Michigan blog breaks down Rutgers' offense
- Thread starter ivan brunetti
- Start date
Writer is misinformed. We currently have NO Offense.
The good news is, he says you look well coached. The problems lay...um, elsewhere.
Nothing to break down.
It was already broken.
[Edit]: It's a well done piece (they do good work at mgo...). If you're a Final Destination fan, it's pretty much the same as that, but for football.
It was already broken.
[Edit]: It's a well done piece (they do good work at mgo...). If you're a Final Destination fan, it's pretty much the same as that, but for football.
Last edited:
Fair and balanced analysis, given what we showed last week.
"While this isn't totally fair, if you extrapolate that out to the 360 snaps played by guard Dorian Miller, Heeman would have a -15.3 grade, which would be second-worst on what's already a bad O-line."
This blogger is way off here. Everything wrong with the offense is our QB's fault.
"The combination of bad QB and bad OL is almost impossible to overcome, especially in the first year of a new system."
Ding, ding, ding.
"They're gonna die.":scream::boxing:
We need a lot of this:
and this:
"While this isn't totally fair, if you extrapolate that out to the 360 snaps played by guard Dorian Miller, Heeman would have a -15.3 grade, which would be second-worst on what's already a bad O-line."
This blogger is way off here. Everything wrong with the offense is our QB's fault.
"The combination of bad QB and bad OL is almost impossible to overcome, especially in the first year of a new system."
Ding, ding, ding.
"They're gonna die.":scream::boxing:
We need a lot of this:
and this:
PLAY BREAKDOWN
Despite being terrible at offense, Rutgers doesn't look poorly coached. They should've had a huge play on a third-down RPO on the aforementioned late first-half drive. Here's the setup—OSU is showing blitz, and RU comes out with two backs, one of which is actually a receiver:
Before the snap, the receiver in the backfield loops around the QB and goes into motion for a potential bubble screen outlet. Nobody from OSU follows, leaving seven in the box while only two defensive backs are over the three receivers at the bottom of the screen:
At the snap, the left guard pulls like he's blocking for a QB power—which he is—but Laviano is checking the receivers. The slot has a screamingly open path up the seam as the outside receiver carries the corner to the perimeter and the motion man provides a bubble outlet:
OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:
Realizing he's made a grave error and the QB power isn't really there, Laviano retreats as the contain defender who probably should've followed the motion man starts to close in:
This is how you wind up recording a throwaway on a run-pass option. Even now, Laviano has a chance to salvage the play, as Martin has aborted his block and turned around at the 25 to provide a dumpoff option. Instead, Laviano chucks it into the OSU bench:
Despite being terrible at offense, Rutgers doesn't look poorly coached. They should've had a huge play on a third-down RPO on the aforementioned late first-half drive. Here's the setup—OSU is showing blitz, and RU comes out with two backs, one of which is actually a receiver:
Before the snap, the receiver in the backfield loops around the QB and goes into motion for a potential bubble screen outlet. Nobody from OSU follows, leaving seven in the box while only two defensive backs are over the three receivers at the bottom of the screen:
At the snap, the left guard pulls like he's blocking for a QB power—which he is—but Laviano is checking the receivers. The slot has a screamingly open path up the seam as the outside receiver carries the corner to the perimeter and the motion man provides a bubble outlet:
OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:
Realizing he's made a grave error and the QB power isn't really there, Laviano retreats as the contain defender who probably should've followed the motion man starts to close in:
This is how you wind up recording a throwaway on a run-pass option. Even now, Laviano has a chance to salvage the play, as Martin has aborted his block and turned around at the 25 to provide a dumpoff option. Instead, Laviano chucks it into the OSU bench:
PLAY BREAKDOWN
Despite being terrible at offense, Rutgers doesn't look poorly coached. They should've had a huge play on a third-down RPO on the aforementioned late first-half drive. Here's the setup—OSU is showing blitz, and RU comes out with two backs, one of which is actually a receiver:
Before the snap, the receiver in the backfield loops around the QB and goes into motion for a potential bubble screen outlet. Nobody from OSU follows, leaving seven in the box while only two defensive backs are over the three receivers at the bottom of the screen:
At the snap, the left guard pulls like he's blocking for a QB power—which he is—but Laviano is checking the receivers. The slot has a screamingly open path up the seam as the outside receiver carries the corner to the perimeter and the motion man provides a bubble outlet:
OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:
Realizing he's made a grave error and the QB power isn't really there, Laviano retreats as the contain defender who probably should've followed the motion man starts to close in:
This is how you wind up recording a throwaway on a run-pass option. Even now, Laviano has a chance to salvage the play, as Martin has aborted his block and turned around at the 25 to provide a dumpoff option. Instead, Laviano chucks it into the OSU bench:
What is most disappointing here is the grading of our OL--wasn't this supposed to be an area of strength?
I'm not going to worry about the grades of our O Line against OSU and Michigan. Look at what OSU did to Oklahoma. I'm concerned about their grades in weeks 6-12
"Despite being terrible at offense, Rutgers doesn't look poorly coached."
This isn't meant to be a knock on our fans but I think many here don't watch much football outside of RU and their NFL team. I don't think people really understand how this O functions because they've been watching Pro set for so many years.
For example, Laviano had multiple open options and a few different plays he could have run..... yet he chose to throw the ball away. Despite this obvious fact we had threads about this very play
This isn't meant to be a knock on our fans but I think many here don't watch much football outside of RU and their NFL team. I don't think people really understand how this O functions because they've been watching Pro set for so many years.
For example, Laviano had multiple open options and a few different plays he could have run..... yet he chose to throw the ball away. Despite this obvious fact we had threads about this very play
We've played 2, coming up on 3 of the very best defenses in the country. Welcome to your new scheme!
Yeah, I agree. I have said elsewhere the true measure of this team is how they play and perform in the last 6 games.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the PFF stats cited in the article are opponent-adjusted, I believe.
I don't know or care what PFF stats are. I'm looking with my eyes to see how these guys grade out. I don't know how you adjust out god given talent? I don't know how you bell curve for my WR needs two extra seconds to get off the LOS compared to one from Michigan against a press? How do you grade out a lineman who has to hold a block longer bc his QB can't go through progressions?
Seemed like a reasonable analysis.
We have some fans bashing Mehringer. I think they are off-base. While there's no doubt DM's young, as is Ash, and that coaching mistakes will happen here and there, I think our coaching is plenty good and getting better rapidly. IMO, this coaching staff has a very high ceiling.
We all talk about Grant and what an impact player he is. To truly be competitive with the Big Ten elite programs, we need to be at least two deep with players that have Grant-like impact across the entire lineup on both sides of the ball. Grant's a great player and a significant outlier on our team. While still great, he would be less of an outlier on OSU or other elite Big Ten programs.
We need much, much greater depth which will come as a result of players getting multiple off-seasons w/a great S&C coach, plus players with three years plus of exposure to great technical coaching, plus consistently strong recruiting classes.
I just don't see any shortcuts to winning in the Big Ten. Gotta have everything: recruiting, depth, technical coaching, game-day coaching and then some good luck w/the schedule and injuries.
That's just not happening overnight.
We have some fans bashing Mehringer. I think they are off-base. While there's no doubt DM's young, as is Ash, and that coaching mistakes will happen here and there, I think our coaching is plenty good and getting better rapidly. IMO, this coaching staff has a very high ceiling.
We all talk about Grant and what an impact player he is. To truly be competitive with the Big Ten elite programs, we need to be at least two deep with players that have Grant-like impact across the entire lineup on both sides of the ball. Grant's a great player and a significant outlier on our team. While still great, he would be less of an outlier on OSU or other elite Big Ten programs.
We need much, much greater depth which will come as a result of players getting multiple off-seasons w/a great S&C coach, plus players with three years plus of exposure to great technical coaching, plus consistently strong recruiting classes.
I just don't see any shortcuts to winning in the Big Ten. Gotta have everything: recruiting, depth, technical coaching, game-day coaching and then some good luck w/the schedule and injuries.
That's just not happening overnight.
Pretty damning analysis, yet again, of our qb...and our backup qbs. But this speaks to the fact that laviano was recruited for a different system and so in addition to his poor throwing skills he's probably too accustomed to a different offensive style to make the new one work. As Matt Millen said, we don't have a qb. That puts a low ceiling on any team.
Did you miss the part about the OL and receivers?
Bad QB-great receiver(s) and OK OL--works.
Bad QB-great receiver(s) and bad OL- works worse.
Bad QB-bad receiver(s) and bad OL-works worser.
This is an interesting comment from the comment section:
Are you surprised?
Are you surprised? This is a team whose local media decided to make a list of the top-10 shutout LOSSES in Rutgers history after losing to OSU this past week. Delany!!!
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...ers_top_15_shutout_losses_since_1900_w.html#0
Are you surprised?
Are you surprised? This is a team whose local media decided to make a list of the top-10 shutout LOSSES in Rutgers history after losing to OSU this past week. Delany!!!
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...ers_top_15_shutout_losses_since_1900_w.html#0
No I got that part. Our offense is in bad shape all around. But aside from the fact that the site picked apart a play where the qb completely blew it the qb is still the most important player on the offense. A good qb can't completely make up for a terrible o line and no play makers but they can make up for it a little bit. A bad qb on the other hand will lead to a bad offense even if everything else is solid.
Agree. Should have done a chart for great, MOBILE QB, who would overcome bad OL and bad receivers, to the extent the QB could run, avoid sacks and buy time for receivers to get open. Maybe we could put an Ad on Craigslist, or hopefully, TO develops into that QB for us.
A mobile QB doesn't just add the ability to extend plays and improvise.
A mobile QB opens up the offensive playbook.
Conversely, a mobile QB forces defenses to simplify significantly because you can't get away with edge defenders simply playing contain -- there must be someone specifically assigned to the dive/keep/pitch on every single play.
A mobile QB opens up the offensive playbook.
Conversely, a mobile QB forces defenses to simplify significantly because you can't get away with edge defenders simply playing contain -- there must be someone specifically assigned to the dive/keep/pitch on every single play.
PLAY BREAKDOWN
Despite being terrible at offense, Rutgers doesn't look poorly coached. They should've had a huge play on a third-down RPO on the aforementioned late first-half drive. Here's the setup—OSU is showing blitz, and RU comes out with two backs, one of which is actually a receiver:
Before the snap, the receiver in the backfield loops around the QB and goes into motion for a potential bubble screen outlet. Nobody from OSU follows, leaving seven in the box while only two defensive backs are over the three receivers at the bottom of the screen:
At the snap, the left guard pulls like he's blocking for a QB power—which he is—but Laviano is checking the receivers. The slot has a screamingly open path up the seam as the outside receiver carries the corner to the perimeter and the motion man provides a bubble outlet:
OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:
Realizing he's made a grave error and the QB power isn't really there, Laviano retreats as the contain defender who probably should've followed the motion man starts to close in:
This is how you wind up recording a throwaway on a run-pass option. Even now, Laviano has a chance to salvage the play, as Martin has aborted his block and turned around at the 25 to provide a dumpoff option. Instead, Laviano chucks it into the OSU bench:
Though the writer is dead on accurate, i'd love nothing more than for our squad to shove his points up his Fat Ass, Saturday Night. To gauge our squad against Ohio State is patently unfair because their athletes are on another level and they are well coached. Most teams are going to look bad against Ohio State. Michigan is very good, and they should easily beat us, but they're not on the same level as Ohio State.
I am surprised he needed an entire blog to break down our offense. Three sentence probably would have sufficed.
They were very generous in calling laviano "dangerous" as a threat to run. While it's INCREDIBLY refreshing to see us finally have a qb who is at least a little bit of a threat to run to call him dangerous is a stretch, especially at a time when some teams have qbs who can literally run 50 yds down field given an opening. He's a threat to pick up a 1st down in some cases, nothing more.
That play break down was hard to read. It actually is painful in my gut
Let's see:
Bad QB + bad WRs + bad O-line = really bad offense
Bad QB + bad WRs + good O-line = bad offense
Bad QB + good WRs + bad O-line = bad offense
Bad QB + good WRs + good O-line = mediocre/bad offense
Good QB + bad WRs + bad O-line = mediocre/decent offense
etc.
As stated above a good Qb, a really mobile one, can open up opportunities for even mediocre receivers and running backs by spreading out the defense. But a good o-line that gives the QB all day and good receivers that get open mean very little if you have a Qb (not mentioning any names here) that can't see the open receivers--or throw accurately to them (cough, cough)--and panics as soon as anyone gets within 5 yards. If we had Carroo, Sanu and Britt on the offense along with Grant our offense would still probably be mediocre at best.
Mildone - yes, and this is exactly what we have all asked for (for years!). We didn't want to be in a "junior" conference (like what the Big East was turning into post-2010, or the AAC .. whatever kind of crap that was). We wanted to be in a big conference, with real teams, and tons of credibility. And, we got exactly what we asked for. The only difference is there's a long way to go from where we were/are to where we want to be.
Probably, like many on this board, I wished we'd made that jump in 2007 - when we had lots of talent, lots of spotlight, and could've very easily capitalized on both. But, it didn't happen then. So, here we are.
I'm glad this coaching staff is young because that means that they have more stamina and will continue pushing until they finally get the team they want. It'll take a couple of years before you see a real difference, but you'll see it. I don't necessarily believe that the coaching staff has a very high ceiling, however. But, I do think that they will find players who fit their system more, which will enable the staff to have more success. And, that will bring more and more top-notch players to RU. Hopefully, by that point, we will be competing for a championship.
That nameless QB had some pretty good games (yes, some were against bad defenses, but those count too), but he spread it around in that game 15/24 for 208 and 3TD and no INTs is pretty good. Yes, 7 of those receptions and 3TDs were to Carroo, but now we all understand that he was probably the one who was (1) open; (2) was reliable to catch the ball; and (3) fought for balls. The Maryland game is an example of where he really spread the ball around, going 21/33 for 344, and 4 TDs, but Carroo had 7 receptions and only 1 TD. Indiana is another example of a game where the ball was spread around. No revelation here, that against the more formidable defenses, where there was more pressure on the QB and better pass coverage, our offense sucked.
We would be mediocre in the example you gave against the top teams with those receivers, and pretty spectacular against everyone else. One other thing about the nameless QB--he seems to be very streaky, and has a couple of breakout games--at least last year. So he has either regressed badly or is the middle of a slump. Hoping he can break out of it, or one of the backups steps up and shows some spark.
Good post.
I guess we'll find out what their ceiling is over the next 2-4 years. At which time we'll have a lot more money if we need to do another coaching search. But at the moment, I feel pretty good about this staff.
I agree it will take a couple years, or so, to really see a big change as reflected in wins/losses/bowl games. But I'm already seeing positive changes (obviously not reflected in scores yet) and I think the team is making progress within the limits of what can realistically be achieved in a single off-season plus one season against a schedule as tough as ours.
I'm optimistic in a way I was not even during Schiano's last season here. But I'm also patient.
That was well done.. The for the link. My fave scary part...
"OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:".. Eventually he throws it away.
CL is gun shy.. Has happy feet.. Fill in your own ineffectual QB metaphor.
"OSU hasn't actually brought much of a blitz, which gives Laviano time to let the slot get up the seam. He is WIDE OPEN. Instead of throwing the ball for a first down and much, much more, Laviano bugs out at pressure that isn't there—you can see his head has turned and he's now looking to follow the RB acting as his lead blocker:".. Eventually he throws it away.
CL is gun shy.. Has happy feet.. Fill in your own ineffectual QB metaphor.
Here is their analysis of our defense. Interesting comment on Wilkins and Joseph.
http://mgoblog.com/content/fee-fi-foe-film-rutgers-defense-1
http://mgoblog.com/content/fee-fi-foe-film-rutgers-defense-1
Interesting read.
Either I mised it, or the analysis doesn't neccesarily reflect what appears to me to be improved pass defense since Washington. However, against OSU, it was apparent that we lack the depth and consistency to compete with an elite team that is playing at the top of its game.
So I'm hoping Michigan comes out asleep, commits several turnovers, and simply doesn't play up to their potential.
