Running back outlet in the Passing game
Pass protection has seemed to be a recurring issue. Somewhat thankfully now though, it's mainly from a blitz pickup standpoint...Whereas before there were also a lot of instances of pressure from the basic D-line.
Teams are showing a tendency to just send a backer and gamble on meeting the running backs at the mesh point, no matter if it's a running play or not. The RB has to then block them coming at full speed if it's a pass.
Leaking a back like Turner (and Evans last year) and his quick athleticism out in space, in the flat, rather than staying in to block, seems much more advantageous to the offense.
It gives the QB more room to operate and also another outlet receiver. The safety's have to keep an eye on that threat too, in case the assuredly slower LBs have a problems.
Wisconsin's D is very susceptible to this. I saw PSU use it a lot when Saquon was there (OSU also, but not quite as much).
He would just run out and stand by the sideline perpendicular with Trace and I would think how in the world is someone not covering him of all players. The answer is that you really can't.
I'm sure this is a wrinkle to the offense Gattis brought with him and we'll see it on Saturday, now that the tackles seemed to have earned some trust.
September 18th, 2019 at 8:29 AM ^
Yea, if we could only recruit and develop our own QB's like Oklahoma with Baker and Jalen Hurts....
September 17th, 2019 at 4:35 PM ^
I think we're going to see from Wisky more of what we saw from Army and MTSU...defenses to try and force scrambling by the QB.
September 17th, 2019 at 4:50 PM ^
I agree - pass protection is this team's current weakness. Wisconsin is going to bring the house. Hopefully, Coach Ed and Coach Jay had a very productive bye week on pass pro improvements.
September 17th, 2019 at 5:26 PM ^
Bubble screens and fades.
September 17th, 2019 at 6:35 PM ^
When they bring the house it'll be our RBs against Corners occupied with WRs and Safeties 15 yds down the field.
September 17th, 2019 at 4:58 PM ^
What QB? We play both at the same time.
September 17th, 2019 at 4:58 PM ^
Harbaugh coached in the NFL. He can adjust.
September 17th, 2019 at 5:10 PM ^
it seems to me like the army game is the outlier here aside from the turnovers of course which is of course why I think Jim Harbaugh went with a very conservative game plan against Army on offense. It's like he I was saying okay let's not turn the ball over shoot ourselves in the foot let's trust our talent to win this weird-ass game that we are in very real danger of losing. his internal monologue was telling him just get through this look at by week and let's readjust. The a win is a win attitude kind of sucks in regards to a position to be in however it's better than a loss. I do think we have problems particulate turning the freaking ball over though. I'm starting to Hope Joe Milton is an option LOL
September 17th, 2019 at 5:32 PM ^
Scintillating analysis you should email the staff, because...
September 17th, 2019 at 5:41 PM ^
And here I thought this was going to be a post about how UW has decided to further weaponize Taylor against us this weekend. I'm having nightmares about tunnel screens...
September 17th, 2019 at 5:48 PM ^
Never go full retard... on every offensive play where the RB reads no pass pro required...he leaks
September 17th, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
And you still did it. Can't think of any better reminder you could've given yourself.
If he stays to read, 9/10 it will be required. That's their strategy. That's been mostly everyone's strategy against us.
Make the RB stay close to the QB and pay attention to the blitzer, instead of the LB having to cover the RB.
September 17th, 2019 at 7:47 PM ^
This. We don’t dictate. Watching our LBs chasing Barkley and Weber should have lit the lightbulb. Force the defense to defend and it has the added benefit of less bodies in the box, meaning less congestion so the the QB can have and see open rushing lanes.
September 17th, 2019 at 7:49 PM ^
In other words, more “Speed In Space”.
September 17th, 2019 at 6:02 PM ^
They've had 2 weeks now to do 2 things. First and foremost (hopefully) get healthy. Second, they have 2 games worth of stuff on tape to go through to figure out their misses. Now, after these 2 weeks if we're seeing the same old shit. Then it's time to panic. It doesn't have to be perfect or even great. Just significantly better.
September 17th, 2019 at 6:40 PM ^
September 17th, 2019 at 7:53 PM ^
I’m convinced the offense will be vastly improved if the QB would just take the free yards by immediately throwing to the receiver with huge cushions in coverage. Those plays build rhythm, and many times are one broken tackle away from a big play.
September 17th, 2019 at 9:12 PM ^
Innovative schemes are for pussies. We're Michigan and we are better than you. Try and stop our 50 dive plays per game. We laugh at your 9 man box. We prefer you put all 11 up front so that we can run right through them all at one time. Both speed and space are overrated. We prefer dumb brute strength over all.
September 17th, 2019 at 10:41 PM ^
I'd think alot of times a rb is neccessary to stop your qb from getting blasted on the blitz. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing them hit the rb on a quick flat to counter that sometimes. Chris Evans was/is/would be great for that ?