Hat. On. Hat.

knapplc

knapplc

International Man of Mystery
I can't stand watching our offensive line bumble around while a competent - not great, but competent - defense has a free man attacking our play from the snap.

It is a philosophy of this offense that we block first- and second-level defenders off the snap. We allow one or more defensive linemen to remain unblocked while our linemen penetrate to the second level play-side, with the goal being that we get our ball-carrier in space with two levels blocked.

It's a big-play philosophy that has one glaring weakness: Against competent defenses, often the unblocked man disrupts the play.

If you're still watching, count how many times the unblocked Sparty defender factors into the play. I've watched five offensive drives and I've seen it five times already. I stopped counting.

In contrast, look at Sparty's O-Line philosophy: Every man takes a man up front. They seal the first level and let the ball-carrier attack the second level. Our LBs and Safeties are making plays, but often they're two, three, seven yards downfield.

Imagine if we blocked like that. Seal the front line, and let Ameer deal with the LB in space. I like that matchup.

We've been running this blocking scheme for years. Our Big Ten opponents have seen it, and they've coached their defenses to attack if they're unblocked. It's time to change this philosophy.

 
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This is the worst offensive line performance I've ever seen at Nebraska. Washington Holiday Bowl included.

 
I'm kind of confused by this particular complaint. Not that our offense has looked good -- it's looked terrible, including by design -- but you are familiar with the zone read, right?

It can't be a mystery that this has been a huge, and important part of the offense.

Including against Michigan State in the past.

 
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zoogies said:
I'm kind of confused by this particular complaint. Not that our offense has looked good -- it's looked terrible, including by design -- but you are familiar with the zone read, right?

It can't be a mystery that this has been a huge, and important part of the offense.

Including against Michigan State in the past.
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This isn't a Zone Read thing, it's an every play thing.

Seriously - watch how many times, NOT on Zone Read plays, where we leave a man unblocked, and the O Lineman in front of him penetrates to the second level. Where he often misses the block anyway, but that's another story.

 
Ahhh, gotcha.

I'll try to look for what you're talking about.

More than anything, we're seeing some darn poor line play, everywhere on the line. Guys are blowing past our tackles like nothing. The interior is really struggling.

It said it all for me when I saw us keep a TE and RB in to block -- 7 blockers on 4 rushers -- and there was no room in the pocket to step up. Three interior linemen couldn't stop one guy from being free to tackle Tommy when he tried to run. That's unbelievable.

 
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Agreed, its an oline not a bunch of ballerinas the coaches want them to be. Fire off and hit anything in your way.

 
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