Innovative Al and Devin Gardner

Submitted by mghorm on

A couple people touched on it earlier but I'm almost ashamed of how excited i am about the DG wishbone formation. I think that Al borges was just testing it out to see if the concept was even plausible. Even though it had mixed results i think this was very vanilla version of what we could see moving forward. I wholly expect to see more and more of this in the future. There are two main reasons for this. First, there are so many possibilities. Having two athletic quarterbacks on the field just gives so many options (speaking of which think of a DG to denard option play). Second, this allows DG to get more game experience and its not going to be just scrub time. It puts DG on the field under pressure without distrupting our offense. DG is just too good of an athlete to be riding the pine for the next season and a half. Here's to innovation and terrified D coordinators.

Geaux_Blue

October 1st, 2011 at 6:14 PM ^

Originally expected against ND but they couldn't risk an error. I think we will see this not just as a means of burning another team's practice time but as a regular element

Naked Bootlegger

October 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^

When this formation was first revealed, I confidently proclaimed it an "inverted wishbone" to surrounding family members who really didn't give a flying crap.   Now that my instinct was validated by Magnus, I can sleep easy tonight.   Thank you, Magnus, for inadvertently filling my bucket.  

BTW, I did love this formation.   After the second play in this formation, I dreamily thought that they could also throw back to Gardner.  BOOM!  It happened on the third play from this formation.   The next step is a hard play-action fake type of play that has a weak-side TE slip up the seam for a quick-hitter (not sure if a TE was flanking the LT, though).   The possibilties are endless.   Accounting for the myriad Denard possibilities keeps the defense honest and makes it especially exciting.

ryebreadboy

October 1st, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^

I expect that this will also provide some fans with what they seem to want most: an opportunity to see Denard as a WR.  At some point Devin will undoubtedly throw a pass to Denard out of this formation.

the_dude

October 1st, 2011 at 6:45 PM ^

Yeah the first couple plays were just too gimmicky. Fun? Sure! Something you base an offense around? Of course not. The third play where Devin faked the handoff and then ran a waggle is something you can use effectively. If you have a numeric advantage then hand the ball of to Denard. If the defense overplays that option then pull it and head in the other direction and either run or throw a pass. So long as that end where Devin rolls out isn't able to apply pressure it seems like a pretty safe and effective play that gives you a couple good options.

Naked Bootlegger

October 2nd, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^

Navarre "patience" = lack of foot speed!   You're right...Denard has to down shift about three gears to let the blocking develop ahead of him in this type of play.    I was so happy to see Navarre interviewed during this game...fond memories of the Minny comeback featuring his catch and run down the sideline.

Purkinje

October 1st, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^

I think we'll see some of this craziness in the bigger games this season, now that Borges can see that it's at least possible. Can you imagine how hard it would be to plan a defense made to stop a Denard / Devin running / throwing combo? So many places for the ball to go...

Mr. Yost

October 1st, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^

Seeing Devin's enthusiasm was good...you have to feel like he was getting a little down by not playing in mop up time early in the year. Now he's a part of the gameplan.

I will say that after watching Devin's mannerisms...I can see some things that people were saying preseason. When we had people calling for Devin this summer and Denard to move to RB...there were a few posters who let us know that this is Denard's team and that is going to account for something. Devin (and Big Will for that matter) was seemed as too immature and "goofy" to lead the team just yet.

You can see Devin's youth is fun...and excellent for a "spark," but he's not there mentally to be the full-time guy.

I think this puts us in a GREAT situation.

FGB

October 1st, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^

You can absolutely tell from 5 minutes of random aggregate screen time that Devin is not there mentaly to be our QB.

/wanking motion

 

You have no effing clue about Devin's mental fortitude so please stop guessing and passing it off as observable fact.

Mr. Yost

October 1st, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

I was using my observation of body language in bringing up something others who'd seen him day in and day out this summer had been saying.

All I was saying was, "hmmm...now I see what they were talking about."

Don't act like a douche because you don't agree with something, it makes you...well, a douche.

preed1

October 1st, 2011 at 6:27 PM ^

I heard gardner under center, followed by a "f&&k!" from me....and then "who is that guy with a wide stance in the backfield"......light bulb went off

DentalMonsterUM

October 1st, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^

Love seeing 2 QBs in one formation... the play where DG handed to Denard and he lateralled the ball to Gardner was going to go for big, but I respect the pull down and run by Gardner as a sophomore.  Takes a lot of guts to tuck the ball when you could have tossed up a bomb when you are up by 21.  Nic to see this formation finally being used.

MGlobules

October 1st, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^

with both QBs in, not just a play here and there. Could change the face of college ball. Add Vince Smith and you've got 3 of them--we can blow some minds. 

superstringer

October 1st, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^

Not literally but in a way this is the college version of the A-12. Two dual threat QBs. there are zillions of possible plays. But it seems a real good penetrating D line like Sparty would be the effective cpunterpunch. The extra QB on the field removes a decent blocker.

bluebyyou

October 1st, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^

Devin definitely needs more playing time if we can get it for him.  He is very talented and as his playing time and comfort level improves, the scarier the combination of Denard and Devin will become.  Throw Smith into the mix, and a WR will be open. 6 points.

elhead

October 2nd, 2011 at 12:59 AM ^

Q: "talk about the different dangers that presents to a defense..."

A: "I think it's really, really dangerous... you guys just gonna have to wait and see because it's going to be pretty dangerous."

 

Love this!

JohnnyBlue

October 2nd, 2011 at 8:13 AM ^

I love how Borges is starting to give coaches alot to think about.  Speed Option last week. Dual QB this week, HB Pass.  Lots of stuff to force them to play us honest.  Really excited to see what they do next week.