Game Day Coaching Has to Improve

[BullrunLion]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

 

[Lionrevival]

Careful, you can't say anything negative about CJF or the merry band of trolls will come call you a Pitt fan.

 

[BullrunLion]

Careful, you can't say anything negative about CJF or the merry band of trolls will come call you a Pitt fan.

Well, they can say what they want because I am one of the biggest PSU fans there is, and follow them everywhere. Just because you point out issues does not mean you are a Pitt fan! It sometimes means you are a diehard PSU fan that wants things to improve. Unfortunately, I don't see it from the coaching side. I hope he looks back on this season and evaluates things, and makes changes in the future. 9 long months until the next season begins, and lots to talk about between now and then.

 

[Evan Ceg]

I didn't have a problem with the fake punt except for the execution. Evan Schwann ran the ball and the two guys leading him, Sickels and Hall, failed to make blocks. It was Schwann, Sickles and Albert Hall in standard punt safety formation and if you put a back in there for the fake, the defense then knows it's coming. The Georgia DB made a heads up play.

It's a bowl game, you're an underdog, there's nothing huge at stake in the outcome, why not roll the dice? If it had worked, we'd all be saying "Great call!" I get your point about pinning Georgia deep, but I don't trust Pasquerilla to execute a coffin corner even though he had a mostly good day except when he punted short down the middle and Georgia set up inside our 25 yard line.

As to your #3, our defense didn't come around until the 4th quarter. Remember the Maryland game last year ('14) when we punted late thinking that we would pin them deep and the Terps couldn't make a long drive to win the game. They did.

 

[Mixolydian]

Well, they can say what they want because I am one of the biggest PSU fans there is, and follow them everywhere. Just because you point out issues does not mean you are a Pitt fan! It sometimes means you are a diehard PSU fan that wants things to improve. Unfortunately, I don't see it from the coaching side. I hope he looks back on this season and evaluates things, and makes changes in the future. 9 long months until the next season begins, and lots to talk about between now and then.

One sign that you might be a sPitt troll...starting threads on the PSU site in the middle of the night and then proceeding to have a conversation with yourself using one of your other usernames

 

[lionlurker]

One sign that you might be a sPitt troll...starting threads on the PSU site in the middle of the night and then proceeding to have a conversation with yourself using one of your other usernames

Agree, Mix. It's amazing how poorly they carry out their plan. However, my NY's resolutions include much more liberal use of the Ignore button.

 

[81b&w]

Really, who starts threads at 2am? Of course lionrevival responded within minutes. Pretty damn obvious. His obsession is unreal

 

[psu1969a]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

He runs, then he should have passed.
Doesn't try fake punt, he is not inventive.
He tries to win by going for it on 4th and whatever, he should have punted.
He uses the old wing T, should use the T. Uses the T, should use the Wishbone, etc. etc. etc.

If you want to coach, find a midget football team, they always need help.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

He runs, then he should have passed.
Doesn't try fake punt, he is not inventive.
He tries to win by going for it on 4th and whatever, he should have punted.
He uses the old wing T, should use the T. Uses the T, should use the Wishbone, etc. etc. etc.

If you want to coach, find a midget football team, they always need help.

It's easy to pick out the failed plays. Get more talent and you win closer games. Tough concept for some here to see. They think this is an exceptionally talented team with depth everywhere.

 

[AWS1022]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

It's always easy to question calls that didn't work after the fact. They're only bad calls when they don't work and sometimes that's due to poor execution.

As to your #4...that's the way college football is going. I've watched so many teams with a 3rd and short or 4th and short go from the shotgun. Very few teams have a power game any more, so if you're going to slam Franklin then you have to slam pretty much every coach out there. Most teams don't have fullbacks anymore so they can't just create a power game.

 

[Nitt1300]

seems like this has already been addressed-by all accounts Moorhead has some expertise in this area

 

[Obliviax]

I personally like that he went for it on fourth down and 7. At this point, our team was dead, dead, dead. At first, I thought "what are you thinking?" Later, I realized he was trying to necessitate the PSU corps. When Hack went out, we were in a trance. He was trying to get our team some momentum and some life. He was sending a message.

Fact is, we were outplaying GA (not by a wide margin but we were) when Hack was in the game. We gave up a score after a lucky INT and a lucky FG (hit the upright and went through). Then Hack gets hurt tossing our game-plan out the door.

I'd have wished we'd have been a little more aggressive with McSorely as, initially, we ran the most conservative offense while GA scored two TD's, you can imagine. We still didn't run play action when you have the defense geared to stop Barkley. But that problem is being addressed with Moorehead so what is there to say?

I look for a better season for PSU next year.

 

[danvillenit]

The arm chair experts only know one thing about football. Plays they don't work were bad calls and plays that work were good calls.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

.

As to your #4...that's the way college football is going. I've watched so many teams with a 3rd and short or 4th and short go from the shotgun. Very few teams have a power game any more, so if you're going to slam Franklin then you have to slam pretty much every coach out there. Most teams don't have fullbacks anymore so they can't just create a power game.

At least you addressed the point, unlike anybody else so far. I do not disagree with what you said.

But, really, who in hell cares what most teams do? How does the negate the uselessness of some power game plays? How does that even come close to make "most teams" right in their approach?

I swear, I am about ready to walk away from this sport if that is going to be the thinking in CFB going forward. Nobody will miss me.

It is a mindless kind of thinking.

So, the first guy to get back to running a power game gets labeled a genius? Yeah. That is the way in works in our world today.

 

[Blueblood4eva]

Really, who starts threads at 2am? Of course lionrevival responded within minutes. Pretty damn obvious. His obsession is unreal

Lionrevival was already on ignore and now this douche joins him. Doing your own moderating is an essential here lately.

 

[BBrown]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

Agree with some of that.

I'm not sure those calls were all on Franklin. There seems to be a lot of thought that Hack changed those plays.
on the Fake punt outside of Franklin agreeing to it I'm not sure how much of that was on him. I like the concept just not the design. Maybe Huff should be on the hot seat for coming up with the design.

I liked going for it in the 3rd quarter. We weren't getting anywhere so why not give it a shot. The one I didn't like and again this goes back to design was the onside kick with Julius. I hope to god we get our ST figured out this year but I"ve been begging for that for at least 6 years and so far nothing.

Agree about the power formation. I HATE absolutely HATE the run designs by whomever, Donovan, Franklin, Rahne but they suck. We have a bad O-line so you are going to start the RB 5 yards from the LOS on a slow developing hand off.
One thing that gave me hope is that when McSorely came in we were under center a lot more and the running plays looked faster and crisper.

 

[sluggo72]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

what we really need is the anti way back machine, that is one that can see the future, so we can get tomorrow's paper today!!! That way we will know what to do, what will surprise them,and it will be much more difficult to be subjected to hindsight the next day!!

on #3) have you seen our punt game?? the odds of us pinning them deep were probably 0 to none.

 

[GregInPitt]

I didn't have a problem with the fake punt except for the execution. Evan Schwann ran the ball and the two guys leading him, Sickels and Hall, failed to make blocks. It was Schwann, Sickles and Albert Hall in standard punt safety formation and if you put a back in there for the fake, the defense then knows it's coming. The Georgia DB made a heads up play.

It's a bowl game, you're an underdog, there's nothing huge at stake in the outcome, why not roll the dice? If it had worked, we'd all be saying "Great call!" I get your point about pinning Georgia deep, but I don't trust Pasquerilla to execute a coffin corner even though he had a mostly good day except when he punted short down the middle and Georgia set up inside our 25 yard line.

As to your #3, our defense didn't come around until the 4th quarter. Remember the Maryland game last year ('14) when we punted late thinking that we would pin them deep and the Terps couldn't make a long drive to win the game. They did.

Many people believe like you do that in a bowl game you "go for it". But I'm of the opinion that it's just another football game and that strategies, element of surprise, etc. are really the same as any regular season game, although since you have a full month to prepare you tend to put in a few more specific plays that you believe will work against the particular opponent. I believe that's whey Joe has 26 bowl wins.

 

[bmw199]

Agree about the power formation. I HATE absolutely HATE the run designs by whomever, Donovan, Franklin, Rahne but they suck. We have a bad O-line so you are going to start the RB 5 yards from the LOS on a slow developing hand off.

This was the biggest thing all year for me, no matter who our players were these plays wouldn't have worked. Design was horrible from the get go.

 

[bdgan]

I didn't have a problem with the fake punt except for the execution. Evan Schwann ran the ball and the two guys leading him, Sickels and Hall, failed to make blocks. It was Schwann, Sickles and Albert Hall in standard punt safety formation and if you put a back in there for the fake, the defense then knows it's coming. The Georgia DB made a heads up play.

It's not a giveaway when Barkley lines up to take a direct snap or when Hack splits out wide?

 

[Evan Ceg]

It's not a giveaway when Barkley lines up to take a direct snap or when Hack splits out wide?

Obviously, it is. The issue was the fake punt in the TaxSlayer Bowl, not the wildcat, which I don't remember us using Saturday.

 

[WDLion]

The arm chair experts only know one thing about football. Plays they don't work were bad calls and plays that work were good calls.

You got that right. They also completely dismiss the 11 guys on the other side of the ball determine to stop the play.

 

[BullrunLion]

One sign that you might be a sPitt troll...starting threads on the PSU site in the middle of the night and then proceeding to have a conversation with yourself using one of your other usernames

Or maybe, if you actually go to the game, you drive home the next day, and get home late because of traffic, and want to check the board before you go to bed??? Just a thought genius!

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

I agree with some of the post. The troll thing ... don't know...don't care. We have a new OC and we will upgrade the OL for 2016... Rahne and Franklin could not rewrite the playbook for this game.

My problem is the team was not ready to play. No 1 and No 4. I agree but with the OL we have.... No 4 would get stuffed anyway.

Ever think that might be why Franklin fire his OC and hired a new one.

Horse is dead ... time to stop beating it. There is excitement at PSU about the offense the next several seasons and with good reason...the athletes.... and the new OC.

 

[BobPSU92]

Or maybe, if you actually go to the game, you drive home the next day, and get home late because of traffic, and want to check the board before you go to bed??? Just a thought genius!

It's a thought, but we need proof. Can anyone corroborate your story? I am going to check your E-Z Pass record.

 

[Mixolydian]

Or maybe, if you actually go to the game, you drive home the next day, and get home late because of traffic, and want to check the board before you go to bed??? Just a thought genius!

Did you and Lyingrevival split the driving?

 

[PSUSignore]

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

They took a deep shot on 2nd and short, not unconventional. On 3rd and one in this situation the WR was open, we just didn't execute. The coaches put the team in a position to convert. This one was on the players.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

Agreed, we have got to get better on 3rd down in general and I'd like to see some running plays from under center in short yardage situations.

Evan Schwann ran the ball and the two guys leading him, Sickels and Hall, failed to make blocks.

Agree. The play wasn't a bad one, it was the missed blocks that cost us the conversion. We had the numbers. If both blockers pick up their man, Schwan converts easily. One of the lead blockers didn't touch the defender that ultimately made the tackle, which is why it didn't work.

I think the biggest coaching issue in this one was the 2 minute drill on the final drive. I'm not sure how much of it was due to having an inexperienced QB at the helm though. Even so, incomplete passes or throwing it away is better than repeated 3 yard check downs. That chewed up way too much of the clock and ultimately resulted in us getting only one low-percentage shot at the end zone. Better clock management on that drive should have given us multiple shots at the end zone.

 

[BBrown]

They took a deep shot on 2nd and short, not unconventional. On 3rd and one in this situation the WR was open, we just didn't execute. The coaches put the team in a position to convert. This one was on the players.


Agreed, we have got to get better on 3rd down in general and I'd like to see some running plays from under center in short yardage situations.


Agree. The play wasn't a bad one, it was the missed blocks that cost us the conversion. We had the numbers. If both blockers pick up their man, Schwan converts easily. One of the lead blockers didn't touch the defender that ultimately made the tackle, which is why it didn't work.

I think the biggest coaching issue in this one was the 2 minute drill on the final drive. I'm not sure how much of it was due to having an inexperienced QB at the helm though. Even so, incomplete passes or throwing it away is better than repeated 3 yard check downs. That chewed up way too much of the clock and ultimately resulted in us getting only one low-percentage shot at the end zone. Better clock management on that drive should have given us multiple shots at the end zone.

Agree but INMO it was having a QB in that just wasn't ready.
The check downs to Barkley, while completed, ate up too much clock and really didn't get us very far.
McSorely will be better at it this spring and fall.
JMO but with Stevens getting some good reviews running the scout team. McSorely's playing in the bowl game and Zambiec coming in early there should be some pretty good QB battles going on. Blue/White game maybe really interesting this year.

 

[SR108]

Back from the game, and my biggest disappointment, but not a surprise, was FRANLIN!. His game day decisions were horrible again. Here are just a few that I remember off the top of my head.

1. Second and 1 in the first half, and we throw the ball twice. Result, punt!

2. Fake punt. First of all I hate the fake punt in this position because we were only down one TD and we could have pinned GA deep in their territory. Instead, we run a fake punt with a DE????? Even if you are ok with running a fake punt, do we have to run it with a DE????

3. Middle of the 3rd quarter, and we are only down two scores. 4th and 7 or 8 yards. Instead of punting and pinning them deep, we go for it! The chance of getting the first down was very low, and the chance of holding them deep in their territory was likely much better. Stupid decision again.

4. I will say this again, We need a power formation at some point. Maybe it is not the main part of the offense, but you have to be able to line up with a fullback and TEs and run the ball with you need a yard. We ran every play out of the shotgun with our back standing still instead of moving forward at the snap. IMO, stupid football.

I hope that the new offensive coordinator brings some sense to the this situation, because it is really frustrating to be a fan.

I'm an old timer, but I still believe that playing the field position game is still the way to go when you are only down two scores and it is the middle of the third quarter. I agree with 2&3 above.

 

[AWS1022]

They took a deep shot on 2nd and short, not unconventional. On 3rd and one in this situation the WR was open, we just didn't execute. The coaches put the team in a position to convert. This one was on the players.


Agreed, we have got to get better on 3rd down in general and I'd like to see some running plays from under center in short yardage situations.


Agree. The play wasn't a bad one, it was the missed blocks that cost us the conversion. We had the numbers. If both blockers pick up their man, Schwan converts easily. One of the lead blockers didn't touch the defender that ultimately made the tackle, which is why it didn't work.

I think the biggest coaching issue in this one was the 2 minute drill on the final drive. I'm not sure how much of it was due to having an inexperienced QB at the helm though. Even so, incomplete passes or throwing it away is better than repeated 3 yard check downs. That chewed up way too much of the clock and ultimately resulted in us getting only one low-percentage shot at the end zone. Better clock management on that drive should have given us multiple shots at the end zone.

It may also be they were trying to get the ball into the hands of our best player and hope he breaks one, which he is capable of doing.

 

[AWS1022]

At least you addressed the point, unlike anybody else so far. I do not disagree with what you said.

But, really, who in hell cares what most teams do? How does the negate the uselessness of some power game plays? How does that even come close to make "most teams" right in their approach?

I swear, I am about ready to walk away from this sport if that is going to be the thinking in CFB going forward. Nobody will miss me.

It is a mindless kind of thinking.

So, the first guy to get back to running a power game gets labeled a genius? Yeah. That is the way in works in our world today.

I agree, I hate lining up in a shotgun on short yardage situations. And I don't think it's the right thing to do just because everyone else is doing it, but I think when you go to a spread type offensive plan, you sacrifice certain other aspects of the game. I'm not sure it's easy to just out in short yardage power plays when you have an entirely different scheme. If it was, I would imagine every team would have that. I don't claim to be a football coaching expert but there has to be a reason it has become so prevalent in today's game.

 

[bsmith51]

I didn't have a problem with the fake punt except for the execution. Evan Schwann ran the ball and the two guys leading him, Sickels and Hall, failed to make blocks. It was Schwann, Sickles and Albert Hall in standard punt safety formation and if you put a back in there for the fake, the defense then knows it's coming. The Georgia DB made a heads up play.

It's a bowl game, you're an underdog, there's nothing huge at stake in the outcome, why not roll the dice? If it had worked, we'd all be saying "Great call!" I get your point about pinning Georgia deep, but I don't trust Pasquerilla to execute a coffin corner even though he had a mostly good day except when he punted short down the middle and Georgia set up inside our 25 yard line.

As to your #3, our defense didn't come around until the 4th quarter. Remember the Maryland game last year ('14) when we punted late thinking that we would pin them deep and the Terps couldn't make a long drive to win the game. They did.

I agree with comments re fake punt. Schwan is athletic for a huge man and I believe he would have rolled for about 20 or 30 yards if someone got a hat on that DB (who made a real heads-up play). Gutsy call in a bowl game. The defense stopped GA on that drive so no harm no foul IMO.

 

[zwick99]

It will improve. Morehead is going to do a great job.

PS. Pitt still sucks. PSU over Pitt for years to come.

 

[zwick99]

Careful, you can't say anything negative about CJF or the merry band of trolls will come call you a Pitt fan.

Why do you think Urban and Saban spend so much time recruiting? Why don't they coach up the IFC flag football champs and stop recruiting?

 

[bvillebaron]

The arm chair experts only know one thing about football. Plays they don't work were bad calls and plays that work were good calls.

That's not entirely true on this board with the experts who constantly rip Franklin's play calling. In their minds, there is no such thing as a good call when it is being made by Franklin. If it works, it was for--you name the reason-but anything but a good call by him. According to them, Franklin hasn't made a good play call in the 2 years he's been here. Wonder if the realize that other coaches, including the great ones, make questionable calls all the time. Frequently, those plays succeed because of the talent of the players on teams like Alabama, OSU, etc.

 

[YorkCoLion]

Careful, you can't say anything negative about CJF or the merry band of trolls will come call you a Pitt fan.

With you, those posters are only being truthful, PantherRevival - have one, please.

 

[BullrunLion]

I agree with comments re fake punt. Schwan is athletic for a huge man and I believe he would have rolled for about 20 or 30 yards if someone got a hat on that DB (who made a real heads-up play). Gutsy call in a bowl game. The defense stopped GA on that drive so no harm no foul IMO.

no harm no foul? Just lost 40 yards of field position, that's all! No big deal.

 

[bsmith51]

no harm no foul? Just lost 40 yards of field position, that's all! No big deal.

Fair point. But still don't have a problem with the call.

 

[SR108]

no harm no foul? Just lost 40 yards of field position, that's all! No big deal.

This is the key point, the field position that was lost, and the timing of the play. When your defense is play relatively good, and you are only down a couple of scores, play the field position game. Punt, and give your opponent a long field.