So, an OC has a system that he has cobbled together from his experience in the coaching ranks, right? They learn new wrinkles along the way: formations, misdirection, philosophy from system of the day, etc. Presumably, they have > 100 plays in their system: runs, passes and trick plays. Also presumably, they have them sorted for the type of situation you might use them (thinking down and distance mainly but perhaps for other factors, too).
How is it that our OC and his staff were so ill-prepared to counter the USC pass rush? Did they not have any clue that USC has a good pass rush (shame on them, if true)? Or, it truly seemed to me that we didn't have any plays that were in the game plan that would work against their rush except run straight ahead.
Do we not have any plays in the entire offensive system that are designed for short yardage or to counter a blitz? You know, quick, 3-step drop and get rid of the ball for a few yards. Seems like a few quick slants or digs or play action to slow the rush or dropping the ball over the incoming rushers to a RB would be an antidote for a heavy, unblockable pass rush (see Miami vs. '85 Bears). Did we call a single play action pass when we were having some success running right at them? I don't think we did.
Does our offensive system not have a group of passing plays designed specifically to get rid of the ball quickly to counteract a strong rush/blitz? If those plays exist, why in god's name weren't they part of the game plan today? It truly seemed like our offensive staff hadn't prepared at all for today's game.
So, my questions: 1) do we have passing plays that are quick developing and designed to minimize the time to get the ball from the QB into a receiver's hands, and 2) where were those plays today?
Am I missing something? Yes, we couldn't handle their pass rush, certainly not in 3rd and long situations and calling slow developing plays. But it seemed to me that we didn't HAVE any plays to call.
How is it that our OC and his staff were so ill-prepared to counter the USC pass rush? Did they not have any clue that USC has a good pass rush (shame on them, if true)? Or, it truly seemed to me that we didn't have any plays that were in the game plan that would work against their rush except run straight ahead.
Do we not have any plays in the entire offensive system that are designed for short yardage or to counter a blitz? You know, quick, 3-step drop and get rid of the ball for a few yards. Seems like a few quick slants or digs or play action to slow the rush or dropping the ball over the incoming rushers to a RB would be an antidote for a heavy, unblockable pass rush (see Miami vs. '85 Bears). Did we call a single play action pass when we were having some success running right at them? I don't think we did.
Does our offensive system not have a group of passing plays designed specifically to get rid of the ball quickly to counteract a strong rush/blitz? If those plays exist, why in god's name weren't they part of the game plan today? It truly seemed like our offensive staff hadn't prepared at all for today's game.
So, my questions: 1) do we have passing plays that are quick developing and designed to minimize the time to get the ball from the QB into a receiver's hands, and 2) where were those plays today?
Am I missing something? Yes, we couldn't handle their pass rush, certainly not in 3rd and long situations and calling slow developing plays. But it seemed to me that we didn't HAVE any plays to call.