Offensive Line Working to Improve Communication

[Mavric]

The offense was not as fortunate on the final drive. Tight end Tyler Hoppes had a tough assignment, coming across the formation to his right to block Ducks outside linebacker Jonah Moi. Hoppes got there in time but was pushed back into Lee. Moi hit Lee’s arm on the release, the ball fluttered and was intercepted.

“It’s hard, but that’s what we’re doing,” Cavanaugh said flatly of Hoppes’ assignment.

Pass protection, as Langsdorf said, has many components. Lee often had a clean pocket to work with on play-action passes, thanks in part to a productive running game. As the game drew late and NU trailed, Oregon's front had more success making him uncomfortable. Lee was 4-of-13 passing in the final quarter with two turnovers. 

Overall, Cavanaugh graded his unit’s performance as “just average.”

LJS

 

[khaake]

"“It’s hard, but that’s what we’re doing,” Cavanaugh said flatly of Hoppes’ assignment."

LJS

I understand that is what we are doing. A better question seems to be: why? Let's say Hoppes, or whoever, was fast enough and good enough to be able to do this consistently, does it truly give the offense enough of an advantage to make up for the times when he can't get there? Are the benefits worth the risks?

 

[BigRedBuster]

Well, marry these comments with Diaco's comments.  "every play looks like a run play".

I agree with Mavric in another thread where he said in this situation with 2 minutes left and you have to score, this type of passing play doesn't make sense.

But...in general...this confuses the defense.  It looks like a run play but is a pass play.  It messes with the LBs minds.

FYI....this isn't just a "Langsdorf" thing or "Riley" thing.  This is a widely used concept in football now.

 

[Mavric]

FYI....this isn't just a "Langsdorf" thing or "Riley" thing.  This is a widely used concept in football now.

It's definitely a football thing.  It's not a bad concept.  I like that we have it available.  But I think it's fair to question if we're making a good decision about when to use it.

Though, to be fair, as I watch that play more, Lee was set up farther left at first.  For some reason he takes a couple slide steps back right before throwing it.  So you could make a good argument that this is really Lee's fault.  Which is another reason why I think a lot of people - media included - just take the lazy way out and blame things on "bad OL play."

 

[BigRedBuster]

So....again...(Ignoring the discussion on play selection)......this play is being viewed as  bad O line play...but, in reality, it's somewhere between a TE not getting the job done and a QB not making his job any easier.

On this particular play, it appears the O line (Tackles, Guards, center) did their job.