Denard: play calling or running too quickly?
No hating here, just an opinion question...
I thought there looked to be several instances today where he could have thrown the ball, and instead, took off running. Don't get me wrong, I know he's the home-run potential, and he had several nice 6-8 yard gains. I want him to be that option.
- BUT -
I also think that by his 2nd or 3rd time in, the D started keying on the run too much. I felt like, if only he could hit a couple more passes the D would loosen up, making his runs more effective.
Do you think he was play-called all the runs, or do you think he gave up too soon trusting his legs?
September 6th, 2009 at 12:03 AM ^
if by 'running too quickly' you mean: damn, i blinked and he was gone, then yes. :)
if i had his legs, i'd trust them too.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:04 AM ^
As I said in another thread, I think he's tipping the play too quickly. He stared down his hole or receiver before getting the snap on quite a few plays. He'll get better.
The run was also the safe play with the lead, so I'm not that upset with him choosing to run instead during this game.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:32 AM ^
He needs to pull the ball up as if it were a pass and wait for the play to develop. That way he can hit a seam instead of trying to hump it up in there like a RB.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:07 AM ^
As a disclaimer, I don't have enough tactical football intelligence to make real strong claims about this, but...
The commentators on the game mentioned this too, that he tended to rely on the run option and missed some good passing opportunities, and there were some designed QB draws that he didn't let the play develop and was alittle premature in taking off.
This will iron itself out with experience. The coaches will point this out to him on film, and as he has more time to practice in the system (keep in mind he's only been here a few weeks), he'll improve when it comes to decision making and timing.
Can't wait to read the UFR though, esp. relative to Denard's plays as it may shed more light on this.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^
As Brian noted last year, we really don't know if certain plays are designed runs or not, much less if they are designed hand offs or not. There could be a play where Brian may think the zone read was a bad read, but it might have been a called play to either hand it off or not.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
I was under the impression they couldn't practice hard or watch video anymore. Especially tomorrow.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:08 AM ^
DR needs more balance btw pass & run. Otherwise, all opposing defenses will key on DR to run. However, as said elsewhere, I'd love to see DR & Tate in on the same play on occasion. Could really play with the minds of the defense. Also want DR to play as many series as possible, to see if he can get away from running so much. He should play as much of the game as possible vs EMU, Delaware St., Indiana, and any game where we have a 3 td cushion.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:09 AM ^
I could be wrong, but I believe they were in a play or two together early in the game.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:12 AM ^
First play they were in together was the failed end around. I think there were one or two others.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:07 AM ^
I think Denard is his own 2nd and 3rd checkdown.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^
-Denard sees an open spot on the field.-
-Denard throws ball to spot.-
-Denard on the reception!-
-Touchdown!-
September 6th, 2009 at 12:07 AM ^
i'm sure it's just a lot more comfortable for him to keep it right now. once he gets more comfortable w the system i'm sure he'll throw or hand it off more
September 6th, 2009 at 12:08 AM ^
Western seemed to be keying a couple of defenders to him after the TD run. They were looking for the QB run... if he can force opponents to play the pass honestly, he will break teams down.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:15 AM ^
Kind of like Tate did.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:11 AM ^
with the offense and his receivers he'll become more patient in the pocket and throw more.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:14 AM ^
I think he made the call to run on at least some of those quick decisions. There were a few that definitely appeared to be pass plays that he chose to run on. I'm no expert but that's my opinion.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:14 AM ^
If you were thrown infront of 106,000 people, you would do what you do best. RUN. Get the nerves out of the way, gain some experience and Denard will be just fine! :)
September 6th, 2009 at 12:17 AM ^
With that kind of speed you need to use the outside as much as you can. Denard did not do this as most of his runs were straight up the gut. Some of our bigger receivers are good blockers, and that can be used to our advantage.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:56 AM ^
Pssh, screw bigger receivers being good blockers. Did you watch that TD run of his? Odoms laid his guy OUT.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:19 AM ^
This is why true freshman rarely play in college at QB position. Aside from having to develop in S&C programs, they need to work on mechanics, learn how to work on progressions, and learn when to throw it away or scramble for a gain if possible. He has only been on campus for 3.5 weeks. He needs time, but we have seen his potential. Once his passing game develops, we'll have two solid QBs options that make it hard for D-Coordinators to prepare for.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:37 AM ^
Tate seems to be way ahead of where a true freshman should be. We'll see next week, when music plays at a faster pace against ND, but Tate seemed like he's already capable of managing the pace to Mich's advantage.
Give DRob a break. And remember that his TD was a botched play. Both a blessing (he can make something out of nothing) and a curse (would you want to count on a QB making something out of nothing on a regular basis?).
September 6th, 2009 at 12:30 AM ^
I was talking with my buddy and I honestly think we didn't open the playbook AT ALL today. We didn't want to show ND anything...and I think we kept it basic...a la Denard draws.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:34 AM ^
... ND will be keying on DRob to run every time he takes the field... a little fake draw, bring in the line backers, and dump over to a wide open Koger for a 30 yard gallop seems to be in order next week.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:32 AM ^
If the first pass opption wasn't there immediately, he seemed to take the option to run.
First game for a freshman, didn't turn the ball over, handled the pressure pretty well.
I know it was only WMU, but if the biggest improvement is from game to game 2, I'm super excited for next week.
September 6th, 2009 at 6:40 AM ^
good point on what young did
September 6th, 2009 at 12:34 AM ^
I'd be more comfortable with him gaining this much needed experience in practice as opposed to games. D.R. may be able to move at lightspeed, but Forcier is light years ahead of him in pocket presence.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:36 AM ^
I would not be surprised if the coaches kept it simple for DR. Give him one receiver to read and let him decide whether to throw it or run it. It may be to early to expect Denard to be able to go through progressions and find the checkdown.
This was only game one though. I expect Denard will command more of the offense as the year goes on. I hope that he settles into a comfort zone and begins to attack defenses through the air as well as on the ground.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:38 AM ^
I do remember the commentators saying that he was not giving the play enough time to develop. I am of the mind that he was nervous (as could only be expected). Let him get more comfortable with the team and I think he will become much more of a threat.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:53 AM ^
running too early. he's probably not fully comfortable passing yet. the passes he did throw were all 100 mph, he'll get it in time
September 6th, 2009 at 1:06 AM ^
Had to be hard to bring that in.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:11 AM ^
Yeah, especially since there were only about 10 yards between Grady and Shoelace.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
I was impressed with Grady. He did have that one drop, but he ran hard, had a couple nice blocks, and as you said, he made a great catch on that throw from Denard.
September 6th, 2009 at 9:33 AM ^
There were several designed runs for him. The ones where the RB blocked for him were designed runs. If he faked the hand off, that was the read option and he has the option to hand off, run it, or throw to the slot. He was always running it. I think he threw it once. They didn't give him too many shots down field.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^
it's all about the reps. Once Denard gets more reps and time with the system he should be smooth. Staring down your receiver is an obvious way to tell if a quarterback has had a lot of time/experience in the offense. Instead of knowing your wideouts are doing what they are supposed to do and trusting it...a staring quarterback seems to have to watch to make sure they are getting to that location.