Walker and Aldridge Vs. USC?

[Irish Legend]

I think Charlie has been keeping the amount of carries down for Aldridge because he is planning on using him quite a bit versus USC. Anyone else think we may see a lot of J.A. ?

 

[brecht]

I don't know about that. I think CW is more comfortable using people the more experience they have. I think you would have seen aldridge do more up to now. I do think aldridge will get 1 first half series, and I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie didn't try and do something out of the ordinary with Aldridge. After all, Aldridge's package up to now has been limited...but we'll see soon enough.

 

[IrishRocks]

I think Charlie has been keeping the amount of carries down for Aldridge because he is planning on using him quite a bit versus USC. Anyone else think we may see a lot of J.A. ?

Although I'd love to see Aldridge a lot in this game, I think Coach Weis is the type that will go with the most experience in this game. He knows Darius will not turn the ball over and that will be key in this game. I think that if Weis wanted to use Aldridge, he would have getting hime a lot more carries in the last three games. Just my opinion.

 

[bmf175]

Side note:
Wow did you se that run on the failed 4th and 2 conversion attempt? That was a collision. Too bad he dropped the pass on the TB swing, that would have raised his stock a bit if he would have caught it.
Hes a freshie he'll learn, I think we will see about the same from him maybe acouple more snaps this coming week.

 

[dankus]

I'd like to see Aldridge get a chance to play as well.

Just a run a pro-style set and instead of FB put Walker in. Have them block for each other.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I think Charlie has been keeping the amount of carries down for Aldridge because he is planning on using him quite a bit versus USC. Anyone else think we may see a lot of J.A. ?

I think CW is developing a backup to Darius. Let's face it, we still have two very tough games ahead of us...and we need a good #2 runner. We know that Travis Thomas can be good, but I would bet you that CW has seen some things in practice that tell him JA is on his way.

 

[WinOverAll08]

Darius and James against USC? I'll definitely take that set. Something about the possibility makes me feel like we would play very, very well.

 

[lattedatte]

i trust cw will play the best people that give us a chance to win. I imagine the backs will have to block a fair amount which makes me think we'll see very little of a freshman.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Darius and James against USC? I'll definitely take that set. Something about the possibility makes me feel like we would play very, very well.

It could be a great 1-2 punch.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think Charlie has been keeping the amount of carries down for Aldridge because he is planning on using him quite a bit versus USC. Anyone else think we may see a lot of J.A. ?

I have been saying the SAME thing for Munir... he has put him in in a couple sparing big spots that didn't pan out... false starts.. BQ called time out... and then MP wasn't put back in... From the standpoint of someone who has been an advanced scout for the local High school and JC football teams that would be a red flag that he has some kind of confidence in Munir and we MIGHT see him in big spots when needed... ex. USC

 

[Irish Legend]

I'd like to see Aldridge get a chance to play as well.

Just a run a pro-style set and instead of FB put Walker in. Have them block for each other.

That's exactly what I was hoping for. I doubt it though.

 

[Irishkid23]

Throw in Prince for an end around.

 

[luckofirish8]

If I remember correctly TT was used a great deal in this game last year to control the clock and keep USC offense off the field. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see TT make a return to the "O" for a number of carries/series in this game.

Brockington has really improved his play lately and Herring has also been playing pretty well. Do you think that we could use (atleast sometimes) a 4-2-5...or something along the lines, with Brockington and Crum as the LB while adding Herring (or other DB) to the secondary. This would allow CW to use TT on offense for at least a few series.

Thoughts?

Otherwise, I say we give James a few carries (see how he is doing/things are going) and of course we have Walker and his every game production.

 

[Dannyboy Ayers]

put Darius in the slot and Aldridge in the backfeild.

 

[BGIF]

put Darius in the slot and Aldridge in the backfeild.

"Sorry about that Brady, I didn't realize I was supposed to pick up the blitz on that audible. Can you move your legs yet?"

 

[BGIF]

I don't know about that. I think CW is more comfortable using people the more experience they have. I think you would have seen aldridge do more up to now. I do think aldridge will get 1 first half series, and I wouldn't be surprised if Charlie didn't try and do something out of the ordinary with Aldridge. After all, Aldridge's package up to now has been limited...but we'll see soon enough.

Aldridge can play but how much of the play book has become automatic? How many audibles will Quinn NOT be able to call because freshman haven't learned all the variations yet?

When Aldridge goes in Carroll's defense will bank on the percentages. There may be a surprise like a wheel route but don't look for many.

ProSets with Walker and Aldridge flat out scare me. Who's got that blitzing LB?

 

[Vince Young]

"Sorry about that Brady, I didn't realize I was supposed to pick up the blitz on that audible. Can you move your legs yet?"

You've posted that twice now. It's still funny.

 

[BGIF]

You've posted that twice now. It's still funny.

Unfortunately, it's still probable.

 

[kjones]

Brockington has really improved his play lately and Herring has also been playing pretty well. Do you think that we could use (atleast sometimes) a 4-2-5...or something along the lines, with Brockington and Crum as the LB while adding Herring (or other DB) to the secondary. This would allow CW to use TT on offense for at least a few series.

What you are describing (4-2-5) is a nickel package, which, if you recall, we have been using a LOT this season. With TT out we do save him for offense as you suggest, but I'm not sure I prefer that letting USC's running game have a big day. We'll use it sometimes, especially on passing downs, but I doubt we'll let the TT situation dictate that, it'll depend more on putting our defense in a good situation to stop them.

 

[sonomairishfan]

I think Charlie has been keeping the amount of carries down for Aldridge because he is planning on using him quite a bit versus USC. Anyone else think we may see a lot of J.A. ?

no..

we need dwalk's cosistancy on saturday. i don't see how aldridge has earned time against usc.

 

[luckofirish8]

What you are describing (4-2-5) is a nickel package, which, if you recall, we have been using a LOT this season. With TT out we do save him for offense as you suggest, but I'm not sure I prefer that letting USC's running game have a big day. We'll use it sometimes, especially on passing downs, but I doubt we'll let the TT situation dictate that, it'll depend more on putting our defense in a good situation to stop them.

I completely agree with what you are saying. I don't think that we would use that particular defense as a be all/end all. I just feel that some sort of a nickel package (USC has a number of great WRs and good but young RBs) allow us to use TT on offense at least a little bit. I feel that TT is a better option than say Aldridge in such a big game. Alridge has little game experience...much less big game experience.

 

[Vince Young]

no..

we need dwalk's cosistancy on saturday. i don't see how aldridge has earned time against usc.

I see how... by providing a change-of-pace from Walker.

I still want to see Walker as the primary RB, don't misunderstand me. But the biggest thing I've missed all year is seeing some 2-back sets, either an RB and an FB, or two RBs. Running a 2-back set with Walker and Aldridge would add a lot more unpredictability to our running game, and anything that makes USC's defense think more is a good thing.

Remember, it's USC. Thinking is probably not their strong point.

 

[kjones]

But the biggest thing I've missed all year is seeing some 2-back sets, either an RB and an FB, or two RBs.

This is largely due to the injury to our starting fullback, if you remember, and also due to our often use of 2 tight end sets. Sometimes they go in motion and block like a fullback, but FB isn't a strong point of our team with Schwapp hurt, while our two TE's were really good before Carlson was hurt.

Running a 2-back set with Walker and Aldridge would add a lot more unpredictability to our running game,

I just don't think Aldridge could handle adding another new package like that. He's just trying to learn the offense we already have, as well as adjust to being a freshman in college at a major football school. Adding something like that would possibly be nice for next year, but not very feasible this year.

 

[BGIF]

... but FB isn't a strong point of our team with Schwapp hurt ...

That was underscored by a casual comment Charlie made in his press conference about the scrubs playing in the Army game. "I wanted to get Lyons some carries. I wanted to get McConnell some carries. ..." Lyons is a walk-on senior. McConnell is a senior Starter!

If Aldridge can handle the blocking and the audibles, I'd like to see some 2 back sets. The threat of one back going one way and the other another would keep opposing backers and safeties from keying on one spot which they've been able to do all season.

With the exception of a couple of end around plays or the Shark to pass play has ND run any misdirection?

 

[Irish Legend]

That was underscored by a casual comment Charlie made in his press conference about the scrubs playing in the Army game. "I wanted to get Lyons some carries. I wanted to get McConnell some carries. ..." Lyons is a walk-on senior. McConnell is a senior Starter!

If Aldridge can handle the blocking and the audibles, I'd like to see some 2 back sets. The threat of one back going one way and the other another would keep opposing backers and safeties from keying on one spot which they've been able to do all season.

With the exception of a couple of end around plays or the Shark to pass play has ND run any misdirection?

Not really that's why I think Charlie will throw the kitchen sink at USC this week.

 

[tedwick]

That was underscored by a casual comment Charlie made in his press conference about the scrubs playing in the Army game. "I wanted to get Lyons some carries. I wanted to get McConnell some carries. ..." Lyons is a walk-on senior. McConnell is a senior Starter!

If Aldridge can handle the blocking and the audibles, I'd like to see some 2 back sets. The threat of one back going one way and the other another would keep opposing backers and safeties from keying on one spot which they've been able to do all season.

With the exception of a couple of end around plays or the Shark to pass play has ND run any misdirection?

do you mean misdirection as in counters? or fumblerooskie?

I personally think that some counters with aldridge would work well against a speedy USC defense. keep them on their heels, make them worry about overpursuing. of course, this takes pressure off of quinn which gives him more time to pick a young(ish) secondary apart. but end arounds? i think the SC defense is too quick for long, drawn out plays like that.

 

[BGIF]

do you mean misdirection as in counters? or fumblerooskie?

I personally think that some counters with aldridge would work well against a speedy USC defense. keep them on their heels, make them worry about overpursuing. of course, this takes pressure off of quinn which gives him more time to pick a young(ish) secondary apart. but end arounds? i think the SC defense is too quick for long, drawn out plays like that.

Play flows to the right; RB cuts back to the left. Catch the defense in over pursuit.

 

[Irish Legend]

We'll see in just over 4 days!

 

[lattedatte]

Have you guys been watching the same Alridge I have??? He got shut down in a 4th and two and completely missed a block on a pass play against army and looked very uncoordinated trying to catch the swing pass. The kid is not ready, he is tentative because he is not comfortable with the offense/blocking assignments. Do you think that USC will stack the line against the run when Aldridge is in there?? this is the same issue Walls had. Both are going to be outstanding players for us but true freshman skill players that contribute right away are few and far between. Sorry Dwalk is the man but as I have stated, CW will play the guys that give us the best shot at winning. If that means DW or JA or no backs, that's what he'll do.

 

[domerfor life]

I don't know man. Aldridge didn't look good trying to catch that pass Saturday. Furthermore, Darius rarely fumbles. I would like to see Aldridge on a few snaps, but anything more than that would concern me. Also, I don't know about you guys but if we can't blow Army off the ball and get 2 yds on 4th down, then that doesn't bode too well for Saturday. It doesn't matter who's back there. If our OLine doesn't bring it, then the rushing attack will be nonexistent. Sam Young is going up against one of SC's best Dlineman. He will need help, which also concerns me. Will that leave the middle open....again?