Would this play work at the college D-1 Level? Perfect for Denard?

Submitted by Todd Plate's n… on

Basically a hook and latter, or more simply a bubble screen with the receiver coming back down the line and the QB running a half reverse.  Too slow developing? Snuffed out by a decent DB or two on that side of the field?  Looks like this kid, in addition to this play, had a MONSTER game. 

Another question, not worthy of a thread: do you think RR and Calvin Magee are still learning how to call plays to develop a rhythm with the type of skill they have? What I mean is, I know RR has had a solid reciever or two in his day, but did P White ever have a stable of receivers like Michigan currently has?  Are RR and Magee adjusting to the breadth of skill they have across the field? 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Player-scores-7…

goblue418

October 19th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^

no, and no imo. why would denard run into all of the guys going after the wr who caught the screen? he throws left, then the wr runs toward all the guys chasing him then gives it to denard running next to those same guys? that sounds destined for a turnover or large loss. it would be better if the wr threw it back across the field to denard after holding it for a second

profitgoblue

October 19th, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^

That WR that pitched the back back to the QB is lucky he did not get blown up by the DE.  I'm not sure what the DE was doing - looks like he was trying to tackle a ghost.  At the college level that play would get a WR killed.

HartAttack20

October 19th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^

I'm pretty sure that I saw either that play or a play just like it in a D-1 game recently. I don't necessarily think the play wouldn't work, but it doesn't seem like running the QB towards the screen would do much good. Seems like the kid in the video has a LOT more speed than all of the defenders.

Seth

October 19th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^

There's been several times this year where I saw Denard in range of a pitch at the end of a running play, and wondered when they're going to build a QB pitch into something like that. The problem, of course, is that the offense is designed to put our guys alone in space, meaning if they turn around to pitch you're giving a safety a free run on a stationary target. If the safety gets there first, the Oop-dee-oop is a fumble.

WojoRisin

October 19th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^

Michigan generally runs the slot away from the quarterback on their bubble screens. Without establishing a change in the way you run your screens, it might be easier to sniff out.