Option

[DCirishfan]

I know we will probably never run it. Damn it can get some yards against better talent.

I wish we could have some type of hybrid that was used about 20 percent of the time or less.

 

[CanadianIrishFan306]

would be nice to see a package like that for down in the red zone. if they stack that box pitch it outside if not run right up the gut

 

[phork]

There is a reason teams don't run the option. Against a more athletic defense, its all fail.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

There is a reason teams don't run the option. Against a more athletic defense, its all fail.

Is that an indictment of OUR defense, which seems perpetually unable to stop an option?

 

[phork]

Partly, its also an indictment of a gimmicky offense that no one runs, only having to face it once, maybe twice a year.

 

[irish1958]

The read option is an integral part of the spread and all but one of the teams I know that run the spread use it.
Along with the QB draw and the QB run against a man to man defense, the read option is a killer.
One of the options is a pass as we noted against the Air Force.

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

The read option is the ONLY "read" Denard Robinson can make

The only part our defense didn't have an answer for was the pitch man. Looked like they were relying on Hayseed to get there from safety but AF did a good job of getting to him and cutting. Also the corners seemed to be having a hard time getting off blocks.

 

[sportallyr]

The read option is the ONLY "read" Denard Robinson can make

The only part our defense didn't have an answer for was the pitch man. Looked like they were relying on Hayseed to get there from safety but AF did a good job of getting to him and cutting. Also the corners seemed to be having a hard time getting off blocks.

Yeah, I noticed that in the first half. I saw an adjustment made by the defense after halftime (well, the 3rd quarter at least) and I saw the DB's get off their blocks better and funnel the runs inside, where we did a much better job at stopping the big runs.

 

[mick2]

had a great time watching the Offense do its thang but. D's gotta get the pitch man!

with 4 linebackers you'd think it would be easier.

I think Navy runs the option much better than AFA so Diaco will hopefully be ready.

the AFA qb is a passing threat as well, so i know we couldn't completely sell out against the run but the pitch man beat us almost every time. that is not good.

 

[ChiefSecond]

ehhh they might run the option a little better, but they can't throw the ball down the field and make you pay like AFA can...not even close. We'll be bringing up the safeties a lot harder and after having a trial run against AFA they'll be ready for navy.

Navy's D is more amateur than AFA's is as well...it'll get ugly fast.

 

[Anchorman]

ehhh they might run the option a little better, but they can't throw the ball down the field and make you pay like AFA can...not even close. We'll be bringing up the safeties a lot harder and after having a trial run against AFA they'll be ready for navy.

Navy's D is more amateur than AFA's is as well...it'll get ugly fast.

Exactly. Much more amateur. Can't throw at all.

 

[GreatGolson]

i would love to run some option out of Florida's "full house" formation or out of the diamond formation with Hendrix or in the future Golson

 

[mick2]

ehhh they might run the option a little better, but they can't throw the ball down the field and make you pay like AFA can...not even close. We'll be bringing up the safeties a lot harder and after having a trial run against AFA they'll be ready for navy.

Navy's D is more amateur than AFA's is as well...it'll get ugly fast.

Exactly. Much more amateur. Can't throw at all.

who says they'll need to throw? they didn't need to throw much last year.

not trying to argue, but they only threw for 71 yds last year.

i hope you are right and i think we will win, but that doesn't mean we dont need to defend the pitch man better.

 

[jonesman]

ND won solid yesterday, but our perimeter defense was HORRIBLE!!!! I cannot even count the number of big outside runs.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Good article on ISD about the defensive strategy. In short, he argues that the defense was prepared to give up a ton of yards by only committing one guy to cover both the QB and the pitch man (Slaughter).

In other words, the perimeter defenders were intentionally placed on an island. They did what they could. The entire plan was to avoid the big play, which we pretty much did.

Game Observations: Defense

 

[GowerND11]

It did seem like we were content giving up yards in replace of points, which we did. We won I'm happy. What i want to see is better lateral pursuit from the inside. We need to string that option out so that the qb has to hold onto the ball running down the LOS longer. That means less field for him/pitch man to run, and a flow to the sidelines. I think we have the ability to do so, we'll see if that is the plan Diaco decides to employ.

 

[irish1958]

The read option is the ONLY "read" Denard Robinson can make

The only part our defense didn't have an answer for was the pitch man. Looked like they were relying on Hayseed to get there from safety but AF did a good job of getting to him and cutting. Also the corners seemed to be having a hard time getting off blocks.

In the game I watched, it seemed that every time they were in third and long, the passed off a running QB and got the first down.
Defending the long TD run will leave the pitch open if the down field receiver makes a good block.
As an aside, Toma need to learn how to block. I have been wondering why he hasn't been more of a presence. I know why now.