McKewon: Play calls, passing erratic to the end for Huskers

[Saunders]

Langsdorf called arguably his strangest game. It, too, is some cause for concern.
He started the game one way — calling two more runs than Iowa did in the first quarter — before the fateful screen pass that turned into a pick-six.
The swing screen pass to Terrell Newby — a potential big play for Nebraska since Iowa was bringing a blitz — was Langsdorf’s seventh pass call of the day, well into the second quarter. After Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse tipped it and then caught it with his Hawk claws, Langsdorf called 10 more passes in the final six minutes and 38 seconds of the first half, including four straight passes on NU’s ensuing possession, which ended with a missed fourth down in Iowa territory. On second-and-3, third-and-3 and fourth-and-3 from the Iowa 42, Langsdorf dialed up a throw with a quarterback who’d already tossed two bad interceptions.
“Run-wise was a little hit and miss,” Langsdorf said. “We’re thinking we had some things we could hit on them and at times we did. At times we got stalled here and there a little bit.”
The OC needs to examine the origin of that impulse. The one where he goes away from the run so swiftly.

I am not a coach and I am not an NFL general manager, but I find it hard to believe Nebraska’s best runners — and, for that matter, run blockers — are always in the game. I’ve watched Devine Ozigbo enough this season to genuinely wonder why he’s on the bench while others grind out mediocre 3-yard runs. Ozigbo told reporters a few weeks ago he needed to finish runs better to play more. I like how Ozigbo starts runs by eluding defenders while also running upfield. Riley and Langsdorf will play every wideout and tight end on the roster, but the most gifted runner may be on the bench and two others — Mikale Wilbon and Adam Taylor — are nonfactors. If Newby and Cross were dominant runners, it’d be more understandable, but they’re not. I also suspect NU has offensive linemen who could be excellent run blockers but don’t play much because they’re working on pass blocking.

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/mckewon-play-calls-passing-erratic-to-the-end-for-huskers/article_e5eec34a-a7fd-5037-8f76-acd0fcd8e50c.html

 

[QMany]

Pretty spot on by McKewon. Thanks for sharing, saunders45!

 

[ColoradoHusk]

It's been a year watching a very frustrating offense. It can move the ball up and down the field, but also makes a lot of mistakes. About the only thing I can tell from Langsdorf and Riley is that they want to pass the ball first and foremost, and they tailor the playcalling and roster choices towards that. Honestly, I don't know if that will work to the type of consistency that is needed to make NU a consistent winner. It may have some great games and that's where NU will pull off an upset (see Michigan State), but it will also have stinkers where NU will lose a game it has no business losing (see Illinois). When the coaches don't want to rely on physical dominance, it basically puts them at the same level as all the other teams in it's division. So, I will be ready to watch more 7-5 and 8-4 seasons under Riley/Langsahan.

 

[Enhance]

This is where I feel somewhat at odds with people throwing heavy criticisms at Armstrong while seemingly ignoring the coaches. Armstrong unquestionably deserves blame for his erratic decisions that cost the team. But, the coaches call the plays, and they're supposed to know their players 12 games into the season. At this point, you should probably understand the type of QB TA is and his strengths. He's simply not comfortable, or good, throwing 45 times a game. I could be mistaken, but I don't think Nebraska's won a single game where TA throws more than 40 times. And if they have won, the ratio to losses has to be steep.

I have a hard time believing things were "hit and miss" in the run game when it wasn't even tested to its full potential. Jano, once again, had no carries. And if Ozigbo has trouble finishing runs he shouldn't feel too bad, because I've felt most of our backs have had trouble finishing runs at times this year.

This is easily one of my biggest concerns in 2016, if not the biggest. If POB can't beat TA for the job, they're going to have to a call run heavy offense that plays to TA's strengths. That means yes, even when times get tough, you have to run the freakin' ball and you have to do it well. The fact that TA threw all those passes to end the half when the game was still well within our capability of taking a lead tells me a lot.

 

[olddominionhusker]

This is where I feel somewhat at odds with people throwing heavy criticisms at Armstrong while seemingly ignoring the coaches. Armstrong unquestionably deserves blame for his erratic decisions that cost the team. But, the coaches call the plays, and they're supposed to know their players 12 games into the season. At this point, you should probably understand the type of QB TA is and his strengths. He's simply not comfortable, or good, throwing 45 times a game. I could be mistaken, but I don't think Nebraska's won a single game where TA throws more than 40 times. And if they have won, the ratio to losses has to be steep.

I have a hard time believing things were "hit and miss" in the run game when it wasn't even tested to its full potential. Jano, once again, had no carries. And if Ozigbo has trouble finishing runs he shouldn't feel too bad, because I've felt most of our backs have had trouble finishing runs at times this year.

This is easily one of my biggest concerns in 2016, if not the biggest. If POB can't beat TA for the job, they're going to have to a call run heavy offense that plays to TA's strengths. That means yes, even when times get tough, you have to run the freakin' ball and you have to do it well. The fact that TA threw all those passes to end the half when the game was still well within our capability of taking a lead tells me a lot.

Great post. Spot on as usual Enhance

 

[Saunders]

This is where I feel somewhat at odds with people throwing heavy criticisms at Armstrong while seemingly ignoring the coaches. Armstrong unquestionably deserves blame for his erratic decisions that cost the team. But, the coaches call the plays, and they're supposed to know their players 12 games into the season. At this point, you should probably understand the type of QB TA is and his strengths. He's simply not comfortable, or good, throwing 45 times a game. I could be mistaken, but I don't think Nebraska's won a single game where TA throws more than 40 times. And if they have won, the ratio to losses has to be steep.

I have a hard time believing things were "hit and miss" in the run game when it wasn't even tested to its full potential. Jano, once again, had no carries. And if Ozigbo has trouble finishing runs he shouldn't feel too bad, because I've felt most of our backs have had trouble finishing runs at times this year.

This is easily one of my biggest concerns in 2016, if not the biggest. If POB can't beat TA for the job, they're going to have to a call run heavy offense that plays to TA's strengths. That means yes, even when times get tough, you have to run the freakin' ball and you have to do it well. The fact that TA threw all those passes to end the half when the game was still well within our capability of taking a lead tells me a lot.

 

[zoogs]

If TA keeps this up, he won't and can't play. I can see a run-heavy offense designed around a runner who is capable of making good decisions, behind a stout OL with better RBs. Tommy is a big pass first kind of guy and this team needs that (see: the WRs, the TEs, the big comebacks and crunch time drives all year. That takes work and practice). Additionally, these are the coaches we have - and they should run something they're comfortable with. A 70% run attack may not even be on the table, and that seems fair.

There are criticisms to be levied here if you want (probably the first place to look is the RB usage), but as far as Tommy goes, if he cleans up this stuff, he'll be a star -- it's just that's a huge if.

In my eyes, it's between that or losing his job. If he can't fix it, there is no plausible Nebraska 2016 offense that would suit his strength. Runner or passer, you have to be a QB still.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

Going off of Enhance's post, here are the # of pass attempts in each game, and the result of each game.

BYU - 41 - L

South Alabama - 30 - W

Miami - 45 - L

So Miss - 35 - W

Illinois - 31 - L (in a driving wind storm!!)

Wisconsin - 28 - L

Minnesota - 26 - W

Northwestern - 48 - L

Purdue - 48 - L (with a backup QB, making his first start!!!)

Michigan State - 33 - W

Rutgers - 21 - W

Iowa - 45 - L

So, when NU went pass happy, and threw the times at least 40 times, NU was 0-5. NU was 5-2 when NU passed it less than 40 times. Yes, NU probably has to pass more when it's behind in the game, but it's a chicken and the egg type of argument.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

If TA keeps this up, he won't and can't play. I can see a run-heavy offense designed around a runner who is capable of making good decisions, behind a stout OL with better RBs. Tommy is a big pass first kind of guy and this team needs that (see: the WRs, the TEs, the big comebacks and crunch time drives all year. That takes work and practice). Additionally, these are the coaches we have - and they should run something they're comfortable with. A 70% run attack may not even be on the table, and that seems fair.

There are criticisms to be levied here if you want (probably the first place to look is the RB usage), but as far as Tommy goes, if he cleans up this stuff, he'll be a star, but that's a huge if.

In my eyes, it's between that or losing his job. If he can't fix it, there is no plausible Nebraska 2016 offense that would suit his strength. Runner or passer, you have to be a QB still.

See, I don't think any of us would have a problem with that type of offense. But, that's obviously not what Riley and Langsahan want to do on offense. They want to pass the ball first. They want to pass to set up the run. That is their philosophy.

 

[Mavric]

I also suspect NU has offensive linemen who could be excellent run blockers but don’t play much because they’re working on pass blocking.

I definitely agree with this. I think most of the playing-time decisions are based on who does better in the passing game. Early in the season, the coaches said Wilbon wasn't getting as much time because of his pass blocking. By all accounts, Jerald Foster is an absolute mauler when run blocking but he said he is still working on his pass blocking. Have to think Farmer is in the same boat.

Everything they do is pre-disposed towards the pass. With a QB who isn't a very good passer. Doesn't seem like a very intelligent choice, imo.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

I also suspect NU has offensive linemen who could be excellent run blockers but don’t play much because they’re working on pass blocking.

I definitely agree with this. I think most of the playing-time decisions are based on who does better in the passing game. Early in the season, the coaches said Wilbon wasn't getting as much time because of his pass blocking. By all accounts, Jerald Foster is an absolute mauler when run blocking but he said he is still working on his pass blocking. Have to think Farmer is in the same boat.

Everything they do is pre-disposed towards the pass. With a QB who isn't a very good passer. Doesn't seem like a very intelligent choice, imo.

+1

 

[huskerfan92]

I also suspect NU has offensive linemen who could be excellent run blockers but don’t play much because they’re working on pass blocking.

I definitely agree with this. I think most of the playing-time decisions are based on who does better in the passing game. Early in the season, the coaches said Wilbon wasn't getting as much time because of his pass blocking. By all accounts, Jerald Foster is an absolute mauler when run blocking but he said he is still working on his pass blocking. Have to think Farmer is in the same boat.

Everything they do is pre-disposed towards the pass. With a QB who isn't a very good passer. Doesn't seem like a very intelligent choice, imo.

It's also the only explanation as to why Newby saw so much playing time over Ozigbo even with an injured ankle.

 

[74Hunter]

This is where I feel somewhat at odds with people throwing heavy criticisms at Armstrong while seemingly ignoring the coaches. Armstrong unquestionably deserves blame for his erratic decisions that cost the team. But, the coaches call the plays, and they're supposed to know their players 12 games into the season. At this point, you should probably understand the type of QB TA is and his strengths. He's simply not comfortable, or good, throwing 45 times a game. I could be mistaken, but I don't think Nebraska's won a single game where TA throws more than 40 times. And if they have won, the ratio to losses has to be steep.

I have a hard time believing things were "hit and miss" in the run game when it wasn't even tested to its full potential. Jano, once again, had no carries. And if Ozigbo has trouble finishing runs he shouldn't feel too bad, because I've felt most of our backs have had trouble finishing runs at times this year.

This is easily one of my biggest concerns in 2016, if not the biggest. If POB can't beat TA for the job, they're going to have to a call run heavy offense that plays to TA's strengths. That means yes, even when times get tough, you have to run the freakin' ball and you have to do it well. The fact that TA threw all those passes to end the half when the game was still well within our capability of taking a lead tells me a lot.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[74Hunter]

If TA keeps this up, he won't and can't play. I can see a run-heavy offense designed around a runner who is capable of making good decisions, behind a stout OL with better RBs. Tommy is a big pass first kind of guy and this team needs that (see: the WRs, the TEs, the big comebacks and crunch time drives all year. That takes work and practice). Additionally, these are the coaches we have - and they should run something they're comfortable with. A 70% run attack may not even be on the table, and that seems fair.

There are criticisms to be levied here if you want (probably the first place to look is the RB usage), but as far as Tommy goes, if he cleans up this stuff, he'll be a star, but that's a huge if.

In my eyes, it's between that or losing his job. If he can't fix it, there is no plausible Nebraska 2016 offense that would suit his strength. Runner or passer, you have to be a QB still.

See, I don't think any of us would have a problem with that type of offense. But, that's obviously not what Riley and Langsahan want to do on offense. They want to pass the ball first. They want to pass to set up the run. That is their philosophy.

Yep, that whole line about game planning and play calling to fit the strengths of players was BS.

Sad to see.

 

[Whs from cb]

This coaching staff can't help but throw the ball. That is what they have done all there lives. Playing to the strength of the team is what we were told would happen. This was not the case this year and will not be the case for the future. Its easy to see that the coaches are playing to the coaches strength and not to the players strength. As long as the coaching staff is in charge at Nebraska you will see the pass first offense. My question is why would the AD bring in a pass happy staff knowing what happen under BC? This is mind blowing .