Husker Chalk Talk: Saints Play Action

Saunders

Saunders

Heisman Trophy Winner
Concept Wednesday: Saints Play Action
For the first Concept Wednesday of the Scott Frost era, we’re going to look at one of Frost’s favorite vertical passing concepts: Saints.  Saints is yet another play in the Frost playbook that can be traced directly to Chip Kelly.  It was  Kelly’s preferred vertical concept in Philadelphia and San Francisco, and I expect it will feature heavily in UCLA’s offense as long as Kelly is in Los Angeles.  Saints is also responsible for several of UCF’s explosive plays in 2016 and 2017, as Frost used his speed at the skill positions to kill defenses down the field with one-on-one matchups.

For now, let’s take a look at the core Saints concept and then a variation Frost ran in the Spring Game that led to Jaevon McQuitty’s first touchdown in a Husker uniform.  

https://huskerchalktalk.com/2018/04/25/concept-wednesday-saints-play-action/
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Good read about the Saints play action.  Looks like a lot of it will depend on whether our O-line can give the QB enough time to get the ball downfield.  That wasn't hard to do with our #1s blocking the #2s on Saturday.  It'll be a bit harder when we start facing B1G D-linemen.  

 
RKay makes a good point: watch Martinez's feet in the provided gif. That's pretty polished for someone who should be a HS senior. 

 
NUance said:
Good read about the Saints play action.  Looks like a lot of it will depend on whether our O-line can give the QB enough time to get the ball downfield.  That wasn't hard to do with our #1s blocking the #2s on Saturday.  It'll be a bit harder when we start facing B1G D-linemen.  
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The QB will have all day if the gap control D the Huskers used for the past several years is adopted by other teams

 
NUance said:
Good read about the Saints play action.  Looks like a lot of it will depend on whether our O-line can give the QB enough time to get the ball downfield.  That wasn't hard to do with our #1s blocking the #2s on Saturday.  It'll be a bit harder when we start facing B1G D-linemen.  
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The defensive front played on McQuitty's TD is actually a difficult look for this concept. Frontside drops flat to take away the back and backside is in a wide 7 tech. That's only 3 rushers, but because of defensive concept you get a good speed rush to the outside with no help and wasted blockers on the frontside.

This play, on both sides of the ball, is why I thought the spring game was great. Got some good looks on tape. There are details all over this play that need correcting, but they're mostly just that...details. We look competent, on what is a very interesting set of calls on both sides.

 
Cdog923 said:
RKay makes a good point: watch Martinez's feet in the provided gif. That's pretty polished for someone who should be a HS senior. 
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Watch his eyes. Times out the progression well. As important as the feet are, it's the eyes that direct your feet.

 
NUance said:
Good read about the Saints play action.  Looks like a lot of it will depend on whether our O-line can give the QB enough time to get the ball downfield.  That wasn't hard to do with our #1s blocking the #2s on Saturday.  It'll be a bit harder when we start facing B1G D-linemen.  
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Yes, the o-line will still probably be a weakness with the offense, but it's good to see the QB's actually have some running ability when the pocket does break down.  A mobile QB will really slow down a pass rush, especially if the defense is playing man coverage in the back 7.

 
Moiraine said:
It's gonna be weird if we end up having a good running QB who also goes through progressions.
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I know many people think that you can't have both a running QB who can also pass, but with the QB training and 7 on 7's the past decade, the more mobile QB's are becoming better passers than ever.

 
ColoradoHusk said:
I know many people think that you can't have both a running QB who can also pass, but with the QB training and 7 on 7's the past decade, the more mobile QB's are becoming better passers than ever.
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I've seen other teams have it, but we haven't yet. 

 
Moiraine said:
I've seen other teams have it, but we haven't yet. 
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Yes, NU has been slow to get QB's who can do both, although Taylor Martinez was statistically a better passer than most want to admit.

The best thing about Frost's offense is that it doesn't require QB's to throw into tight windows or make "tough throws".  Once the offense gets clicking, we will see guys running wide open.

 
That is a great article explaining the concept.  It will be more difficult to defend wt JD and TL in the line up together along wt Stanley.  Wt Bell as RB -you have to respect the play action part of the play. 

 
TGHusker said:
That is a great article explaining the concept.  It will be more difficult to defend wt JD and TL in the line up together along wt Stanley.  Wt Bell as RB -you have to respect the play action part of the play. 
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Another aspect of Frost's offense is utilizing different position groups in various positions to mess with the defense.  Frost could go 2 TE's and 2 RB's to make the opposing D think that NU is going heavy and going to run the ball, and bringing in LB's to match up with the TE's.  Then, Frost can still go with this same formation, replacing TE's for the WR's and putting Bell out as a WR.  If the D stays in a nickel or dime, Frost will just run the ball at them.  Frost wants versatility out of his players so the position groups can be interchangeable for each other.

 
ColoradoHusk said:
Another aspect of Frost's offense is utilizing different position groups in various positions to mess with the defense.  Frost could go 2 TE's and 2 RB's to make the opposing D think that NU is going heavy and going to run the ball, and bringing in LB's to match up with the TE's.  Then, Frost can still go with this same formation, replacing TE's for the WR's and putting Bell out as a WR.  If the D stays in a nickel or dime, Frost will just run the ball at them.  Frost wants versatility out of his players so the position groups can be interchangeable for each other.
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Now wouldn't it be quite a chess match if NU meets UCLA in the NCG (or at the Rose Bowl ) some year each using the same O. 

 
I don't know where this goes, but this is probably the best thread for it.  Coach Walters breaks down the concepts of McQuitty's TD in the Spring Game.


 
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