presidentjlh
All-Conference
We’ve been saying this for so long that the phrase is nearly able to rent a car without a jacked up price for age.
USC: What Did We Learn
- Thread starter presidentjlh
- Start date
Not implying we passed too much. Loved the running. Loved Dylan with the 2 runs. I can't stand the horizontal passing game we run. It seems like its a loss or at the LOS. That's one of the air raid hallmarks. I did like the first drive eating the clock, but then seemed we went away from up and to faster tempo. Again another principle of the air raid. With the OL being poor in pass pro, I'd like to see more 21 personnel w/2 back sets to give an extra blocker, but not lose the additional RB/receiver.
Would like to run more slants than horizontal routes. IMHO, we don't have a reliable downfield passing game. Seems more YOLO or into more 50/50 balls as opposed to a legit threat. And qui throwing behind the LOS. Especially to Lindenmeyer, Much like Fidone last year with those short quick outs. It was like watching an aircraft carrier turn around. Just because we want to go deep doesn't mean we need to. But that's just me.
To the wind, we had no answer for 2 quarters. Does that mean Dana doesn't have plays or won't have plays. Forget the game, but Dana mentioned after EJ had a great game that he said he wished he'd done that 2 weeks ago. It's going to be hard for him to embrace the run as a way of winning vs a way to open the passing game. He's no where near air raid passing rates, but with a pro style QB I think his default will be to pass. If not is it Rhule in his ear? Thomas/Satt? Honestly asking because if it's not 100% Dana's calls then why have him as OC. IMHO, let the OC runs his style. But that's just me. Goes back to the whole Rhule is a great CEO. but needs some solid coordinators.
And we are a lot better with EJ than without him. How many W's better? No idea. But with a struggling OL, I'd continue to lean on him 25-30 carries a game moving forward. But that's just me. *For the record, I just want to win. And if it's 60 passes/game to do it great. I just enjoy a downhill run game. BUT with our current OL, we will never reach our potential in the passing game.
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But will we? If not, then why have him. His history as an OC/HC has been to have a good running game if he has a mobile QB or excellent RB. I think he finally realizes that EJ is that guy. Maybe a little late, but it is what it is.
Lindenmeyer has done well. I'd like to see him more involved, but that's me. Big target, sure hands and runs angry. Since Michigan ST his numbers have dropped some. Avg 11 yards per touch, I'd target him more. That's not on Satt. But who else do we have? Nelson is AWOL (unsure why). I know he had surgery, but remember him playing ST's. Unsure what Thomas does TBH. Really just don't know what Satt does either.
Dana's scheme with a mobile QB and/or a great RB doesn't bother me. He runs a lot. Without those, he goes more air raid which I don't like. Again if we win, great. but just not my preferred scheme. TJ dual threat, Trae dual threat. Dylan/Dayton pro style.. So with that, I have no idea what Dana we get. Once EJ goes unsure which RB could dictate Dana leaning more on the run like the past few games with EJ. Still no RB 2...I also bought into Rhules comments about an offense like San Fran. Of course hard to replicate those blocking schemes with our OL.
And if Donnie goes, does D and D both go with him. I do think it's easy to blame Donnie (I do every game), but I'd think that Dom would be in his brothers ear about getting his son crushed every game. So maybe Dom (expert in OL play) can see that the issue is with talent and inexperience. I think Butler is an easy blame as well, but no Nash and no Ty no 3-3-5....But read somewhere that Rhule is a fan of that and Butler is more of a 4-3 guy. But maybe like Dana not getting to run his O (speculation) Butler can't run his D either. Youth is a HUGE issue on both sides. Eyeball test if OL is rough and DL can't stop the run (stats play that out as well), but if Butler can't run what he wants....
huskerfan74
All-American
No one disagrees that we have a good secondary. Even the media have emphasized that. However, that has not translated into wins because we are still very porous against the run. If an opponent can run against us with success, they are less likely to air it out that much. Having said that, I do not disagree our secondary is very good. Unfortunately, losing games that matter most will upstage that.
A great secondary is awesome. I think it'll help recruiting. Especially if we can get guys to the NFL. Passing D ranks #2, but D is still at the bottom. We are 27th overall in total defense, but we are still losing games we shouldn't. Like you, I'd rather be average, but win more. And there's still time. 3 more games. But again, it's the way we lose that hurts. For years these head scratching, wth moments...
Savage Husker
All-Conference
The question I have is about Dana being Dana and if that’s due to Satt still having too much influence in the offense? Is he “TE Coach” in name only but the composer of the offense while Dana is simply conductor?
Decked
Heisman Trophy Winner
Satt doesn’t call plays but I’m sure is involved in game planning. But this is still a hybrid of Satt’s/Dana’s offense.
Crusader Husker
All-Conference
I have heard that asked to media types who have some inside knowledge. They have said Dana has tried to adapt what he has for athletes. They also had stated Satt has no say on O. But who knows.
Dr. Strangelove
All-Conference
The primary issue with Dana is that he makes terrible macro-game decisions. For some reason he goes away from what's working as soon as we get into rhythm, typically when we're into fringe FG territory.
It's maddening to watch EJ bust 7, 10, and 4 yard runs to get Nebraska to the 35 yard line, only for Dana to dial up pass plays for no particular reason. His play calling has cost Nebraska 5 or 6 FG attempts on the season.
Don't get me started on the inexcusable management on the last drive, Nebraska had no sense of urgency with only 1 timeout in their pocket.
Savage Husker
All-Conference
I get you, the OL aren’t world beaters and EJ makes a lot of people miss. I agree that the OL needs to upgrade talent, but I also believe they are an easy scapegoat due to the coaching / offensive system.
Defenses have taken away the deep threat and our coaches don’t have a counterpunch to that - like others mention, horizontal routes. If our QB is going to sit in the pocket while DE’s get up into the backfield, then where’s a delayed crossing route over the middle at the LOS or sticks?
Our run game is effective, you don’t have a 1000 yard back 9 games into a season only because he breaks tackles. The run game is predictable on short yardage plays when our passing game is built on plays and playcalling. They don’t respect our passing game and the coaches don’t even have confidence in our passing game anymore.
At one point it isn’t on the players and it’s about being out coached. A year and a half of one OC who got demoted midseason, but still has too much influence. Now, three years of the same identity and it’s not working. Time to move on. I’m beginning to believe Donovan is being scapegoated much like the OL coach before him because we have mediocre coaching on the Offensive side of the ball.
Savage Husker
All-Conference
you are right. And I am at the point where I believe one has to go and it’s not the play caller.
FremontFred
Walk-on
Is there any place that would take Donnie on that Dylan/Dayton would actually flip to? Like where is he getting a job that is also an attractive place for them to also land?
Savage Husker
All-Conference
It doesn’t make sense to pay a coach OC money to call plays for an offense he isn’t versed in. It doesn’t make sense to pay a TE coach OC money. That’s a waste of an on-field staff position and fundamental leadership issue