Frankly, I'm tired of hearing that term. These so called "big plays" occur when you have a scheme that allows you to run the ball, get those big first down gains and impose your will in short yardage situations. The scheme is a mess, the OL is mess and I don't see it being fixed. His teams lack offensive physical toughness. Where is the accountability for cotinuous missed assignments?
James Franklin is fixated on "big plays" & "explosve plays"
- Thread starter DaytonRickster
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Big plays are great but if you're getting one explosive play for every four plays of two yards or less, maybe that's not so great.
Explosive plays don't come as easy when you don't have Barkley, Goodwin, Gesicki and Hamilton and Franklins lost 3 games with those guys.
Yep. I've said it before. Franklin looks at the analytics and sees that the team with more explosive plays is more likely to win the game, however, it appears he doesn't realize that you can't just call an explosive play. He is still looking for the guy who can call the single play to get him 25+ yards on demand. That is not how it works.
I like that Franklin understands the importance of metrics, but they have to be taken in context, and I think your point is valid.
I even wonder if the focus on making explosive plays detracts from fundamentals....it explains Clifford going for the big play, choosing trick plays over field goals, and blocking and tackling issues.
It may even explain the constant 3rd and long situations.
And fwiw, here's Ciarrocca's take on explosive plays (I suspect he and Franklin didn't see eye to eye on this)
"Yes, I want to have X number of explosive plays in the game. But I don't think about it during the game because I don't want to try to force a square peg into a round hole during the game. So it's not something I think about, but it is something that I look at," he said.
I even wonder if the focus on making explosive plays detracts from fundamentals....it explains Clifford going for the big play, choosing trick plays over field goals, and blocking and tackling issues.
It may even explain the constant 3rd and long situations.
And fwiw, here's Ciarrocca's take on explosive plays (I suspect he and Franklin didn't see eye to eye on this)
"Yes, I want to have X number of explosive plays in the game. But I don't think about it during the game because I don't want to try to force a square peg into a round hole during the game. So it's not something I think about, but it is something that I look at," he said.
And it doesn't add up to nearly enough offense when your defense is giving up 350+ yards rushing.........
I might be wrong, but I think that's why KC was fired, or at least a big factor. He didn't buy into the forcing explosive plays approach.
Exactly. They happen when they happen. You set them up in game by testing things and finding weaknesses. You set them up weeks in advance by breaking tendencies you have with certain formations. It is a game long and season long chess match.
Franklin fails to understand that the explosive plays come when you find something broken with the other team's defensive scheme. He just wants to dial one up.
The lone TD today was an explosive play. That is probably Franklin's takeaway. Not that is was a busted coverage from the THREE SAFETY LOOK. Just that it was an explosive play. That is the problem.
Yeah, I'm putting a lot of thoughts in Franklin's head and words in his mouth. That is how it appears to this fan with basic football knowledge.
Exposive plays are a biproduct of really productive, effective, "small plays." Explosive plays come when the defense is getting gashed in the running game, tires, and allows a big play. You can't coach or contrive big plays, they are the result of really good play calling and multiple little successful play. Its like asking a boxer to only worry about a big KO from the jump. It takes multiple jabs to the mid section before you get to the death blow. Franklin has sacrificed way too much for the big play. He needs to preach a team philosophy that wins their one on ones and gets 4 yards before they get 40. Yes, I do believe it has contributed to a poor fundamentals team and a lot of guys half assing waiting for someone to make an "explosive"
Let me add, the same tendency appears with the defense (i.e. not wrapping up & trying shoulder takedown or stripping the ball).
It reminds me of firing up Madden on the PlayStation and calling Hail Mary every play. Doesn't quite cut in in reality.
I don't mind trying for the strip. Especially if you have help making the tackle. But that requires use of your arms, which doesn't seem to be coached at this school.
Yeah, problem is there are only 4 plays per down, where 4×2 = change of possession, and a 3rd and long allows the defense to flood the passing lanes without worry of a run.
Yeah, first guy should always be focused on getting the tackle with the next guys worrying about the strip.
Football still comes down to being able to run the ball and stop the runAnd it doesn't add up to nearly enough offense when your defense is giving up 350+ yards rushing.........
The messed up part about their running QB’s success was that it was not a surprise. We knew they were going to run, but we clearly didn’t prepare to handle it. It’s not like Illinois going power rush (which I guess was a surprise). This was known.