Trying to understand our play calling in light of these numbers?!?

[18IsTheMan]

Thanks in part to the stats Shoemaker just posted, something very obvious stands out.

As he posted, we are averaging 2.97 yards/attempt on the ground, good for 130th nationally and 16th in the SEC, and are averaging 9.3 yards/attempt through the air, good for 9th nationally and 2nd in the SEC.

Given those numbers how do you think our play distribution breaks down? Looking at another site, you see:

We are 57th nationally in rushing attempts/game with 35.8 whereas we are 130th nationally in passing attempts/game, with 21.5

So the thing we're terrible at, we're doing a lot more of, and the thing we're pretty good at we're doing a lot less of?

I've been screaming at the tv all year (when I've bothered watching "Why do we keep running the ball!" and have posted several times about our odd imbalance towards the run. It was pretty well apparent after the 2nd game of the season that we would not be able to run the ball this year. I'm sure Beamer would have a very coach-ey answer as to why we've been so heavily imbalanced towards the run, when it's been wholly ineffective.

I said early on that Sellers should be throwing it 40 times/game. We should basically flip our play distribution. This to me speaks volumes about the ineptitude of the staff. They have a game plan and they are going to run the game plan exactly as written, consequences be darned.

The heavy disparity towards the run when we simply cannot run the ball...at all...screams one of two things: stubbornness or stupidity.

 

[Gradstudent]

So the thing we're terrible at, we're doing a lot more of, and the thing we're pretty good at we're doing a lot less of?

Even worse, when we run the ball (which the numbers tell us not to be doing) on a critical down we expect our weak IOL to clear some space, it makes no sense.

And we have a NFL bound QB, that can move and make plays outside the pocket, but we expect a terrible center to create a lane.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Even worse, when we run the ball (which the numbers tell us not to be doing) on a critical down we expect our weak IOL to clear some space, it makes no sense.

And we have a NFL bound QB, that can move and make plays outside the pocket, but we expect a terrible center to create a lane.

Yeah, I'm sure if you look at our run play selection, the stupidity is compounded. We shouldn't be running in the first place. When we do, pick stupid run plays.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Even worse, when we run the ball (which the numbers tell us not to be doing) on a critical down we expect our weak IOL to clear some space, it makes no sense.

And we have a NFL bound QB, that can move and make plays outside the pocket, but we expect a terrible center to create a lane.

Can't pass protect either. I'm starting to wonder if Sellers is NFL bound. At least as a quarterback.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Even worse, when we run the ball (which the numbers tell us not to be doing) on a critical down we expect our weak IOL to clear some space, it makes no sense.

And we have a NFL bound QB, that can move and make plays outside the pocket, but we expect a terrible center to create a lane.

But our OL can't pass block either and he's running for his life, so what do you do?
Quick dump pass to the TE has worked all year but we don't run it often enough until teams stop it.

 

[18IsTheMan]

But our OL can't pass block either and he's running for his life, so what do you do?
Quick dump pass to the TE has worked all year but we don't run it often enough until teams stop it.

I dunno, but based on these numbers, the amount we have run the ball is the definition of insanity.

 

[Piscis]

It is almost like everyone involved has given up.

 

[18IsTheMan]

It is almost like everyone involved has given up.

By Game 3 I was wondering why we were so run heavy. It hasn't made sense to me all season.

Why would you be so committed to doing something you can't do. Nobody admires you for doggedly trying to fit a round peg in a square hole.

It shows the staff is either too stupid or too stubborn to adapt.

 

[JohnnySolo]

I've seen a lot of individual replays over the past week and it seems we do not spread the field much at all. Running plays have TE and WR bunched up at the line. Too many pass plays are for yardage and not intermediate. There should always be a short and intermediate route for consideration. Too many times the WR disappear from the screen. There are no jet sweeps, off tackle, quick outs, WR screen, slants, come back routes. Nothing. Up the middle or air it out, or get sacked. Someone needs to see if his play call sheet is from Tecmo Bowl 1.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Bring back the ''Phantom Play Caller''!!!

 

[HI Cock1]

I've seen a lot of individual replays over the past week and it seems we do not spread the field much at all. Running plays have TE and WR bunched up at the line. Too many pass plays are for yardage and not intermediate. There should always be a short and intermediate route for consideration. Too many times the WR disappear from the screen. There are no jet sweeps, off tackle, quick outs, WR screen, slants, come back routes. Nothing. Up the middle or air it out, or get sacked. Someone needs to see if his play call sheet is from Tecmo Bowl 1.

We started Saturday with a jet sweep to Harbor, followed up by an intermediate pass to Harbor. Two in a row. Then the "running game" took over. It was somewhat successful until we got inside the 10 yard line.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Sooooooo.....

Why ARE we passing so little relative to the run?

 

[treyno2722]

It is almost like everyone involved has given up.

Wonder what it will look like after 'Bama, A&M, and Ole Miss.

 

[Piscis]

Wonder what it will look like after 'Bama, A&M, and Ole Miss.

It really looks like everyone from the coaches to the players have decided this season is over and there is no reason to put forth a lot of effort. The run heavy play calling shortens the games so everyone can get off the field and out of the stadium and go home. Shula knows he is likely gone after the season so he has no motivation to try and produce anything. Beamer knows he is most likely safe for another year so he is probably already looking ahead and writing this season off.

A loss to Coastal, which is not outside the realm of possibility, could derail Beamer's plans for next season. He would probably be fired if we lost to Coastal.

 

[18IsTheMan]

It really looks like everyone from the coaches to the players have decided this season is over and there is no reason to put forth a lot of effort. The run heavy play calling shortens the games so everyone can get off the field and out of the stadium and go home. Shula knows he is likely gone after the season so he has no motivation to try and produce anything. Beamer knows he is most likely safe for another year so he is probably already looking ahead and writing this season off.

A loss to Coastal, which is not outside the realm of possibility, could derail Beamer's plans for next season. He would probably be fired if we lost to Coastal.

A loss to Coastal means the locker room would be lost.

 

[Piscis]

A loss to Coastal means the locker room would be lost.

That is why it would mean the end of Beamer's job here. A win against Coastal and a miracle win against Clemson and Beamer wouldn't be on a very warm seat at all with a 5-7 record, which is sad to say. In fact, a win against Clemson and there would be plenty of fans who would call the season a success.

 

[18IsTheMan]

It really looks like everyone from the coaches to the players have decided this season is over and there is no reason to put forth a lot of effort. The run heavy play calling shortens the games so everyone can get off the field and out of the stadium and go home. Shula knows he is likely gone after the season so he has no motivation to try and produce anything. Beamer knows he is most likely safe for another year so he is probably already looking ahead and writing this season off.

A loss to Coastal, which is not outside the realm of possibility, could derail Beamer's plans for next season. He would probably be fired if we lost to Coastal.

I think we should pretty much air it out the rest of the way.

We know we're going to lose with running the ball. That's established fact.

So why not try something different? Yeah, probably means a lot of quick 3 and outs, but who cares at this point? It MAY not work but running WILL NOT work.

 

[treyno2722]

I think we should pretty much air it out the rest of the way.

We know we're going to lose with running the ball. That's established fact.

So why not try something different? Yeah, probably means a lot of quick 3 and outs, but who cares at this point? It MAY not work but running WILL NOT work.

We should air it out but the problem is that LaNorris only has 2 seconds to throw. I wouldn't mind seeing a bunch of bubble screens and screen passes to the tight ends and RB's. I think Faison could do well if we don't have him run up the middle every time.

 

[18IsTheMan]

We should air it out but the problem is that LaNorris only has 2 seconds to throw. I wouldn't mind seeing a bunch of bubble screens and screen passes to the tight ends and RB's. I think Faison could do well if we don't have him run up the middle every time.

Yeah, I mean, they should be able to come up with some quick patterns. They haven't, yet. But it's been done before.