McKewon: Don’t lose any sleep over Husker spring storylines

[ColoradoHusk]

MR's point is that we need to improve our running efficiency.

Then they need to work on it, and practice it much more during the spring/fall.

I don't have an opinion on whether they practice rushing enough. Not saying you're wrong, just what is the source of your belief that it is a lack of focus on the rushing game in practice?

In the fall and spring, our media outlets that said they spent the majority of practices focused on the passing game.

Not a narrative I recall seeing. Not saying you're wrong, just strange I don't recall it.

Assuming that's the case, then I agree with you 100% that they should focus on rushing more in practice to improve the efficiency.

I'll try to find an article, but for starters, both Sean Callahan and Sam McKewon talked about it on their podcasts post spring.

I agree with Saunders on this one. There was a huge narrative of the offense slinging the ball around a lot in the practices that were made public to the media.

 

[Redux]

I would be interested to know just how much of the nonsense we all bicker about is seen by our local beat writers.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Predicted conversion, to be replayed ad nausium over the next few weeks:

Poster A: I heard The Team/Player X is doing/not doing ____________________. I think The Team/Player Y should be doing/not doing _____________________ instead.

Poster B: Are you at practice? Do you know what's really going on? This is just spring ball. The coaches know what they're doing. Don't have a cow, man. We have to give it time to see what actually happens.

If only 'Poster A' people would just think more often before they post.

Poster A is so annoying!

 

[ColoradoHusk]

Predicted conversion, to be replayed ad nausium over the next few weeks:

Poster A: I heard The Team/Player X is doing/not doing ____________________. I think The Team/Player Y should be doing/not doing _____________________ instead.

Poster B: Are you at practice? Do you know what's really going on? This is just spring ball. The coaches know what they're doing. Don't have a cow, man. We have to give it time to see what actually happens.

If only 'Poster A' people would just think more often before they post.

Poster A is so annoying!

I think I have seen his posts on HOL.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

The only thing I will be losing sleep over is how best to spend my time in Lincoln for the 4 hours before the start of the spring game.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

The only thing I will be losing sleep over is how best to spend my time in Lincoln for the 4 hours before the start of the spring game.

We all know how much you obsess about deciding how much time to spend on O Street vs. The Railyard vs. Embassy Suites and which bar you need to hit at each locale.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

The only thing I will be losing sleep over is how best to spend my time in Lincoln for the 4 hours before the start of the spring game.

We all know how much you obsess about deciding how much time to spend on O Street vs. The Railyard vs. Embassy Suites and which bar you need to hit at each locale.

I should probably contact Sam...he could write a story about it

 

[84HuskerLaw]

I disagree with the assertion that NU didn't run an up-tempo offense under Osborne. While NU wasn't running a no-huddle offense, Osborne wanted to get the plays in quickly and the offense up to the LOS quickly. He had the team huddle only 2-3 yards from the ball, and the team was able to get to the LOS with a lot of time left on the play clock. While it's not the "uptempo" offense of today, it was a quick tempo offense for 20-30 years ago.

Yes, we huddled closer to the line of scrimmage so we could spend more time in the actual huddle while TO sent in the plays by rotating his receivers every play. He also wanted his QB to have about 8 to 10 secs on the play clock once the team was lined up to look the defense over in the event an audible was desired. The QB would then make a determination if the play as called looked to be OK with the defense as aligned. But we often snapped the ball with about 2 or 3 seconds left on the play clock. They moved the play clock down to the stadium wall just below the lower railing just so the QB could use it to snap it with very little time left to use the clock.

If not, the QB often merely needed to change the direction of the play (run to the right side vs the left for example or to audible into a simple, short quick out pass or something to take advantage of the overplay of the defense to the run which almost every opponent tried to do. The one thing about our incredible run game and devotion to it was that it made the defense very predictable as well. We knew where they would almost always be - 8 or even 9 in the box trying to stop the run - which actually made the offense easier to learn and run for the players. The O line knew the defense would be attacking the run so they could really learn who to block most of the time. Defenses rarely tried to stop us with a generic or traditiional run or pass defensive scheme because we overpowered and would simply continue running right at the D until they stopped us. We became very good at running at the most dedicated run defenses.

It also made passing fairly easy when we did show run but throw. We completed reasonable % of passing attempts because often the defense was expecting run and we threw. We had a tough time throwing in 3rd and extra long (over 10). We often ran the ball effectively even on 3 & 6 or more.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

I disagree with the assertion that NU didn't run an up-tempo offense under Osborne. While NU wasn't running a no-huddle offense, Osborne wanted to get the plays in quickly and the offense up to the LOS quickly. He had the team huddle only 2-3 yards from the ball, and the team was able to get to the LOS with a lot of time left on the play clock. While it's not the "uptempo" offense of today, it was a quick tempo offense for 20-30 years ago.

Yes, we huddled closer to the line of scrimmage so we could spend more time in the actual huddle while TO sent in the plays by rotating his receivers every play. He also wanted his QB to have about 8 to 10 secs on the play clock once the team was lined up to look the defense over in the event an audible was desired. The QB would then make a determination if the play as called looked to be OK with the defense as aligned. But we often snapped the ball with about 2 or 3 seconds left on the play clock. They moved the play clock down to the stadium wall just below the lower railing just so the QB could use it to snap it with very little time left to use the clock.

If not, the QB often merely needed to change the direction of the play (run to the right side vs the left for example or to audible into a simple, short quick out pass or something to take advantage of the overplay of the defense to the run which almost every opponent tried to do. The one thing about our incredible run game and devotion to it was that it made the defense very predictable as well. We knew where they would almost always be - 8 or even 9 in the box trying to stop the run - which actually made the offense easier to learn and run for the players. The O line knew the defense would be attacking the run so they could really learn who to block most of the time. Defenses rarely tried to stop us with a generic or traditiional run or pass defensive scheme because we overpowered and would simply continue running right at the D until they stopped us. We became very good at running at the most dedicated run defenses.

It also made passing fairly easy when we did show run but throw. We completed reasonable % of passing attempts because often the defense was expecting run and we threw. We had a tough time throwing in 3rd and extra long (over 10). We often ran the ball effectively even on 3 & 6 or more.

I call BS on your comment that NU would generally snap the ball with 2 or 3 seconds left on the clock. NU consistently had more talent their opponents under TO, so it would be advantageous for them to increase the number of snaps in each game and therefore snap the ball with more time on the clock.

Yes, there were times where TO would want to milk the clock and play "ball control", but the TO I remember would want to run an up-tempo offense that wore down their opponent.

 

[84HuskerLaw]

Tom liked to wait as long as possible to send in some plays to try to see what defenders the opponent may be sending out there in anticipation of the next play. The game was played back then just as it is today with opposing coaches attempting to substitute and 'platoon' / package scheme defensively and offensively. Creating mismatches and getting advantages in players/positions through substitutions or to sometimes leave the opponent unable to substitute to match up well. Alignment and package changes were constantly tried vs. Osborne's offenses just like many other teams. But over time, we had played against every over play the run defensive scheme to the point our experienced O line and skilled blocking receivers and RBs could respond well. Teams simply could not hold up to the onslaught and the pounding we gave them. Gradually as the game went on, the defense grew exhausted and fatigued and lost a step or two of speed/quickness. The weakened defense became susceptible to the quick strike passes and also the big plays on the option pitches and the full back traps up the gut as well.

It really is easier to call plays when you know what the defense is doing and how it will play the play you are calling. The blockers quickly learn what to expect and react accordingly. Not rocket science but great strategy.

 

[84HuskerLaw]

I disagree with the assertion that NU didn't run an up-tempo offense under Osborne. While NU wasn't running a no-huddle offense, Osborne wanted to get the plays in quickly and the offense up to the LOS quickly. He had the team huddle only 2-3 yards from the ball, and the team was able to get to the LOS with a lot of time left on the play clock. While it's not the "uptempo" offense of today, it was a quick tempo offense for 20-30 years ago.

Yes, we huddled closer to the line of scrimmage so we could spend more time in the actual huddle while TO sent in the plays by rotating his receivers every play. He also wanted his QB to have about 8 to 10 secs on the play clock once the team was lined up to look the defense over in the event an audible was desired. The QB would then make a determination if the play as called looked to be OK with the defense as aligned. But we often snapped the ball with about 2 or 3 seconds left on the play clock. They moved the play clock down to the stadium wall just below the lower railing just so the QB could use it to snap it with very little time left to use the clock.

If not, the QB often merely needed to change the direction of the play (run to the right side vs the left for example or to audible into a simple, short quick out pass or something to take advantage of the overplay of the defense to the run which almost every opponent tried to do. The one thing about our incredible run game and devotion to it was that it made the defense very predictable as well. We knew where they would almost always be - 8 or even 9 in the box trying to stop the run - which actually made the offense easier to learn and run for the players. The O line knew the defense would be attacking the run so they could really learn who to block most of the time. Defenses rarely tried to stop us with a generic or traditiional run or pass defensive scheme because we overpowered and would simply continue running right at the D until they stopped us. We became very good at running at the most dedicated run defenses.

It also made passing fairly easy when we did show run but throw. We completed reasonable % of passing attempts because often the defense was expecting run and we threw. We had a tough time throwing in 3rd and extra long (over 10). We often ran the ball effectively even on 3 & 6 or more.

I call BS on your comment that NU would generally snap the ball with 2 or 3 seconds left on the clock. NU consistently had more talent their opponents under TO, so it would be advantageous for them to increase the number of snaps in each game and therefore snap the ball with more time on the clock.

Yes, there were times where TO would want to milk the clock and play "ball control", but the TO I remember would want to run an up-tempo offense that wore down their opponent.

Well you are wrong. I sat and watched nearly every game TO coached in memorial stadium watching from the 21st row up behind the south goal posts. We watched the play clock as well. Not always of course as not always did we feel we had time to waste (as you may have believed it would have been described). Tom did not believe the time was wasted at all. He wanted the time for his playcalling, alignments, huddling, audibles, and to evaluate. Now and then he liked to take a time out if things were not as he had expected. Some QBs were better than others and it also depended on the type of plays we were running. If we were absolutely controlling the line of scrimmage and could confidently expect to average 7 or 8 yards per carry running off tackle or basic 41 or 49 pitch plays, we frequently ran up to the line and ran the play. We would push the defense down the field and if he felt the opponent was clearly inferior, he would force the action early on and fatigue the defense by early in the second quarter even. We also had half a dozen games each year where we reasonably expected to win by 6 or 7 TDs and the second and third strings would play as many or more snaps than most of the starters. Sometimes he wanted more snaps to give to the backups for morale and learning and experience reasons as well.

But, generally, we preferred to use up the clock on the offense and keep our defense on the sidelines. Having the big edge in time of possession was due as much to the offense controlling the clock as it was to the Blackshirts getting the ball back. In 1983, our defense gave up lots of yards due, partially anyway, to our offense being so explosive (hence its name given to it before the Spring game in summer of '83 btw) that we scored in a few plays and our defense played many more snaps than in prior years.

 

[Enhance]

I would be interested to know just how much of the nonsense we all bicker about is seen by our local beat writers.

Depends on the writer and who they write for, I'd say. I know a couple of people who cover or have covered the program as their primary line of work - one spent a considerable amount of time on various message boards during their employment, but mostly just to read what was being said. He also spent a lot of time on them posting prior to his employment.

Another person I know only really checks the message boards occasionally. But, I would say most writers definitely keep an eye on them. One of them admitted to me that they found out about the Suh car crash through this message board, then worked to confirm it through area authorities.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

I disagree with the assertion that NU didn't run an up-tempo offense under Osborne. While NU wasn't running a no-huddle offense, Osborne wanted to get the plays in quickly and the offense up to the LOS quickly. He had the team huddle only 2-3 yards from the ball, and the team was able to get to the LOS with a lot of time left on the play clock. While it's not the "uptempo" offense of today, it was a quick tempo offense for 20-30 years ago.

Yes, we huddled closer to the line of scrimmage so we could spend more time in the actual huddle while TO sent in the plays by rotating his receivers every play. He also wanted his QB to have about 8 to 10 secs on the play clock once the team was lined up to look the defense over in the event an audible was desired. The QB would then make a determination if the play as called looked to be OK with the defense as aligned. But we often snapped the ball with about 2 or 3 seconds left on the play clock. They moved the play clock down to the stadium wall just below the lower railing just so the QB could use it to snap it with very little time left to use the clock. If not, the QB often merely needed to change the direction of the play (run to the right side vs the left for example or to audible into a simple, short quick out pass or something to take advantage of the overplay of the defense to the run which almost every opponent tried to do. The one thing about our incredible run game and devotion to it was that it made the defense very predictable as well. We knew where they would almost always be - 8 or even 9 in the box trying to stop the run - which actually made the offense easier to learn and run for the players. The O line knew the defense would be attacking the run so they could really learn who to block most of the time. Defenses rarely tried to stop us with a generic or traditiional run or pass defensive scheme because we overpowered and would simply continue running right at the D until they stopped us. We became very good at running at the most dedicated run defenses.

It also made passing fairly easy when we did show run but throw. We completed reasonable % of passing attempts because often the defense was expecting run and we threw. We had a tough time throwing in 3rd and extra long (over 10). We often ran the ball effectively even on 3 & 6 or more.

I call BS on your comment that NU would generally snap the ball with 2 or 3 seconds left on the clock. NU consistently had more talent their opponents under TO, so it would be advantageous for them to increase the number of snaps in each game and therefore snap the ball with more time on the clock.
Yes, there were times where TO would want to milk the clock and play "ball control", but the TO I remember would want to run an up-tempo offense that wore down their opponent.

Well you are wrong. I sat and watched nearly every game TO coached in memorial stadium watching from the 21st row up behind the south goal posts. We watched the play clock as well. Not always of course as not always did we feel we had time to waste (as you may have believed it would have been described). Tom did not believe the time was wasted at all. He wanted the time for his playcalling, alignments, huddling, audibles, and to evaluate. Now and then he liked to take a time out if things were not as he had expected. Some QBs were better than others and it also depended on the type of plays we were running. If we were absolutely controlling the line of scrimmage and could confidently expect to average 7 or 8 yards per carry running off tackle or basic 41 or 49 pitch plays, we frequently ran up to the line and ran the play. We would push the defense down the field and if he felt the opponent was clearly inferior, he would force the action early on and fatigue the defense by early in the second quarter even. We also had half a dozen games each year where we reasonably expected to win by 6 or 7 TDs and the second and third strings would play as many or more snaps than most of the starters. Sometimes he wanted more snaps to give to the backups for morale and learning and experience reasons as well.But, generally, we preferred to use up the clock on the offense and keep our defense on the sidelines. Having the big edge in time of possession was due as much to the offense controlling the clock as it was to the Blackshirts getting the ball back. In 1983, our defense gave up lots of yards due, partially anyway, to our offense being so explosive (hence its name given to it before the Spring game in summer of '83 btw) that we scored in a few plays and our defense played many more snaps than in prior years.

Dang,...you want some water for that burn ColoradoHusker