The Option

Warrior10

Warrior10

All-American
Do you think it is getting better? I think from the shotgun and pistol it is getting significantly better, from under center we still struggle. The last couple weeks I have noticed TMart actually making defenders commit on the option. Although almost never from under center have I seen it, only from Pistol and Shotgun (ex. 3 and long play vs. Mich state). I think he is still getting use to the under center version, the 2 point conversion vs. NW where he kept it he ran very well and that play was from under center.

(I am in no way bashing Taylor, I am one of his biggest supporters out there...)

 
Success on the option starts up front. That is where we were severly lacking in the NW game. TO loved the short-side option because we could outnumber people on that side, but we simply don't have the OL talent to pull that off.

You are correct about it being more successful from the shotgun or pistol. Martinez needs that extra space to see things develope. Not so easy under center when you immediately have someone in your face.

 
I think T-Mart is getting better, but he still can be a little more decisive though, he is comming along though. The problem Saturday was the NW was seriously coached to defend it, almost to a fault and left them exposed elsewhere, imo.

 
In the pistol, TMart is far enough away from the LOS that he can actually run towards the DEnd going forward, when he's under center, he usually has to run backwards because the line is getting pushed back. I agree, the option is looking much better than earlier in the season. I still don't understand the option to the short side either, especially when we don't have a split out to occupy the safety. That leaves the DEnd and corner unoccupied and leads to TFL

 
ICT HSKR 10 said:
In the pistol, TMart is far enough away from the LOS that he can actually run towards the DEnd going forward, when he's under center, he usually has to run backwards because the line is getting pushed back. I agree, the option is looking much better than earlier in the season. I still don't understand the option to the short side either, especially when we don't have a split out to occupy the safety. That leaves the DEnd and corner unoccupied and leads to TFL
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I think the premise is though to leave the DE unblocked, that is who you option off of. Then it is up the ball carrier to be able to beat the corner one on one (hopfully). But our wideouts have to keep their man on the outside blocked too, I think we've seen the plays get blown up from the outside too much along with the OL allowing penetration. And penetration will absolutely blow up a down the line option.

 
WhatDoIKnow said:
Success on the option starts up front. That is where we were severly lacking in the NW game. TO loved the short-side option because we could outnumber people on that side, but we simply don't have the OL talent to pull that off.

You are correct about it being more successful from the shotgun or pistol. Martinez needs that extra space to see things develope. Not so easy under center when you immediately have someone in your face.
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I closed my eyes every time while tossing from Taylor to running back option. Luckily Rex "good hands" Burkhead to the rescue. Need a quicker decisions (T-Mart). But you're right.......

Success on the option starts up front
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"G-play" failed against NW

 
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T-Mart has improved as QB in nearly all phases during the season (the cost has been his explosive running plays, not sure why, but he hasn't had a 20+ yard run since WA).

The option takes skills that I am not sure are in T-Mart's arsenal (though he has certainly improved his ball handling/decision making).

The big hurdle for him as a rusher is elusiveness -- he doesn't have any "moves" and he doesn't break many tackles.

But the option wasn't why NU lost on Sat.

 
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