Play Calling

[Blue42]

I'd like to see a rationale debate here on Salmon's offensive scheme and play calling.

I've been frustrated by it for some time. But I admit, I'm not a technical expert on offensive scheme.

I think an offense in today's game...and with the weapons UNI has...should be designed to put as much pressure as possible on the defense. Use your speed, use misdirection and some creativity to make the defense defend multiple options and guard the entire field.

UNI's running game often seems so vanilla and predictable that I wonder if the coaching staff convinced themselves they have 5 road-graters on the o-line. No offense to the o-line...but nobody is lining up 5 Steve Hutchison's on Saturday.

After an incomplete pass on first down, you can book it that Salmon's going to dial up a run between the tackles on 2nd and 10. If that gets you 1-3 yards, then it's 3rd and long and the drive is likely over.

Other thoughts.

[95UNIGRAD]

Re: Play Calling

I, too, would like to see more pressure on the D and think we're too vanilla on O. I think we should be a pass-first mentally with a kid like Kollmorgen back there. I'm not saying let's run the spread or something, but I would like to see us pass to set up the run more often. Is it too much to ask to have DJ or CA come out of the backfield to catch screen passes once in a while? They are playmakers after the catch. Let Sawyer roll out more to create space if necessary, and let's hit some of those short/intermediate routes with Owens and LeMaster. And can you imagine the effectiveness of a Johnson or Anderson draw play or trap play after they're on their heels from a series of short passes or screens and spreading out the defense? Just some random thoughts.

[JayJ79]

Re: Play Calling

Since we don't have to worry about making the playoffs, perhaps they should raffle off the playcalling duties to some of these armchair offensive coordinators.

[Trapped in California]

What do you do when that works?

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk for one percenters

[clenz]

Re: Play Calling

The biggest thing I want to see is tempo, and it change.

Every single play we huddle, every single play we break the huddle within 3 or 4 second of the same time, every play we snap the clock with about the same amount of time on the play clock. There isn't a lot of tempo to the offense. That can make it very easy for a good DC to pick up on habits and get a good play call in.

I'm not saying we need to go no huddle, ala Oregon. However, change the pace of the game, from drive to drive, and play to play. Watch how many teams do this. They still huddle the majority of the time but there is 3 or 4 times a game they just go no huddle for 4 or 5 plays to change it up. It catches the defense off guard....

[MnPantherFan]

Re: Play Calling

Since we don't have to worry about making the playoffs, perhaps people questioning the play calling have a point!

[clenz]

Re: Play Calling

Since we don't have to worry about making the playoffs, perhaps people questioning the play calling have a point!

The offense hasn't really been the problem....we are averaging 30 points per game....

[MnPantherFan]

Re: Play Calling

Subtract the DII blow-out and what is it? Knowing you have a suspect defense necessitates the offense to open it up a little more or you end up with close losses like we have had. They can only do so much but it is frustrating.

[clenz]

Re: Play Calling

That's not going to help your point at all...because you then take the total number of points we have allowed this year, and average it by one less game because CSU didn't score....You're helping the other side when you bring these numbers up....

The scores then go from

UNI 30
Opp 24

to

UNI 25
Opp 28


Still think it's all on the offense?

UNI has lost both games they scored over 30 (excluding the D2 game) and only once has the offense been held under 21...


Only once has the defense held teams to under 20 (SDSU), and 5 times has the defense allowed 24 or more points....6 if we go to 21

[Blue42]

Re: Play Calling

Don't get me wrong fellas. I'm not trying to put the 1-5 start on the offense. That would not be fair at all.

I'm talking about observing UNI's offense over the last 10 years and feeling that we have not fully leveraged the talent that we have on the field.

[jnutt]

Re: Play Calling

3rd downs. ON both sides of the ball. Defense has the QB stopped then he slips away for a first down (YSU esp) and we can't get one on offense. It's the difference between the playoffs and 2-5

[MnPantherFan]

Re: Play Calling

Don't get me wrong fellas. I'm not trying to put the 1-5 start on the offense. That would not be fair at all.

I'm talking about observing UNI's offense over the last 10 years and feeling that we have not fully leveraged the talent that we have on the field.

This........not trying to blame anyone just fumbling for answers (pun intended).

[ilovecats]

Re: Play Calling

I've heard rumors that salmon has been considering retiring the last few years and was very close to after last year but decided to come back. It'll be interesting to see if he does.

[arealcat]

Re: Play Calling

Don't get me wrong fellas. I'm not trying to put the 1-5 start on the offense. That would not be fair at all.

I'm talking about observing UNI's offense over the last 10 years and feeling that we have not fully leveraged the talent that we have on the field.

The talent on offense this year is actually limited in my opinion. Compare it to the 2005 team or with Johnny Gray and Victor Williams. The WRs this year lack speed, and when you can't take the top off of a defense there is no room underneath. I agree that Salmon's play calling is suspect at times. Perfect example= Iowa game when we were having success throwing and then we run 6 plays in a row and have 2 straight 3 and outs. He is extremely smart. I think he just out thinks himself at times.

It is a variation of the west coast offense so it will never be a super heavy pass first offense. It is supposed to be balanced. That is why we recruit good RB's and WR's.