Lester's Offense

[RMH44]

i thought seem passes were normally north south plays?

Me too...usually run between the hash marks

 

[Ringostar57]

TE seam routes keep the outside linebackers in freeing up the outside edge and if theDE comes inside suddenly on the pitch there is a lot more space for the RB to work.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

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.

My hope is this is something that happens next season. Dungey/Long/Mahoney will all have a year knowing the system.

 

[TheCusian]

My hope is this is something that happens next season. Dungey/Long/Mahoney will all have a year knowing the system.

Yeah - def danger in running it too soon. Would be great to bust it out on Dabo at home this year.

 

[Chip]

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.

I'm not being argumentative, more curious. What's the prototype for that position? Or is there even one?

We have 3 different types of players there today. Erv is the short, quick, receiver type. Strickland is more of a running back style, Lewis is more of a WR/TE hybrid type.

There isn't a bad player in that group. No one is trying to get Lewis off the field. It's actually a good problem to have that people would like to see more of all 3 of them.

 

[Millhouse]

I'm not being argumentative, more curious. What's the prototype for that position? Or is there even one?

We have 3 different types of players there today. Erv is the short, quick, receiver type. Strickland is more of a running back style, Lewis is more of a WR/TE hybrid type.

There isn't a bad player in that group. No one is trying to get Lewis off the field. It's actually a good problem to have that people would like to see more of all 3 of them.

does lewis need to get carries for this offense to work? i think the answer is no. there is plenty of options to move guys around even if lewis is used as a hybrid WR/TE/FB

 

[TheCusian]

I'm not being argumentative, more curious. What's the prototype for that position? Or is there even one? We have 3 different types of players there today. Erv is the short, quick, receiver type. Strickland is more of a running back style, Lewis is more of a WR/TE hybrid type. There isn't a bad player in that group. No one is trying to get Lewis off the field. It's actually a good problem to have that people would like to see more of all 3 of them.

They do a lot.

So the first requirement is a high football IQ. The ability to absorb the playbook and know the calls (Lester has a set of the call just for them each play).

Lots of blocking. So sound technique or size helps. (Lewis excels here, Erv is good enough - not sure on Strickland)

Route running (slot reciever/RB wheel routes). Understanding the route tree, running precise routes, hands, etc. (Lewis excels, Erv is good, Strickland can catch and is fluid. Don't know about routes)

Running. Lots of end arounds, jet sweeps, inside runs. (Lewis is slower than the other two and lacks the dynamic moves and cuts. Erv is great and Strickland looks almost as good)

So - to answer your question. No. I think it's really rare to be all of those things. But I think the position changes depending on who's playing it. While we've seen runs with Lewis, I think this nearly always a set up and not meant as a chunk play. With Erv/Strickland I'd bet we see lots of yardage - esp once people are afraid of Dungey's arm.

 

[upperdeck]

what we dont know is how much of the play call is being changed by what the QB reads. for all we know the D knows if we line up a certain way they can force the play to change to a run by Lewis.. Lester has not really revealed how much of the play is pre-ordained and how much is on the fly.

 

[TheCusian]

does lewis need to get carries for this offense to work? i think the answer is no. there is plenty of options to move guys around even if lewis is used as a hybrid WR/TE/FB

I think it's to set up stuff when he runs it. It's been rare since Erv's been out (2-3 runs in 3 games?).

I think with Erv back, you'll see that positions plays expand to more running.

A three pronged attack:

- the option (sometimes with XB sometimes RB sometimes all three)
- the XB jet sweeps and running
- passing out of the same look with short timing routes and deep plays predicated on setups from running game

 

[TheCusian]

And all of that with tempo could be really interesting

 

[baggerbob]

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

Like the 3rd WR, especially because Lewis runs good routes, and has good hands. He is the type of receiver who will move the chains, and frustrate other teams DC's.

 

[Ottoble]

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.

I'd actually consider Custis for TE or XB depending on his speed.

 

[Ottoble]

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.

And all of that with tempo could be really interesting

I think Lester/HCSS are erring towards ball control timing to keep our Defense off the field as well rested as possible.
We did seem to be moving the ball well with tempo when we were working on the comeback against LSU, and I do love what tempo football brings to the table.

I would think maybe if you mix it in, tempo only comes out after two consecutive 3 and outs forced by our defense or a short possession turnover forced by our defense or something like that. That way our defense is going to be as rested and fired up as possible and the opponent's is going to be as tired and off balance as possible. Agreed though, if you mix in a few drives per game of tempo it is going to screw with the opposing defense and a DC's substitution patterns.

You could probably also have the GA's track the opponents substitution patterns and only go tempo once the most tired or least experienced players are on the field. Keeping them out there against your 1s.

 

[Millhouse]

I think Lester/HCSS are erring towards ball control timing to keep our Defense off the field as well rested as possible.
We did seem to be moving the ball well with tempo when we were working on the comeback against LSU, and I do love what tempo football brings to the table.

I would think maybe if you mix it in, tempo only comes out after two consecutive 3 and outs forced by our defense or a short possession turnover forced by our defense or something like that. That way our defense is going to be as rested and fired up as possible and the opponent's is going to be as tired and off balance as possible. Agreed though, if you mix in a few drives per game of tempo it is going to screw with the opposing defense and a DC's substitution patterns.

You could probably also have the GA's track the opponents substitution patterns and only go tempo once the most tired or least experienced players are on the field. Keeping them out there against your 1s.

we are getting outgained in yards per play against FBS schools. maybe they think that they're too young for hurry up no huddle to make up that gap. so they white knuckle until it can make a difference.

next year might be a different story

 

[upperdeck]

we are getting outgained in yards per play against FBS schools. maybe they think that they're too young for hurry up no huddle to make up that gap. so they white knuckle until it can make a difference.

next year might be a different story

the question is how much of YPP is being adjusted because of QB issues. we know that when Dungey took over we were slow to throw stuff at him, suddenly at the end of the wake game and the first half of the CMU game the yards came in chunks.. then Mahoney/Wilson had the same thing happen. we played it slow and then the second half of the LSU game started move the ball again.

Dungey for 3 quarters of wake/cmu had 400+ yds and for the other 8-9 quarters the team had 250. Which is the norm and which is the anomaly?

What we have seen is that when the QB can make the simple throws we gain yards and that is something we havent done since Nassib left and now we have done it with 2 back QB's in 3 weeks. we have had 50 yd pass plays every week because of scheme who thought that was going to happen?

 

[Crusty]

Me too...usually run between the hash marks

I think the term seam is for any place where two zone seams meet. They are different for different schemes. Quarters are different than thirds etc. I agree that most use the term for the seam over the linebackers but I don't think that it limited to that.

 

[Crusty]

the question is how much of YPP is being adjusted because of QB issues. we know that when Dungey took over we were slow to throw stuff at him, suddenly at the end of the wake game and the first half of the CMU game the yards came in chunks.. then Mahoney/Wilson had the same thing happen. we played it slow and then the second half of the LSU game started move the ball again.

Dungey for 3 quarters of wake/cmu had 400+ yds and for the other 8-9 quarters the team had 250. Which is the norm and which is the anomaly?

What we have seen is that when the QB can make the simple throws we gain yards and that is something we havent done since Nassib left and now we have done it with 2 back QB's in 3 weeks. we have had 50 yd pass plays every week because of scheme who thought that was going to happen?

Lester!

 

[RMH44]

I think the term seam is for any place where two zone seams meet. They are different for different schemes. Quarters are different than thirds etc. I agree that most use the term for the seam over the linebackers but I don't think that it limited to that.

I also think of "seam" routes as being more vertical than simple "outs" or "curls". But then again...I could be way off ;-)

 

[SWC75]

I think Lester/HCSS are erring towards ball control timing to keep our Defense off the field as well rested as possible.
We did seem to be moving the ball well with tempo when we were working on the comeback against LSU, and I do love what tempo football brings to the table.

I would think maybe if you mix it in, tempo only comes out after two consecutive 3 and outs forced by our defense or a short possession turnover forced by our defense or something like that. That way our defense is going to be as rested and fired up as possible and the opponent's is going to be as tired and off balance as possible. Agreed though, if you mix in a few drives per game of tempo it is going to screw with the opposing defense and a DC's substitution patterns.

You could probably also have the GA's track the opponents substitution patterns and only go tempo once the most tired or least experienced players are on the field. Keeping them out there against your 1s.

You can't control tempo unless you get first downs, (see last year). We have big play potential now but we still haven't shown the ability to sustain drives. The good news is that we've just had a peak at this offense, which was just starting to blossom when Dungey got mugged. I think the rest of the season could be very exciting to watch.

 

[GoSU96]

Offensive TD's since 1998

YR    R    P    TDs
1998    34    24    58
1999    18    13    31
2000    27    10    37
2001    28    10    38
2002    30    12    42
2003    27    10    37
2004    23    8    31
2005    11    6    17
2006    8    13    21
2007    5    18    23
2008    11    11    22
2009    15    15    30
2010    13    19    32
2011    10    23    33
2012    21    26    47
2013    25    13    38
2014    12    6    18
2015    4    9    13

This year on pace for 39 TD's in 12 games. If they could keep this up would set a school record with 27 passing TD's. Ironic since this was supposed to be a run first team.

 

[CuseOnly]

Offensive TD's since 1998

YR    R    P    TDs
1998    34    24    58
1999    18    13    31
2000    27    10    37
2001    28    10    38
2002    30    12    42
2003    27    10    37
2004    23    8    31
2005    11    6    17
2006    8    13    21
2007    5    18    23
2008    11    11    22
2009    15    15    30
2010    13    19    32
2011    10    23    33
2012    21    26    47
2013    25    13    38
2014    12    6    18
2015    4    9    13

This year on pace for 39 TD's in 12 games. If they could keep this up would set a school record with 27 passing TD's. Ironic since this was supposed to be a run first team.

I think we get more than 39 TD's this year, just sayin sounds low even looking at the stats above.

 

[RICuse44]

I'm not being argumentative, more curious. What's the prototype for that position? Or is there even one?

We have 3 different types of players there today. Erv is the short, quick, receiver type. Strickland is more of a running back style, Lewis is more of a WR/TE hybrid type.

There isn't a bad player in that group. No one is trying to get Lewis off the field. It's actually a good problem to have that people would like to see more of all 3 of them.

Lester said at the beginning of the year that Broyld's body type was the prototype for the XB. Obviously the between the ears stuff did not work out.