Lester's Offense

[GoSU96]

Thought I'd start a thread just to have a place for people to throw in thoughts and observations

With Erv coming back I'd like to see:

WR: Ishmael, Estime, Lewis
AC, Avant

TB, Morris, McFarland, Fredricks - just play them in a rotation.

Wing - Phillips, Strickland - same deal as above,

TE - Parris,
Moore
Cam - if they want to go big in short yardage, second TE.

Custis - like to see him used more and as a flex player. Give him a set of plays to line up at WR or as the 2nd TE. Would love to see them break out the 2012 4 option play with him getting the quick pop pass like Wales did.

To me Lewis and Custis can be used to vary formations with the same personnel just like Erv and Strickland can when they are the wing, just in different ways.

 

[TheCusian]

Thought I'd start a thread just to have a place for people to throw in thoughts and observations With Erv coming back I'd like to see: WR: Ishmael, Estime, Lewis AC, Avant TB, Morris, McFarland, Fredricks - just play them in a rotation. Wing - Phillips, Strickland - same deal as above, TE - Parris, Moore Cam - if they want to go big in short yardage, second TE. Custis - like to see him used more and as a flex player. Give him a set of plays to line up at WR or as the 2nd TE. Would love to see them break out the 2012 4 option play with him getting the quick pop pass like Wales did. To me Lewis and Custis can be used to vary formations with the same personnel just like Erv and Strickland can when they are the wing, just in different ways.

I'd like to do exactly what we were doing only throw in some no huddle fast tempo series randomly.

Since we don't need to sub as much, moving fast with the option/xback stuff would be that much more devastating.

 

[GoSU96]

Another note, looks like one base play is the triple option out of the pistol wing.

They have hit twice on the deep post with play action out of this look and also run out of it. I heard Matt Park call it the freeze option which isn't accurate. It's a little reminiscent of the play action deep post that George had but there are some differences. The mid line run is from the TB, not the fullback, and then instead of faking to the FB and then pushing down the line and then pulling up, the fake is to the TB and then a pretty immediate throw down the middle of the field.

With Deleone, the QB would go down the line with the TB and then pull up about where the OT was and then step back and launch it.

They have also had some successful runs with it but the pitch is deep. What's interesting is that at least once Estime lined up as a second wing position and ran the triple option out of double wing instead of a single wing set.

 

[CuseOnly]

Thought I'd start a thread just to have a place for people to throw in thoughts and observations

With Erv coming back I'd like to see:

WR: Ishmael, Estime, Lewis
AC, Avant

TB, Morris, McFarland, Fredricks - just play them in a rotation.

Wing - Phillips, Strickland - same deal as above,

TE - Parris,
Moore
Cam - if they want to go big in short yardage, second TE.

Custis - like to see him used more and as a flex player. Give him a set of plays to line up at WR or as the 2nd TE. Would love to see them break out the 2012 4 option play with him getting the quick pop pass like Wales did.

To me Lewis and Custis can be used to vary formations with the same personnel just like Erv and Strickland can when they are the wing, just in different ways.

Lewis doesn't play WR any more, he is 2nd team XB.

 

[GoSU96]

Lewis doesn't play WR any more, he is 2nd team XB.

Hence the first comment.

 

[anomander]

I like it. I like the option/zone read wrinkle.

Wish they would run the option with Strickland, not Lewis, and when he ran that interesting counter with Lewis, that it was Strickland. I
'd actually like to see Lewis moved to the 3rd WR, and move Strickland up a notch as Erv's back up. The kid just has it. He's an explosive playmaker who needs as many plays as he can get. Nothing against Lewis I think he is a very good WR, and one of the best on the team. He just isn't the natural fit for the position that Erv, Strickland, and eventually Neal are.

Wouldn't mind seeing a couple more shots down the field to Ish, or Bris. I'd like to check the percentages, but it seems almost every attempt has been a completion or PI.

Need to get Custis more involved. Seems to be more of a TE though. Wouldn't mind seeing him bulk up next year and make a run for starting TE. Would give us a huge upgrade athletically.

More Fredericks. Would prefer him get the bulk of the carries, and then Morris/McFarlande split the rest of the carries.

All in all I like the offense, and feel Lester calls a smooth game.

 

[upperdeck]

the way lewis blocks he can almost become a TE in some sets which creates a mismatch if teams dont swap out

 

[Rocco]

This option zone read is going to cause fits for opposing DC's all year if we can continue running it with great execution like we have been. I just love the fact we're completing long ball throws in single coverage.

I agree about Lewey back to WR. We have enough options at XB once Erv is back.

WR:

Ish needs more mid range targets and deep jump balls. He has incredible hands.
I love how they are using Bris. Keep using his speed to get down the field and open up the run.
Lewis is such a gamer. I love him as a receiver and blocker only, not a runner. He can run crisp routes and catches the ball.
Disappointed with AC.
Custis needs to get more jump balls and should always be on the field in the red zone to simply with the safety.

XB:

Will be great to get a healthy Erv back. He is so freaking dynamic and is a playmaker.
Very impressed with Strickland and has a knack for making the big play. That is something that can't be taught.

TE:

Not sure what is going on here, but I really like Moore better than Parris. Moore is much faster and can open up the mid-range passing lanes.

RB:

Fredericks needs to get the bulk of the carries, followed by MacFarlane, then Morris. The kid has vision and will continue to improve with a heavier workload, something you can't say about the other 2.


I like what Lester is doing right now, especially having already played 4 qb's in 4 games. 3-1 is right where I thought we would be and it's fun to think about what would've happened had Dungey been healthy for the LSU game. We had many opportunities to score more than 24 points. I want to see more of the triple option just to keep the safeties honest. Love the occasional deep ball and expect to see more of that once Dungey is back in the mix. Hats off to Mahoney for how he played on Saturday. I was ready to remortgage my house on LSU -23.

 

[SWC75]

I just want to see Erv and Brisley out there together. Greased lightening.

 

[BlackKnight76]

Very encouraged by the offense, and with Hunt/Dungey/Erv injuries, Lester's had a hand tied behind his back. The fact that we were able to score at least passably well against LSU makes me very excited going forward. We probably won't see a better defense the rest of the year.

 

[Crusty]

Another note, looks like one base play is the triple option out of the pistol wing.

They have hit twice on the deep post with play action out of this look and also run out of it. I heard Matt Park call it the freeze option which isn't accurate. It's a little reminiscent of the play action deep post that George had but there are some differences. The mid line run is from the TB, not the fullback, and then instead of faking to the FB and then pushing down the line and then pulling up, the fake is to the TB and then a pretty immediate throw down the middle of the field.

With Deleone, the QB would go down the line with the TB and then pull up about where the OT was and then step back and launch it.

They have also had some successful runs with it but the pitch is deep. What's interesting is that at least once Estime lined up as a second wing position and ran the triple option out of double wing instead of a single wing set.

Absolutely correct - it is not a freeze option. We have to be prepared for some fumbles that will look bad when they happen because putting the ball on the ground will happen with option football. Just part of the deal.

I like Lewis in the wing where he can block or release into the seam. I don't bank on Parris catching whatever is thrown his way - I think he has dropped more than he has caught. Lewis cathes catchable balls. Moore doesn't have great hands either.

I love this double wing formation. It gives defenses so much to think about. Seems to be a nightmare for linebackers.
We are throwing more to the middle of the field as the seam seems to be bigger. Don't remember seeing receivers this open since Alec.

We have kids running this offense and we haven't even seen the whole playbook. We should get better each week.

 

[RMH44]

This option zone read is going to cause fits for opposing DC's all year if we can continue running it with great execution like we have been. I just love the fact we're completing long ball throws in single coverage.

I agree about Lewey back to WR. We have enough options at XB once Erv is back.

WR:

Ish needs more mid range targets and deep jump balls. He has incredible hands.
I love how they are using Bris. Keep using his speed to get down the field and open up the run.
Lewis is such a gamer. I love him as a receiver and blocker only, not a runner. He can run crisp routes and catches the ball.
Disappointed with AC.
Custis needs to get more jump balls and should always be on the field in the red zone to simply with the safety.

XB:

Will be great to get a healthy Erv back. He is so freaking dynamic and is a playmaker.
Very impressed with Strickland and has a knack for making the big play. That is something that can't be taught.

TE:

Not sure what is going on here, but I really like Moore better than Parris. Moore is much faster and can open up the mid-range passing lanes.

RB:

Fredericks needs to get the bulk of the carries, followed by MacFarlane, then Morris. The kid has vision and will continue to improve with a heavier workload, something you can't say about the other 2.


I like what Lester is doing right now, especially having already played 4 qb's in 4 games. 3-1 is right where I thought we would be and it's fun to think about what would've happened had Dungey been healthy for the LSU game. We had many opportunities to score more than 24 points. I want to see more of the triple option just to keep the safeties honest. Love the occasional deep ball and expect to see more of that once Dungey is back in the mix. Hats off to Mahoney for how he played on Saturday. I was ready to remortgage my house on LSU -23.

I agree with most of this with a couple of exceptions:

WR - I think many here over estimate Ish's ability to get behind DB's. He is much more of a possession receiver (think Marcus Sales) than a deep threat. Great route runner, great hands and very good blocker. He definitely has a chance to play on Sundays but more of a slot receiver. I've never understood the high expectations many have had for AV over the years. He is what he is.

EDIT...I wonder what is going on with Custis and Enoicy? I realize JC has been a factor in he red zone but why not use him more between the 20's? We heard great things about AE before his injury last year. Is he a good fit for this offense?

TE- I really hope that Dunk proves to be the real deal now that he's been cleared to practice. I'd love to see Lester implement some TE seam routes.

RB - Agree about Fredericks, he can be special. In limited carries, I think Morris had a great game against LSU. I really liked his pad level and his push after contact...hopefully, this is his new normal.

 

[Crusty]

I agree with most of this with a couple of exceptions:

WR - I think many here over estimate Ish's ability to get behind DB's. He is much more of a possession receiver (think Marcus Sales) than a deep threat. Great route runner, great hands and very good blocker. He definitely has a chance to play on Sundays but more of a slot receiver. I've never understood the high expectations many have had for AV over the years. He is what he is.

TE- I really hope that Dunk proves to be the real deal now that he's been cleared to practice. I'd love to see Lester implement some TE seam routes.

RB - Agree about Fredericks, he can be special. In limited carries, I think Morris had a great game against LSU. I really liked his pad level and his push after contact...hopefully, this is his new normal.

There have been plenty of seam routes but the TEs drop the ball more than they catch it!

 

[TheCusian]

I agree with most of this with a couple of exceptions: WR - I think many here over estimate Ish's ability to get behind DB's. He is much more of a possession receiver (think Marcus Sales) than a deep threat. Great route runner, great hands and very good blocker. He definitely has a chance to play on Sundays but more of a slot receiver. I've never understood the high expectations many have had for AV over the years. He is what he is. TE- I really hope that Dunk proves to be the real deal now that he's been cleared to practice. I'd love to see Lester implement some TE seam routes. RB - Agree about Fredericks, he can be special. In limited carries, I think Morris had a great game against LSU. I really liked his pad level and his push after contact...hopefully, this is his new normal.

Parris had 4 catches for 32 vs LSU. I think the TE pass game is quietly already in play.

 

[RMH44]

There have been plenty of seam routes but the TEs drop the ball more than they catch it!

Good point about dropped passes but I've seen a lot of TE routes in the flats but not too many down the seam.

 

[Doc5120]

I'd like to see Lewis moved to WR, which would put Strickland as the 2nd h-back.

And more Custis please. He's only getting involved when we're in a goal to go situation. The couple of times we've gone to him, he's able to get some separation. I think he'd be a great weapon as a big bodied WR or at TE. He looks like a heck of an athlete to me. The over the shoulder catch he made (even though it was out of bounds) was not an easy one.

Healthy Dungey and healthy Erv should really take this offense to another level beginning next week. Can't wait to see it!

 

[upperdeck]

hopefully as the play execution gets better we run more plays and thus more people see time. we have given away the 3rd quarter in 3 games hardly being on the field. we need to fix that as its probably 30 less plays we have run right there.

 

[TheCusian]

People who want to move Lewis are missing that he does everything besides running better than anyone else in the XB position.

It's s complex position and I'm not sure Strickland has a handle on all of the stuff Lewis does better than him.

Erv is really dynamic at running and catching - and merely good at blocking, etc.

 

[Crusty]

Good point about dropped passes but I've seen a lot of TE routes in the flats but not too many down the seam.

Semantics and definitional to some degree. Technically, any pass thrown between two zone defenders can be a seam pass. A pass in the flat between a CB and LB could be called a seam. I think you are referring to routes between LB and safties. Parris runs those often and Mahoney in particular targeted him there several times in the LSU game. I would rather see Lewis running those.

 

[Crusty]

hopefully as the play execution gets better we run more plays and thus more people see time. we have given away the 3rd quarter in 3 games hardly being on the field. we need to fix that as its probably 30 less plays we have run right there.

I think it will get better. Our last drive was something like 15 plays. We actually had more TOP than LSU, I believe.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

People who want to move Lewis are missing that he does everything besides running better than anyone else in the XB position.

It's s complex position and I'm not sure Strickland has a handle on all of the stuff Lewis does better than him.

Erv is really dynamic at running and catching - and merely good at blocking, etc.

Agreed, there is more than to the game than just SPEED to make an offense work. We all get that running Ben wide isn't a great play but everywhere else in that spot he's a nice asset. Between him and Phillips offense should be able to exploit what D gives us there.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

People who want to move Lewis are missing that he does everything besides running better than anyone else in the XB position.

It's s complex position and I'm not sure Strickland has a handle on all of the stuff Lewis does better than him.

Erv is really dynamic at running and catching - and merely good at blocking, etc.

Lewis is really good at grinding out a few yards once the contact comes. Seems like he slips free or muscles his way forward on every other reception. He's a football player.

 

[sutomcat]

I'd like to do exactly what we were doing only throw in some no huddle fast tempo series randomly.

Since we don't need to sub as much, moving fast with the option/xback stuff would be that much more devastating.

Can't say why, but I am quite sure we will see fast tempo at some point this season. It will be interesting to see when it gets deployed first. There are still some wrinkles we haven't seen yet.

 

[upperdeck]

Semantics and definitional to some degree. Technically, any pass thrown between two zone defenders can be a seam pass. A pass in the flat between a CB and LB could be called a seam. I think you are referring to routes between LB and safties. Parris runs those often and Mahoney in particular targeted him there several times in the LSU game. I would rather see Lewis running those.

i thought seem passes were normally north south plays?

 

[TheCusian]

Can't say why, but I am quite sure we will see fast tempo at some point this season. It will be interesting to see when it gets deployed first. There are still some wrinkles we haven't seen yet.

It's really set up to go fast... The XB is so versatile we don't need to sub. Defense is on its heels when we do huddle... I think it could be really really effective.

I wonder if we were set to use it more with Hunt but have taken it slower because of inexperience at QB.