Offsides - quick snaps
Anyone else really upset that they instruct the centers to do this? I know its nice to catch the team offsides and all, but it seems like its too risky just to gain five yards. The second time today (the one the refs didnt call), that play took us out of field goal range. Personally I don't think any play where you are relying on the refs to make a call in order for it to work is a good play.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:49 PM ^
It would be one thing if the QB's knew to expect the snap when there is movement, but that clearly didn't seem to be the case. I didn't think that the defense got back onsides on the second one.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
BUT I don't like the fact that moosman has to snap it 20 yards past the quarterback. Moosman should be calm and just snap the ball 3 yards, just in case the qb wasn't looking.
I would hope we use this sparingly and when we need it, like on 3rd down only or something. I'm not sure why the QB are never ready for it, I remember the ball going between the legs when the qb was looking to the sidelines, but if centers are instructed to snap when someone steps over, the qb should be able to see the guy and be ready for the ball.
September 26th, 2009 at 5:56 PM ^
sidelines for possible audibles; not focused on the D at that point. The second, if called, would have given us the first down, but I just feel like its too risky to chance it. I remember we did the same thing last year at some point and the offsides was not called. Seems like a case of over-thinking.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:01 PM ^
How do we know Moosman was instructed to do this. Coach Rod looked FURIOUS after the second quick snap that failed.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
Seeing as how the center has done this multiple times now over the last two years. I dont think a center would do it without having some instruction in practice about it. Now maybe the coaches told moosman after the first time today, they he should not risk it again, idk. Either way, I think its a bad play.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
Seeing as how the entire offensive line stayed completely still when Moosman snapped it, they've clearly practiced the play. Moosman just didn't react quickly enough when Middleton jumped.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:02 PM ^
The first one earned Michigan a first down that they might have gained anyway. The second one took the team out of FG range. Even if both had worked, it was worth a total of ten yards. With the offense Michigan has, I think it's just better to just play the game and let the defense try to stop it.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:21 PM ^
I'm not sure that RR chewing Moosman's ear off about it is fair. Just tell him to cut it out and let it be done. I'm sure Moosman only did it the 2nd time because it worked the first. Hopefully its done with now.
But I don't like that Tate and denard seemed to not be focused on the snap and were already looking ahead to their first step. they need to secure the ball first on a wet slippery day. (thats what she said)
September 26th, 2009 at 6:25 PM ^
It is fair. By the time Moosman snapped it, the DE was back onside. Yeah, it's a split-second decision, but that comes with the territory.
In my opinion, you don't yell at a kid for a physical mistake. Sometimes kids just drop a ball or they're just not fast enough or they're just not strong enough.
But that was a mental mistake, and Moosman deserves the blame. You either react immediately or you don't snap it at all.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:31 PM ^
I will bet that quick-snapping the ball to catch a defender offsides is not one of the plays the team focuses on in practice. Mooseman did it on his own. So Rodriguez chewed him out, not because it didn't work, but because improvisation is not in his job description.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:35 PM ^
No, they practice it. Really, they do.
September 26th, 2009 at 6:49 PM ^
First, they definitely practice it. There is no way that Mooseman, who isn't the regular starter, came up with this on his own. This is especially true in light of the fact that he did it multiple times. If he did it on his own the first time, he would have been told never to do that again, in which case there is no way he would have done it the second time when it didn't work.
Also, I HATE this play. It seems to work less than half the time. Last year it almost never worked. The line would just stay still, Threet would throw a hail mary into double coverage, and there would be no call. I just feel like you risk killing a drive over 5 yards. The offense typically moves the ball well on its own, so just let them do it themselves and not take a risk that isn't worth it.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
In about one and a half years now, has this little bit of trickery actually worked? Seems like just about every time I remember us doing it, the refs miss the call or we get screwed in some way, doesn't seem like it is worth it. I would think much like Matthews playing its 'overly' safe on punts the staff would see this little gamble just isn't worth the possible losses.
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