Lu and DMoney: Thoughts on the Offense?

[LuCane]

We did enough to win the game and everyone was happy. I'm hesitant to conclude much because it's so early in the season and in Coley's tenure. I can't offer you anything different than what most people have already mentioned:

Observation --> In terms of results, we have mostly avoided the middle of the field for our 2 games.
Observation --> This has been a constant issue with various explanations during Morris' tenure as QB.
Observation --> We played very conservatively on 1st and sometimes 2nd down, which put us in really rough spots on 3rd down (as has been discussed).
Observation --> Our offense looks "dink and dunk" right now.
Observation --> FSU's offense looked "dink and dunk" last year.
Observation --> For everyone who yelled "hey, we ran for 300 yards!!!" against FAU, some of the same problems that showed up in run situations were evident mostly throughout the UF game.
Observation --> A lot of those problems have to do with guys going east and west.
Observation --> UF had a nasty DLine that probably made our stuff look about as bad as it's going to look.
Observation --> We don't really face anyone built like UF again.

I'm not getting into more because I can see where this is headed and rather not deal with it.

 

[drifters1234]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

 

[NorthFlaCane]

On one of Morris' 3rd down prayers to Dorsett down the sideline he had two different crossing routes wide open underneath that would have likely gotten the 1st. I think this was in the 3rd quarter.

On Powell's sack he was blocked by Henderson, then went inside and it looked like Henderson expected someone else to pick him up because he didn't attempt to block him any further.

On Morris' pick, and an earlier throw to Hurns that was incomplete, he skied the ball over the receiver's head.

There's a lot of confusion and a lack of technique with our offense right now.Simply going through his progressions and maintaining good footwork will improve this offense a helluva lot. The oline also has to communicate better, and McDermott needs to get his act together.

 

[AlexCane]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

Fair point. But if their front 7 > our front 7, maybe we avoid the tight sets.

 

[drifters1234]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

Fair point. But if their front 7 > our front 7, maybe we avoid the tight sets.

actually, i was being sarcastic. I thought the "commitment to the run" argument last year was ridculous. the reason Fisch didn't run as much as people claimed he should is because our OL could not get a good push against even lower tier competition. that's why his runs were often based on misdirection and trickery. he didn't trust our OL to push the DL back. and i thought he was right.

we saw the same problem with FAU this year.

I am not defending Coley's play calling -- run left on 1st, right on 2nd, then pass. It was dreadful to watch. I was screaming at the TV, wondering why he wouldn't pass it on first down (****, the announcers were saying the same thing), especially a drag route or a short hitch, something.

the only thing i can come up with is that he was scared that Morris was going to throw an interception. and there's some support for that position; as a poster above mentioned, Morris appeared to decide where he was going to throw the ball pre-snap. he did not check down at all that i can recall.

hopefully, this gets worked out as we move along.

 

[NorthFlaCane]

the inability of our Oline to run power is inexcusable given our experience, depth, and physical maturity

 

[MIA42178]

Our D won the game Saturday
At some point, the O is going to have to win the game for us. Probably GT.
they can do it. Did it last year.

 

[rok]

McDermott is a huge liability. He's just not powerful enough and got dominated. Linder seems to be the only guy that can win battles consistently at the point of attack.

 

[UMJer026]

I don't have Lu or D's eye for X's and O's, but I re-watched most of the game yesterday, and I made some notes:

- The play calling in the first half seemed ok. We were actually able to run the ball, which made all the difference in the world. In the first possession, we ran 9 plays--4 rushes and 5 passes. There was balance and a decent flow. Duke had two runs for 10+ yards AND two catches for 5+ yards. The next possession was 3-and-out. Morris had time to throw (from the pocket) on 2nd and 3rd down. 2nd down was the one that hurt, as he had Dorsett open on a quick 8-9 yard hitch but the throw was high. He's gotta make a better throw there. 3rd down was a waste. We had two receivers running routes right into each other in the middle of the field and Morris tried to hit Dorsett who was isolated on the corner (but not open).

- The next possession was the Dorsett TD. It obviously ended well, but IMO it was keyed by the balance. We came out running, and again Duke had some success, 5 yards here, 6 there. That gave Morris 2nd and shorts and 3rd and shorts which we converted (looking back, that was actually the only 3rd down we converted, incredible). The TD came on a 1st and 10 from midfield. We had run the ball on the three preceding first downs, so the safety bit on the play action, and Dorsett ran right by him. Not counting the Dorsett TD, all the throws were in the flats, nothing in the middle of the field.

- We only had the ball two more times in the second quarter, each a three-and-out. The first possession ended with two holding penalties and a 3rd and forever, and the second was three straight incompletions. The first two were on designed roll-outs, one was short, the other should have been picked (he was trying to hit Dorsett on a drag but there were 3 defenders in the area). The third down play was from the pocket and he tried to hit Waters on a post. Waters was well covered. It looked to me like Walford was open on 3rd down, but Morris made a poor read. Morris looked flustered, but the play calls didn't help much. This was the only drive in the game where we actually tried to use the middle of the field. Morris made two poor decisions, one that should have resulted in a pick.

- The first two possessions of the second half were a disaster. Run on 1st and 2nd for no yards then nothing on 3rd and long. It didn't look like anything was open on those plays, but I'm not expecting much on third and long against an elite defense. Then the next possession we go play action on first down and hit Walford in the flat who makes a guy miss and gets a first down. But then it's more of the same, 1st down run loses 6 yards and 2nd and 3rd down are garbage. A roll-out on 2nd and a 3rd and long sack. Nothing in the shallow middle or underneath.

- The next drive we came out throwing and had some success. 1st down to Waters goes for 7 then a simple hitch to Hurns breaks for 35 yards. We rush to get another play off and Duke crashes into the line for a 1-yard loss. 2nd down we complete another hitch to Hurns for about 7 yards, but then 3rd and a manageable 4 is another one of those atrocious roll-outs where Morris throws it to no one.

- 4th quarter now...1st and 20, Morris reads the corner blitz and tries to hit Dorsett, who isn't looking. After the ridiculous reverse we're in 3rd and 25 and Morris overthrows an open Dorsett. I think he just missed him. Not much after that. One more possession where we run for nothing on 1st down, go incomplete on 2nd, and run a safe draw on 3rd. And then the goal line possession where we got bailed out by the PI call.

So, I think it was a combination of trying (and not being able to) run the ball on early downs, Coley trying to protect a shaky Morris with safe throws (dividing the field in half with all those roll-outs), and Morris just flat out missing some throws. And of course a very strong defense. We were constantly in poor down and distance situations. But there was no flow whatsoever. The few times we threw the ball on early downs we had some success. I would have liked to see more first down passes, some screens, and more touches for Duke out of the backfield. Also some shallow underneath routes for positive yardage. And please, use the tight ends!

Let's see where Coley goes from here. I do believe that was the best defense we'll see all year. So things should only get easier.

 

[LuCane]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

Their front 4 was working our 5OL. You can spread them out all you want. They weren't necessarily making plays because of extra guys. Has nothing to do with "committing to the run."

 

[AlexCane]

- We only had the ball two more times in the second quarter, each a three-and-out. The first possession ended with two holding penalties and a 3rd and forever, and the second was three straight incompletions. The first two were on designed roll-outs, one was short, the other should have been picked (he was trying to hit Dorsett on a drag but there were 3 defenders in the area). The third down play was from the pocket and he tried to hit Waters on a post. Waters was well covered. It looked to me like Walford was open on 3rd down, but Morris made a poor read. Morris looked flustered, but the play calls didn't help much. This was the only drive in the game where we actually tried to use the middle of the field. Morris made two poor decisions, one that should have resulted in a pick.

This is the play I referenced earlier with DiegoCane. Great post.

 

[dudenate]

Coley - new offensive coordinator. He is new to the players and them to him...their strengths/weaknesses/tendencies, etc. His first game, ever, calling plays was last week. His second game, ever, calling plays was against a very good D.

IMO, gotta give him a little more time to get acclimated to these players and calling plays. Granted, he had fall camp and a good amount of practices...but I think we'll see more continuity (and better results) pretty soon. Savannah St. and usf hopefully should help foster some of this time and continuity.

 

[AlexCane]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

Their front 4 was working our 5OL. You can spread them out all you want. They weren't necessarily making plays because of extra guys. Has nothing to do with "committing to the run."

Lu: question ... IIRC, after 1st Q, Duke had 15 carries for 20 yards (or something anemic like that). If you're consistently running into 8 and 9 man fronts by going 2 wide, do you try to offset that by spreading out D? Because the constant, repetitive nature of trying to run from those formations had me frustrated.

 

[RiDLer80]

Great right up Jer.

It really seemed like Coley was trying to protect Morris with his play-calling. That's not something that I want to see with an experienced senior quarterback, but I can understand it considering Florida has elite defensive talent and he's seen them numerous times while at FSU.

I still think Coley could have been more aggressive without exposing Morris to mistake opportunities by some short to intermediate throws on early downs to keep the defense guessing.

 

[rok]

Coley also deserves some credit. On the first TD he recognized Waters matched up with a safety and called the perfect play. On Dorsett's TD he noticed Easley was out of the game and went play action, something he probably wasn't comfortable doing with Easley on the field.

 

[sitzee]

with Duke's speed & agility, Coley should have something up his sleeve if we can't run the ball between the tackles.... We moved the ball on 2 of our first 3 possessions, and Morris was
pretty accurate with his throws... I understand how good that Defense was, but our Offense was supposed to be Explosive with all our playmakers, & the Offensive line was supposed to be our strength.... We're a better Offense than that, I put the blame on Coley, I really hope he starts to use these kids to compliment their abilities....

 

[DCF in LA]

If Coley is already having to protect Morris from the middle of the field, because he's worried about him not making the right decision, that should tell you all you need to know.

I still love his arm strength and willingness to take shots, but he's still airmailing and skipping passes as a senior. You can't have that and attack the middle of the field consistently, too many bad things can happen. Gotta be accurate beyond all else between the hashes, but clearly that's not Morris' strength as a thrower. It is what it is, to use a cliche.

It absolutely limits the WR route trees and plays that Coley draws up, but if our defense is going to play this well all year, we can probably live with it and still win the ACC. Real talk.

 

[bobbydigius]

Also, I'm curious as to why we kept trying to run the ball with big formations, permitting Florida to have 7, 8 in the box, instead of trying to space them out a bit and give Duke some more space to run. It seemed like we were in a lot of 2 WR sets.

Because the coach was listening to all the posters who claim we didn't "commit to the run" last year.

Their front 4 was working our 5OL. You can spread them out all you want. They weren't necessarily making plays because of extra guys. Has nothing to do with "committing to the run."

Lu: question ... IIRC, after 1st Q, Duke had 15 carries for 20 yards (or something anemic like that). If you're consistently running into 8 and 9 man fronts by going 2 wide, do you try to offset that by spreading out D? Because the constant, repetitive nature of trying to run from those formations had me frustrated.

The thing was that while they had 7 or 8 in the box on many occasions, they really didn't need to because their front 4 especially Powelll and Easley were causing more than enough trouble for us. It looked like we were bunching up their defenders and trying to play mistake free ball. You spread them out and all that means is more players roaming for a pick.

 

[DCF in LA]

Also, Morris is a very poor screen pass thrower. He doesn't sell it properly and often throws it into traffic, even if his back is covered. Did that last year and did it again Saturday.

 

[bobbydigius]

with Duke's speed & agility, Coley should have something up his sleeve if we can't run the ball between the tackles.... We moved the ball on 2 of our first 3 possessions, and Morris was
pretty accurate with his throws... I understand how good that Defense was, but our Offense was supposed to be Explosive with all our playmakers, & the Offensive line was supposed to be our strength.... We're a better Offense than that, I put the blame on Coley, I really hope he starts to use these kids to compliment their abilities....

I think it was just another example of the home board completely overrating the talent their team has. Our offensive talent is very good but not this top 20 national unit. Duke is a beast but he isn't a in between the tackles type runner yet. Our WR are all solid but who is that guy that can make a crucial play when we need it? Obviously Coley has the talent but it was only his second game going up future 1st and 2nd rounders. I'm gonna get killed for this I'm sure but expect much of the same when we play against FSU, the only thing that I hope to see is enough improvement where we arent completely stone walled against the like of a UNC. None of this should really come as a surprise to any of us. We played 3 top 15 programs last year and our offense got owned in those games. Even UNC held us in check. Let us see what happens but this isn't a Coley thing, we saw much of the same last year.