I hope James Franklin watched Eagles-Vikes

[Keyser Soze 16801]

Doug P put on a clinic on how to stay aggressive with a big lead

Contrast that with the Jags who got ultra-conservative with the lead and paid the price

JF is a great coach overall but what happened at OSU should never happen again

 

[sluggo72]

Doug P put on a clinic on how to stay aggressive with a big lead

Contrast that with the Jags who got ultra-conservative with the lead and paid the price

JF is a great coach overall but what happened at OSU should never happen again

if you define aggressive as still throwing the ball, the Eagles did that. But if you go back an notice, they really didnt throw the ball down the field until they crossed the 50 or so, then they did take some shots. That said, most of their pass plays up to that point, and when they had a big lead, were screens to RB or some little throws to the TE/whatever at the 8-10 yard range. In some ways they looked very conservative.

For the record, I agree with you last line, the Eagles never turned a 1st and 10 into 2nd and 17 on a running play.

 

[PSU Soupy]

Yet Atlanta gets beat up for not running the ball to run out the clock in the Super Bowl last year.

I understand what you are saying but I think that the Eagles did a good job of looking for big plays that were not inherently risky and which took advantage of the aggressiveness of the Vikings defense. Screen plays, Deep throws against man coverage...... versus Jacksonville who started running on every first down even with NE having 8 in the box.


Really a great game called by the Eagles.

 

[KnightSlayer]

if you define aggressive as still throwing the ball, the Eagles did that. But if you go back an notice, they really didnt throw the ball down the field until they crossed the 50 or so, then they did take some shots. That said, most of their pass plays up to that point, and when they had a big lead, were screens to RB or some little throws to the TE/whatever at the 8-10 yard range. In some ways they looked very conservative.

For the record, I agree with you last line, the Eagles never turned a 1st and 10 into 2nd and 17 on a running play.

Up 31-7 on their own 25 facing a 3rd & 5 and Foles hits Agholor on a deep pass for 42 yards. I'd call that aggressive.

 

[sluggo72]

Up 31-7 on their own 25 facing a 3rd & 5 and Foles hits Agholor on a deep pass for 42 yards. I'd call that aggressive.

or at worse (int) its a punt on 3rd down.

re- watched it was a drop back pass, then Agholor breaks deep off the scramble drill. Its not like they were throwing a deep in over the middle.
I do think we are in agreement, they were still trying to attack downfield, but doing it in a smart, not reckless manor by mixing in runs, screens, and plays like this when they needed one.

 

[fastlax16]

Yet Atlanta gets beat up for not running the ball to run out the clock in the Super Bowl last year.

Not exactly apples to apples. The Falcons were already in fg range to put the game on ice and managed to not only not get the fg but runbasically no time off the clock. Taking a knee and kicking the fg (or not kicking the fg) would have produced better results than what they got.

 

[Nitt1300]

more importantly, I hope Peterson watched it- because if they can get up on the Cheaters they need to step on their necks

 

[Judge Smails]

JF is a great coach overall but what happened at OSU should never happen again

Lose your two starting defensive ends so you can't get pressure on the quarterback? Lose your starting left tackle, replace him with a freshman?

Hope that never does happen again.

 

[BobPSU92]

I definitely see the logic in using a strategy that worked in an unrelated nfl playoff game as an opportunity to attack Franklin for the outcome in a college football game three months ago.



Staying aggressive alone is not reason the Eagles won, just as Penn State's play calling alone was not the reason that they lost. Football is a bit more complicated than that. Keep trying, though.

 

[LaJolla Lion]

How come there were no undefeated teams in the playoffs for college and pro? I mean if you read this site you can watch one f--king game and think you have all of the answers. It's pure brilliance. You can pick up on one blown assignment of failed play and correct it after the fact so easily too. I'm amazed how dumb so many coaches are when the answers are so clear to any and everyone......not actually being paid 4-5 million a year to do it.

 

[Art]

How come there were no undefeated teams in the playoffs for college and pro? I mean if you read this site you can watch one f--king game and think you have all of the answers. It's pure brilliance.

The reason there were no undefeated teams is that none of their head coaches read this site. Pretty simple to understand.

 

[Howie'81]

How come there were no undefeated teams in the playoffs for college and pro? I mean if you read this site you can watch one f--king game and think you have all of the answers. It's pure brilliance. You can pick up on one blown assignment of failed play and correct it after the fact so easily too. I'm amazed how dumb so many coaches are when the answers are so clear to any and everyone......not actually being paid 4-5 million a year to do it.

You said it, sir.

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

if you define aggressive as still throwing the ball, the Eagles did that. But if you go back an notice, they really didnt throw the ball down the field until they crossed the 50 or so, then they did take some shots. That said, most of their pass plays up to that point, and when they had a big lead, were screens to RB or some little throws to the TE/whatever at the 8-10 yard range. In some ways they looked very conservative.

For the record, I agree with you last line, the Eagles never turned a 1st and 10 into 2nd and 17 on a running play.

Aggressive is different than reckless. An unwillingness to pass the ball with the lead when the defense was stacked to stop the run hurt PSU badly against both USC and OSU. The Fiesta Bowl was different and hopefully JF has learned not to get too timid. I love the guy but he looked like a deer in headlights at the end of the OSU game.

 

[sss]

What gets me, is why did Vikings not just keep running the play that they score their TD on over and over again. It worked once, so it would have worked again and in every game thereafter.

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

What gets me, is why did Vikings not just keep running the play that they score their TD on over and over again. It worked once, so it would have worked again and in every game thereafter.

PLease join me in welcoming Jay Paterno to this discussion!

 

[sss]

Oh drats, I just saw a post on the OSU board telling UM to be aggressive in the game next year so they do not fall behind like they did this past year. With Franklin and UM being aggressive all game this could be Armageddon. Maybe a 151-150 game.

 

[tboyer]

Up 31-7 on their own 25 facing a 3rd & 5 and Foles hits Agholor on a deep pass for 42 yards. I'd call that aggressive.

What the Eagles were doing wasn't risky, that's the point. #1 reason it wasn't risky is that the Eagles' O-line was protecting very well so Foles had time and options.

The throw to Agholor wasn't the play call, the play call was a very safe short throw to the TE in the flat, but that was covered, so Foles saw Agholor breaking and threw a pretty safe pass to the sideline that was unlikely to be intercepted.

I think in fact Pedeson put on a clinic of how you can keep throwing to keep drives going without taking unnecessary risk. But it starts with your O-line.

PSU vs OSU, after Bates left the game, PSU couldn't pass-protect any more. So throwing the ball was a high-risk proposition no matter now they did it.

 

[Judge Smails]

Aggressive is different than reckless. An unwillingness to pass the ball with the lead when the defense was stacked to stop the run hurt PSU badly against both USC and OSU. The Fiesta Bowl was different and hopefully JF has learned not to get too timid. I love the guy but he looked like a deer in headlights at the end of the OSU game.

35 rushing attempts in the OSU game, 29 passing attempts. Trace was sacked twice, and I believe those totals are counted against the rushing yards, so add two more pass attempts to that. 35 to 31.

Penn State couldn't pressure Barrett with our two starting DEs not playing and the youth at the DE position. We also couldn't run the ball (2.6 ypc) or protect Trace when he went back to pass.

We lost by 1 on the road to a Top 5 team. I think Franklin should get credit for that gameplan, especially considering how we were dominated along the LOS. Love how when we struggle on offense, it's Franklin's fault. When we do well, it's because of Moorhead.

 

[Woodpecker]

I realize that I'm in the minority here but, in my opinion, the OSU game was lost by poor pass defense. They made Barrett look to be a so much better passer than he was against any other team. They were chasing receivers all over the field and, when they actually got close, they simply interfered. Turn around, Christian! Yes, they could have maybe prevented a lot of that with better play calling on O but even mediocre pass defense would have won that game regardless of a conservative offense.

 

[BobPSU92]

35 rushing attempts in the OSU game, 29 passing attempts. Trace was sacked twice, and I believe those totals are counted against the rushing yards, so add two more pass attempts to that. 35 to 31.

Penn State couldn't pressure Barrett with our two starting DEs not playing and the youth at the DE position. We also couldn't run the ball (2.6 ypc) or protect Trace when he went back to pass.

We lost by 1 on the road to a Top 5 team. I think Franklin should get credit for that gameplan, especially considering how we were dominated along the LOS. Love how when we struggle on offense, it's Franklin's fault. When we do well, it's because of Moorhead.

That's because Franklin is too busy selling used cars to focus on coaching.

 

[sluggo72]

35 rushing attempts in the OSU game, 29 passing attempts. Trace was sacked twice, and I believe those totals are counted against the rushing yards, so add two more pass attempts to that. 35 to 31.

Penn State couldn't pressure Barrett with our two starting DEs not playing and the youth at the DE position. We also couldn't run the ball (2.6 ypc) or protect Trace when he went back to pass.

We lost by 1 on the road to a Top 5 team. I think Franklin should get credit for that gameplan, especially considering how we were dominated along the LOS. Love how when we struggle on offense, it's Franklin's fault. When we do well, it's because of Moorhead.

here's the problem, PSU is winning 35-20 with 13:13 to go and recovers an OSU fumble at the +43. So PSU has a 15 point lead in the 4th qtr against a team ranked the same as, or close to PSU. And a chance to put the game away. So lets see what happens
1-10 PSU runs a quick pitch to SB for a loss of 7 yds. it looks like TM & SB run one play, the OL blocks another. So now you've taken a great chance to put the game away with any kind of drive and turn that into 2-17 not good.
2-17 pass incomplete
3-17 run +5, okay fine now you punt
4-12 punt blocked. it appears that 4 blocks down, then the 'Pickett fence' guy should block out, but 46 blocks down as well. Guy off the corner blocks the punt, not good.
OSU 1-10 pass +2
2-8 ball at the +38 OSU runs a play similar to what USC used vs PSU to tie the game. PSU is in their version of Tampa 2, they dont control the middle (same as what happened vs USC) OSU TD right down the middle They score and take very little time off the clock. PSU plays a coverage they should have worked on more or thrown out after the results in the Rose Bowl. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice?? Not good
score 35-27 11:00 to go 4th quarter.
PSU goes on a good drive
1-10- 30, Pass inc
2-10 QB run/draw 1st down
1-10 Pass inc, holding PSU not good
1-20 -43 shovel pass to SB no gain
2-20-43 pass 88 +7
3-13 -50 Pass 88 sideline +22
1-10+28 Pass +21
1-g+7 TM run +3
2-g+4 TM run +1
3-g+3 SB run -1 70 poorly coached technique vs #1i results in loss, not good
FG good 38-27 6:25 to go
OSU 1-10 pass complete +10
1-10-25 Pass c +4
2-6-29 pass c +13
1-10 Pass c +18
1-10 pass incomplete, penalty PSU off side late substitute not good
1-5 Pass incomplete penalty EZ PI not good
1-10+15 Pass TD 3 step drop not good, but the ball is gone before any rush would get there
2pt play stopped 38-33
Kickoff returned to the 15
1-10-15 run- power read, loss of 7 DE blows up POA, bad read? Bad play design? Bad call considering the situation? Not good
2-17-8 run +0 RG RT combo?? not good
3-17-8 run +4
4-13 -12 punt which is great, 49 yard net but OSU gets ball at their 42. Just think if we hadnt turn 1-10 into 2-17 and got a little yardage? Instead of OSU getting the ball at their 42 maybe they get it at the 30? Does that change anything? Would it change PSU thinking if OSU has a longer field. OSU has a short field
OSU on 2-8 at their 44, PSU runs a blitz and plays man free behind it, the wr runs down and turns out at 18 yds for a catch. There was pressure, but the DB played it poorly and you know the rest OSU scores and takes a 39-38 lead with 1:48 remaining.
with 1:48 left we get the ball at the -40, we only need, what 25? yds for a FG try? Maybe 30?
So from here we do nothing with the game on the line. OSU runs a few T/E stunts, salt in a 74 wiff here, a 70 wiff there (neither of whom at OT's) and we have a 3-15 4-15 and just chuck 2 of them up.
Conclusion too many 'not goods', was that caused by OSU 'superior' talent. I dont think so, most of the not goods we controlled. Was that caused by not having our LT, not really, the OG technique had more to do with it. The passes, was that because of the rush? Not really the longest pass came vs a coverage we should know has holes, as we used it in a similar situation the year before vs USC.
this all said, i tend to agree with LJ sr, tweets, I think, but I dont know for sure, CJF told JoeMo to find a job after this game. If PSU wants to be in the final 4, they have to find a way to close out games while they have a lead, especially a 15 point lead on the road.

 

[Judge Smails]

That's because Franklin is too busy selling used cars to focus on coaching.

You just have to laugh.

On the Keystone Network podcast, some fan wrote in to ask about James Franklin not having a "signature win" in 2017.

11-2, finished #8. BUT NO SIGNATURE WIN. (Grinding Michigan into the turf, beating #11 Washington in a bowl, crushing 10 win Northwestern at their place aren't signature wins, y'all).

 

[Indian rocks rich]

Doug P put on a clinic on how to stay aggressive with a big lead

Contrast that with the Jags who got ultra-conservative with the lead and paid the price

JF is a great coach overall but what happened at OSU should never happen again

I think the blocked punt had more to do with the turnaround in that game than being conservative. Momentum changed for the home team and psu couldn’t grab it back.

 

[EPC FAN]

I realize that I'm in the minority here but, in my opinion, the OSU game was lost by poor pass defense. They made Barrett look to be a so much better passer than he was against any other team. They were chasing receivers all over the field and, when they actually got close, they simply interfered. Turn around, Christian! Yes, they could have maybe prevented a lot of that with better play calling on O but even mediocre pass defense would have won that game regardless of a conservative offense.

The trajectory of the OSU game was changed by the blocked punt.

 

[sluggo72]

The trajectory of the OSU game was changed by the blocked punt.

one can't argue about that, getting a punt blocked is never helpful. that said, the biggest problem was giving up a 40 yd pass play 2 plays later. The bigger problem was running the same coverage PSU ran vs USC in the Rose Bowl in a similar situation, and OSU running virtually the same play against it. If PSU had made them drive the ball instead of giving up all that yardage on one play, OSU doesn't have enough time. PSU either should have corrected that coverage, or not used it at all, especially in that situation.

 

[Cosmos]

I realize that I'm in the minority here but, in my opinion, the OSU game was lost by poor pass defense. They made Barrett look to be a so much better passer than he was against any other team. They were chasing receivers all over the field and, when they actually got close, they simply interfered. Turn around, Christian! Yes, they could have maybe prevented a lot of that with better play calling on O but even mediocre pass defense would have won that game regardless of a conservative offense.

"Turn around Christian!" I was shouting the same.

 

[BlackNovember]

The Jags - Pats game would have been more instructive. If Franklin has a weakness it is in game management, especially the clock.

Kneeling with 55 secs left in 1st half is not what winners do. They try to break necks.

 

[BobPSU92]

You just have to laugh.

On the Keystone Network podcast, some fan wrote in to ask about James Franklin not having a "signature win" in 2017.

11-2, finished #8. BUT NO SIGNATURE WIN. (Grinding Michigan into the turf, beating #11 Washington in a bowl, crushing 10 win Northwestern at their place aren't signature wins, y'all).

And Franklin won a major bowl game against a quality opponent. It wasn’t the Tidy Cat Ass Bowl against Sassafras State.