play calling

[Hoofprint]

For the most part, the gameplan was as creative and diverse as I've seen in .... forever. Running game was more effective than I can remember since Dickerson-James era. (No, i'm not comparing Briggs and Kincade to the Pony Express, but they looked terrific last night).

My question is this: Why is it that we threw zero passes to Freeman, one to Billy Ford, one to Jay Taylor - and that was a last-minute desparation heave? If we have all these weapons, and spread the ball around, doesn't that soften the defense even more?

[graypony]

In regard to the play calling, I think that our offense is much more effective when we are running the ball well. If we don't run well, then it can be tougn. So many other things seemed to open up when we run well. Some offenses like Florida's, seem to do ok without much of a running game.

I have wondered about your second observation. It seems that way to me, too. Although, it seems much of our passing is possession type, move the chains kind of passing. Thus, Cunningham & Hampton, not the speed merchants #'s 83, 15, or 5. Maybe that is why we beat teams in first downs and not points. We are making possession type of passes and they are going long. Actually, they are not scoring by going long. They do it by returning our fumbles and int's for TD's. I would really like to see one of those three get the ball in their hands downfield, some. I think that threat, if it were real, would open so much more of the offense.

[This message has been edited by graypony (edited 09-23-2001).]

[MustangMom]

For the very first time in two years, I thought the play calling was great! Misdirection, mixing it up and some LONG passes! Congratulations and keep it up!

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Go Mustangs!!
-MustangMom

[DiamondM]

I did like some of the calls, but was very very disappointed at two critical series. First, end of the half. Yes, on the very last play a knee was appropriate, BUT that was ONLY because the two previous plays were essentially equivalent to taking the knee. We had a little over a minute to go 40-45 yard to get at least a shot at a field goal. Even if we had made it, it would have shown the players and the fans that the coaching staff wanted to win, not just be satisfied with a precarious 3 point lead at half.

Second, and most critically, With 3:30 left on the clock needing two scores (which was not out of the question) we had to score QUICKLY!! And what did we do? We ran 5 yard swing passes for minimal gain, leaving a hail Mary as the only, meaningless option on the last play. Also had to blow a timeout when the clock was stopped. That is again coaching. And could our Offensive coaching staff maybe have taught the no huddle, hurry up?

We can't ignore these elements of an otherwise good game and forget that, in general, Cavan just hasn't shown he's got IT, whatever IT is. I worry that a couple of gutty performances might produce a repeat of the Shumate disaster, when the year his contract was up, his players produced a great season despite him, but that got him a multiyear extension.