... that was a beautifully called game. We certainly have our limitations on offense, but our entire game plan was designed to accentuate our strengths and minimize our deficiencies.
1. The use of the running backs. I called for Snell to get the short yardage carries early, and though I won't say I was wrong, you can't argue with Gran's strategy. Snell was super fresh in the 4th and it took it's toll on SC. The direct snap was a great call.
2. Go to the hot hand. Badet caught a long pass, and the very next play was a quick screen to Badet and he gained 9 or 10. That's how you get the ball to your playmakers and get them involved in the game.
3. Roll outs. We don't have an OL that can hold a pocket for five seconds. We need to move the pocket and get out into space. Keep those D lines running on every play, and eventually our OL looks better. Make them chase the QB, don't just offer him up on a plate! This also buys time for our WRs to get loose. Overall, rolling out needs to be part of our offense even with Drew Barker, but Johnson's legs help a lot.
4. Read option and Johnson's legs. Both add a dimension to our offense that the defense must account for. Boom is a home run threat if you guess pass, we've got plenty of pass options if you guess run, and even if you defend both, Johnson can salvage 5 years with a scramble. It's these type of plays, even if they don't gain a ton of yardage, that set up big plays later in the game.
I loved that Gran calls a game with an eye on the 4th quarter. Dawson for example, seemed to call plays for that series. BOMB BOMB DRAW. We shouldn't be afraid of a run in 2nd and 8 because two quarters later, they bite on the run option and now they're in trouble. Gran set up SC to be knocked down. He picked his spots and exploited them by design. I'm glad we have him over Dawson (Game 1 nonwithstanding) for now and in the future.
1. The use of the running backs. I called for Snell to get the short yardage carries early, and though I won't say I was wrong, you can't argue with Gran's strategy. Snell was super fresh in the 4th and it took it's toll on SC. The direct snap was a great call.
2. Go to the hot hand. Badet caught a long pass, and the very next play was a quick screen to Badet and he gained 9 or 10. That's how you get the ball to your playmakers and get them involved in the game.
3. Roll outs. We don't have an OL that can hold a pocket for five seconds. We need to move the pocket and get out into space. Keep those D lines running on every play, and eventually our OL looks better. Make them chase the QB, don't just offer him up on a plate! This also buys time for our WRs to get loose. Overall, rolling out needs to be part of our offense even with Drew Barker, but Johnson's legs help a lot.
4. Read option and Johnson's legs. Both add a dimension to our offense that the defense must account for. Boom is a home run threat if you guess pass, we've got plenty of pass options if you guess run, and even if you defend both, Johnson can salvage 5 years with a scramble. It's these type of plays, even if they don't gain a ton of yardage, that set up big plays later in the game.
I loved that Gran calls a game with an eye on the 4th quarter. Dawson for example, seemed to call plays for that series. BOMB BOMB DRAW. We shouldn't be afraid of a run in 2nd and 8 because two quarters later, they bite on the run option and now they're in trouble. Gran set up SC to be knocked down. He picked his spots and exploited them by design. I'm glad we have him over Dawson (Game 1 nonwithstanding) for now and in the future.
