Offensive strategy question for those more knowledgable

[gamecockcat]

First, I'm as disappointed as anyone that, once again, we lost to UF when, by all rights, we should've beaten them. But, if we beat Missouri (and there's every reason to expect we'll be right in the thick of it as they are not playing well), we'll end September at 3-1, which is about as good as anyone could have predicted. Gives us every chance to end up with 7+ wins. That's, of course, IF we beat Mizzou.

Now, my question: if you're an OC and you recognize during prep week (Stoops said as much in his postgame presser) that you may have challenges blocking the opponents d-line, what changes do you make in the passing game? I've never played a down of organized football but I've watched literally thousands of hours of it and my inclination is to utilize plays that require the QB to take a 3-step drop, get rid of the ball to a hot receiver and don't let the rush get to your QB. That would mean slants, quick throws to the backs and TEs, middle screens, etc. I did see a few attempts at screens to RBs but that was about it on Saturday. We kept putting ourselves in 3rd and long situations and then would run 5- and 7-step drop plays that took too long to develop. Towles was under a ton of pressure, doesn't seem to make quick decisions, tends to stare down receivers and hasn't exhibited much pocket presence at times. Plus, his WRs have been inconsistent catching the ball. So, it's not all on him.

Is PT not capable of 3-step and throw types of plays? Are our receivers not capable of getting any separation within the first few steps? Do we not have any of these plays (or others, for those with more knowledge) that are used to combat a heavy rush?

I'm really curious as to what 'should' have been done and what we 'should' do against other opponents who we face that will pose challenges up front. I'm convinced the coaches know a lot more than I do about football, but it sure seems like we kept doing things that didn't work time after time and weren't prepared to change our philosophy at all. We'll face other teams whose d-line is better than our o-line. What are we going to do then? Suffer another 8-24 with pitiful yardage? Is there no solution?

 

[fabcat]

One of the best ways to slow a rush down is to screen them to death. Middle screen, bubble screen or a laser screen will slow the edge rush down. For whatever we don't utilize the screen game to slow down the edge rushers. We have the atheletes at the slot and in our backfield. This is a way to get them in space and also make a defense pay.

We had issues when we tried to run screens against Florida. We gave their DT's free release and didn't chip or hold for at least a one count for the screen to develop so it was blown up. Also, Towles has not been very accurate in completing the screen pass when we did somewhat blocked it right.

 

[Comebakatz3]

In watching the replay, there was not a whole lot about the screen game that went well. We had one later in the game that was just terrible. The offensive line forgot to chip the defensive tackles and they got to Towles before the play could actually develop. Then Towles had to throw the ball at the running back's feet. On the other one, early in the game, the screen went for a pretty decent game on third and long. The line initially blocked all right, but Towles threw a pretty hot pass to Horton. One of the linemen broke free downfield and needed to throw a block on someone. He whiffed on the block entirely. Had he at least gotten a hand on the safety then Horton possibly takes it for a touchdown, or a monster gain.

In the USC game we ran a WR screen in the second half, on the second possession. The OL once again struggled to get a proper block. A DT recognized the play and made it to the sideline just as Johnson (IIRC) was trying to break upfield. If Toth or West delay this DT for just a moment then the play may have gone for a first down and our second drive may have looked entirely different.

There have been some good screens, but the blocking needs to get better by the OL, and Towles could use a bit more touch on his passes to the running backs on the middle screens.

 

[KyCatFan]

Our Mumme/Leach Air Raid Offense would have done well against this Florida team. At least compared to whatever this version of the Air Raid we currently are running. I was wanting Riley for OC, and I hope we don't end up regretting the decision to not go all out to get him. His first year at Oklahoma and they are currently averaging around 500 yards of offense and about 40 points a game. Hopefully Dawson will get this figured out.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Slant patterns (there are no 3 step drops as Towles is in shotgun) and quick passes worked pretty well vs. USC as they weren't in zone a ton and slipping a LBer to help on those routes. UF was a different story...they were in zone mostly and UK chose to not run much of those patterns. The last drive UK hit one on 4th down to Baker as UF was in man coverage.

2. Mizzou will play alot like UF with pressure on their front four only and sit back in zone/man concepts with their back 7 which means Towles has to find some windows to throw into...which is typically doesn't do a good job of. I'd argue Mizzou's front 4 isn't as good as UF...we'll find out Saturday.

3. I'd like to run more screens to Boom than we did (we ran 2 to my knowledge). My hunch is Stoops will try to run the ball/play conservative and not let Towles make big mistakes and try to win it on defense. That plan may work but it concedes itself to a low scoring/close game into 4th qtr which UK could just as easily lose vs. win.

 

[gamecockcat]

The Colts game (and analysis afterwards) reminded me a lot of UK vs. FL. Jets blitzed Luck continually and played tight man on the outside all night long. Several analysts stated that the Colts needed to pretty much abandon the running game in situations like that, shorten their patterns (Luck loves to throw down the field) and let your short passing game become your de facto running game. Mentioned using their TEs more as most teams have a mismatch with a decent TE vs. a LB or FS. Hope our staff was listening because it sure seems like a good dose of medicine for what was ailing us Saturday night.

K-Time, you're right about 3-step drops from the shotgun. I guess what I was trying to say is quick timing patterns that are catch, look and let fly. I realize UF played a lot of zone but there's surely some seams in that zone that we could've exploited with our big WRs and TE. Most of our WRs are well over 6', why not use those big bodies in the seam or quick slant or something similar?

Maybe Towles just isn't consistent enough with his accuracy that the staff doesn't want him throwing timing patterns over the middle. Maybe Barker does have the accuracy, though, even though he may not be as physically gifted as Towles. Joe Montana didn't have a huge arm, either, but he knew where and when to throw the ball. Waiting until the WR breaks free before releasing the ball is too late and it's the thing that Towles does a lot. He doesn't seem to throw to spots very well and/or doesn't seem to know where his receiver is going so he waits until he's sure and then, many times, that's too late.

 

[JPFisher]

Quick passes, yes. For whatever reason, the coaches didn't trust Towles' arm. Me personally, I trusted his arm versus the ability of our line to block for our backs during that game. Running three plays for one yard versus running three plays of short passing with the chance that a play is made and a short down achieved seems a lot better to me.

I'm not a coach, so I can't make that call. Just seems absolutely silly. Towles needs the easy chip shots to get confidence. The long shots are sporadic as it is, and the screen plays got blown up like crazy. Even if the intermediate throws aren't Towles' best, we need to at least give them a try when literally nothing else works and when defenses dare us to do so.