Unbelievable. These guys coached in the pros, you think they don't pay attention to papers? You think they don't know to say the right things for the papers? Both P and D agreed it was the best thing to do at the time, and they'd do it again.
Who here - among all you - has actually looked at the play? REally. It's easy these days. espn3.com replay. 2:51:57
Shotgun, single back right, 4 wide set. Seen this before? Not saying where.
Defense. 3 man line. 4 linebackers, strong safety short side of field in tight, 8 yards off the line. Ok - lets think about running at this. 5 lineman. single back 5 yards deep next to the QB. EIGHT guys on defense inside the first down distance needed for the run. Hmm - smart to run against that? Not if you want the players to succeed in getting a frist down.
As a QB, the way I know to look at the field, middle of field is wide open, coverage is in quarters. 4 man coverage shell dividing that field up equally. I as a QB have got 4 routes being run against those quarters. Don't know what they are yet, well I can make a real good guess, but you don't know for sure, technically, you don't until you've seen it before on film, or you're actually in the offense on the field.
That's all at 2:51:59.
OK - whoa wait - pause again at 2:52:00 - QB has already started his cadence, and guess what VAnderbilt is throwing the kitchen sink at the line of scrimmage. Seven guys rush into the line. Offensive line right now is making some choices, and that Running back better know who to pick up too. Strong safety is dropping back and now this defense has gone to 7 men at the line of scrimmage but still 4 deep in quarters coverage shell. We've got four pass routes coming out on this play. Very nice - I'm thinking, if I'm the QB.
As long as we pick up the blocks, and that's the most important thing - blocking and tackling, and the QB's got time, this is a high percentage play. It's a high percentage play to get a first down on third and long anyway - because...BECAUSE - nobody is double covered in that secondary, and the offense - always - ALWAYS has an advantage throwing the ball into single coverage. It's only exceptionally talented and highly film studied and prepped coverage guys (studying individual receivers) that can negate that advantage - and this ISN"T pro football.
Passing offense has gotten lost in the past 10 years. It is what is. We'll get it back.
Blocking is key. If all seven guys come, we've only got 6 there (5 lineman and a back) so somebody is coming free, and the QB knows he's going to have free pass rusher coming pressure, and have a hot read to make. This is where having a QB that can move his feet and play matador and do an OH-LAY to a rushing bull is very valueable. Regardless of what happens, the QB should be ready to make a hot play at this point.
2:52:02. Vandy only brings 5. Right tackle completely whiffs his block, probably confused based on the pressure look. The rest of the protection is perfect. But McEntee's got a rush coming into his face now, from the missed block, as he should have expected anyway.
McEntee stands like a statue, doesn't flinch, god bless the kid, but makes a terrible read. Throws to the short side sideline pattern, short side of the field in a 1/4's coverage. No space there at all in this play, that should be the last read, not your hot read. I don't know what he was thinking aside from getting the ball out of his hands with that guy coming. Because if he throws straight down the hash on that short side, he's got a window to hit Griffin who's wide open between the LB dropping off the line of scrimmage and the deep strong safety.
Can't see what the other two guys are doing on their routes on the other side, but I know. I won't say, exactly because I can't show the film, but I will say that making the seam throw to Griffin was just one possible, much better read agains that coverage shell, and if you could see the others on the clip - well....I'll leave it at that.
It was the right call to make, the players were put in position to succeed, the game was NOT lost on the play call, and the coaches showed confidence and consistency in their players to get a job done, that I guarantee they've practiced. Two players failed on this play. The right tackle, and the quarterback.
I guarantee they both know it, and are confident that if the opportunity should arise again, to run this kind of play again, they'll do their jobs right.
I recall being able to talk football, really talk football on the other site.
If there's anyone around here that really likes to look at football, I'll keep talking but I"m real tired of the arguments I get around here.
Put up the film. The QB made a terrible read against the coverages and feeling pressure. The right tackle whiffed his block.
That's football, and the right call was made, to put the players and team in position to maintain that drive and more importantly - WIN THE GAME.
