May not be this week but soon. The O line is solid, we have great talent in the running backs, the receivers are talented and both the backs and receivers have game-breaking speed.
As I see it the big issue with the O is Clifford, which was expected with a new QB running such a complex offense. In all offenses, the QB is critical to passing. And, just like a good running game opens up the passing game, a good passing game will open up the run game as Ds adjust to stopping the pass. But in the RPO the QB is also critical to the running game.
In the RPO how the QB plays is critical to both. Being able to read the D option man and make a quick decision takes a lot of experience. And knowing just when to release the ball, pull it back, pass it, or pitch it to a back is the difference between success or getting stuffed.
You need to wait until the D option man has committed before making your decision. On inside runs, wait a bit longer before pulling the ball out and the QB will have more room when he decides to keep it. Do that a few times the Ds will come at him, allowing a quick handoff to the back will for a big gainer.
And on outside pitches, hang on a hair longer to make the D option man commit to him. Against Mich, he often pitched it too soon and the option man then was able to pursue the back. Holding the ball another half second would force the D to commit and give the back room to run.
Its all about timing.
Clifford also has happy feet and often leaves the pocket too quickly and gets sacked or rushed by a D that would otherwise have been controlled by the O line. He also seems to be too ramped up at the start of the games. Once he calms down in the pocket, things will improve quickly.
He sometimes looks great but others seems a bit flustered. The experience he is getting will cure that. And when he does, its Katy Bar the Door. He will make better passes, which will open up the run game. And when he starts making better, more timely reads, the running backs will run free.
That will get Ds all discombobulated and the O will EXPLODE!
Once Clifford starts clicking, we will run the table.
As I see it the big issue with the O is Clifford, which was expected with a new QB running such a complex offense. In all offenses, the QB is critical to passing. And, just like a good running game opens up the passing game, a good passing game will open up the run game as Ds adjust to stopping the pass. But in the RPO the QB is also critical to the running game.
In the RPO how the QB plays is critical to both. Being able to read the D option man and make a quick decision takes a lot of experience. And knowing just when to release the ball, pull it back, pass it, or pitch it to a back is the difference between success or getting stuffed.
You need to wait until the D option man has committed before making your decision. On inside runs, wait a bit longer before pulling the ball out and the QB will have more room when he decides to keep it. Do that a few times the Ds will come at him, allowing a quick handoff to the back will for a big gainer.
And on outside pitches, hang on a hair longer to make the D option man commit to him. Against Mich, he often pitched it too soon and the option man then was able to pursue the back. Holding the ball another half second would force the D to commit and give the back room to run.
Its all about timing.
Clifford also has happy feet and often leaves the pocket too quickly and gets sacked or rushed by a D that would otherwise have been controlled by the O line. He also seems to be too ramped up at the start of the games. Once he calms down in the pocket, things will improve quickly.
He sometimes looks great but others seems a bit flustered. The experience he is getting will cure that. And when he does, its Katy Bar the Door. He will make better passes, which will open up the run game. And when he starts making better, more timely reads, the running backs will run free.
That will get Ds all discombobulated and the O will EXPLODE!
Once Clifford starts clicking, we will run the table.
