line do what they do.

 

[Irish Fam]

Can't wait for USC to see Hendrix come in and expect a run...whoops there goes the ball over your head to Floyd for a lonnggggg TD. He looked very confident and with having a BYE week will only make him better with more reps in practice.

yep. with the bye week Kelly will have this team prepared. maybe a couple more wrinkles will be revealed

 

[Buster Bluth]

yep. with the bye week Kelly will have this team prepared. maybe a couple more wrinkles will be revealed

You can say that again. Again, Kelly is a masterful football coach, he knows what he is doing.

As much as I fear Robert Woods and Matt Barkley, I am confident that giving Diaco/Kelly two weeks to develop a gameplan will be something to see. Don't get me wrong, I think it's probably a logarithmic growth pattern for coaches in terms of how much time they have for a certain team and how much of an advantage (or disadvantage) their gameplan is, but every little bit helps.

As far as just the general development, we saw counters for Wood ad nauseum the first few weeks, and basic passes to Floyd. Now we see jet sweeps to Riddick, play action screens, reverses, etc, and it's awesome to see him implement the actual playbook.

There is no doubt in my mind, Kelly will be working with Hendrix for very specific plays and that idea alone will have Coordinator Kiffin up all night next week. He's going to do something and since it isn't the overly lauded leprecat he won't be able to load the box because, simply put, Hendrix has a better arm than Rees. Hell he can't even just cover short passes with him, I think Hendrix makes the defense think--only because Hendrix's presence into the game is seemingly random (i.e. it's not a redzone thing)--and that makes for some slower reactions.

It's going to be a loooooooong two weeks.

 

[RDU Irish]

A few things on Hendrix:

I thought the offense ran maybe even faster on the plays Hendrix and Rees switched. The QB comes out with a clear play call and gets right at it. QB processing plays has been the slow part, not the rest of the team. Ditto for Rees coming back in and knowing exactly what to do instead of worrying he might be looking at the wrong red hat or signal "was that row your boat or churn the butter?" (kidding).

Yes, 15 yards of open space will happen for Hendrix just like it does for Rees. The difference is, Hendrix can get that 15 yards and then some while Rees knows he is five yards from getting tackled at any point on the field.

I like the change of pace. I like that it was a few plays here and there and not a full series. That makes it harder to make a Rees vs. Hendrix comparison as they share the succusses or failures versus the dynamic of completely owning a series.

I think Tommy does not have an ego that will get in the way of sharing 10-15 reps per game with a completely complimentary QB. Hard not to see some writing on the wall if you are Tommy but he has beaten the odds before and is not going to shy away now.