forget recruiting- let's talk State offense....2012 edition

[Coach34]

(and let me say ahead of time- I'm going to save this thread and bring it up in September- so mean what you post)<div>
</div><div>Where do we go from here? One thing everyone finally agrees with me on- we cant run the same offense if Tyler Russell is going to get 75% of the snaps. No matter how many times Patdog says he is a serviceable runner- we all know that he isnt. He got hurt twice this season. As tough as Relf is- he got hurt some the last 2 seasons- and Tyler isnt as durable.</div><div>
</div><div>So what do we do?</div><div>
</div><div>Do we change the way we practice and throw the football 35 times a game next season?</div><div>Do we add a little I-formation to help Tyler with some power running from Griffin and play-action off of it?</div><div>Do we scrap all the option plays to run more traps and sweeps?</div><div>Do we run the same offense- putting Dak in to handle most of the running to get experience- essentially saying Prescott is going to be the guy as soon as he is ready?</div><div>
</div><div>We will have some new guys on the OL next year- bringing in jucos and plus having young guys in year 3...it's easier to run block than it is to pass block. How does that influence what we do and who plays more at QB?</div>

 

[Coach34]

(and let me say ahead of time- I'm going to save this thread and bring it up in September- so mean what you post)<div>
</div><div>Where do we go from here? One thing everyone finally agrees with me on- we cant run the same offense if Tyler Russell is going to get 75% of the snaps. No matter how many times Patdog says he is a serviceable runner- we all know that he isnt. He got hurt twice this season. As tough as Relf is- he got hurt some the last 2 seasons- and Tyler isnt as durable.</div><div>
</div><div>So what do we do?</div><div>
</div><div>Do we change the way we practice and throw the football 35 times a game next season?</div><div>Do we add a little I-formation to help Tyler with some power running from Griffin and play-action off of it?</div><div>Do we scrap all the option plays to run more traps and sweeps?</div><div>Do we run the same offense- putting Dak in to handle most of the running to get experience- essentially saying Prescott is going to be the guy as soon as he is ready?</div><div>
</div><div>We will have some new guys on the OL next year- bringing in jucos and plus having young guys in year 3...it's easier to run block than it is to pass block. How does that influence what we do and who plays more at QB?</div>

 

[Coach34]

(and let me say ahead of time- I'm going to save this thread and bring it up in September- so mean what you post)<div>
</div><div>Where do we go from here? One thing everyone finally agrees with me on- we cant run the same offense if Tyler Russell is going to get 75% of the snaps. No matter how many times Patdog says he is a serviceable runner- we all know that he isnt. He got hurt twice this season. As tough as Relf is- he got hurt some the last 2 seasons- and Tyler isnt as durable.</div><div>
</div><div>So what do we do?</div><div>
</div><div>Do we change the way we practice and throw the football 35 times a game next season?</div><div>Do we add a little I-formation to help Tyler with some power running from Griffin and play-action off of it?</div><div>Do we scrap all the option plays to run more traps and sweeps?</div><div>Do we run the same offense- putting Dak in to handle most of the running to get experience- essentially saying Prescott is going to be the guy as soon as he is ready?</div><div>
</div><div>We will have some new guys on the OL next year- bringing in jucos and plus having young guys in year 3...it's easier to run block than it is to pass block. How does that influence what we do and who plays more at QB?</div>

 

[klerushund]

...with Cox gone, is the best player on our team. We do whatever we can to utilize our best player.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

it's easy to look at the 2006 UF team with Leak/Tebow. Here's a link to a lot of info on that team.

http://www.gatorzone.com/.../history/2006/review.pdf

I think they averaged a little over 30 rushes/game and a little under 30 passes/game.

So early on, I'd look at the Leak/Tebow combination, but Dak my play a little more than Tebow.

 

[coachdaddy]

i didnt see much option this year. definitely not enough of the read option anyway. what i saw up until ole miss was pistol. turn around and hand it to a back and zone blocking. i hate that ****, but im not running the show. i cant see Mullen going to a pro-style offense can you? im thinking he goes more of a true spread. 4 and 5 wide with Russell throwing quick routes and more zone runs with those quick backs. im anxious to see what happens this spring.

 

[tenureplan]

He won't get near the amount of carries Relf did, but he will run enough to keep D's honest. He's just as fast as Relf, but he get's lit up on the end of runs. We will still run the read a good bit, and to be honest, we will be just as effective with it, because Relf mis"read" the end all of the time (the 3rd and2 and 4th and 1 we didn't get in the Wake game comes to mind). We will also use him on the speed option, but it will truly be a glorified delayed pitch sweep because I just can't see Russell keeping it on those.

We will throw the ball more on early downs and early in the game with Russell to open up the run, but we will still be a predominantly running team.

Dak will play next year and I am hoping that Mullen uses him like Tebow for short yardage. I'm hesitant to say that will happen because of Mullen not doing that with Relf after he gave Russell the reins.</p>

 

[Coach34]

...with Cox gone, is the best player on our team. We do whatever we can to utilize our best player.

have to be related to Russell to actually believe that.

 

[tilla]

We throw it more. Utilize Russell's strengths and our deep receiving core. Bring in Dak for option plays. No I formation but run traps and counters with Russell in the game. I don't think Russell is our best player now that Cox is gone, but he might be our best offensive weapon.

 

[missouridawg]

I started too, but don't have time to defend myself today, so I opted not to....

Russell might not even be in the top 10 players on our team.</p>

 

[Foronce]

1. dan has to find an oc that is a great developer of qb's, can out-recruit, and can handle playcalling
we struggle with les calling the plays ...we need to hit a homerun here bigtime

2. Our Oline have to stay healthy, lose 2 olinemen next year and we won't be in any bowl game

3. we need to be running a passing spread next year and bring dak in for short yardage and key situations. I don't know if our wr corps can pull this off or not, but this is bigger than replacing vick ballard, we need a playmaker with size to step up here and be a star ...morrow or malcolm johnson are my guesses at this point

4. we have to use our running backs effectively and we have depend on them heavily to setup our passing game next year.

-----------
I would not change and go to the iformation i would keep it and try to spread the lb out, we can do this with malcolm at te spread out.
We have to be able to run the ball out of the shotgun/pistol formations
early i would get dak about 10-15 snaps a game ...later you would hope his role would be increased more, but this could be determined on how effective Russell is... Russell has to take care of the ball, if he wants to be successful in a Mullen ran offense. You would think Mullen will give Russell every opportunity to succeed because going to a rs fr as your leaded could be a diaster.

I think we have more playmakers on offense than we have ever had before and I hope the oline and qb allow them to shine. I think records will be set next year in our offense. The future on offense is starting to shine very very bright.

 

[shinbone]

Whatever changes or adjustments that are made, if Russell doesn't develope a quicker release then we could be in trouble.

 

[patdog]

<div>Do we change the way we practice and throw the football 35 times a game next season?- YES. MAYBE NOT 35 TIMES PER GAME, BUT 30.

</div><div>Do we add a little I-formation to help Tyler with some power running from Griffin and play-action off of it? - PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA BUT I DON'T SEE MULLEN DOING THIS.</div><div>
Do we scrap all the option plays to run more traps and sweeps? - WE'LL STILL RUN SOME OPTION, BUT MORE TRAPS AND SWEEPS.</div><div>
Do we run the same offense- putting Dak in to handle most of the running to get experience- essentially saying Prescott is going to be the guy as soon as he is ready?- MORE OR LESS, EXCEPT THAT I THINK RUSSELL WILL HANDLE A LITTLE MORE OF THE RUNNING THAN YOU DO. PROBABLY MORE THAN HE SHOULD.

No matter how many times Patdog says he is a serviceable runner - DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT SERVICEABLE MEANS? HE'S NOT A GREAT RUNNER, BUT HE'S BETTER THAN CHRIS LEAK WAS AND HE WON A NATIONAL TITLE IN THIS OFFENSE.

</div>

 

[CadaverDawg]

I am expecting to see a lot of short swing passes out in the flat and bubble screens to use as a version of long handoffs. The difference is, Russell should actually be able to zip those out there a little better where our receivers aren't being run over by the time the ball arrives. I think we will also try to stretch the field more with some deep shots to Morrow. I am hoping we use Malcolm Johnson to help stretch the LB's out too. Hopefully by using these passes we can help spread the field and make our running game much more effective. I still think we will see Tyler run it some, but not nearly as much as Relf...just keeping it instead of handing it off every now and then to keep defenses honest. I truly believe that Russell's ability to pass will make our ground game even better, and if the play calling is not built for a running QB then we will be really good next year on offense.

However, if Les K. wants to 17 my prediction then he is more than capable

 

[jeremyrbrown]

1. dan has to find an oc that is a great developer of qb's, can out-recruit, and can handle playcalling
we struggle with les calling the plays ...we need to hit a homerun here bigtime

** Les is a pretty strong recruiter. And no one knows how much of the playcalling comes from Les or Dan.

2. Our Oline have to stay healthy, lose 2 olinemen next year and we won't be in any bowl game

**Depends on which 2 we lose. If we lose Tobias again and Clausell, we'll be okay. I think we'll have more depth next year.

3. we need to be running a passing spread next year and bring dak in for short yardage and key situations. I don't know if our wr corps can pull this off or not, but this is bigger than replacing vick ballard, we need a playmaker with size to step up here and be a star ...morrow or malcolm johnson are my guesses at this point

**ditto

4. we have to use our running backs effectively and we have depend on them heavily to setup our passing game next year.

-----------
I would not change and go to the iformation i would keep it and try to spread the lb out, we can do this with malcolm at te spread out.

**The key to using our TE's in the passing game is our Oline being strong enough to allow our TE's to run routes rather than block

We have to be able to run the ball out of the shotgun/pistol formations
early i would get dak about 10-15 snaps a game ...later you would hope his role would be increased more, but this could be determined on how effective Russell is... Russell has to take care of the ball, if he wants to be successful in a Mullen ran offense. You would think Mullen will give Russell every opportunity to succeed because going to a rs fr as your leaded could be a diaster.

I think we have more playmakers on offense than we have ever had before and I hope the oline and qb allow them to shine. I think records will be set next year in our offense. The future on offense is starting to shine very very bright.

 

[57stratdawg]

Russell will throw the ball 25+ times a game next year at least for the first few games. I think we'll get Prescott a drive or two a half and probably put him in in goal line situations, but it won't be much more than that.

We have to take advantage of our WRs next year. They'll still be below average, but they're due for a decent year.

 

[The Peeper]

potential? He's not a running QB, he's consistently inconsistent passing (only thing consistent is his throws seem to sail) and he just really hasn't played a whole lot so I don't see how you say that.

 

[EAVdog]

My guesses, hopes:

Imagine the Offense we ran Mullen's first year with Tyson Lee at the helm but with a better passer. Runs will be out of Wishbone formation, Offset I, Pitches, Sweeps, WR sweeps, etc... We won't see as much QB keepers, it eventually even ran Relf down. Russell won't be able to take the beating that Relf did. We will also see more wildcat runs with Tubby, Bumphis, and Perkins.

We will throw moredeep balls with Morrow in the lineup. Getting a legit downfield threat will free up Bumphis to play like a slot receiver. He will have a banner year, finally.

We will utilize our TE's a whole lot more, they are finally coming into play.

LaDarius Perkins, Nick Griffin, and Josh Robinson will pick up where Ballard and Perkins left off. I think right now Griffin isthe power back but all practice reports say Robinson is a speedy wrecking ball type running back. I'm totally excited about these young guys.

We will break some Offensive records set in 2010 and more, even if it's just a product of our schedule. Russell may even break some QB records, although that's not hard to do at State.

 

[Foronce]

I just figured he is our oc-qb coach, but Mullen got favre and prescott ...i realize Les had some say, but it seemed like both were pulled by Dan in and because of what Dan brings to the table

to me Les seems to hold us back and be more of an in the box thinker, not as innovative ...i could be wrong about the guy, but I lean towards the Sean Paytons/Dan Mullens of the world ...now it didn't really stand out 2 years ago, so it maybe more on the off line than the oc and play caller. I am not in the meetings Les maybe a great fit for our coaching staff, right now though I would lean to a more aggressive and innovative mind

 

[lazlow]

I'd like to see more short passes and screens. Relf drove me crazy on his inability to execute the screen against the non-kentucky's and non-ole misses. I don't think TR did a much better job although he is a better passer. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until he gets the majority of the reps. Until we can do this effectively I expect the same single digit performances against LSU & bama......and the 10 offensive pts we hung on SC and UGA.

 

[Coach34]

if we get rid of Les- then the next guy will just call what Mullen wants him to. Our OC is employed to scout and gameplan within the parameters set by Mullen.<div>
</div><div>Also, the coaches recruit areas, not specific players. Hevesy recruited Prescott as much as anyone. Now the kids obviously meet their position coach once on campus and such- But Les recruits the coast area if I'm not mistaken. And we are doing well down there</div>

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Perkins, to me, was the most disappointing player on the team. Fewer carries, fewer yards, lower ypc average,only 12 catches all year long. (Bowl stats not incuded.) I expected more.

Griffin is simply unproven. Has he fully recovered? He doesn't have much experience even if he is.

If we do pass the ball more, how are these guys as receivers and picking up their pass blocking responsibilities?

I know we always seem to have someone who can run the ball, but the two leading candidates to carry the mail in 2012 give me pause for concern.

 

[jcdawgman18]

Should point out from the start that I don't expect us to though. I hope we make our passing game much more sophisticated, minimize the number of QB runs, and use more pistol to get our bigger bodied backs like Griffin and bowlin ball Robinson going downhill. I also hope we can avoid playing Dak very much early on. Reason being is I think it will be way more beneficial to us in the long run to integrate him into a more creative environment than simply continuing to do what we have been doing the last few years. If we want to occasionally compete with the big boys, we need to be better offensively than simply slamming our QB into their line 15 plus times a game and calling pass plays that are either a bubble, a hitch, or four verticals.
Again, though, I don't really expect we'll do any of that.

 

[FlabLoser]

1. dan has to find an oc that is a great developer of qb's, can out-recruit, and can handle playcalling
we struggle with les calling the plays ...we need to hit a homerun here bigtime

..because if there is anything Mullen does not do well, it is develop QBs.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

First. you're right about us needing to pass more with Russell as the primary QB. He simply isn't built to run the ball the way we have the last 3 years with Relf. Due to that, I think we run more traps and sweeps and use the Pistol more. I can't see Dan using the I, but who knows? He may surprise us. Early on, I think we'll see somewhere in the neighborhood of 70-30, 80-20 Russell over Prescott.

I think we'll bring Prescott along as quickly as he can handle what we want. Frankly, I think he's more of the dual threat that Mullen wants in a QB. I think by the end of the season, he could be splitting snaps 50-50 with Russell. He'll definitely be a factor for short yardage and red zone situations, though.

I'm not too worried about our RBs. I really liked what I saw from Nick Griffin in his limited action this season. OL was a big reason Perkins wasn't more of a factor. If next year's OL can be an improvement, he'll be a factor for us. And he's a good change of pace from Griffin. The unknown factor in the running game is Josh Robinson. Word is the coaches are really excited about him. He's big and fast. I wouldn't be too shocked if he doesn't take over the job at some point next season. Either way, I think we'll have a decent running game.

I'm much more concerned about our WRs. Secret Weapon, Chris Smith, and Malcolm Johnson are all back, which is a good thing. But Bumphis flat sucks. His role in our offense needs to be reduced, period. I'm hoping Jameon Lewis gets over his fumblitis in the spring. He's maybe our most electric receiving weapon. It'll be interesting to see how much having a big body like Joe Morrow will help. I also want to see more of Brandon Heavens & Michael Carr. We really need them to breakout, especially Carr. Still, this is a below average SEC WR group. We've GOT to improve the recruiting at this position if we ever want to seriously compete. I say aGAIN, losing Nick Brassell hurt us badly at this position.

 

[Foronce]

i understand what you are saying, but i am saying we need to get a guy in that develops that trust in mullen and mullen allows him to gameplan and develop our qbs more...

i don't think mullen has a control issue where he won't allow les to take over, i just don't think les and mullen mesh as good as it could mesh between oc and offensive minded hc

 

[thf24]

You can't deny his supreme accuracy, but only when throwing to a spot. The reason he was so inconsistent this year is that hitting receivers in run and gun, pitch and catch situations inherent to spread offenses is not his strength. If Mullen would install some pro style-like timing throws, 3/5 step drops and the like, then I think Russell could be a star for us next year. If he's going to just stick him back in the same offense, then Prescott needs to be our guy.

 

[DAWG61]

QB. If Russell gets hurt we have to rely on a rsfreshman. It's too late now but a juco QB for emergency duties would probably been a good idea since Dylan Favrebrows quit.

 

[57stratdawg]

QB. If Russell gets hurt we have to rely on a rsfreshman. It's too late now but a juco QB for emergency duties would probably been a good idea since Dylan Favrebrows quit.

People act like there's potential All Americans all over the place in the JUCO system, but that's not that case. The JUCO QBs that do turn out usually sign D1, but transfer later (Cam, Mettenburger). Those guys are big recruits, but the other 90% of JUCO QBs aren't D1 talents.

 

[lariverdog]

and I'm not an X and O expert like some, but more of the cerebral kinda guy.

I hope the coaching staff learns exactly what our QB's are really capable of doing and then concentrate on making sure we do those things very well.

I think the most frustrating thing with recent QB's has been the coaching staff never knowing from one game to the next what the QB was going to do. Point in case: look at the Michigan game last year vs. the WF game. To my untrained eye, it looked to 2 different QB's. I know the o-line is different and everything, but the thought making and throwing was completely different.

Maybe I'm completely wrong. But I don't have faith in either QB choice right this second.

 

[DAWG61]

that wrong. The jucoQB wouldn't see the field just there for emergency if TR and Dak can't play. As of right now who is the 3rd string QB? Is Dan just going to put Bumphis back there if it gets to that point?

 

[kired]

As of right now who is the 3rd string QB?

Jeremy Liggins

 

[sardis]

There's no time for any slow developing plays in the West. Russell will have to make quicker decisions than he has in the past. While the o line was off this year compared with 2010, I think the largest question was the receivers. I'm still puzzled at their performance. Even though they got beat last night, the offense at Stanford with two tight ends was kind of interesting and I hope we can get more of that as Mullen did with H back position at Florida. Amd go big on the one yard line as well, still sick over LSU, Auburn, etc.

 

[57stratdawg]

Our staff shouldn't be surprised by our QB situation now. Farve was telling people he was going to transfer all season. When our staff missed on Voytik last summer, they never started recruiting another kid even with Farve likely leaving.

I just don't want us to sign a kid to have a warm body there - especially a JUCO QB. Remember, we signed Farve after we missed on Newton, and here we are in the same spot 2 years later. Let's just make it with 2 QBs in 2012 and sign a kid next year (or two).

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

Should point out from the start that I don't expect us to though. I hope we make our passing game much more sophisticated, minimize the number of QB runs, and use more pistol to get our bigger bodied backs like Griffin and bowlin ball Robinson going downhill. I also hope we can avoid playing Dak very much early on. Reason being is I think it will be way more beneficial to us in the long run to integrate him into a more creative environment than simply continuing to do what we have been doing the last few years. If we want to occasionally compete with the big boys, we need to be better offensively than simply slamming our QB into their line 15 plus times a game and calling pass plays that are either a bubble, a hitch, or four verticals. Again, though, I don't really expect we'll do any of that.

I was not impressed at all with our offense this year. Who is running the offense, our OC or our head coach? Whoever was responsible, they didn't perform very well. I never dreamed State would look so bad in year three of the Mullen era on offense. I realize the o-line held us back, but I would have to think most objective observers were saying "what the...?" about multiple bone head calls made over the season and multiple piss poor offensive performances we saw in 2011. I am happy to have Mullen as our coach, but his team's offense needs improvement, and good lord did his special teams absolutely stink most of the year. My opinion is that Tyler Russell could perform extremely well for us in 2011 if he has an offense taylored to his strengths and weaknesses. If the coaches will do this, I think he could be among the top 4 QB's in the conference. As much as I appreciate all that Relf did for us, he could play at State for 4 more years and NEVER be among the top 4 QB's in the conference.

Oh, put me in the column of wanting to give our DC a nice raise and giving our OCnothing extra at all unless it is a pink slip.

 

[klerushund]

...he is the most important player on our team. 2012 is on his shoulders. Whatever offense fits his strengthss is what we should run.

I do believe, if Dan plays to Russell's strengths, he will have us all questioning why he didn't take the reigns sooner.

 

[paindonthurt_]

with him in the game THIS year. And for you to say "the offense Mullen wants to run", shows me you don't know as much as you think you know, or as much as i thought you knew (which was some football knowledge), or as much as others give you credit for knowing.

When Russell came into the game, we ran the same offense that we TRIED to run with Relf in the game. Thats throwing the ball down field after we get positive yardage on the ground. We ran the option very little all year. In fact we only ran it when nothing else seemed to work. It even baffled me at times why we didn't run it more when Relf was in the game.

My Point? It seems to me Mullen wants to run power football out of the spread an throw the football down the middle of the field as well as the seams. We'll then run the option to catch people off guard and keep them honest occassionally.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Those two things aren't even close.

 

[patdog]

Even if he hadn't told a soul he was leaving, it didn't take Nostradamus to see that between Russell, Favre, and Prescott whichever one of them finished 3rd was a threat to transfer. They dropped the ball by not making signing a QB a priority this year. You need to sign a QB EVERY year.

Let's just make it with 2 QBsfor 2012 is a TERRIBLE idea. I'd much rather have somebody like the East MS QB that just won a national championship in there if Russell & Prescott go down than a true FR walkon or Bumphis.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

nmnm